MEX-BT3900U
3
5
2
2
Quality unit
A bit of background: I love great sounding car stereos, and have owned systems that focus on sound quality for the last decade or so.
Unit works very well with my Samsung Galaxy S2 via Bluetooth. The BT audio sounds like a slight step down in sound quality compared to a direct connection (using my iPod nano hooked up via USB as a reference), but I don't usually notice the difference. Some tracks do sound noticeably worse, but most tracks are acceptable. The iPod controls and integration are very nice. The Sony runs the iPod much faster and the controls are more intuitive compared to my three year old Kenwood receiver (bought at the same time as my last phone, an iPhone 3G). I've owned over 20 car receivers over the years and this is one of the best ones in terms of quality, features and value. I wish that it had 4v preamp outputs, but I don't really notice much of a difference from my last two receivers, both of which had 4v outputs. I didn't have to adjust the gains on my amps with the voltage drop, but will probably do so in the future just to optimize my setup.
November 7, 2011
IPhone 3GS & iPhone 4 compatibility
READ BEFORE BUYING
Do not buy the Sony MEX-BT3900U system if you plan to use it to play music over Bluetooth using an iPhone 3G3 or an iPhone 4.
Information stored in the music files, such as Artist, Song Title and Album name will not appear in the unit?s display window during playback. It will only appear if the device is connected using a USB cable and the sound source is switched from BT (Bluetooth) Audio to USB.
The technicians referred to page 26 where it states: ?Depending on the audio device, information, such as title, track number/time, playback status, etc., may not be displayed on this unit. The information is displayed during Bluetooth Audio playback only.? My argument is that ?MADE for iPod and iPhone? mark is printed on the box and the front cover of the owner?s manual, meaning that this device was built for and around Apple?s specifications.
The MEX-BT3900U will also not allow an iPhone to transfer contact numbers stored in the Address Book to any of the six preset station numbers - another useful feature of the unit that does not work with the world?s most popular cell phone.
Sadly, the main reason I bought the device was so that I could make handsfree phone calls AND navigate my music list without taking my eyes off the dashboard and looking down at the phone. I am returning the unit for a refund.
September 20, 2011
