Mobile Sound

Return of a Classic

Dhagz — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:58:37 +0000

The Becker Mexico is back in a nostalgic retro design with state-of-the-art technology. Back in the 1960’s Becker was a true cult object and releases the original Mexico radio, and instant hit and now a cult favorite for classic car buffs overseas. The Becker Mexico name has many “firsts” for the mobile electronics industry and this future classic will add a touch of modern cool to your classic old school.

Cool Facts:

1953: Becker Mexico – the first car radio with fully automatic station search.
1969: Becker Mexico Olympia – with integrated Compact Cassette.
1975: Becker Mexico – the first car cassette radio with auto-reverse.
1979: Becker Mexico Electronic – the first microprocessor-controlled car radio.
1985: Becker Mexico Compact Disc – the first car radio with integrated CD player.
1985: Becker Mexico Diversity – the first car radio with dual tuners.

With a Retro style twist the New Mexico highly resembles the old Becker Traffic Pro series. Unfortunately the Mexico will only be available in Europe, and the maps will only work for specific European countries, as well as the FM tuner. However, the features that will work in the US put the Mexico above any other radio you can pick up for your retro cruiser. This radio doesn’t look like much, but it packs a wallop!

Features:

Bluetooth
GPS navigation (works with your mobile’s phone book via Bluetooth)
SMS text message capability
Speech Dialogue System
Internet capable
iPod compatible
SD/MMC/CF Card input (can be used for map updates, MP3s, etc)
RDS Tuner
OLED-Vario-Colour-Display
TMC (Traffic Message Channel: Detects traffic flow and adjust route information accordingly)

Pioneer AVIC-Z3

Dhagz — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:17:46 +0000

Today, you can drive freely and relaxed with the ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude while listening to your car’s melodic audio. But the best stuff is only brought by the best quality technology that is designed for superior quality sounds, high-resolution LCD, and of course, go wherever you want without losing the track with the GPS navigation feature…all in one remarkable device. And it’s all in the Pioneer AVIC-Z3!

The Pioneer AVIC-Z3 is an In-dash GPS Navigation with DVD with DivX, CD, MP3 Player, motorized face, a dazzling 7″ LCD touchscreen display and a lot more. When I say a lot, that means it’s too much to handle!

Check out some of the best technical features offered by the Pioneer AVIC-Z3 below:

General Features:

* In-dash GPS Navigation with DVD, DivX, CD, MP3 Player

* Motorized face

* 7″ LCD touchscreen display

* Wireless remote control optional (Pioneer CD-SR1)

* Blue button lighting

* CEA-2006 compliant amplifier

* Power Output:

o Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels

o RMS: 22 watts x 4 channels

* CD Text Display

* MP3 ID3 Tag Display (Title/Artist/Album)

* 1-year Sonic Electronix warranty

Playback and Audio Features:

* Playback of DVD±R/RW, DivX. CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, and WMA

* Supertuner III with 18FM/6AM presets

* Best Stations Memory

* EEQ 3-band parametric equalizer

* Tri-zone audio/video (front, rear, navigation)

* Independent rear audio/video source countrol

* Sound Focus EQ (SFEQ)

* Source level adjuster

* Fixed high and low pass crossover filters (50/80/125 Hz, 12 dB/octave)

* Dedicated 10GB hard disk space for music

You can view the full details and specs HERE

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_13183_Pioneer+AVIC-Z3.html .

Sound Stream is bringing the Reference Series back

Dhagz — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:54:42 +0000

Many of old folks often reminisce about the good ‘old days of car audio, discussing brands that used to be, products that share a special place in our heart, or demo cars that “changed our lives”. As many of you know, I’m a firm believer that car audio is going to see a renaissance of the classics just as the automotive industry has in the last few years. When brands and products come up, SoundStream is definitely one of the favorites, and their Reference Series the topic of many conversations. Well, after a 10 year hiatus the SoundStream is bringing the Reference Series back! But not as the same ‘ol amps we remember. Change can be a good thing, and certainly is in this case. Over the last 10 years amplifier technology has come a very long way, and SoundStream has taken advantage of the time passed and have made significant improvements to the Reference Series:

“…4:1 power supply ratio, precision wound toroidal transformers and inductors, polystyrene capacitors, high speed switching J-FET OP amps and precision tracking potentiometers.”

The Reference amps can also take advantage of SoundStream’s BLT-4 balanced line transmitter for amazing noise rejection and signal strength. Same great looks, same great sound quality, but now with improved performance!

Features:

HEXPRO five way protection system
Ultra low ESR capacitance bank ensures rapid power delivery for dynamic peaks
Hawkins Bass Control proprietary bass equalization circuitry
Fully regulated MOSFET power supply
Rail stabilization protection circuit
Selectable/Continuously variable high and low pass crossover
Balanced line inputs for the highest level of noise rejection
Gold Plated RCA input and output terminals
Military grade fiberglass PCB board
Independent left and right channel gain controls

Source: SoundSteam

Microsoft To Boost In-Car Advertising

Dhagz — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:32:14 +0000

The idea of having ads inside your car may be repulsive to some. Matter of fact, it could mean intrusion on your much-treasured personal space. But come to think of it, car occupants, particularly the drivers, are pretty much used to the scenario of seeing ads along the roads and hearing some over the radio.

Actually, watchers in the industry say ads showed on a car infotainment system would not be too much of a stretch…

Wayne Cunningham of CNET writes:

In a conversation with Martin Thall, the General Manager of Microsoft’s Automotive Business Unit, he laid out a vision for the future of infotainment systems in cars, which included connected services supported by in-car advertising. Thall suggested that five years from now, car infotainment systems will be networked and provide the latest information on local services and traffic, as just two examples. This sort of car system should offer daily relevance, so that you could have it give you the best way home from work each day. Or, you could use local search to find a particular item for sale, or a particular restaurant, and the car would give the best route to that location. Your preferences for the route could vary from quickest time, the most scenic, or the route that will cause the least amount of emissions and save the most gas.

The Automotive Business Unit, part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division, has two products: the Windows Automotive platform and the Microsoft Automotive platform, the latter including Sync. Thall’s philosophy behind that technology is to keep it very cost effective and put it in mass market brands, such as current partners Ford and Fiat. In North America, Ford has an exclusive on the technology until November, 2008.

Microsoft intends to expand the reach of its infotainment system. It is already in North America and Europe. And it will be heading Asia. Toyota is seen as the next potential partner. And who knows if Honda parts would soon incorporate such a technology.

Live Concert Right Inside Your Car

Dhagz — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:01:09 +0000

[(Wish Bone)]
You know nothing come easy, you gotta try real real hard, I tried hard… but I guess I
gotta try harder.

[(Akon)]
I try so hard can’t seem to get away from misery
man I try so hard
will always be a victim of these streets
it aint my fault cuz I…
tried to get away but trouble follows me
and still I try so hard
hoping one day you’ll come and rescue me
but until then, I’ll be posted up right here in sleet hail snow
but until then…
I’ll be posted up right here with my heat gettin dough

Wanna experience Bone Thugs N Harmony and Akon’s live concert while driving your car? No, I’m not kidding! Just say yes, and I’ll tell you how. So, was that a yes?

Ya know, this kind of technology is easier heard, than done, literally. It took Bentley Motors in partnership with British audio manufacturer Naim Bentley some 18 months to complete its research and development for this in-car sound system.

Engineers from both companies worked together just for this high quality sound system — the world’s most powerful sound system unit and certainly the best one for your car — the Naim Audio amplifier. Fasten your seat belts for here we go.

Naim Audio amplifier features a 1100-watt amplifier with 15 speakers, depending on the model though. It is equipped with tiop-of-the-line technology systems such as a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Dynamic equalization that produce what I’ve been telling you a while ago — an “as-live” in-car audio experience. DSP has eight modes to choose from relying upon your type of listening ezperience: the driver optimized, Digital Media playback through MP3, iPodTM players and digital radio, balanced, Spoken Word, Classic, Enhanced, Classic and the rear-optimized.

In a press release published at autoblog.com, Bentley Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen said that Bentley really has the reputation of giving the ultimate experience to its customers.

“It is this experience and philosophy which led to a simple brief: to deliver the equal of the world’s finest home hi-fi within a car and hence create the world’s best in-car sound system,” Naim Audio Managing Director Paul Stephenson, said in agreement.

[(Akon)]
I try so hard
can’t seem to get away from misery
man I try so hard
will always be a victim of these streets
it aint my fault cuz I…
tried to get away but trouble follows me
and still I try so hard
hoping one day you’ll come and rescue me
but until then, I’ll be posted up right here in sleet hail snow
but until then…
I’ll be posted up right here with my heat gettin dough

Keep the music playin’ man!

Car Audio System Made Simple By Clarion

Dhagz — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Remember those days when you would still equip your car with a car stereo, a cassette player or CD player plus speakers that come rolling towards your position even at a slight rocking of your car bumper?

Well, car entertainment need not be that cluttered. Innovators have made entertainment a lot simpler and high-tech with the Clarion FB278RBT. According to zercustoms.com, this entertainment system comes with a built-in Bluetooth audio streaming and Bluetooth handsfree calling technology. This way, you can communicate while driving via the Bluetooth receiver. You also can at the same time play your favorite music stored in your mobile phone. If you prefer the music from your MP3 player, Clarion FB278RBT has a secure digital (SD) card located just behind its control panel.

However, if you’re the type who loves listening to the radio, Clarion FB278RBT features 18 FM stations so you can tune in to the music of your choice. Also, it comes with an AUX plus a 2-channel audio pre-out. Moreover, it is capable of 4 x 50 watts amplification.

Clarion especially designed the FB278RBT with a “Metal Shark” appeal with its indirect lighting that complements its 728 variable color display and white acrylic arched buttons creating a fin-like image on the device.

This state-of-the-art car entertainment system is available in the market for only £149.00. A good deal for a quality and high-class entertainment, communication and safety system while driving toward your route.

Introducing The New BlueAnt Z9 Bluetooth Headset

Dhagz — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:00:06 +0000

According to ibiblio.org, there are four types of drivers on the highway - the slowpokes, the slow drivers, the fast drivers and finally the tailgaters. I would like to believe those are self-explanatory matters. My point here is, whether you fall in any of those types, you surely will enjoy this latest gadget called the BlueAnt Z9 bluetooth headset while driving.

The Z9 is the leader of the latest Bluetooth generation that features two built-in microphones, voice isolation technology and a clip that allows more convenience. It has a 2.402 to 2.480 GHZ frequency and has a transmission range of 33 feet.

It can be used with more than three peripheral Bluetooth-enabled gadgets at the same time in a 10-meter radius. Using the headset’s combination knob, it is capable of switching from cellphone (a Nokia N93 or a Nokia 6500) or any compatible music player for up to five hours using the BlueAnt Z9 lithium polymer 3, 7 volt battery. It can last about 200 hours of standby time. Energy-efficient, isn’t it? That matches the quality of an Acura Legend tornado fuel saver.

The BlueAnt Z9 Bluetooth headset symbolizes simplicity and style. Weighing only 9.9 grams with a dimension of 4 centimeters, this headset acts as sound filter, resulting to a clear reception of the user’s desired sound.

BlueAnt is the largest supplier of Bluetooth peripheral devices in Australia. Using the latest type of Digital Signal Processor, BlueAnt produces wireless communication products with top-of-the-class designs and features.

The BlueAnt Z9 BlueTooth Headset bagged last year’s CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award. CES is considered as the world’s biggest consumer electronics show.

Currently, the Z9’s price ranges from $59.99 to $84.95.

A Look At The KD-S100

Dhagz — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:58:10 +0000

Bongiovi, one of the known names in acoustics, teamed up with JVC so as to be able to create the KD-S100. This one has been actually based on the KD-SH1000 which is marketed by JVC.

There is not much hullabaloo with the KD-S100 for it can be easily installed in a vehicle just like how you would install a normal unit. It has a USB port and has an SD card slot so you can play your files with this audio system. There is an iPod connector which comes as an option but this does mean that you can plug in your iPods if you would choose to avail of that connector.

I do find this car audio system to be fairly unique. Well, not really as unique as maybe being designed so much so that it rides on the roof rack but who really would want their audio systems to be on the roof?

So you think you would like to own this unit? Sure you do. But take note that even if you do have the cash to own it, you only can purchase it through auto dealers and most of the time, you can get it only if you get a new car. Okay. So it’s that exclusive, if you know what I mean. But I guess, its “exclusivity” may have a good reason so just in case you’re getting a new car, then just make sure you have some money extra to get this cool audio deal.

Extreme Entertainment And Security Assured By XM

Dhagz — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:28:34 +0000

According to researches, about 41,000 people are killed due to car accidents in America each year while more or less two million suffer from injuries.

Regardless whether you’ve driven for decades or have been on the world’s most risky highways, let me tell you this: any time, you could join the statistics. All you need is to relax - get rid of your alertness while driving. Either talk on your phone or get carried away by the music on your iPod.

Shocks and all those parts you’d be damaging in an accident! I could almost see you getting rid of all your car gadgets to maintain focus now. I said relax, relax…

With the XM 2007 Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic services, you can now enjoy all these cool stuffs while securing your road safety. XM NavTraffic supplies data on incidents including accidents and road construction to your vehicle’s GPS navigation system via a device called the XM satellite pipeline. Using this device, the driver receives warnings about these incidents so he or she could go re-route to roads where there is less traffic.

A three-year subscription to the XM NavTraffic offers real-time traffic information indicating congestion levels through red, yellow and green color codes.

Aside from security, XM also provide entertainment with over 170 digital channel choices that offers commercial-free music, talk shows, traffic and weather information.

XM is the number one satellite radio company in US that has more than 8 million subscribers.

iPod In Your Car… Nice Treat

Dhagz — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:11:53 +0000

In-car entertainment need not be archaic. It could should also not be mind-numbing nor so-so. If I were given a chance to pamper myself through my car, one of the things that I wouldn’t dare forget to ask would be a plush car entertainment system.

And as I browsed for a Keeper Zipnet Series cargo net, I was informed of a nice auto treat.

Polk Audio, a Directed Electronics brand, recently announced that its new I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 and miDock Studio models will soon be available at more than 170 Apple Store locations and the Apple Online Store, Fox News reports.

“Acceptance by Apple of Polk Audio’s iPod products validates the high quality and superior performance of this brand. As a growing number of consumers prefer more sophisticated electronic entertainment devices sold at Apple’s stores, we believe Polk’s products are well positioned to gain recognition rapidly in this market due to their cutting-edge innovative features and reliability. We are thrilled to have Apple as our new retail partner and look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship,” said Jim Minarik, President and CEO of Directed Electronics.

“The Apple Store is one of the most creative and consumer-oriented retail businesses today, which comes as no surprise given how brilliantly the parent company designs and markets its products,” said Jim Herd, President of Polk Audio. “It’s an honor to have one of our more advanced, high-performance products available through such a forward-thinking retail organization.”

Starting March, the retail outlets of Apple throughout America will sell Polk Audio’s I-Sonic Entertainment System 2, the world’s first product to feature iTunes. Tagging for HD Radio, giving consumers the power to “bookmark” songs they hear on the radio.

What music do you like? Enjoy in-car technology and iPod connectivity to make the most of your riding experience.