Sony MEX-BT3800U In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA/AAC Player with Bluetooth
March 30th, 2010 | 
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- AM/FM radio, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3/WMA/AAC receiver with Bluetooth
- 52 Watts x 4 peak power
- Detachable face with 1-line, 13-segment LCD display
- Includes front panel auxiliary input, USB port, iPod control; SAT/HD Radio ready with Sony Bus
- One-year limited warranty
Product Description
Sony MEX-BT3800U In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA/AAC Player with BluetoothAmazon.com Product Description
Sony’s MEX-BT3800U is a great way to add Bluetooth and media power to your vehicle, with 52 Watts through four channels. Make hands-free calls or stream audio from your compatible devices. You can also play back CDs and CD-R/RWs, along with MP3/WMA/AAC files. A front auxiliary input is great for connecting external devices, and you can enjoy full iPod control right from the receiver.
A Bluetooth receiver that will play your digital music files. Click to enlarge. |
Detachable faceplate for added security. |
Front panel auxiliary input and USB port. |
Detachable Faceplate
The MEX-BT3800U features a detachable faceplate for added security, with a 1-line, 13-segment LCD display and blue control illumination.
Bluetooth Functionality
The MEX-BT3800U features Bluetooth hands-free with an integrated microphone (or through an external microphone), as well as audio streaming functionality using your compatible Bluetooth music device.
USB 1-Wire for iPod, iPhone, and Other USB Devices
USB 1-Wire lets you directly connect, charge, and control your digital music player via the USB jack in the front of the unit, as well as view metadata like song title and artist on the front display.
Quick-Browzer Technology With Jump Mode and ZAPPIN Features
Quick-BrowZer lets you search and select songs by category, including artist, album, genre, or playlist. Jump Mode gets you closer to the song you want by allowing you to fast forward through a music category in 10 percent increments. With Zappin, you can play music in six-, nine-, or 30-second clips until you find the song you’re looking for.
MP3/WMA/AAC Playback With DM+
Multi-format playback lets you play CDs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs loaded with hundreds of MP3, AAC, or WMA songs. Hear the music on your recorded CDs and MP3s in their original vibrancy with DM+ (Digital Music Plus), an original Sony codec enhancer that reproduces detailed and high-frequency sound from compressed audio.
Satellite and HD Radio Ready
The MEX-BT3800U integrates seamlessly with satellite radio Sony Bus adaptors (sold separately) so you can receive digital satellite radio broadcasts. HD Radio capability lets you receive digital audio broadcasts when used with an optional HD Radio tuner.
Radio Data System (RDS)
The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album.
Front Auxiliary Input
The front auxiliary input lets you connect almost any portable audio device to your car’s sound system.
EQ3
Customize the sound with Sony’s EQ3 feature, which includes 7 preset tone curves and a 3-band equalizer.
What’s in the Box
MEX-BT3800U, Installation Hardware, User’s Manual
Sony MEX-BT3800U In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA/AAC Player with Bluetooth
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Tags: 6 Responses to “Sony MEX-BT3800U In-Dash CD Receiver MP3/WMA/AAC Player with Bluetooth”
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I needed a radio to control my 2nd gen Ipod Touch and my Samsung Blackjack via bluetooth, and this radio does both and provides excellent sound quality in a sleek looking package with intuitive controls. Installing was a breeze (my previous radio was a Sony so I did not have to install the wiring harness). Ipod controls sort your music by album, artist, genre, etc. on the radio display. Not something you want to do while driving, but navigating to another song or album at a stop light is a breeze. After connecting the phone via bluetooth, answering was simple. Just push a button. I purchased the external microphoneSony XAMC10 External Mic for BT (Black) as well as the radio so I can’t speak to the internal mic’s quality, but with the external mic I had no ptoblems. Includes a remote with the simpler functions on it. This radio also controls my Sony disc changer I have been using since the 90’s. I’ve always loved Sony products, and this radio just supports my choice in equipment. Great price too; Sony lists this unit for $199. Only con so far is no built-in HD radio tuner, but until that tech takes off I wouldn’t worry about it.
Here is Sony’s page for this radio:
[...]
Rating: 5 / 5
I wanted a stereo to pair with my Palm Pre, primarily so I can listen to music and podcasts via bluetooth. This does that wonderfully. I can even answer calls to my phone by pressing the main dial button and hear the caller over the car’s stereo speakers. The built-in microphone on the stereo works OK while driving around town, but at highway speeds the engine noise, road noise, and wind noise make it so the caller on the other end can barely hear me unless I shout. I will be purchasing the Sony XAMC10 External Mic and expect that to take care of the problem, based on reviews for that product.
My only complaint is about the LCD display. It works great for most things, but when listening to the radio, there isn’t enough room for the RDS information to display, so you’ll quite often see words truncated and then the 2nd half of the word displays when the display moves to the next bit of info. It’s a minor thing since I spend most of my time listening to bluetooth audio, but thought I’d mention it in case anybody else cares a lot about that.
Rating: 5 / 5
FM: Excellent reception. Has ‘RDS’ Radio Data System. Name of song and station info for many stations displayed. Not many have this. CD: Excellent. Quick-BrowZer® with Jump Mode and Zappin(tm) technology is cool. BT: Easy initial sync, auto sync everytime. Auto sync with last device connected. My phone S.E. w518a, always great connection. BT AUDIO: Great sound quality. Hit seek (on radio or steering wheel) and jog to next song on phone. COOL. BT PHONE: Excellent. Hear everybody great. Turn up or down volume of stereo as needed. Comfortably interrupts any music source to let you know incoming call. Push of button answers, push hangs up, two pushes redials last #. Does NOT have Phone Book Access Profile. No caller ID or even calling # displayed. To see who it is, you look at your phone or answer without knowing. Dial from phone. MIC: external mic a MUST, however, it works EXCELLENT and you are clearly heard. AUX: Great. Sounds fine for music and voice. IPOD use fine. NO rear AUX but they say you can buy adapter to change your CD changer control to a rear AUX. Have not tried USB. DISPLAY: Face lights too bright. You can dim display, but not face lights. You can shut radio off to standby, showing time with lights on, or you can easily power it completely off and no light at all shows. Face lights don’t bother me anymore & I do a lot of night driving. REMOTE: Good. Basic controls.
Rating: 5 / 5
This radio has excellent sound and works very well with my cell phone and ipod.
I did order the Sony microphone to improve the quality of phone calls.
You can’t go wrong with this radio.
Rating: 5 / 5
The radio is ok, but not exceptional.
I bought this sony to replace my failing DUAL XHD6425 radio. The Dual radio had built in HD, an exceptionally well design Bluetooth that transmitted clearly even with the windows down, and many more extras. Too bad it had a short circuit the factory could not fix. It would not accept inputs from the memory buttons.
I bought the MEX-BT3800U expecting exceptional value from the sony brand. My main impetus was the bluetooth feature and the capability to upgrade later to HD radio. What a let down. The bluetooth has a mediocre noise reduction capability. If you drive a noisy car like my 2002 neon your voice will sound very faint to the listener. I was forced to spend an extra $40 for the sony microphone. A cheap looking microphone that looks like a $5 knock off at the mall and performs like one too. The microphone attaches to the visor and stands high off its perch about inch. I expected a more stream lined design for $40! I find myself wishing for my old Dual radio. True had to dial the stations but the bluetooth was great with HD radio included for the same price as the sony.
Summary
The bluetooth in the sony will only work well if you buy the microphone, and its still just ok.
HD is an extra feature you have to buy, for extrea $120+. Built in, in the DUAL radio for a lower price.
The Sony is an overpriced radio short on features. Not offering anything better other cheaper radios already offer for a lesser price.
Rating: 3 / 5
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