There's nothing worse than driving somewhere while listening to the radio when the phone rings - you think it's the phone anyway. Unsure, you quickly turn down the radio and frantically search for your cell. If you're lucky, you manage to answer it in time without endangering those on the road around you. Or, if you're like me, you've turned the radio down and grabbed the phone simply because you think you've heard something that sounded like your phone ringing.
For convenience, safety and, in some areas, legal reasons, Sony has put an end to this madness with their first Bluetooth-enabled AM/FM/CD receiver, the MEX-BT5000. While this Bluetooth-enabled unit may be a first for Sony car audio, the MEX-BT5000 undoubtedly builds on Sony's experience with their line of Bluetooth-enabled laptops and Sony Ericsson cell phones. Besides allowing hands-free phone conversations with Bluetooth-enabled phones, the MEX-BT5000 also supports Bluetooth audio streaming - allowing the audio from a portable Bluetooth-enabled music player to be run through and controlled by the Sony unit.
Cosmetically, the MEX-BT5000 features a striking silver and black flip-down faceplate dominated with a multi-function joystick and large fluorescent display. Rotate the joystick to adjust volume, toggle the joystick either up or down to change albums or radio presets, and toggle left or right to change tracks or radio frequencies. When in the MEX-BT5000's menu, the multi-function joystick allows the user to simply navigate the menu items - moving up and down through multiple features shown on the large display.
Installing the MEX-BT5000 into a 2004 PT Cruiser was much like installing a typical single-DIN unit - with one exception: The multi-function joystick that protrudes from the MEX-BT5000's faceplate is large enough that it could have undesirable contact with some dash kits when the faceplate is lowered. I discovered this unwanted contact firsthand with the aftermarket dash kit I used in the PT Cruiser. When I attempted to load a disc, the faceplate could only lower halfway before the joystick prevented the faceplate from lowering further. Luckily for me, the dash kit had provisions for an ISO mount, so after quickly removing the DIN mounting sleeve and using the ISO screws, I was able to get the radio to sit forward enough in the dash kit that the joystick cleared the dash kit when the faceplate was opened.
Minor installation hiccup aside, the MEX-BT500 functioned as promised. The CEA-compliant Sony unit is rated at 52 watts per channel (17 watts RMS) and supplied ample power to the PT Cruiser's stock speakers. While I didn't need any RCA outputs, the MEX-BT5000 does feature three sets of pre-outs (front, rear and subwoofer). The unit also features Sony's Aux-Lite input that can be connected to any of Sony's accessories (CD changer, satellite radio, iPod interface) or to any device with a standard RCA audio output. For those who like to create their own CDs, the MEX-BT5000 plays ATRAC3plus / ATRAC3 files, MP3s and WMA files burned onto CD-R or CD-RW discs. To counteract the decreased audio quality from compressed audio files on burned discs, the MEX-BT5000 features BBE MP circuitry that is designed to recover and recreate harmonics, restoring the detail that existed in the original recording.
As a Bluetooth hands-free kit, the MEX-BT5000 excels. Since the Bluetooth circuitry is built into the Sony's single-DIN chassis, there are no extra connections or accessories needed to utilize the MEX-BT5000's Bluetooth capabilities. Once the radio was installed it only took a couple of minutes to pair the Sony unit with my cell phone. An important note: Most of the Bluetooth features that the MEX-BT5000 supports rely on the capabilities of the cell phone itself. For example, while the MEX-BT5000 supports the transfer of the phonebook from the cell phone to the MEX-BT5000, my phone didn't. However, the basic phone functions (i.e., sending and receiving calls) should be supported by virtually every Bluetooth-enabled cell phone on the market.
When a call comes in, the MEX-BT5000 will display the caller ID - if the phone supports that function - and when the call is answered, the radio mutes and the caller's voice can be heard from one or both of the front speakers. The hands-free microphone that is built into the Sony faceplate did a sufficient job of picking up my dialog, although some callers commented that I sounded a little distant at times. After adjusting the Echo Canceller / Noise Canceller setting on the radio, the microphone's performance improved. Making calls on Sony's MEX-BT5000 was just as easy as receiving them. Calls can be initiated (and terminated) using the MEX-BT5000's faceplate, supplied wireless remote or from the cell phone itself.
The MEX-BT500 is as adept an in-dash source unit as it is a Bluetooth hands-free device. As a source unit, the MEX-BT5000 operated smoothly - playing multiple formats of compressed audio with sufficient clarity and power. As a Bluetooth hands-free device, the Sony shined: Calls came in loud and clear, and I didn't have to worry about missing a call while driving. Combining Sony's experience in Bluetooth-compatible electronics and car audio, the MEX-BT5000 has created a versatile, worthwhile upgrade to any stock system.