Sony xav9500es

Just bought a Sony xav9500es through Crutchfiled. I bought all the suggested harnesses and hardware. Question is, how easy will it be installing the 10” floating stereo?

 

Honestly, it shouldn’t be very hard. Flash your maestro module so you can retain factory swc and what not. Match up the maestro harness to your radio’s harness. Colors for colors. Read the instructions maestro provided after flashing the module. It will tell you which wires needs to connect and which doesn’t.
Watch YouTube vids on how to remove the dash. Mount the radio to the aftermarket dash kit. Test fit and go from there.

 

I am interested in seeing how you like that unit. I have heard good things. It's one of the few true hi- res units.

 

i read some good reviews and chose it over the pioneer 10” which had some mixed reviews. The Sony has better specs. I should get it in the mail next week. I’ll keep you posted.

 

I am actually installing this same set up tomorrow. The Sony came available on Crutchfield, been so tired of the stock system. I'll take some photos of everything. Maybe some dos don't on fitting. But truly shouldn't be that hard.

 

Oh that would be awesome. Mine gets in Tuesday.

 

Interested to see how you like it. It doesn’t have hdmi input for how much it cost. It doesn’t look like screen mirroring is an option either. But, if you’re not into those then it wouldn’t matter.

 

Sure seems like it's made of gold at that price.

 

I know, the bezels are pretty big too. Almost more like a 9”. I don’t mind the absence of an hdmi port or CD/DVD drive. I’m sure screen mirroring can become an update or hack. I think I did see someone being able to use a fire stick, but I may be mistaken.

 

One way to test if you can use the firestick is get an adapter. Usb-c to hdmi. Then hook the firestick to the hdmi and see if it will work. If it does and you went this route, you will be giving up your usb port for media on thumbdrive.

 

Did anyone get this installed? I’m looking to buy one and can’t make up my mind.

 

I am will let you know on 3/3.

 

So I did get the install completed on my 2018 CM SR5 with Factory NON JBL AMP.

I have to say I absolutely love it and then a bit disappointed.

Installed this myself and I was a bit intimidated. I grew up building sounds systems in my vehicles, changing decks, wiring everything, and building sub boxes, wood and fiber. Was in the Navy and worked on electronics for F/a-18s so i understand most of this stuff. But with all the electronics in vehicles now the spider web of wires is crazy.
Recommend if you are wiring everything up yourself get the wire schematics in front of you and be prepared for a day of stripping, soldering, cutting and crimping. There are a ton of wires. I bought from Crutchfield and spent a total of $1600+. Researching before I purchased I saw how many wires there were between the deck, idatalink, and vehicle. So when crutchfield asked me via add on if I wanted them to wire it up for $25 I jumped on it. Well worth $25 for my time, because they test everything prior to sending out to ensure everything functions. When installing I got my screen where I wanted it then secured the screen it with all the Sony hardward for the screen. Connected all the connections and powered up to ensure everything was functioning. After an Operations, control and sound test. I disconnected everything from the vehicle and deck brought it to my bench grabbed a beer and a new roll of electrical tap. I wrapped the harness so nothing turned into a rats nest then re-installed and op tested again before putting everything back together. I routed the GPS antenna under the center dash speaker and cut about a 1/4" nothing out of the front end of the speaker cover to mount it forward close to the windshield on my dash. The Mic I routed through the dash, there is a gap between the Tundra gage cluster that goes all the way to the driver side of the truck. Popped the trim off and routed it with the existing wire then just clipped it to the head liner next to the cab light. Pushed the wire in to the head liner so it is all hidden.

Pros
Screen is huge, very responsive, and clear. Great display. Was a bit skeptical on the way the screen mounts to the single din. Was expecting maybe some movement in it while driving. There is absolutely no movement and I'm on a 6inch lift with Coilovers and 37s so rides a little stiffer than stock. (Haven't been offroad since install though)

Getting it to fit the way I wanted did take a quite a bit of patience. Sony did a great job ensuring that you can customize the screen position without sacrificing structural integrity. You can raise the screen position, shift side to side, tilt degree, and move the screen mount in and out.

Sound quality is night and day difference. I have all stock speakers with factory non JBL amp. It made the speakers come alive. The deck powers your dash speakers if you have them, then the amp powers all your doors if you have a factory amp. Was thinking I was going to have to upgrade speakers right now (still will soon but not needed).

All the you tube vids and reviews I was watching mentioned what Sony did with the ES line up and the quality of sound but I was absolutely blown away. The selectable option on the EQ are amazing as well as the Xover options for each speaker. Sound options are impeccable I have to say for an out of the box deck. Not an expert on the HZ settings and will have to do some research to figure this beast out.

The gage options are pretty cool and paired with the Maestro RR and harness. The interface is pretty seemless. Having the ability to keep factory steering wheel controls was wanted for me as I got use to that. However I did add some functions when programming the Maestro idatalink. Example programed my pick up call button when holding it down it'll display the gage screen. Maestro did a great job with there program and it walks you through. They didn't have the Sony xav9500es model listed so I had to search for it which the program prompted for me. You will need the S/n from the deck for programming. I did keep the right side of my steering wheel stock settings and didn't change that because it controls my dash cluster.

The deck has a USB 3 output and is powered by 3 amps so it charges my Samsung S21 Ultra pretty fast. You can get a USB 3 adapter to a regular USB out put so that you can use apple or a thumb drive. Not sure about USB 3 to HDMI.

Android Auto is quick and seamless, responsive you can use it either plugged into the USB 3 or completely wireless through wifi signal and Bluetooth.

What I was a bit disappointed in was options to customize. Thinking it was going to be like a tablet that you can install and move APPS around. Color options, etc. Not a deal breaker for me though.
NO SCREEN MIRRORING, come on SONY get on board with new tech. It should be able to but Sony firmware and or Software update to enable it. I'm sure they will make changes. I still haven't figure it all out yet but working on it.

One functioning issue so far though.
During phone calls I get some cracking in the dash speakers. From the voice of the person I'm on the phone with. So I got to pull the deck back out to make sure the mic cable didn't come out a bit or something else. But I really think it's a speaker / Sony setting that the Audio comes out of the center dash speaker. Might need to upgrade that speaker first for it to handle the wave length that is being pushed to it now.

Over all very happy.

 

wow, thanks for all that information. After receiving it from crutchfield I called around and decided to have Best Buy do the install. They are only charging me $100 plus $60 for Maestro RR. I am also having them put in a remote start, phone upgrade and alarm. I’m getting the install on the 2nd.

 

You can try phone mirroring using usb to hdmi. See if that would work?

 

That's an awesome deal!! Some people would be like "what you can't do it yourself". No adays I'm more like it's not worth the extra head ache.

What remote start did you go with? I want one!

 

I'll get the adaptor to see but, I don't see an option for it in the Sony settings for external video input. There are 3 camera in options for video where the RCA connections are which allows for added input. Then I can set the Maestro for input function for one of the button on the steering wheel to trigger the camera aka my phone. For mirror like function, but it's not that big of a deal. Not to heart broken over it. The Andriod Auto is pretty good. Plus voice recognition by saying "Hey Google, play blah blah blah on Amazon Music". Or if you say Hey Google play blah blah blah it'll use You tube Music.


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Compustar. I’d expect Sony to release a screen mirroring update eventually.

 

The biggest reason I got so fed up with the Factory Toyota Entunes is that the Bluetooth with my phone, Samsung S21 Ultra.

While making phone calls at random points in time usually around 5 mins in it would disconnect bluetooth, drop the call then reboot. But Bluetooth music would be just fine no issues. Only during phone calls.

My wife has a 21 Sequoia and had the S21 Ultra, we fought and fought with the Toyota, Samsung, and Verizon over this issue. All of them pointing their fingers at one another. Wife went through 4 different S21 Ultras and Toyota replaced (so they say) the head unit. The head unit still had her map history and saved destinations. She ended up down grading to the Note 20 and has been better since but does it every now and then.

A local Tundra Facebook page I'm on, a couple of the people in the group have experienced the same things with the Note 20, S21s and iPhone 13s. Come to find out the new Bluetooth protocols were implemented in these phones and factory headunits have issues with that.

So it was either a $1600 new phone or $1600 set up. Oh and Bluetooth in my daughter's 21 Highlander works just fine with the same phones so...

 

I just bought a 2016 tundra and have been having the same issues. I had decide to go with a tundra that was about $7000 less so that I could make some upgrades. I went to Toyota about the Bluetooth issue and the dude straight up told me the OEM units are shit, and I’d be better off putting in a aftermarket stereo. So I total the upgrades with alarm, self starter, stereo, and maestro will be around $2300. I spent the rest on an RLD cap, and rack.

 

Purchased the Tundra ans Sequoia brand new both units they are worthless. The dealer has been an absolute nightmare over this particular issue. Will be upgrading the Sequoia soon as well. Not with a 10 in floating though.

Are you factory amp'd??

 

I am. I’m going to see how it sounds, and then possibly upgrade the amp and speakers.

 

Great overview. Does this unit have a GPS in it? Any chance you could post a couple more photos of how it looks from the side?

 

Get the remote start from 12volt solutions its great! All plug and play no wires to cut at all and uses factory key fobs. Installed in less than an hour. I would be scared to let the clowns at best buy touch my truck.

 

It does have GPS, not sure how it works as there is not a SONY NAV on it. Strictly Android Auto. So I think it assists GPS location with your phone.
Next time I am in the truck I will snap some more photos. Will post later.

 

I think it has gps via android auto/apple carplay but I don't believe it has built in GPS without the use or need to hook up to a phone like the OEM headunits do.

 

Thanks!!!

 

I like it and the write up is perfect. I see there is no XM though. Am I correct about that?

 

Usually these headunits don't come with the XM tuner built in. If it is "XM ready" then you can get a SiriusXM radio tuner and add it.

Just wanted to also mention that if you're installing a Sony unit, this direct adapter might be helpful:
https://www.autoharnesshouse.com/AHH-70-1761SO.html

It doesn't connect to the Maestro RR but you can still keep your steering wheel controls.