Sony's easy MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth car stereo pairs with almost anything

In line with a growing concern for simultaneous calling / driving dangers, Sony releases the MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth head unit -- which isn't a far cry from last summer's MEX-BT5000, except for the makeover (or should we say under?) and huge drop in price. The stereo features an integrated microphone and wireless streaming for any Bluetooth-enabled cellphone, and is capable of remembering profiles for up to five different handsets. Bluetooth-enabled DAPs can also be paired with the 4-channel, 52-watt in-dash unit, while wired players can be connected via auxiliary input; if the you prefer to play CDs, Sony's got your back with support for MP3 and WMA encoded discs. As if that wasn't enough, musicphones supporting A2DP (like, ahem, many models from Sony Ericsson) can also be paired with this one, giving you pretty much the full slate of connection possibilities. Look for the BT2500 online and in stores by March, for around $180.

[Jon Graft @ Feb 27th 2007 4:58PM]

Does it have a easy disconnecting faceplate? I have a Jeep Wrangler and that means the security is not there...

[The Infamous @ Feb 27th 2007 5:15PM]

"Does it have a easy disconnecting faceplate? I have a Jeep Wrangler and that means the security is not there..."
Im pretty sure that it does have a detachable faceplate.


This is a nice feature. I have wanted to put have a bluetooth radio for my cell or BT MP3 player. I dont have either but the option is always there.

[Eric @ Feb 27th 2007 5:52PM]

It should, I have a sony radio with the exact same faceplate.

[regomodo @ Feb 27th 2007 4:59PM]

OMG! Not more Sony News!

[Jeff @ Feb 27th 2007 5:18PM]

I bet the button in the lower left detaches the face.

[Philip S @ Feb 27th 2007 5:20PM]

What's up with all the Sony news today?

[3waygeek @ Feb 27th 2007 5:28PM]

I've been using the MEX-BT5000 with my HTC Wizard for about 6 weeks now -- it works brilliantly in both phone & A2DP.

[Phour ZwanZig @ Feb 27th 2007 6:10PM]

I have a model sim to this, except no BT.. And yes it had a Detatchable faceplate..

I bought it for the Line-In jack on the front.. Works sweet with my PSP and Dell Axim..

I think I payed just bout 1 ben for it.. And as with most Sony decks the sound Quality is great.. If this is just the same deck but with BT, I have to say that its a good deal but maybe not that great.. Cuz I think 80 bucks is too much just for the added BT.. BTW mine is 52 watts too.. Id swear it was its twin if it wasnt for the detach button bein a lil diff..

[probFake @ Feb 27th 2007 7:59PM]

What an awful looking UI/screen. Looks very 1995.

[Meltz; @ Feb 27th 2007 8:07PM]

i would totally buy this if i had a car...

[korum @ Feb 28th 2007 2:45AM]

I've had the MEX-BT5000 for 6 months now and its a very good head unit and looks alot better than this new unit.
The sound quility is great.
The only thing i can think of to improve it is to have the option to have an external mic attached as sometimes i need to raise my voice for the other person to hear me.

[George @ Jun 24th 2008 8:05PM]

I just did it !!!
Shot long story short: I had a MOtorola hand free traditional unit with the cradle for the V815 moto phone. It stop working and with the new law in CA starting soon, decided to go bluetooth in my car. the MEX-BT2500 was my choice, but I was exceptic about the built in mic. (the traditional wired hands free kit had an excelent mic and people hardly notice I was driving). Instaled the 2500 and sure enough, people can bearly hear me, and my car is my office so I need good phone (I'm a Computer consultant always driving). Remove the 2500 and open it up, (whoever design the unit and placed the mic behind the removable face plate needs to be recongize as ........and then they make the install instructions and they put a remark: "do not cover the microphone" ?!?!?!?!?!) Anyway, open it up (have a picture of the internal mic) and cut the cables going to the internal mic, and put a connector coming out of the unit (need to be routed through the back, if you do it through the side, when re-mounting the unit will damage the cable). Then hooked it up to the old microphone for the hard wired hands free kit. VOILA!!!! they can hear me like before and works just fine. Try to put a jack (male/female) for the mic cable to be able to remove the unit completely.
IF you email me a question I will poste the answer here.

[Ross King @ Feb 28th 2007 5:52AM]

I've had the MEX-BT5000 for over 6 months and LOVE IT! Especially with all the new laws in the UK now which means 3 points and £60 fine!

The only thing I would of changed was the look of the stereo as its all a bit over the top. However, this one looks like its gone back to the mid 90s. Although that said, if the price has dropped that much and it come packed with all the same goodies as the MEX-BT5000 then this will be a BARGAIN and very popular.

All in all, I guess this is less likely to be targeted by thieves as it looks pretty standard and I think the faceplate will remove as many people have said using the bottom left button.

[lee @ Mar 20th 2007 8:19PM]

It's March 20th and the BT-2500 still hasn't been released. What's going on? Let's go Sony!

[michael @ Apr 16th 2007 5:46AM]

Hey there.What can you tell me about Sony Mex- BT-2500 comparing with Alpine models?
Thank you.

[Frank @ May 5th 2007 5:59PM]

This was the primary review that got me to purchase the 2500, When I heard the makeover was primarily superficial I flipped. I was goin to get the 5000, but for half price i'd take an appearance downgrade. Turns out the primary difference is not superficial though. The #1 numero uno difference is the 2500 has a complete lack of any pre amped outputs. I'll be darned so I've been running it in my beater car instead of my classic that I bought it for. (Oh yeah, the 5000 has 3 pre amped outs by the way.)

[Seanster @ May 13th 2007 5:31PM]

I just installed this deck. I've paired it with my Inspiron 6400, axim x51v and nokia cellphone. It works pretty much as advertised. Decent sound quality, good handsfree with no echo.

AVRCP worked on all three, although all you get is prev, next song and play/pause. Play-pause (the "6" button doesn't work from the remote. Prev and next does work from the remote. Lazy designers I guess.

Otherwise it's a pretty basic basic deck, especially the display.

My only concern is the incredible heat this thing puts out, even at low volume. At high volume, the rear end heatsink will burn your finger. If anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

Here's pictures of everything in the box:
http://www.seanster.com/gallery/mex-bt2500

-Sean

[michelle @ Aug 27th 2007 8:29AM]

Please see the following link for car stereo, pioneer car stereo, sony car stereo and other popular company's stereo.
Car Stereo
Sony Car Stereo
Pioneer Car Stereo

[ar420 @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

Did you find an external microphone setup? I bought the new 2600 model and have the same complaint from the people I am talking to. I think an external mic would be a great enhancement.

[George @ Jun 24th 2008 8:12PM]

I just did it !!!
Shot long story short: I had a MOtorola hand free traditional unit with the cradle for the V815 moto phone. It stop working and with the new law in CA starting soon, decided to go bluetooth in my car. the MEX-BT2500 was my choice, but I was exceptic about the built in mic.
(the traditional wired hands free kit had an excelent mic and people hardly notice I was driving). Instaled the 2500 and sure enough, people can bearly hear me, and my car is my office so I need good phone (I'm a Computer consultant always driving). Remove the 2500 and open it up, (whoever design the unit and placed the mic behind the removable face plate needs to be recongize as ........and then they make the install instructions and they put a remark: "do not cover the microphone" ?!?!?!?!?!) Anyway, open it up (have a picture of the internal mic) and cut the cables going to the internal mic, and put a connector coming out of the unit (need to be routed through the back, if you do it through the side, when re-mounting the unit will damage the cable). Then hooked it up to the old microphone for the hard wired hands free kit. VOILA!!!! they can hear me like before and works just fine. Try to put a jack (male/female) for the mic cable to be able to remove the unit completely.
IF you email me a question I will poste the answer here.

[darren @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:48PM]

hi i would like to purchase a bt car stereo this one looks good but i was thinking the same thing about the mic i would like to run one closer to me. my truck does not already have a mic so my question to u is where would i find one and what exactly is it or what kind of mic would i need thanks for your help

[Carlos @ Sep 24th 2008 12:48AM]

I have the sony 2500 and have the same problem . People can hardly hear me. Can you please give a step by step instruction of how to conect an external mic?

Perhaps where to get the external mic?

[George @ Sep 24th 2008 10:39AM]

This site has a microphone: http://www.netfreez.com/products/2_5mm_Microphone_for_Hands_free_car_kits-12104-0.html

I have some pictures of the location of the microphone inside the unit, email me to: [e-mail]

It very simple, need to know how to solder for better results.

[George @ Sep 24th 2008 10:41AM]

This is the mic I used: http://www.radioaccessories.com/storefront/prod.asp?catid=73&subcatid=89&productID=59529