Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – How to Choose?
Upgrading your car’s dash with a wireless media receiver can significantly improve the overall look of your car from the inside. Moreover, you will have a lot of advanced options, whether you are listening to music or connecting your smartphone to entertain yourself.
The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 are two of the popular stereo head units that you can use in your car. Both of these media receivers have similar specifications and pricing. Hence, we have compared Alpine ILX-W650 Vs Sony XAV-AX5500 to help you make an informed decision.
Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – Comparison Table:
| Product | Alpine ILX-W650 | Sony XAV-AX5500 |
| Aux Input | Mini (Front) | No |
| Audio/Video Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes (Front) | Yes (Rear) |
| USB Port Power | 1 amp | 1.5 and 0.5 amp |
| Backup Camera input | Yes | Yes |
| Second Camera Input | Yes | No |
| CarPlay | Yes | Yes |
| Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Alexa Voice Assistant | No | No |
| Siri Voice Assistant | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Slot | USB Memory | USB Memory |
| Bluetooth Compatible | In-built | In-built |
| Satellite Radio Ready | SiriusXM | SiriusXM |
| HD Radio | No (Standard Radio) | No (Standard Radio) |
| Navigation | Optional | Optional |
| Full Size (iPod Compatibility) | No | No |
| Nano (iPod Compatibility) | No | No |
| Touch (iPod Compatibility) | No | No |
| iPhone | 5S and Above | 5 and Above |
| RMS Power (CTA-2006) | 16 Watts | 20 Watts |
| RMS Power (Manufacturer) | 16 Watts | 20 Watts |
| Peak Output | 45 Watts | 55 Watts |
| RMS Power Bandwidth | 20 – 20 kHz | 20-22 kHz |
| Preamp Outputs | 6 – Channels | 5 – Channels |
| Sub Preamp Outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Switchable Read Preamp Outputs | No | No |
| Video Screen | Yes | No |
| Screen Type | WVGA | TFT |
| Screen Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels | 800 x 480 pixels |
| Navigation App Compatible (iOS) | Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze | Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze |
| Navigation App Compatible (Android) | Google Maps and Waze | Google Maps, and Waze |
| Preamp Voltage | 4 Volts | 5 Volts |
| Screen Size | 7 inches | 6.95 inches |
| Key Button Color | White | White |
| EQ Bands | 9 Band Parametric | 10 Bands |
| Wireless Remote | No | Yes |
| Steering Wheel Control Compatible | Adaptor Required | Adaptor Required |
| Parts Warranty | 1 Year | 3 Year |
| Labor Warranty | 1 Year | 3 Years |
| FM Sensitivity | 9.3 dBf | 7 dBf |
| European Tuning | No | No |
| Seek/Scan | Seek | Seek |
| Radio Data System | No | Yes |
| Music File Playback | FLAC, MP3, WMA, WAV, and AAC | MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, and WMA |
| Photo Playback | JPG, PNG, and BMP | JPG, PNG, and BMP |
| Video Playback | AVI, MP4, MPG, MOV, and WMV | MP4, WMV, and MKV |
| Second Camera Input Lane Watch | No | No |
| Cables | Power Cable, USB Extension Cable, Pre – Out Cable, and Microphone cable | External Microphone Remote, and Instruction Manual |
| Price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – Similarities
Design
The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 media receivers come with a lot of similarities, and the design is one of them. Both of the media receivers have almost the same structure and design.
Sony claims their media receiver has a bezel-less screen, but you will notice that both media receivers have almost the same amount of thick screen bezels.
Apart from that, both are only available in one color option, that is black. The Sony XAV-AX5500 comes with a 6.95-inch display, while the Alpine ILX-W650 offers a 7-inch large display.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, then the Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 offer the same amount of connectivity options. Both the media receiver offers a Bluetooth connectivity option to connect them to your smartphone.
Apart from that, both stereo head offers USB connectivity as well. You can connect the USB memory stick to listen to songs, watch videos, and check out photos.
Audio Features
The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 offer the same amount of audio features. You can listen to audio via FM Radio, Bluetooth, and a USB stick.
When it comes to the Audio Playback support, then MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, and FLAC audio files can be played on both of these devices.
Media Playback
Apart from audio, these devices allow you to play videos and check out personal photos while sitting in the car. Both devices support a wide range of media playback files.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is unquestionably the most highly anticipated feature in any media receiver. While only a few high-end media receivers support Apple CarPlay, Android Auto is available on most media receivers.
The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 are two media receivers that support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Voice Assistant
The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 media receivers have the voice command feature, enabling you to use your voice to control the device while driving the car.
Both the media receiver supports Siri Voice Assistant.
Also, Google Assistant is supported in both stereo head units, but Google Assistant only works with Android Auto. Moreover, there is no support for Alexa Voice Assistant.
Regarding navigation and maps, both the media receivers have this functionality as an optional feature. The Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 both support a navigation feature. However, this is up to you if you want this feature or not.
If you get the navigation-enabled device, then the device will support navigation services like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps. You can use these three map services to navigate your preferred location.
Installation
The installation is quick and easy for both the media receivers. You can get them installed at a local mechanic shop or at your manufacturer’s service station.
You will get all the screws within the box for installation. Moreover, you can find the instructions in the manual to install the device.
Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – Difference
Aux Input
The Alpine ILX-W650 offers AUX input, while the Sony XAV-AX5500 doesn’t have any AUX input capabilities.
USB Power
The Sony XAV-AX5500 supports variable USB power of 0.5 and 1.5 amps, while the ILX-W650 only supports 1.0 amps of USB power.
The variable power of the stereo head will allow you to charge or connect different devices which require varying USB power to establish a connection.
Second Camera Input
The Alpine ILX-W650 also has the second camera input feature, while the Sony XAV-AX5500 doesn’t, which is another downside of this device.
If you are willing to add a second dash camera to your car, then the Alpine ILX-W650 would be a better choice as it will allow you to connect the camera to the stereo head.
Video Playback
While both the stereo head units support a wide range of file types for both audio and images, the case is not the same for video playback.
The Sony XAV-AX5500 lacks slightly behind the ILX-W650 due to its support for more video file types. The XAV-AX5500 supports only MP4, WMV, and MKV video files. On the other side, the XAV-AX5500 supports AVI, MP4, and MPG. MOV, and WMV.
However, you should note that the Alpine ILX-W650 does not support MKV video files, which are widely in use.
Warranty
The Alpine ILX-W650 comes with a one-year standard warranty. On the other side, the Sony XAV-AX5500 offers a 3-year long warranty.
FM Sensitivity
If you listen to a lot of FM channels, then FM sensitivity is important for you. The Alpine ILX-W650 comes with a 9.3 dBf sensitivity, while the Sony one only has 7 dBf sensitivity.
Attachments
The accessories are another most critical part of the media receivers, as, without the proper accessories, you will face installing them and using them.
The Alpine ILX-W650 comes with all the necessary cables and attachments out of the box. For instance, you get the power cable, USB extension cable, Pre-Out cable, and microphone cable.
On the other hand, the Sony XAV-AX5500 only comes with an external microphone remote out of the box. You may require to get all the other cable aftermarket.
Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – Pros and Cons
| Alpine ILX-W650 | Sony XAV-AX5500 |
| Pros ● Advanced Video Playback ● Better FM sensitivity ● Second camera input ● Aux Input | Pros ● 3 Years long warranty ● Variable USB power ● Excellent Android Auto head unit ● Easy installation |
| Cons ● Only 1 year warranty | Cons ● No second camera input ● No AUX input |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Alpine ILX-W650 vs Sony XAV-AX5500 – Which is Better?
The Alpine ILX-W650 is a better option than the SONY XAV-AX5500 due to its better input capabilities and features.
For instance, the ILX-W650 allows you to input the AUX cord as well as a second camera. Moreover, the Alpine media receiver also has the support for more video files than XAV-AX5500. On top of that, it has a better FM sensitivity as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the Sony XAV-AX5500 compatible with WebLink?
Yes, the Sony media receiver is compatible with WebLink.
Does Sony XAV-AX5500 support multiple languages?
Yes, it supports Spanish, French, German, Italian, and other major languages.
What is the Brightness of SONY XAV-AX5500?
It has a brightness of 500 cd/m2.
Conclusion
So, there is everything you should know about the Alpine ILX-W650 and Sony XAV-AX5500 media receiver comparisons.
Based on the comparison above, the Sony XAV-AX5500 is a good deal but not superior to the Alpine ILX-W650. The ILX-W650 has more input options and also has better file support.
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