CESpotlight 2015: Pioneer

Pioneer has always been one of the movers and shakers in the audio system industry and this year they didn’t disappoint with the introduction of new-generation automobile audio systems that feature revolutionary technologies and industry-first features.

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New-generation NEX Receivers with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The first generation of Pioneer’s NEX, which stands for Networked Entertainment eXperience, receivers or head units were initially launched last year and was the first to feature Apple’s CarPlay platform. This year, with the second generation of NEX receivers, the company has introduced new models that feature Android Auto compatibility making the company the first to introduce both platforms into a single receiver and have given consumers the ability to add Android Auto or CarPlay to their vehicles easily. The new models also come with the company’s AppRadio Mode, advanced Bluetooth capabilities, MirrorLink compatibility, iDatalink Maestro support, FLAC file playback capability, and access to Pandora and SiriusXM.

The next generation of NEX receivers include a total of five new models – the AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, AVIC-6100NEX, AVIC-5100NEX, and the AVH-4100NEX – that all feature either 7-inch or 6.2 inch, capacitive or clear resistive WVGA touch displays. While all the models will come with CarPlay, only the AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, and the AVH-4100NEX will come with Android Auto. They will be available come March 2015 at an SRP of $1,400 for the flagship AVIC-8100NEX, $1,200 for the AVIC-7100NEX, $900 for the AVIC-6100NEX, $750 for the AVIC-5100NEX, and $700 for the entry-level AVH-4100NEX.

Amplified Subwoofer with Revolutionary Horizontal-Vertical Transforming Technology

The company’s next announcement is the introduction of their new TS-WH500A amplified subwoofer system which features the company’s patented and revolutionary Horizontal-Vertical Transforming (HVT) Technology. The new technology features a unique design that involves a dual diaphragm and dual motor setup that combines horizontally positioned magnet and voice coils and vertically moving dual speaker diaphragms. This design makes for better sound quality and higher output while reducing the subwoofers size.

The whole system measures only 13-7/16 inches x 9-7/8 inches x 2-3/8 inches which makes for a very compact system that can be installed in a number of spaces where traditional subwoofers cannot. The TS-WH500A is housed in a high-grade resin enclosure and comes with a wideband, high-current 50 watt RMS amplifier. All in all, it’s a pretty exciting device that will give users with smaller vehicles access to a quality subwoofer system. The TS-WH500A will be available sometime in March at an SRP of $300.

New-generation TS-D Automotive Component Speakers

Lastly, Pioneer also unveiled the latest iteration of their TS-D automotive component speaker systems. The new and redesigned models – the TS-D1730C and the TS-D1330C – feature subwoofers with new aramid fiber cones made from Twaron woven cloth, elastic polymer surrounds, and bullet shaped phase plugs as well as a new 0.9-inch tweeters made from lightweight polyester woven fibers with a large rear chamber and rounded over flange. The new systems also come with a redesigned crossover network with a smaller chassis and a selectable tweeter level switch which allows easier matching the tweeter and woofer outputs.

The TS-D1730C comes with a 6-3/4” woofer and a pair of 6” x 9” and 6-3/4” woofer/tweeter installations plates for many Toyota, Scion, and Honda vehicles while the TS-D1330C comes with a smaller 5-1/4” woofer and 6” x 8” woofer/tweeter installation plates for many Ford and Mazda models. Both of the new TS-D packages will be available sometime in March with SRPs of $200 for the TS-D1730C (6-3/4” woofer) and $180 for the TS-D1330C (5-1/4” woofer).

It looks like Pioneer is set to take over the automobiles of many car and car audio enthusiasts by the 2nd quarter of the year with its complete package of next-generation components. And as previously mentioned, bringing Android Auto to practically much any vehicle that can use one of the company’s new NEX receivers is a pretty exciting notion.