Review on 🔊 Powerful Sony XM-GS6DSP GS Series Class-D Amplifier with DSP and Bluetooth Connectivity by Kevin Taharka

I installed an XMGS6DSP amplifier in my 1963 Volvo 544 to power more speakers and add Bluetooth to the stock AM radio. I used the AM radio's speaker inputs so I can switch between AM and Bluetooth which is great! The amp does a good job driving two 4-inch front speakers, two 6x9-inch rear speakers, and a 10-inch subwoofer. very satisfied with the amp in use for the last 2 months, 5 stars for the amp! Now the reason for the low score: This amp can only be paired and used with the Sony Music Center (SMC) app and its chunky performance (just google other app reviews to see I'm not alone). With the SMC app, you can control the EQ/fader/volume (referred to as "volume" in SMC, but I'll call it "gain gain" for clarity) and connect to other apps; I use Spotify as source. The biggest problem is that there are two separate gain controls and you have to use the SMC to change the gain of the amp each time. You can control your phone's volume (gain) in the normal way, which changes the amp's volume, but SMC added a separate control just for the amp's overall gain. This SMC gain control always defaults to the medium off gain setting and cannot be changed until changed in the SMC settings. Here is the sequence EVERY TIME I turn on the car stereo: 1. Turn on, 2. Automatic Bluetooth connection and Spotify autoplay, 3. Manually open SMC to increase gain, 4. XMGS6DSP icon is greyed out, So you have to select it5. Select it, then the music will stop and Bluetooth will be disconnected and reconnected,6. Click Spotify icon to open Spotify app and click Play7. Go back to SMC, and only now you can increase the gain of the amplifier.8. Adjust the volume as usual with the phone buttons until the end of the journey. In short, so many choices but too much hassle to give a higher rating! I will not buy another Sony amp until the application is resolved.