Sony DSX-S200X Review

That's good feedback to have. Thanks!

Fantastic info!!!  I wish so badly that CF would encourage this type of post (maybe a dedicated thread for reviews?), but first-hand experience like this is an instant bookmark for me.  thanx so much!!!

Thanks guys, glad I could help. I originally had much more detailed information in the first post but it didn't seem like there was much interest at the time. I edited it down to just the Pros and Cons to be more concise.

But in the interest of helping anyone researching this unit now, below was my full review. Hope this helps!

Usability Review

I tested the unit with the following devices:

• 5th Generation iPod Classic (hard drive based). Loaded with 1700 songs at 8 GB.
• 2nd Generation iPod Nano (flash memory based). Loaded with 320 songs at 1.4 GB
• Generic USB flash drive. Loaded with 800 songs at 4 GB in one folder.
• SanDisk Class 10 SDHC card on USB card reader (read/writes at 18 MB/sec). Loaded with 1700 songs at 8 GB in one folder.

All devices were fast to read and initialize (around 4 sec or less) and all devices were fast to skip tracks and display song information. The fastest device to display song info was the Nano. It did this within about half a second. A close second was the Class 10 SD card. Third was the generic USB drive and finally the slowest was the hard drive based iPod Classic, which takes around 1 to 1.5 seconds to display song info.

Browsing and searching was fast on all devices. I never had to wait for it to think or read. This could be because I don't have a huge number of songs or because I don't have then separated into lots of different folders.

General notes:

• If you hold down the SOURCE button for 1 sec, the unit turns off and displays the clock. The button illumination stays on and the fan continues to run.
• If you hold down the SOURCE button for more then 2 sec, the unit turns off completely and the fan turns off after about 8 sec.
• You can turn off the Device Inside warning, but there is no way to turn off the three beeps that warn you to remove the faceplate when you turn off vehicle power.
• With the device off, you press the SOURCE button to turn it back on again. It will remember the previous source you were using prior to turning off.
• Dimming only affects the display. The red/blue illumination stays the same. The blue is too bright to be usable at night. I use the red. Dimming with headlights on works in my car.
• If you press Repeat or Shuffle on the remote, you have to wait 3 seconds for it to accept the command. Don't hit enter or it won't take.
• There is only one fast forward speed when a track is playing.
• Each of the EQ presents can be individually customized from the factory settings, plus there is a Custom preset. The EQ is parametric, so there are 7 bands, but within each of the 7 bands you can choose between 2 center frequencies to adjust the amplitude.
• The time alignment settings are pretty extensive. You can choose from presets (Front-L, Front-R, Front, All, Off) or Custom. The custom allows you to set the five speakers (FL, FR, RL, RR, Sub) from 30 to 300 cm in 2 cm increments.
• I'm not really into a lot of bass, but you can turn on the Rear Bass Enhancer which applies a low pass filter to the rear speakers to work as a subwoofer.
• DM+Advance does seem to help, but I keep it turned off. It works on both iPod and USB.

Tuner notes:

• RDS only displays 8 characters at time. There is a second or two delay before it shows the next set of text.
• When switching from USB to tuner, there is a soft ramp up in volume. When switching from tuner to USB, the volume goes right to the set level.
• The tuner seems more sensitive than my previous CDA-9885.
• Tuner volume level is noticeable lower than USB/iPod modes.
• When you set a station preset, the unit automatically assigns a label to it in the preset list (the list that pulls up when press the Quick-Browser button) according to RDS data. This label doesn't stay constant. It keeps changing depending on the station's RDS data. On one station, it keeps showing parts of the song title. There is no way to change this, as far as I know.

iPod notes:

• There are 5 lines of text when in search/browse mode. This is very nice. When you scroll down to a selection and stop, the text will scroll left if necessary.
• The song information display shows Artist and Album on the first line and Track Title on the second line. There is no way to change what information is shown here. I wish I could just show the artist and track title. As it is now, it looks a little cluttered.
• The Artist/Album/Track Title icons are also too close to the text. There is only one pixel of space between the two so aesthetically it looks too jumbled.
• The Repeat function is not on by default, but it will remember this setting after you turn off the unit.
• There is bug in the Repeat setting. When you select Repeat Album/Artist/Playlist/Genre it stops the current song and takes you back to the first song in your current list. This doesn't happen with a USB device.
• The Repeat/Shuffle setting gets canceled every time you enter the Quick-Browser mode.
• You can only search a playlist (or some other category) by going into the browse/search function. But again, as soon as do this, the repeat function gets canceled.
• You can skip through tracks in a playlist by pushing the Multi Way Encoder knob to the right, release, then hold it to the right again quickly, but it advanced through the tracks at one speed: about 1/2 sec per track.
• Fast forward in a track only has one speed.
• It will play Apple Lossless (only if on an iPod). The iPod seems to take longer accessing these files so it takes slightly more time to skip tracks and display song information. RETESTED in 2nd Gen Nano and it loads almost instantaneously, maybe a tad slower than with regular files. Regular files are almost instantaneous--perhaps 1/2 sec at most.
• When you press the browse/search button, it remembers what category you were in (Artist, Playlist, Track, etc.) but it default to the beginning of the list instead of where you are currently playing.
• Direct iPod passenger control: display is extremely responsive. The song info is virtually instantaneous. Repeat and shuffle modes set by the iPod take precedence. You can still skip tracks using the head unit or the remote. You just can't browse from the head unit.

USB notes:

• SenseMe works on both Sony and non-Sony USB flash drives.
• SenseMe seemed like a gimmick at first, but I tried it and can how it might come in handy. It takes a while to do the tone analysis and file transfer on your computer. It took a little over an hour to analyze and transfer 539 songs (2.5 GB). The different categories do seem to mostly work.
• It remembers what song you were last playing even if you remove the USB unit and plug it back in again.
• You can repeat just a folder or shuffle a folder. Except the unit calls it "Repeat Album" and "Shuffle Album".

Pros:

• Good display with lots of information
• Fast iPod and USB interface
• Lots of sound control options and features
• Extremely good value for the money

Cons:

• No option to choose what song info is displayed. It always displays Artist/Album/Track.
• When browsing, it remembers what category you were in, but it takes you back to the beginning instead of the current list being played.
• The Repeat/Shuffle setting gets canceled every time you enter the Quick-Browser mode.
• iPod Repeat setting bug: setting Repeat Album/Artist/Playlist/Genre it takes you back to the first song in your current list. This doesn't happen with a USB device.
• Dimming only affects the main display. The red/blue illumination does not dim. The blue illumination is too bright at night.
• The radio station preset list has labels that are automatically assigned by RDS and these labels keep changing.
• The faceplate is difficult to re-attach.

Suggestions for Improvement

• Have options to allow user to select what song info fields are displayed.
• Have a direct search mode for the current list you are in. Perhaps make this a long press of the Quick-Browse button.
• Have the option to make the Repeat and Shuffle function permanent until changed by the user.
• Fix the Repeat setting bug in iPod mode. When you select Repeat, it shouldn't go back to the first song in the list.
• Include variable color illumination.
• Include more dimming levels so users can tweak how low the illumination goes.
• If you select "Enter" on the remote after selecting Repeat or Shuffle, it should accept the command. You shouldn't have to wait 3 seconds.
• Make the display bigger. There is room to make the screen bigger vertically since there this no CD slot or preset buttons.
• Make the display higher resolution for smoother fonts. I wish more companies would follow Apple's lead and make the user experience better by starting with the display.
• Work on the graphic design of the display. The Artist/Album/Track icons should be inverted or somehow differentiated from the information text. Put some space between the two because right now the one pixel width space makes it look to jumbled up.
• Improve the RDS to include RT (64 character) information instead of just PS (8 character information). Make the RDS font look better. Currently it looks squashed and unappealing.
• Have a user option to show remaining track time. It currently only displays elapsed playing time.
• Have option to manually label the radio station preset labels and don't let them change on their own.
• Have more than one speed of fast forward during a song/podcast and have more than one speed of fast forward when skipping tracks in a playlist. Make it ramp up in speed the longer the user holds down the knob.
• Have a third rear USB connector for those who want to use that option.
• Have an option to turn off the fan if the Tune Tray USB is not connected.
• Have option to change the source volume levels to match the tuner and USB.
• Have even faster USB/iPod interface. Instantaneous would be great.
• Pushing the center of the knob is not precise in a moving car. Improve this or add an "enter" button.
• Redesign the faceplate mounting mechanism. It's not user friendly the way it is now.

I agree with the others...excellent review.

Personally, I have a S200X that's been sitting in its box for about two weeks waiting to be installed.  I wanted to wait until I could see the 2012 models announced at CES.

Based on my criteria (primarily--good display, good interface, hidden USB), I've come close to buying a new JVC for the past couple years, but have held off due to glitches discussed here, and a interface that's perhaps not quite as friendly as it could be.

For 2012, while most have made only minimal changes, JVC has revamped their line.  The X80BT and R80BT look appealing, and have addressed at least one of criticisms of past models with the new display.  Now, the questions are whether they have good quality controls, if the interface has changed, and if they still suffer from the iPod audio bug.

The Sony, aside from being great value as a closeout, appears to have one of the best and quickest iPod/USB interfaces (though not perfect), a good OEL display (though limited to white), and does fulfill the hidden USB requirement, though I don't buy into the hype of the Tune tray.  The RCA pigtails that sprout like weeds out the back also kinda bug me, but out of sight, out of mind.

Additionally, it has a much more extensive EQ, and time alignment, which the JVCs lack except for the top model A95BT, which lists for $280 and is more than I want to spend.  Having never heard a unit with time alignment, does it really make a difference?  Imaging and sound stage could definitely be improved in my car.

I still plan to install the Sony, and chances are I'll keep it, but wandering eye is hard to resist.

Great review and I enjoy seeing info like this - more info is always better.

Crampon

You can turn off the Device Inside warning, but there is no way to turn off the three beeps that warn you to remove the faceplate when you turn off vehicle power.

No EASY way - I would only recommend this for someone who rarely planned to remove the faceplate, but that was the way I used it and the relay worked well and was comparatively inexpensive.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

CheekyMonkey

The RCA pigtails that sprout like weeds out the back also kinda bug me, but out of sight, out of mind.

on some occasions with RCA's plugged in, the HU's depth requirement can jump beyond the point where it fits properly.  pigtails avoid that issue.  also if a connector goes bad, i can easily splice a new pigtail without busting apart the HU.  pigtails are best, IMHO.

I hadn't considered J Ro's points, but he makes some good points here.

I think on most cars you get a cleaner install with RCA's on the rear of the HU - but there are probably a few where this doesn't work at all and pig-tails would allow the install.

Like most things, I doubt you can say one or the other is universally better than the other.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

I also just bought the DSX-S200x to replace my recently stolen stereo and it definitely has some quirks. For example in regards to the USB shuffle (I assume this would work for Ipod as well but haven't tested it), there is also the option to "Shuffle Device" which will randomly play through all the songs on the USB drive, but it is a bit quirky in it's use.

When you first plug in a USB device the option will be there, but as soon as you use the search feature and select "Artist" or "Album" the "Shuffle Device" option won't be available anymore. If you go back into search, select "Folder&File" or "Track" and select a song to play, the option for "Shuffle Device" will be available again.

There is also a "Shuffle All" option if you use the SensMe feature.

I finally got around to installing my S200X...but ran out of time and didn't finish.  I work slowly and methodically, but crimping and soldering thirty or so connectors took more time than I anticipated.

But, I did get it hooked up and powered on for some testing, even if it isn't ready for permanent occupancy yet.

So far, I like what I've seen--the USB connection is the fastest I've experienced, the display looks good, and somewhat surprisingly, it seems louder (though it has less power) and sounds better than my old HU.  I don't know if it's the DSP, EQ, and such at work, or if I've just been conditioned to the now apparent mediocrity of my previous HUs.  The 6x9s I installed in the rear as an upgrade never really made any difference with the old HU, but I notice them now.

One nicety I will miss, though, from the old HU is the custom setting for power-on volume, which always ensured that the level was neither too loud nor too soft, every time it was switched on.

Of course, the real test will come under road conditions.

I've been happy with mine. I can't see any other HU costing the same amount keeping me as content. So far the main little nit picks I have with the unit are the sub control doesn't seem to have an actual on/off setting persay. You can turn it to -10 and then the next notch lower is off. Second, I'm using the same USB flash drive I used in my Alpine CDA-117 and while the Alpine would see and allow me to play my playlists on the flash drive, I have been unable to even find a playlist option in the search menu that pops up. Perhaps I just need to redo the way my flash drive is setup.

Weigel21

So far the main little nit picks I have with the unit are the sub control doesn't seem to have an actual on/off setting persay

Easy solution to this would be a toggle switch in the remote wire to the sub amp - but I agree, it would be nice to have it easily accessible in the head unit.

Anyone else have suggestions?

Being mostly unfamiliar with subs, is there really often a need to toggle them on and off?

I can see how those who choose to drive rolling Wackers might night want to attract attention from the authorities, but one would think that at proper, reasonably set levels, they wouldn't require much fiddling.

Back on topic--finished the installation and now I need to get it dialed in.  For the custom listening position distance settings, in theory. should the measurement be taken to the midbass (in the kick panel), or to the tweeter (in the door panel)?  Or in between them?

Also identified one other quirky feature that I had grown accustomed to before--being able to use the HU with the ignition off, which was nice when parked, and also allowed some quick adjustments made without having the key in hand.  A preset time limit helped prevent the feature from draining the battery.

But, it's minor stuff more than compensated for in many other areas.

CheekyMonkey

Being mostly unfamiliar with subs, is there really often a need to toggle them on and off?

Yep - I'm not a subwoofer person either - but I can think of a couple of situations:

• Switching between music and something like talk radio or sports-talk.
• Situations where a wife or kids don't want to hear the heavy bass but you do - and/or vice-versa.

In both situations, I would prefer to not have to adjust the subwoofer level down to zero and back to whatever I had it - which the toggle switch would allow for.

CheekyMonkey

being able to use the HU with the ignition off, which was nice when parked, and also allowed some quick adjustments made without having the key in hand.

Most OEM head units have that - I don't know of any aftermarket ones that do.

I got close to it with a relay and toggle switch like this (thanks Alex W).  I have to remember to turn it off when I leave the vehicle, but you could easily wire in another relay to turn it off when the door opened or after a time delay.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

I have people in my car from time to time, like my Mother and sister, that can't stand the sub(s) playing. I can turn them down to a level that they're ok with, but at that point I just as well turn the darn things off. Is it a big deal that it doesn't have an on/off selector? No, but it'd have been nice.

As for the time delay shutoff, you can set the HU to shut off after a preset amount of time for cars without a switched power source. I don't know if it can in someway help you or not. Probably not come to think of it.