Specifications
18
2005 Product Application Guide
Leading-Edge Source-Unit Features
In 2004, Clarion revolutionized
source-unit technology with the
introduction of its Optimedia,
Music Catcher and ADF features.
In 2005 Clarion expands these
revolutionary technologies.
Here’s what to look for:
Optimedia Remastered
Clarion’s Optimedia is a touch-screen-based technology
that intuitively links the movement of the user’s fingertip to
the screen. For 2005, Clarion has revamped Optimedia as
it now offers far superior control and feature-menu access
than the previous generation — introduced in 2004 with
the DXZ945MP. Now, users have six main onscreen con-
trols — four located to the bottom of the screen and one
located at each side.
The side controls offer an up-and-down swipe control,
which allows users to switch between features, as well as
adjust the effect of the feature. While listening to music,
the right control bar allows users to switch between radio
stations, Music Catcher songs (only on the DXZ955MC),
CD and MP3 tracks. The left control bar allows users to
toggle between Music Catcher and MP3 folders, as well
as presets when listening to the radio tuner.
While listening to the radio tuner, the bottom four control
buttons allow users to access the preset menu, change
bands, engage the preset scan and auto station storage,
as well as change the display type. When playing a CD,
buttons 2, 3 and 4 (L-R) allow users to return to the be-
ginning of the CD, play, and change displays, respectively
(for the DXZ955MC, button 1 is the record button for
Music Catcher).
When accessing the Sound and Adjustment (ADJ) menus
(access buttons located on the actual faceplate), buttons
2 and 3 allow users to scroll through the feature menu.
Button 4 allows users to return to the previous screen.
Once the feature is located, the user can make their
selection by pressing the feature name.
Music Catcher
Expanded to three new source units in 2005 — the
DXZ955MC, DXZ755MC and DB455MC — this CD
recording technology allows your customers to store their
favorite CD or specific tracks directly into the source unit.
The 9 and 7 series models can store up to 6 CDs, or
80 songs. The 4 series, the first non-ProAudio model to
harness this technology, can store up to 3 CDs worth of
music. This technology also offers two recording modes:
High Quality and Long Play. High Quality is a high-quality
recording mode that does cut down on the number
of songs a user can store (Songs stored as WMA
music files).
Benefits to this technology also exist during playback.
Because Music Catcher is based on static memory
technology, users will enjoy hours of skip-free music
playback. Why? There are no moving parts. This makes
Music Catcher great for extreme driving.
ADF
Clarion’s ADF, or Anti-Distortion Filter, was created solely
for the purpose of enhancing the listening experience
of MP3 and WMA music files. During compression, the
fidelity of one’s music is drastically reduced, allowing for
more music file storage. That’s where ADF comes in.
Smoothing out the audio signal so high and low frequen-
cies remain audible, ADF allows your MP3 and WMA
music files to sound like the original recording. Best of all,
there’s no added frequency boost, which can result in
dull, muffled sound.
Hitting the Highs and Lows
Achieving optimal sound reproduction is easy with
Clarion’s great sound-enhancement features. Check out
these short descriptions to learn more:
AC Processing: Clarion’s Advanced Digital Sound
Processing Technology
Clarion’s AC Processor IV, a feature offered by the all-
new DXZ955MC, takes the AC Processor III (featured
DXZ945MP) a step further by closing the gaps between
left-to-right sound transitions. The result is that being-
there sound.
Whereas typical stereo couldn’t audibly recreate the effect
of sound moving left to right (i.e., a racecar traveling
around a track when watching a DVD movie), 5.1-channel
allowed users to achieve this sound field by offering a
center channel. What Clarion’s AC Processor III did was
create a smoother transition when the sound effect trav-
eled left to center and then center to right. Clarion takes
this even further with the AC Processor IV, which elimi-
nates transition gaps by creating a phantom left- and
right-center speaker effect.
These processors allow users to take this sound
processing a step further with the following features:
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Developed by Dolby Laboratories,
this matrix sound decoding technology takes any 2-
channel sound, such as a CD or radio broadcast,
decodes it, and outputs it as 5.1-channel sound. This
feature also offers a center-width control and a matrix
mode that simulates the center-channel speaker using
the F/L speakers to create a quasi 5.1 surround effect.
19
2005 Product Application Guide
• Virtual Space Enhancer: A vehicle’s interior is plagued
by reflective sound in the neighborhood of 230 Hz,
which disrupts low-frequency reproduction. That’s why
Clarion’s Virtual Space Enhancer (VSE) was created, as
it digitally compensates for irregular reflection, polariza-
tion, and other acoustic problems associated with the
vehicle’s interior design.
• Time Alignment Control: For pinpoint accuracy, this
feature allows users to adjust a system’s speakers to
deliver the same acoustical effects. This is based on
five basic positioning points: FRONT-L, FRONT-R,
REAR-R, REAR-L and FULL SEAT. Aside from effecting
a system's acoustical patterns, digital time alignment
allows the user to optimize their system to account
for the number of passengers inside the vehicle. The
adjustment range is 0-500 cm in 2.3 cm steps.
• 3-Band Parametric EQ: When BASS and TREBLE tone
controls just don’t cut it, the 3-band parametric EQ
allows the user to adjust the gain, frequency and Q
(width of the adjusted frequency) of each band. This
feature also allows users to select from three operating
modes — SEDAN, WAGON and MINI VAN — and offers
additional system correction by offering two preset
patterns for each operating mode.
Z-Enhancer Plus
This feature outfits the 5 and 6 series source units, provid-
ing users with three performance patterns to choose from.
This allows users to adjust the sound system to their spe-
cific musical tastes. Additionally, users can adjust the gain
and Q (acuteness) of each pattern, making it possible to
emphasize the power and responsiveness of each band.
24-Bit Technology
Clarion’s new DXZ955MC, DXZ855MP and DXZ755MC
join the DRZ9255 and DXZ945MP as the only units in
Clarion’s 2005 line to harness 24-Bit D/A converters. This
technology translates into more music detail and audio-
phile sound as the digital code of the “one” and “zero” bits
is read more often than a standard 1-bit decoding rate of
44,100 bits per second. This conversion rate is also better
at reducing linearity errors and notch distortion, resulting
in superior sound and less system noise.
Bass Enhancers
With music tastes being what they are today, Clarion
offers users several ways to really dial in those low
frequencies. Here’s what you need to talk about when
introducing a Clarion source unit to your customers:
Magna Bass EX
This feature was designed for serious bass aficionados,
as it boosts the ultra-low frequency with a center frequen-
cy of 50Hz. Think of it as a “loudness” button for your
bass, as this feature also incorporates an automatic boost
level control for well-balanced bass reproduction, even at
high volumes.
Subwoofer Level Control and Built-In Low-Pass Crossover
Owners of the 9 through 6 series ProAudio Source Units
(excluding the DRZ9255) can access these two features
by pressing the “AM” button. This feature allows for instant
subwoofer adjustment and more control over the sound
system. Included with the Subwoofer Level Control is a
built-in low-pass crossover with selectable frequencies:
50Hz, 80Hz, and 120Hz. When the crossover is selected,
the rear channel RCA line level outputs become dedicated
subwoofer outputs, directly controlled by the Subwoofer
Level Control. The front and rear powered speaker output
will not be affected by the low-pass crossovers, and can
be used to power front and rear speakers while the sub-
woofer/rear channel line level output drive a subwoofer
amplifier and subwoofer.
CD
DVD
RADIO
TV
2 ch Source
1
Pattern
Low High
3
BOOST
Low Frequency Boost.
Low High
3
BOOST
2
Pattern
High Frequency Boost.
Low High
3
BOOST
BOOST
3
Pattern
Low and High Frequency Boost.
+10
10 20 50 100 200 500 1K 2K 5K 10K 20k
+0
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
Freq.Hz
24dB
24dB 12dB
24dB
12dB
Full
AP
M-BASS
EX
20
15
10
10 100 1000 10000
5
0
-5
Freq.(Hz)
Bass boost/M-Bass On NormalM-Bass On
100Hz-200HzMagna Bass's center
Frequency is 50Hz