HEATHROW, FLA. —
Dual Electronics began shipping
its first car audio products targeted exclusively to 12-
volt specialists.
The Axxera-branded products, introduced at January’s
International CES, consist of four single-DIN and
one double-DIN audio head units priced from a suggested
a suggested $129 to $249, or $109 to $219.
Later this year, Dual will expand the Axxera brand to
include higher price points, multimedia head units and
speakers.
Dual president/CEO Jim Braun said the line would
give 12-volt specialists “something new and different
that they can use to create excitement, improve profits
and build business.” The brand is positioned as offering
“rich feature sets and value price points,” and for specialists
they offer two-year warranties and a MAP policy
to offer profit opportunities, he said.
The single-DIN models features fold-down detachable
face; the face of the double-DIN model is fixed.
To connect with non-CD music sources, all five feature
SDHC memory-card slot to support memory cards
up to 16GB, at least one iPod/iPhone USB port, and
front-panel 3.5mm and rear-panel RCA-type auxiliary
inputs. Via USB port, memory card and data CDs, consumers
can play MP3, WMA and AAC music files. The
port also enables head-unit control of music stored on
iPods and iPhones.
All models feature 4×18-watt RMS Mosfet amps,
2-volt preamp outputs, a minimum of two pairs of preamp
outputs, and connection to an optional steeringwheel-
control interface.
Starting at $139, the heads add built-in Bluetooth
with the HFP, A2DP, AVRCP and PBAP profiles for, respectively,
hands-free calling, stereo music streaming,
control of select functions of music apps on Bluetoothequipped
smartphones, and phone book access enabling
a receiver to automatically downloads contacts
from a paired cellphone to let users browse their contacts
and dial a number directly from the receiver’s front
panel.
Three units starting at $169 feature dual iPod/USB
inputs (one front, one rear), RGB custom-color selection
to provide user-customizable colors of the frontpanel
buttons and LCD display, and a dedicated subwoofer
preamp output. In the lower-priced models, one
of two preamp output pairs can be dedicated for fullrange
or subwoofer use.
The top two models at $189 and $219 add full-graphic
LCD displays and control of an optional HD Radio
tuner that offers iTunes tagging and multicast reception.
