Clarion News Round Up

A hideous software glitch had us drop off a list somewhere at Clarion Towers, (muh!) so we missed a few crucial weeks of Clarion’s news. So we now bring a slew of stuff all to you at once so as not to leave you behind…….
Clarion’s stylish recession-buster breaks cover
All-new CZ109E entry model is a pocket-friendly, dashboard delight
Clarion’s 2009 line-up of in-car audio solutions takes its styling cues from last year’s highly desirable, must-have, multimedia range and behind the clean, clear, ergonomic fascia of the all-new, entry-level Clarion CZ109E, there’s a great specification to savour.
At a typical selling price of just £109, the CZ109E CD/MP3/WMA receiver is aimed at audio fans demanding a great value dashboard upgrade for minimal outlay.
It features CD-R and CD-RW playback, MP3 and WMA file compatibility, with a 3.5mm mini jack AUX input on the fascia that supports a stand-alone MP3 player, a 2-channel audio pre-out, and an RDS-EON tuner with 18 FM, 6MW/LW station presets.
The new unit also allows for the safe receiving and making of phone calls, with the optional addition of a BLT373 Bluetooth transceiver.
To ensure there’s no compromise on audio quality, the CZ109E delivers a mighty 4 x 50 watts output, plus Z-Enhancer and Magna BASS EX sound enhancement to boost enjoyment and allow for greater customisation to suit individual taste.
The CZ109E sports a user-friendly rotary volume control, whilst a white LCD display and blue button illumination deliver stunning good looks that belie the price.
The Clarion CZ109 E is available from all Clarion appointed specialists across the UK.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit link

Clarion adds affordability to versatility
New CZ209E offers plenty of playback options at the right price
Part of Clarion’s 2009 line-up of stylish in-car audio solutions, the all-new Clarion CZ209E answers the call for excellent spec without excessive price, delivering that must-have for serious audio fans, iPod playback, in the process.
At a typical selling price of just £149, the CZ209E receiver delivers direct iPod compatibility via a rear USB port, whilst MP3 and WMA file playback through alternative stand-alone media players is also possible via the rear USB, or the front-facing 3.5mm mini jack AUX input.
CD, including CD-R/RW is possible through a single front facing CD slot, whilst the unit makes use of an RDS-EON tuner with 18 FM, 6MW/LW station presets.
The new unit also allows for the safe receiving and making of phone calls, with the optional addition of a BLT373 Bluetooth transceiver.
To ensure there’s no compromise on audio quality, the CZ209E delivers a mighty 4 x 50 watts output, plus Z-Enhancer and Magna BASS EX sound enhancement to boost enjoyment and allow for greater customisation to suit individual taste, whilst 4-channel audio pre-outs allow for installation of additional speakers/amps.
The CZ209E sports a user-friendly rotary volume control, whilst a white LCD display and blue button illumination deliver stunning good looks that belie the price.
The Clarion CZ209E is available from all Clarion appointed specialists across the UK.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit http://www.clarion.co.uk.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO UPGRADE
In-car audio enjoyment is easier than ever thanks to Clarion
Previously something to be tackled by the serious sound buff, an In-Car Entertainment (ICE) ‘install’ is no longer reserved for the audio expert, thanks to Clarion – the world’s largest manufacturer of in-car audio, multimedia and satellite navigation solutions – who’s launch of the CZ509E head unit makes greater audio enjoyment easily attainable.
Stacked with features, including CD/CD-R/CD-RW and MP3/WMA/AAC playback, the CZ509E delivers direct iPod control (no additional leads needed) via a USB slot on the rear of the unit, whilst built-in Bluetooth hands free control – including direct phone list access via the head unit – and audio streaming (A2DP & AVRCP) is added as standard.
Playback spec aside however, the CZ509E proves itself an ideal starting point for any system build thanks to the addition of 6 channel RCA line-out – previously a feature reserved for expensive, top of the range units – that allow greater flexibility with amp additions and speaker set-ups.
The CZ509E makes full use of Clarion’s standard audio technology; digital Z-Enhancer sound customisation presets to boost the bass, the treble, or both, and Magna Bass EX, providing extra low-frequency impact (boosting bass by 10dB at 60 Hz), for a well-balanced sound reproduction that’s essential in any ICE install.
New for 2009 however, the CZ509E also uses BBE MP (Minimised Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation) to restore the subtleties of sound lost in the compression of MP3 and WMA audio files.
Despite its feature-rich spec, the CZ509E has a typical selling price of just £249.00 via appointed dealers across the UK, and with speakers starting from as little as £20, a great sounding system build is more attainable than ever.
The Clarion CZ509E is available from all Clarion appointed specialists across the UK.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit link

Clarion comes clean amidst a flurry of features
New streamlined design for in-car multimedia unit
Clarion – global leaders in mobile entertainment and navigation – has introduced the VZ509E; a stylish, streamlined, feature-rich solution to in-car audio-visual entertainment, that boasts a host of connectivity options to suit the user.
The new multimedia showcase is DVD-Video/DVD±R/DVD±RW/CD/CD-R/RW ready and is MP3/WMA/AAC compatible with ID3-TAG display, whilst playing DivX video (including DivX 6).
Direct iPod control is via the rear USB connector – offering easy operation either via the VZ509E’s touch-screen or through the iPod itself – whilst iPod video playback is also possible via the optional CCA723 cable.
With the majority of the VZ509E’s features accessed via the fully motorised, 7-inch TFT colour LCD touch-screen, operation is simplified, streamlined and beautifully enhanced, thanks to a high-resolution on-screen display and a new graphic IC, which allows images to switch more quickly and smoothly, whether in full screen or picture-in-picture mode.
The VZ509E also offers direct connection – including touch control – to the stand-alone NP509E hide-away navigation system at a later date, to deliver state-of-the-art voice and high definition map guidance.
Bluetooth connectivity is also an optional addition, via the BLT373 interface, allowing safe access to a number of mobile phone functions.
Clarion continues to close the gap between home and in-car audio quality, utilising a 24-bit D/A converter (usually found in expensive home audio systems) to cancel unwanted background noise, and create a clearer, more realistic audio reproduction.
Meanwhile, Magna Bass EX provides extra low-frequency impact (boosting bass by 10dB at 60 Hz), for a well-balanced sound reproduction, whilst the addition of BBE MP (Minimised Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation) enhances compressed music formats.
Built-in high pass and low pass filters and Beat EQ presets (BASS BOOST, IMPACT and EXCITE) allow greater customisation and with separate subwoofer volume control, the impressive 4 x 50 Watt internal amplifier is put to good use.
CCA723 iPod video cable – RRP £45.00
NP509E Hide-Away Memory Navigation System – RRP £469.00
BLT373 CeNET Bluetooth Interface – RRP £79.00
The Clarion VZ509E is priced at RRP £699.00, and is available from all Clarion appointed specialists across the UK.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit link

Another double DIN dazzler from Clarion
Easy-to-use in-car audio for the mass motorist
With around 50% of all cars on the road capable of housing a double DIN headunit, consumers continue to be spoilt for choice by Clarion, global leaders of in-car audio, multimedia and satellite navigation solutions.
New for 2009, Clarion has launched the CX609E double DIN Bluetooth CD/USB/MP3/WMA/AAC audio receiver, to add to the iconic WXZ468RMP already catering for fans of the full sized headunit.
With more and more technology being used in-car, having double the room for electronics means manufacturers are given freer rein, and ultimately creates a more exciting experience for the consumer.
The CX609E boasts built-in Bluetooth for wireless connection with mobile phones, PDAs and MP3 players, supporting A2DP/AVRCP for audio streaming and HFP/OPP for safe, hands-free operation of phone functions, whilst direct iPod control is possible via a rear USB input.
Long enjoyed by ICE aficionados, double DIN allows greater customisation of sound features, and the CX609E does just that, with subwoofer volume control, BBE MP for enhancement of compressed music formats, built-in high pass and low pass filters and a 4 x 50 Watt internal amplifier.
Double DIN is not solely reserved for in-car experts, renowned audio expert Adam Rayner, of link – the authoritative voice on in-car entertainment – points out, “double DIN is no longer seen as a Japan-only oddity, but a desirable and effective upgrade to allow access to full multimedia navigation, all within the confines of a single unit.”
Launched in 2006, the Clarion WXZ468RMP continues to turn heads, with the bold, brushed metal fascia housing five distinct sound zones to personalise the output to suit, whilst each choice you make is dynamically displayed on the VF screen with a 23-band spectrum analyser.
With CD changers increasingly a thing of the past, this powerful unit takes six CDs on its own, is CD-R/RW ready and offers MP3/WMA playback, whilst hammering out 4-channel x 50 watts of MOSFET amplification to deliver plenty of power but with less distortion, and none of the switching on/off noise.
The Clarion CX609E is available from all Clarion appointed specialists across the UK, priced at RRP £289.00, whilst the WXZ468RMP is available from RRP £339.00.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit link.

Life is an Ocean Rave!
New Clarion marine units offer unrivalled onboard entertainment
Clarion – a global leader of mobile electronics – has added the marine industry’s first watertight multimedia head-unit to its range of custom marine products.
Clarion’s CMV1 was selected by the Consumer Electronics Association in the U.S, as an Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honouree, in the In-Vehicle Audio product category for product and design excellence.
The unique design features a 3.5-inch TFT full colour display and offers DVD-video and DivX as well as iPod Video playback capabilities, (Optional CCA723 cable needed – £45.00) as well as being Bluetooth ready, (Optional BLT373 receiver needed – £79.00) to offer a fully integrated AV experience.
The CMV1 includes Dolby Digital playback, whilst compressed audio sound enhancements are made via BBE MP (Minimized Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation), generating a vacuum tube sound to restore harmonics lost during digital compression.
The CMV1 offers one-year back-up memory so radio presets are not lost even if the boat is in seasonal storage, and with rear panel AV inputs and outputs – perfect for driving additional display screens – Clarion delivers a comprehensive onboard entertainment experience previously reserved for in-car.
Clarion’s completely redesigned flagship marine CD model, CMD6 has a 1-DIN chassis with an oversized face panel. It features a sealed waterproof flip-down front face with rubberized large rotary volume knobs and buttons. The CMD6 includes a large two-line, ten character display, features USB input for direct iPod control, instant radio station recall, and rear panel RCA inputs and outputs. The CMD6 – like the CMV1 – allows for operation with either a wired or wireless remote control and offers one-year back-up memory.
Clarion’s new water-resistant speaker line includes the all-new CMQ2510W 10 inch 300W subwoofer, as well 7 inch and 6.5 inch coaxial speakers.
The all-new wired remote controls are exclusively compatible to Clarion’s 2009 top marine units.  The MW2 remote has sleek black styling with stainless steel surround, completely waterproof controls and an easy-to-use button configuration.  The MW1 remote offers the same good looks, and includes a large 2-line display with a four-way control button to easily scroll through music files and or seek your favourite radio stations.
The Clarion CMV1 and CMD6 are priced at RRP £629.00 and £279.00 respectively, and are available from Clarion appointed marine specialists across the UK.  For more details call Clarion (GB) Ltd., on 01793 870400, or visit link