Clarion Releases 01DRIVE Series, the World First Full Digital AV Navigation/Speaker System

Clarion Co., Ltd., (President: Mr. Tatsuhiko Izumi; hereinafter referred to as Clarion) starts sales of the first products of “01DRIVE” series, “Z8/Z17F”, Vehicle Mounted Full Digital AV Navigation/Speaker System from beginning of December. This first-in-the-world system employs technologies of full digital processing throughout the total path from audio sources to speakers. Manufacturer's suggested retail price is set at 288,750 yen (tax inclusive).

The “Z8/Z17F” comprises from an AV Navigation System compatible with full digital speakers and a Full Digital Front Speaker System (a set of four speakers). The product combines Clarion's long year expertise of in-vehicle audio technologies with Dnote* digital signal processing technology, by carrying digital source signals of, for example CD, directly to speakers digitally, digital source quality can be reproduced in the same high quality level with speakers, without amplifiers.

Main features are, “ultra low power consumption” with power consumption which is 1/8th of conventional analog systems, “ultra low power supply voltage” of system being driven with less than 5 v, 1/2 of normal power supply voltage, “pure, full digital high quality reproduction” enabled by full digital carrying of signals and direct driving of speakers, “ultimate reproduction of sound source” with 256X oversampling +11Mhz driving, and “Power Digital Line Carrier System” another first in the world supply power/digital signal superposed carrying system, to name a few. For consumers who want the enjoyment of front/rear speaker system, Clarion offers a full digital rear speaker system “Z17R” (a set of 2 speakers) at manufacturer’s suggested price of 73,500 yen (tax inclusive).

The “Z8/Z17F” which are put into market this time are designated for use in Prius/Prius α, PHV, Alphard and Vellfire. By simple choice of parameters best tuned for each of specific car models in the parametric equalizer with the AV Navigation System, it offers the best sound field and quality specific to each model without having to go through complicated sound field compensation adjustments.

Clarion shall expand by and by these car specific parameters for users mainly of hybrid and/or electric vehicles and/or vehicles with stop-idling at stand still so this system can be enjoyed by more users who wish to enjoy high quality sound reproduction without worrying about power consumption.

Clarion, further, intends to enhance the lineup of “01DRIVE” series products in the future.

* Names of companies and products mentioned in this document are those trademarks and/or registered trademarks of respective companies.

Full digital sound reproduction using Clarion’s unique technologies of vibrating speakers directly in an fine and delicate manner

Full digital carrying of signals from digital audio source to speaker units is realized. This reproduction system, unlike conventional digital amplifiers, drives speakers directly and in fine and delicate manner by means of oversampling (44.1 kHz x 256fs = 11 MHz) and digitally modulating the digital signals of sound source, and outputting from the multi D-Class drivers with conversion to multiple digital signals*. The 256 X oversampling and 11 MHz driven multi driver circuits enable high quality reproduction with high fidelity to original source sound.

Note * : Conversion to digital signals: Digital signal processing employs Dnote technology of Trigence Semiconductor.

Multi-drive D-class Driver (1-chip LSI)

This enables energy saving and high purity reproduction with super-high speed and low power consumption driving. Highly efficient multi-drive circuits make possible small size driver unit without heat sink.

Independent Dual Drive System for Woofers and Tweeters

By employing independent filter circuits for woofers and tweeters, detailed and fine audio tuning becomes possible. Interference of woofer outputs to tweeters is eliminated.

256 x Oversampling

This enables digital to digital direct drive reproduction (without D/A conversion) FDMD (Full Digital Multi Drive) driving digital sound source information without reducing its contents with D/D converter circuit (Dnote).

Full Digital Co-axial 2-way Speakers

This new construction multi units (WF+TW) offer high sound reproduction quality with independent driving for woofers and tweeters.

Multi-Voice Coil Structure

This structure carries multiple digital driving signals directly to voice coils inducing precise cone strokes.

This structure makes it possible to achieve driving and high power reproduction with low supply voltage and low power consumption by synthesizing driving forces.

Aluminum Horn Type Stabilizer Structure

Audio horn effect of tweeters realizes clear reproduction of high frequency. Further, shield effects by the aluminum panel and die-cast bridge structure shut out completely the influence of outside noise. Dedicated shielded harnesses are employed for digital signal inputs.

PMI-BAF (Black Aramid Fiber) Dual Layer Cone

Dual layer light weight and high rigidity structure cones of PMI and BAF sheets deliver reproduction of low distortion heavy low range and rich mid range.

Horn Design Pure Soft-dome Tweeter

Combination with full digital co-axial 2 way speakers delivers reproduction of mid range with rich sound pressure and expanding high range.

Unique and High Quality Design only Possible with the First-in-the-World System

Impressive design exposing bridge structure (aluminum horn type stabilizer) and using aluminum material for every design part from frame, bridge to champaign-gold bridge cover (aluminum panel) , make high sound quality and high quality feeling compatible.

As for items with *, there are certain limiting conditions. Please confirm details.