Clarion Strikes Perfect Balance Between Rugged and Refined with New CMS4 Marine and Powersports Multimedia Source Unit

Clarion's powerful two-piece CMS4 marine-grade multimedia source unit supports four zones with independent source and volume, and numerous music source options

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Clarion Corporation of America

Oct 04, 2016, 08:30 ET

CYPRESS, Calif., Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion Corporation of America, a leader in consumer and commercial mobile electronics, today announced their all-new, ultra-rugged, feature-rich CMS4 two-piece marine- and powersports-grade multimedia source unit, boasting exceptional performance and broad music source connectivity. The CMS4 is powerful, offering 280 watts (70w x 4 at 2-ohm) of power, and four multimedia source zones, each with independent zone volume control. As the only source unit in its class to offer an ultra-bright color TFT LCD display optically wet bonded to Corning® Gorilla Glass®, the iP66-rated control unit of the CMS4 was elegantly designed using heavy-duty materials for years of trouble-free high-performance audio playback in the most extreme environments.

Designed with marine and powersports applications in mind, Clarion spent considerable time studying how marine and powersports users interact with their audio systems, and developed a new intuitive user interface from the ground up that offers simple control of the system's robust features. The attractive GUI is navigated using a dedicated rotary pushbutton menu control knob, while music playback buttons and a volume knob provide simple control of the multimedia system with no distraction when charting the waters or ripping through the desert. Clarion also makes great use of the vibrant TFT display by enabling a camera input so that the user can clearly monitor their surroundings.

"Ruggedized product designs often scream "tough" and "weather proof," but when we began designing our marine-grade CMS4, we knew that, while our customers are looking for durability and ruggedness, they prefer an upscale look that lends itself more to high-end audio equipment," said Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning for Clarion Corporation of America. "The CMS4 sports a fine brushed metal faceplate and large knobs finished in beautiful black chrome adding to its unmatched style and presence. On top of the device's aesthetics and durability, we paid incredible attention to detail when designing the CMS4's user interface, ensuring that users could easily and effortlessly access and control all of the advanced features of the product. And to match all of the above, our product planners sourced special plastics and plating processes that ultimately allowed the CMS4 to meet or exceed ASTM testing for UV and salt fog exposure."

Main features of Clarion's new marine- and powersports-grade CMS4 audio source unit include:

iP66-rated dust tight and watertight commander, with silicone protective cover
iPX5-rated water- and dust-resistant black box source unit
Optically wet bonded color 3.5-inch TFT LCD provides clear viewing in sunlight
Powerful 280-watt (2-ohm) four-channel amplifier
Four zone audio source control with independent zone volume control
Bluetooth with aptX music streaming
SiriusXM and Pandora ready
Apple certified for iPod, iPhone and iPad
2.1 amp USB port for MP3/WMA file playback; supports device charging
Analog RCA input
Eight-channel 3.5V RCA audio outputs
Four dedicated subwoofer outputs
Seven-band equalizer
Camera input with audio support
12 color button and knob illumination
Wired remote ready (supports up to eight external remotes)

Recognized by the industry for their benchmark durability and reliability, every Clarion marine and powersports system, and accessory endures a battery of character defining tests. By replicating prolonged UV exposure, simulating the humid saltwater environment and rigorously testing for thermal shock to imitate quick changes in temperature, Clarion ensures that its new CMS4 can withstand the rigors of the harshest environments season after season. Capable of enduring up to 3 Gs of three-axis vibration, the CMS4 was also designed to endure off-road driving on extremely rough terrain or cutting through choppy waters.

The CMS4 will be available in Q1 of 2017 to boat and powersports manufacturers directly from Clarion, while the retail boxed version will also be available through Clarion authorized national distributors and retailers around the same time.

Visit Clarion at booth 3101 during IBEX 2016 for a product demonstration or, for more information about the CMS4 and Clarion's complete line of marine-grade products, please visit www.clarionmarinesystems.com or www.clarion.com.

About Clarion
http://www.clarion.com/us/en/corp/about-clarion/index.html

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161003/414840

SOURCE Clarion Corporation of America