Sony CDX-M800 Head Unit

If someone called you two-faced, you would likely be insulted. But sometimes this can be a very good thing, as in the case of the new CDX-M800 from Sony.

This in-dash CD receiver has a split personality. It starts out as just a black surface with no controls other than two tiny buttons. Then, as it receives power, a high-resolution (139x39) fluorescent display springs to life with animated wallpaper. Press the Open button and the faceplate reverses to reveal a silver control surface that is reminiscent of the dash in a modern sports car, complete with ovals that contain the controls and a miniature sub-display in the center. When closed with no display, you might not even realize that it's there.

Your options for the look of this unit are plentiful. When the face is open, you can adjust the contrast of the sub-display for any viewing angle. Both displays have scrolling text for long file names, and dimming for night driving. The main display gives you many choices for the background, including two wallpapers, five spectrum analyzers, and three animated movies. These backgrounds can be selected directly by using the Image button (the only button other than Open that appears on the outside when the faceplate is closed). You can also select an Auto-Image mode that will shuffle through the backgrounds continuously. The text information display can be set up to disappear after a few seconds once you have made a change so that your animated backgrounds don't look cluttered. Also included is a Blackout mode, where the display just goes black and then comes back when you touch a control. This is nice for those that prefer a discreet look.

The provided remote, the RM-X110, is about the thickness of a Hershey bar and about 2/3 the length. It has all of the same controls that are found on the "inside" faceplate, plus six direct access buttons for selecting radio station presets. I preferred using the deck with the face closed, since you get the feedback of the detailed display. But when driving it is nice to have the buttons in a known location so you don't have to take your eyes off the road (the other day I cleaned out my car and found all of those remotes I had lost under the seat!). The layout of the buttons on the remote is pretty intuitive, although I kept pressing the Source button (in the center of the navigation arrows) when I wanted to press Enter. I had no problem finding my way through all of the functions. You can also get the optional RM-X6S wireless remote that is ergonomically designed and mounts to a convenient surface near your shifting hand.

The internal CD player will handle normal CDs and CD-R/RW disks as well. If you want to play MP3 files, you can get an optional 10-disc changer, and the deck provides full support for track/folder names and ID3 tags. Also supported are Sony's optional MiniDisc changer and Memory Stick players. Repeat and random playback is available for both the internal player and outboard units. Disc naming is provided for changers, and you can select the discs by name from a list mode on the display. To prevent skipping, the internal mechanism has active feedback on the rotational speed as well as the focus and tracking servos that move the laser. This also helps read through imperfections on the disk like scratches.

The tuner has five bands, three FM and two AM, with six presets on each band. Best Tuning Memory scans and memorizes the strongest signals in the area, and can be used separately on each band. Station naming (up to eight characters) is provided. The list mode is also available here, so you can see your station names in a list and easily select them. There are settings for local/distance, mono/stereo, and wide/narrow IF band to reduce bleed from stations on a frequency near the one to which you are listening.

Standard Bass and Treble controls give you fast access to basic tone shaping, and the normal front/rear fader and balance controls are here. For more control, you have the EQ7 capability. This is a seven-band graphic EQ that can be adjusted in 1dB increments to a maximum of +/-10dB. Seven factory presets have already been created for you and each allows further adjustments to be made. Sony also allows for these presets to be turned off. The EQ settings are retained separately for each source. Loudness gives you more lows and highs at lower volumes to make up for the way your ear processes sound. The DSO (Dynamic Soundstage Organizer) creates the illusion of the speakers being higher than they are by changing the frequency response and phase of the signal, and has three levels plus off. The front/rear line outputs have high-pass filters to cut off the bass frequencies at either 78Hz or 125Hz. The opposite low-pass filters are provided on the mono subwoofer output, effectively providing you with a built-in active crossover. The subwoofer output has a level setting that is easily accessible from the Sound menu, with an adjustment range of 10dB of cut or boost, and it actually goes to infinite attenuation (off!) when you go past -10dB.

RCA connections for line level output (to your power amps) are hard-mounted in the rear of the deck, with the exception of the mono/sub output, which is handled with the more common "pigtail" style wires. A set of Aux In RCA connectors next to the front/rear ouputs gives you a way to connect portable devices or other accessories. These inputs are taken up when you add a CD or MD changer. The speaker outputs and other leads are connected through a multi-pin connector, making your install easy. A special connector is provided for the bus control of external changers. Additional connections include antenna power, amplifier remote turn-on, cell phone attenuate, and illumination control.

Overall, I found the CDX-M800 to be very solid and easy to use. It is not difficult at all to switch between using the remote with the full display, and using the controls on the opened faceplate. This is a good value for the money, and has styles to fit multiple cosmetic tastes.

EQ Presets

HPF-LPF

Bass

Loudness

Treble

EQ Centers

EQ Gain Steps