Jan 5, 2017

Clarion NX807 Premium Double-DIN Multimedia Source Unit Features Apple CarPlay Support

Clarion announced today the introduction of NX807, the company's first full-featured premium double DIN in-dash infotainment source unit featuring Apple CarPlay support. Serving as Clarion's flagship audio source unit, the NX807 boasts an impressive array of premium features and capabilities that help it outshine the competition, including a high-definition 7-inch touch display, embedded GPS navigation, support for Pandora and Bluetooth music streaming and smartphone screen mirroring through HDMI.

Clarion NX807

When it comes to audio performance, Clarion's NX807 clearly stands above the competition, offering a 15-band graphic equalizer, 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution playback of FLAC audio files, and a TOSLINK digital audio output interface for seamless integration with Clarion's CES Innovation Award-winning Full Digital Sound component system – allowing users to experience true high-resolution playback of FLAC audio tracks sampled at 96kHz.

The NX807 is Clarion's first aftermarket source unit offered in the U.S. market to support Apple CarPlay, providing drivers a safer way to access the various benefits of having an iPhone, such as Siri, Maps, iTunes Radio as well as all of the music streaming apps that currently support CarPlay. Additionally, the NX807 is fully compatible with Clarion's Full Digital Sound (FDS) components system, which allows the unit to pass a high-resolution digital audio signal to an installed FDS processor.

Clarion's FDS processor separates high-resolution digital audio file into separate channels of digital audio and sends each channel to its respective FDS speaker. Clarion's FDS system is unique in that it maintains a digital audio signal from the source until it reaches the speakers' voice coils, where the digital audio signal is then turned into sound pressure. Unlike all other in-car component systems, Clarion's FDS system never converts the digital audio signal to analog, ensuring that high-resolution digital audio is maintained without loss or added noise and artifacts from analog connections.

Apple CarPlay is the smarter, safer way to use an iPhone in the car. Users can make and receive calls, access text messages, play music and get directions optimized for traffic conditions, all in a way that allows them to stay focused on the road. Apple CarPlay features Siri voice control in addition to working with touch screen controls. Corresponding audio, driving directions and phone calls are played through the vehicle's speaker system.

With Apple Maps, Apple CarPlay can predict where the user most likely wants to go by using destinations from recent e-mails, text messages, contacts and calendar entries. Users may also set destinations through a simple, conversational command to Siri. Apple CarPlay requires that an iPhone 5 or newer iPhone be plugged into the NX807 via a USB/Lightning cable and have the latest version of iOS installed.

In addition to supporting Apple CarPlay, Clarion has designed the NX807 with an array of features and specifications to deliver premium sound quality that will please even the most discerning of ears, including:

Optical digital output for system upgrades – enables plug-and-play integration with Clarion's Full Digital Sound processor
Support for high-resolution 96kHz/24-bit FLAC audio
15-band graphic equalizer with low-pass and high-pass filters and Dynamic Bass Enhancement
Source independent Gain/EQ
50 Watts x 4 MOS-FET amplifier (19 Watts x 4 RMS) for less than 1% total harmonic distortion plus noise
2-Zone Entertainment – allows rear seat passengers to enjoy one separate source than the front seat passengers

"When it comes to in-car infotainment systems, one of the most sought after features is the ability to connect and use a smartphone as easily as possible and Apple CarPlay delivers a completely streamlined experience for iPhone users in that regard," said Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning at Clarion. "As our flagship aftermarket automotive source unit for 2017, the NX807 was specifically designed for those who want a high-performance in-dash system that offers all of the infotainment benefits offered by top-of-the-line new cars, such as Apple CarPlay support, as well as other high-demand features like embedded navigation, Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming, SiriusXM, multi-zone audio sources and more, without having to buy a brand new car. In addition, the NX807 provides full support for our revolutionary FDS high resolution audio system delivering a superior all digital sound experience like nothing else."

Clarion NX807 Key Features

7-inch WVGA display with touch interface and tilt control
Embedded navigation with 3D maps featuring 11 million points-of-interest
Variable color key illumination
HDMI input
2 USB inputs
Optical digital output
Audio/Video inputs (RCA)
Bluetooth connectivity for HFP/A2DP
Pandora control for iPhone and Android
External microphone included
Rear view camera with audio input
IR remote control included
OEM steering wheel remote control ready
SiriusXM-Ready (SiriusXM-Connect Vehicle Tuner sold separately, SiriusXM subscription required)