ASUS Launches Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702)

Having trouble reading this email? To view this email as a web page, click here. This is an automatically generated e-mail. Please do not reply to this email. ASUS Launches Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702) Our 17.3" Zenbook creator laptop features an ultrafast 165 Hz IPS display, up to AMD Ryzen 6000-Series CPUs and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GP Fremont, California (September 27, 2022) — ASUS today launched Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702), our 17.3-inch Zenbook, designed for discerning creators and professionals looking for the very best large-screened powerhouse laptop. Zenbook Pro 17 features an expansive 17.3" 2.5K IPS NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen that's PANTONE® Validated with an ultrafast 165 Hz refresh rate, and superb all-round creative and productivity performance is delivered by up to an AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HX Mobile Processor, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 GPU and a 1 TB PCIe® SSD. For superior audio experiences, there's a Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos® audio system driven by a powerful smart amplifier. A full set of I/O ports — including dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C® ports, dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI® 2.0, an SD card reader, and an audio combo jack — ensures easy connections, and the WiFi 6E connectivity is enhanced by ASUS WiFi Master Premium with ASUS RangeBoost. Creative power Zenbook Pro 17 delivers performance for all-day, every-day creativity and productivity with up to an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Mobile processor that's optimized for high performance per watt, and which provides exceptional multitasking performance. Zenbook Pro 17 uses less power than previous-gen processors for some workloads, making the most of the battery while delivering effortless productivity. ASUS IceCool Plus thermal technology enables maximum cooling for the best performance at all times. For the ultimate creative power, Zenbook Pro 17 is leveled up with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 discrete graphics. This GPU brings a new level of performance to creative apps, so users can unleash their creativity at any time. Up to a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD and the latest WiFi 6E enable fast storage, wait-free app loads and smooth connectivity, and Zenbook Pro 17 is also packed with all the I/O ports needed for easy connectivity to devices and peripherals. The dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports support fast charging and 4K external displays, and there’s also an HDMI 2.0 port and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports alongside a standard SD card reader. Communications and audio I/O are taken care of by the convenient audio combo jack. Ultra-responsive display Designed for creators who need the largest possible visual workspace and ultra-smooth visuals, Zenbook Pro 17 is the first ever Zenbook with a 17.3-inch display. It has up to a 16:9 2.5K (2560 x 1440) 165 Hz IPS NanoEdge Dolby Vision touchscreen with a fast 6 ms response time that offers an all-new visual experience. The cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensures ultra-vivid colors, and the slim-bezel four-sided NanoEdge design maximizes screen space with a minimum footprint. Whether it's for visual content creation, immersive streaming or fast on-screen action, Zenbook Pro 17 delivers. Enhanced eye-care is provided by the TÜV Rheinland-certified low blue-light emissions. User-centric design User-centric design is a signature feature of the Zenbook series and it features a precision-engineered, 180° ErgoLift hinge that tilts the rear of the laptop slightly when opened to make typing more comfortable. The lay-flat design also makes it easy to share content with others, or collaborate around a table. The ASUS ErgoSense keyboard and ErgoSense touchpad are engineered to enable an unrivaled input experience, where the keyboard has an incredibly satisfying feel, with the optimum bounce and travel calculated with fine-tuned precision. Scrolling on the extra-large 150 x 90 mm ErgoSense touchpad is just like touching silk. Its surface has a special low-friction coating that’s also fingerprint resistant, keeping the work area as clean as new. For easy one-touch, password-free login with Windows Hello, there's a convenient fingerprint sensor on the power button. Dedicated function keys allow users to turn the webcam and microphone on or off for instant privacy. A webcam with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR), a four-element lens and a large camera sensor allow ultrafast face login and significantly upgraded image processing capabilities, when compared to the previous generation. Participants will be able to see the user more clearly than ever during video conference calls, even in darker environments. ASUS Noise-Cancelation Technology ensures crystal-clear audio in conference calls, especially with the Multi-Presenter Conference Call mode in the MyASUS app. With this smart feature enabled, MyASUS detects and optimizes the individual voices before relaying them all at the same volume level — ensuring improved quality for group calls. AVAILABILITY & PRICING ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702) will start at MSRP $999.99 and will be available from ASUS Store and Amazon. We will also have an alternative model for MSRP $1699.99 and available at ASUS Store. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information. ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702) Website: https://www.asus.com/us/Laptops/For-Creators/Zenbook/Zenbook-Pro-17-UM6702-AMD-Ryzen-6000-series/ ASUS News: https://www.asus.com/us/News/ ASUS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asus.n.america ASUS Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASUSUSA SPECIFICATIONS [i] ASUS Zenbook Pro 17 (UM6702) CPU AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HX Processor AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800HX Processor Display 17.3" 2.5K 16:9 WQHD IPS NanoEdge touchscreen 17.3" 2.5K 16:9 FHD IPS NanoEdge non-touch Operating system Windows 11 Home Graphics NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 3050 Graphics AMD Radeon™ Graphics Main memory 16 GB LPDDR5 onboard Storage 512 GB PCIe® 4.0 x4 SSD 1 TB PCIe® 4.0 x4 SSD Connectivity WiFi 6E Bluetooth® 5.2 Camera 1080p FHD camera 720p HD camera I/O ports 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C® 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 1 x HDMI® 2.0 1 x Standard SD card reader 1 x audio combo jack 1 x DC-in Touchpad ASUS ErgoSense touchpad Audio Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos® sound system with built-in speakers Built-in array microphone with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support Battery 76 Wh AC adapter 150 W AC Adapter 90 W AC Adapter Dimensions 395 x 258.6 x 18.9 mm Weight 5.49 lb [i] Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com ### About ASUS ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.

Premium Audio Company Unveils Enhanced Features in Recent AVR Firmware Update

Premium Audio Company Unveils Enhanced Features in Recent AVR Firmware Update

Users can optimize the sound of Klipsch speakers, attain improved Bluetooth connectivity, and more precisely tune their room.

 

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 – Premium Audio Company (PAC), an innovative, premium audio solutions provider, has released a firmware update for many of its Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer audio video receivers (AVRs) that will improve the functionality, connectivity and the overall user experience. Firmware updates allow users to optimize the sound of Klipsch speakers, more precisely tune their room, and achieve improved Bluetooth® connectivity.

 

Klipsch Speaker Optimization Mode

Klipsch speakers are known to reproduce the power, detail and emotion of the live experience. Onkyo and Integra 2021 audio and video receivers (AVRs) include the precise crossover values for specific Klipsch Reference and now the newly released Reference Premiere speakers, eliminating any guesswork or sometimes arbitrary settings assigned by many automatic room calibration solutions. It's easy to set up in the AVR menu and the result is peak performance out of already amazing-sounding speakers.

 

AVRs with Klipsch Optimization Mode include:

• Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR5100 and TX-NR696
• Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4

 

More Precise Dirac Live® Room Correction

Dirac Live Room Correction applies state-of-the-art, patented algorithms and cloud-based AI to analyze and digitally reduce room impact and enhance speaker performance. Dirac Live delivers a larger sweet spot, accurate staging, clarity, voice intelligibility, and a deeper, tighter bass not otherwise possible.

 

The engineers at Onkyo have significantly improved the upper limit delay, which depicts a more accurate measurement of a surround sound system’s positions. The result is a precise and balanced soundstage.

 

AVRs with improved Dirac Live response times include:

• Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100

• Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4
• Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505, VSX-LX305

 

Improved Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth technology connects devices but can be adversely affected by range and construction materials. With the firmware update, Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer now have improved Bluetooth connectivity between the streaming device and the AVR, as well as increase the connections with mobile devices and headsets.

 

AVRs with improved Bluetooth connectivity include:

• Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR5100
• Integra DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-2.4
• Pioneer Elite VSX-LX935, VSX-LX105

 

For more information on the brands and their products, please visit Onkyousa.com, Integrahometheater.com, and Pioneerhomeusa.com.

 

About Premium Audio Company

Established in 2020, Premium Audio Company is the most innovative, complete and premium audio solutions provider in consumer technology. We connect people to their passion for entertainment. Premium Audio Company includes some of the most legendary and revered brands — Klipsch, Jamo, Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, Elite, Magnat, and Heco. Premium Audio Company, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX).

 

About Onkyo

ONKYO is an organization consisting of people unsurpassed in the love of sound. We love our work, and that makes us perfectionists. We won’t settle for second best. We strive to complete what we have started. That’s the ONKYO spirit. For the past half century ONKYO components have been recognized as uncommonly musical among those who are truly fanatical about their music. Our aim for the next century is further refinement of our advanced music reproduction technology to create a new ONKYO that will become a more familiar name to people throughout the world.

 

About Integra

Integra has been synonymous with high fidelity since 1969, when the name identified industry-leading flagship amplifiers. Thirty years later in 1999, Integra launched as a standalone brand dedicated to emerging home installation markets with a range of solutions that dealers and installers could stake their reputations on. Because of our close relationship with these professionals, the Integra lineup continues to evolve organically with the needs of a rapidly changing marketplace while exceeding the high expectations of our customers.

 

About Pioneer Elite

Pioneer is obsessed with accuracy that spans generations. Out of that obsession are born three key philosophies: direct energy design, ideal acoustic environment, and master sound tuning. The Elite line started in 1986 in North America to elevate pioneer “reference series” line dealers and provide them with better programs and incentives.

 

Origin Acoustics Expands Partnership with Bang & Olufsen

Origin Acoustics named the U.S. Brand Manager for Bang & Olufsen in the Custom Channel. Selected Origin Integrators will have access to full portfolio of products.  CEDIA 2022 (September 13, 2022) – Once again Origin Acoustics is breaking new ground for custom integrators with the announcement of an expanded partnership with Bang & Olufsen. Since 2016, Origin Acoustics (OA) has been collaborating with Bang & Olufsen on the co-design and manufacturing of certain architectural loudspeakers, now Origin has been named to U.S. Brand Manager for Bang & Olufsen’s full portfolio in the custom channel. The new relationship will allow selected Origin Acoustics integrators to have access to Bang & Olufsen’s BeoPlay headphones, BeoVision televisions, BeoSound speakers and soundbars, and BeoAmp amplifiers for their luxury clients.  At the CEDIA Expo 2022 in Dallas the two brands will share further details of the partnership and how this combination of Origin’s network and go-to-market strategy along with Bang & Olufsen’s product portfolio will be available to new and existing channel dealers and ultimately for end consumers.  Bang & Olufsen has been in business for 97 years and features 700 retail stores worldwide. The company has made inroads in the custom electronics channel over the years, but it has gained more recent momentum following the 2016 successful collaboration with Origin Acoustics, on the creation of co-branded products (Celestial in-ceiling speakers and Palatial in-wall speakers) that both companies sell as part of Origin Acoustics’ Design Centric Technology program. This newly expanded partnership shows Origin’s commitment and focus on growing the custom installation market by creating and offering design-centric products that will resonate with interior designers, architects and ultimately consumers. The company has made several other strategic design-centric moves recently, namely establishing an OEM relationship with Crestron on loudspeakers, setting up a strategic resale agreement with hidden-speaker manufacturer Amina, acquiring high-end outdoor speaker maker Ambisonic, and teaming with Artnovion on importing their acoustical treatment products into the US, to name few. They alluded that several more partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks. This expansion of the Bang & Olufsen partnership is another step in that effort as it brings together two curated brand partners who understand the importance of blending performance and design for today’s consumers. With Bang & Olufsen’s years of technical innovation and boundary-pushing aesthetics, this partnership will allow both brands to execute a future-forward strategy in the custom installation channel and provide unique opportunities to Origin’s network and industry relationships. As the U.S. Brand Manager for the Custom Channel, Origin Acoustics will be responsible for bringing the Bang & Olufsen full line of products to a wider audience in the North America market. Origin Acoustics CEO Nick Berry, Bang & Olufsen Americas president Rich Costanzo, and OA chief marketing and strategy officer Gordon Isaac all spoke exclusively with CE Pro about the new partnerships.  “Bang & Olufsen is the only company in the world that has driven this value proposition for many decades,” says Berry. “They lead the conversation on how design and technology intersect, and we look forward to expanding the brand throughout the U.S." Costanzo notes, “As Bang & Olufsen continues to scale our business in North America’s custom installation market, our mutual history, shared goals, and Origin Acoustics’ incredible reputation made our partnership an exciting prospect. We see great potential in bringing Bang & Olufsen’s expertise in luxury technology and Origin Acoustics’ loyal community of channel dealers to a $10-billion industry. Isaac adds, “This is another step in Origin’s strategic effort to help elevate the industry and unite design-centric brands in business relationships that exploit our greatest skillsets of engineering, manufacturing, and go-to-market programs. The products in our previous partnership with Bang & Olufsen are flourishing, so that success set in motion this latest agreement.” Expanding the Existing Relationship Despite the existing cobranded relationship, the companies have different specialties, with Bang & Olufsen specializing in powered products or speakers with amplifier power built in, while Origin is focused on the custom installation market with its architectural speaker and innovative engineering systems that enable quick and easy installation.  But at the same time, Costanzo says the two companies have like-minded philosophies in terms of how they treat their partners.  “We are comfortable with the relationship with Origin Acoustics, which stretches back to the 1980s with their previous company. Both companies are technically competent, produce innovative products and have the same cultural values of customer empathy and support for their channel partners. Both companies are top-class organizations. It’s exciting to announce that Origin dealers will now have the full complement of the B&O portfolio to sell. This is a long-term commitment between the two companies,” says Costanzo.   Berry says it will be valuable for an Origin integrator to be able to walk into a luxury client’s home and have the ability to offer the full lineup of Bang & Olufsen goods. “Not every Origin dealer will be signed up. We don’t want to dilute the market,” says Berry, adding that dealers will be vetted, first by Origin and then by Bang & Olufsen, for this opportunity to be labeled as Bang & Olufsen Custom Technology Integrators (CTI).  Berry says the selected integrators will be those that focus their businesses around serving high net-worth individuals and offer a certain level of service. Those integrators will also receive additional training and marketing support. Moreover, the selection criteria will also be cognizant to not bring on too many new dealers that are geographically close to existing Bang & Olufsen Monobrand retail stores in the U.S. where the market does not warrant it. After that initial round of selections, Berry says OA will be looking for potential soft spots in the market, if any, to fill in any gaps. “We want to walk before we run, so we are bringing the brand on carefully,” says Berry. According to Isaac, Origin Acoustics has established a dedicated brand manager and team for the relationship, led by Origin’s President Marc Fisher, and that Bang & Olufsen also has a team member based at Origin’s headquarters in Las Vegas. He notes that Origin has created a Bang & Olufsen Experience Center in its Las Vegas showroom to showcase Bang & Olufsen products. The two brands will continue to collaborate on new product development opportunities and additional verticals within the U.S. market. The strength of this partnership brings a unique and powerful solution to designers, developers, and consumers who desire both performance and beauty from the technology going into their homes and businesses.

About Origin Acoustics – www.originacoustics.com   The Origin team has been responsible for inventions and innovations that have changed the face of the home entertainment industry. Inventions like the first in-wall speaker and the first aimable in-ceiling speaker are just the tip of the iceberg. Pushing the limits of technology and materials, this team has dominated the market for three decades and supplied loudspeakers to literally millions of homes around the world. Today they have joined forces under the Origin banner to deliver the most advanced and impressive array of architectural loudspeakers ever available. With over 100 years of combined experience in the industry, they are dedicated to enhancing the lives of every person who chooses to install Origin loudspeakers in their home. About Bang & Olufsen – www.bang-olufsen.com  Bang & Olufsen is a global luxury lifestyle brand founded in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen whose devotion and vision remain the foundation for the company.  The rich heritage built around the relentless determination to create products that push the boundaries of audio technology continues to place the company at the forefront of audio innovation. Today, every Bang & Olufsen product is still characterized by the unique combination of beautiful sound, timeless design, and unrivaled craftsmanship.  The company’s innovative and progressive audio products are sold worldwide in Bang & Olufsen monobrand stores, online, and in multibrand stores. The company employs over 1,000 people and operates in more than 70 markets. Bang & Olufsen’s shares are listed on NAS DAQ Copenhagen A/S

MetraAV® Unveils New Products at 2022 CEDIA Expo

 

Holly Hill, Fla. – September 12, 2022 – MetraAV^®  is heading to the 2022 CEDIA Expo, September 29th through October 1st, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas to showcase new products at booth #10009. Attendees will have the opportunity to get an up close look at new products, talk with sales representatives, and meet the product developers who designed these new solutions. The main attraction of the display will be the all-new Big Dog Power line of power distribution products. MetraAV will also showcase a treasure trove of HDMI^® solutions including new high-performance VELOX Passive Premium HDMI^® Cables, Ethereal MHX HDMI^® High Speed cables with Ethernet, extenders, switches, splitters, repair tools, and more! In addition, new Spyclops surveillance cameras and products from other MetraAV brands will be on display for AV enthusiasts to get a firsthand look at.

 

MetraAV's Big Dog Power smart power distribution products combine all the features integrators need into one device to deliver surge protection, remote control, smart home integration, rack temperature management, and more. Individually-controllable outlets have power metering, self-healing, and automatic reboot capabilities for smarter and easier remote management of connected devices. These smart outlet PDUs feature surge mileage meters that show when surges have occurred and the percentage of remaining protection. Their removable surge protection modules can be replaced without sacrificing the entire PDU, making these solutions unique and cost-effective. They work with the free Big Dog Power app, which has a user-friendly design that makes management easy. A variety of sizes are available to suit the needs of any size system, and all of these options will be on display at CEDIA.

 

The booth will also include a display featuring an eight meter VELOX Passive Premium HDMI^® Cable, from the EHV series. This award-winning line of cables supports 48Gbps up to 100 meters and is the longest of several HDMI cables designed by MetraAV that support 8K resolutions. All color subsampling is supported, including 4:4:4, 4:2:2, and 4:2:0, deep color, and Dynamic HDR, allowing the full-range 8K specs and even 10K to be supported. Cutting-edge built-in technology also ensures compatibility between the source and display.

 

 

 

MetraAV will also be sponsoring and participating in "Brews and Beer Pong Happy Hour" on September 29th at 2 PM, in the D-Tools booth, #22046. In addition, the MetraAV booth will give away various promotional items throughout the event from its popular brands, including Big Dog Power. MetraAV invites customers to book a private meeting at the show with the sales team to learn more about the exciting new products being featured at the show.

 

About MetraAV^™

MetraAV is a pioneer in HDMI^® cable technology and is a division of Metra Electronics^®, the world leader for aftermarket automotive accessories for 75+ years. Headquartered in Florida, MetraAV’s brands include Big Dog Power, Ethereal Home Theater^®, Velox^®, Helios^®, Spyclops Surveillance Systems^® and Install Bay^®. A strong commitment to research and development has resulted in a history of providing first-to-market technology for HDMI cables and electronics with numerous industry awards for innovation. Formerly known as Metra Home Theater Group, you can connect with MetraAV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and subscribe to their videos on YouTube to watch weekly Tech Tips. For ordering information and pricing, visit MetraHomeTheater.com or call 386-255-0234.

Kenwood KAC-M5024BT Compact Bluetooth 4 Channel Digital Amplifier

It doesn’t matter where I am, I like to bring my tunes with me. While home audio and car audio has been around for decades and decades, a fairly new category is Motorsport. Boats, ATV’s, Golf Carts, and Motorcycles, these are all part of the Motorsport category. And innovations continue in this category, as it continues to grow and advance. An example of this is Kenwood with their KAC-M5024BT.  It’s a 4-channel amplifier designed for Motorsport with Bluetooth, and MSRP of $349.

 

Features and specs:

IP67/IP66 Certified Waterproof & Dustproof

RMS 50W x4 (4Ω)

RMS 75W x4 (2Ω)

7 Selectable EQ Presets

Wired Remote Control Included

Built-in Bluetooth with aptX

RCA Line Output Terminals for System Expansion

 (W)7-13/16” x (H)1-15/16” x (D)4-1/8”

 

The Kenwood KAC-M5024BT came in a great looking color printed box, with photos and specs of the amplifier. Opening the box revealed a well-protected amplifier held in place by custom molded Styrofoam. Materials used in the construction was mostly metal, with some plastic and rubber. Quality of materials used, and fit and finish, was very good. Also included was the wired remote and manual.

 

I love the design of the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT. But I’ll admit, initially I didn’t. I’m old school. I’m used to having a source unit, and the source unit feeding the signal to the amplifier. When you are dealing with the weather or electronic components in an outdoor environment; the more components, the more that could go wrong, the more cost, etc. It makes sense to have an amplifier like the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT.

 

After getting over my old school design preferences, I fell in love with the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT. The design is brilliant! It’s a solidly built, durable amp. You can see that they used a rubber seal around the control terminal, and silicon around the connection terminal to seal moisture out. There’s even an internal drain tunnel to help drain out any moisture like condensation that managed to get in. The wired remote would be easy to mount. And then there’s the built-in Bluetooth. The only potential downside for some…. no DVD/CD transport, since there is no receiver. It doesn’t even have RCA inputs, so using a receiver with it actually isn’t an option. It does however have a pair of RCA outputs for expansion, like adding a subwoofer.

 

The Kenwood KAC-M5024BT use of Bluetooth is quite ingenious. It simplifies things for use in many different types of vehicles, like boats, golf carts, even motorcycles and jet ski’s. If you have a motorized vehicle, and space for a couple speakers, all you need is a little more space for this amp. All of your music is streamed through the amp. Motorsport products are designed for the elements, to be dust and water resistant. But Kenwood took things a few steps further. The Kenwood KAC-M5024BT can actually be submerged! You read right. It can be submerged.  So if your intention is to use it in a watercraft, no worries!

 

If you’re like me, and want to take your music with you everywhere you go, and you have a Boat or ATV, all you need is this amp, and at least a pair of speakers. Although as a four-channel amp, you could have 2 pairs of speakers. And if you like extra bass like me, use the RCA outputs to add a sub. Very simple and minimal design. Now let’s see how it works, and sounds.

 

The amp was really easy to set up. The control panel has the controls for internal crossover, 2 or 4 channel use, and fader. Once you have the controls the way you want them, using the wired remote was also really easy. There are two blue LED’s, one on each side of the round knob. Once you power on the amp, they blink to show you are in pairing mode. Pairing my LG V40 smartphone was extremely simple. Once paired, it was time to listen to my tunes. The built-in EQ’s helped to get the sound curve I was looking for.

 

Other than the EQ curve settings, there was not much to the remote. There are buttons for pause/play, track forward/fast forward, and track back/rewind. There is also pre-out level control, dimmer control, and LED’s to show which EQ curve you are on. It was extremely simple to use.

 

I was impressed with how simple it was to use the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT. The sound was also equally impressive. Going through my favorite playlist, not only did the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT provide good power, it was more transparent than I was expecting, without coloring or altering the sound of the song. Highs, such as with cymbals, were crisp and clean. Mids, such as with vocals, were smooth with good texture of the timbre. Bass had very good punch, with nice authority and low-end extension without sounding thin.

 

Motorsport vehicles get loud. So if you want to bring your tunes with you on the go, an amp is almost a necessity to get the volume that you need to enjoy your music. Otherwise not only will they sound thin without an amp, they may be harder to hear over the engine noise and noise from your environment, such as the water up against the boat. You can’t go wrong with the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT. Not only is it very well made, it also is very simple to use, and sounds great! Based on its design, features, quality and performance, the Kenwood KAC-M5024BT has earned our Editor’s Choice Award! Kudos to Kenwood on such an excellent amp! For more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.kenwood.com.  Reference gear: Kenwood DNX997XR, AudioControl DM-810, AudioControl In-Dash Epicenter, JL Audio XD600/6 Class D amp, Vibe Audio LiteBox Stereo4 CLass GH amp, Massive Audio Nano BLU BL1 Class D amp, German Maestro M-Line 3-way components, Alpine Type-X 2-way components, Image Dynamics subs. 

ASUS Launches the Zenfone 9

ASUS Launches the Zenfone 9 Completely redesigned compact smartphone powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, with upgraded cameras, 4300 mAh battery and 120 Hz AMOLED display Fremont, California (September 1, 2022) — ASUS today launched the Zenfone 9 smartphone, a totally redesigned compact 5.9-inch device with high performance and exciting new features. Powered by the latest flagship Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, it's the most powerful Zenfone ever released. This latest generation Zenfone 9 gives a premium, sleek look and feel, with four eye-catching new colors, a tactile new high-grip texture, and IP68 certification. The modern design features a massively upgraded dual-camera system with a 50 MP Sony® IMX 766 main camera featuring a new 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer, electronic image stabilization (EIS) and ultrafast autofocus technology for sharp, shake-free photos and videos. There's also a 12 MP IMX 363 ultrawide camera, and a 12 MP IMX 663 punch-hole front camera for crystal clear selfies and video chats. As Zenfone 9 fits perfectly in one hand, the ASUS ZenUI 9 (Android™ 12) interface has been optimized for one-handed use. There's also the unique ASUS ZenTouch, a multifunction side-mounted power button incorporating a fingerprint sensor for hassle-free unlocking and support for convenient gesture controls. Compact Size. Big Possibilities. The 5.9-inch Zenfone 9 is compact and powerful. It's powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 ROM storage to deliver smooth and responsive performance, for any task. Zenfone 9 also runs cooler — and faster — than ever, with a totally revamped cooling system. It now uses a high-tech vapor chamber instead of heat pipes, and there's an advanced heat spreader that uses copper, graphite sheets and thermal paste. With its upgraded 4300 mAh battery and power-efficient components, Zenfone 9 lasts longer than ever. It charges quickly too, thanks to its powerful 30-watt HyperCharge adaptor and fast-charge technology. The advanced 120Hz AMOLED display offers incredible Delta E < 1 color accuracy and ultra-smooth scrolling, along with a wide 115% sRGB and cinema-grade 112% DCI-P3 color gamuts for ultravivid colors in any conditions. Collaboration with leading visual-processing company Pixelworks® brings the excellent visuals even further with world-beating color accuracy. The gorgeous display is protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, so it shrugs off unexpected knocks and scratches to keep it looking good for longer. Big on personality We've created four eye-catching new colors for Zenfone 9: cool Moonlight White, exciting Sunset Red, gorgeous Starry Blue and classy Midnight Black. Thanks to a newly-developed textured surface material, that's really tough and comfortable yet grippy. This advanced material additionally helps reduce the weight of the back cover by 36% compared to the previous-generation Zenfone. For worry-free use indoors and outdoors, Zenfone 9 is also IP68 certified for protection against dust and water ingress. Big on photography Zenfone 9 has a massively upgraded 50 MP Sony IMX766 main camera that lets users take perfect photos in even the darkest places. The brand-new 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer keeps everything blur-free and shake-free, even when the camera is moving. This fantastic new gimbal OIS monitors Zenfone 9's every movement, in every direction, and uses that information to adjust the whole camera module in real time. It can compensate for shifts of up to +/- 3 °, so it can help smooth out even the wildest action, without optical distortion or 'ghosting'. Combined with the ultrafast autofocus technology — which focuses quickly and reacts smoothly to changes — and new EIS anti-shake algorithms, Zenfone 9 delivers super-smooth, professional-looking action shots, whatever the subject. There's a new Light Trail (Beta) mode in addition to the Night, Pro, Panorama, Slow Motion and Timelapse modes, so users can be sure of perfect shots and video under any conditions. Audio recording is taken to the next level in Zenfone 9. Audio HDR lets users capture every sound from the quietest to the loudest, just like the human ear. In collaboration with the well-known Nokia OZO Audio, users can capture the accurate spatial sound in natural-sounding high fidelity through the 3D Surround. And outdoors, the Audio Windscreen (Wind Noise Reduction) feature captures crystal-clear recordings in less-than-ideal conditions. Zenfone 9 is still equipped with a standard 3.5 mm audio jack, so users don't need to worry if they don't have wireless headphones. One-handed to the max Zenfone 9's hand-friendly size and lightweight design make it effortless to use for any task, anywhere. The new side-mounted ZenTouch multi-function power button makes everything easy — with just one hand! As well as one-touch unlocking with the built-in fingerprint sensor, it allows users to swipe their thumb up, down or double-click for different functions including voice-to-text, open notifications, refresh a web page, move to the top/bottom of the page, and media control. The latest ASUS ZenUI 9 interface for Android 12 is better than ever, and has been fully optimized for one-handed use. The camera tool panel allows easier navigation of basic phone settings, and there's also an edge tool that lets users find their favorite apps easier. A double-tap on the back can be configured to take a screenshot, open the camera, illuminate the flashlight, turn on the sound recorder, open Google Assistant, or control media playback. There's also a zoom bar scale that makes zooming in and out faster and easier. AVAILABILITY & PRICING ASUS Zenfone 9 will start at MSRP $699.99 and our pre-order promotion will start from September 2nd to October 15th. Get a free ROG Cetra True wireless headphone ($99 value)* with the Zenfone 9 purchase, exclusively at Amazon while supplies last.  SPECIFICATIONS[I] ASUS Zenfone 9 Colors   Midnight Black Moonlight White Sunset Red Starry Blue   Display   5.9" 1080x2400 (20:9), 445 ppi Samsung AMOLED 120 Hz display 112% DCI-P3, 151% sRGB, Delta E<1, HDR10+   CPU and GPU   Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform Up to 3.2 GHz CPU clock speed with Qualcomm® Adreno™ 730 GPU   Memory & storage   RAM: 8 / 16 GB – LPDDR5 ROM: 128 / 256 GB – UFS 3.1   Battery   4300 mAh high-capacity battery with 30W HyperCharge adapter   Wireless technology   WiFi 6E[ii] Qualcomm® WCN6856 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2x2 MIMO) Bluetooth® 5.2 with support for Snapdragon Sound™ and Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ Lossless Wi-Fi Direct NFC   Cameras   Rear Camera 50 MP Sony® IMX766 sensor with Gimbal OIS, 2x2 OCL, PDAF 12 MP Sony® IMX363 sensor, Dual PDAF Front Camera 12 MP Sony® IMX663 Sensor, Dual PDAF Features 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer Light Trail Mode (Beta) Supports 8K/4K video recording Audio HDR recording   Audio   Dual stereo speakers with Qualcomm® amplifiers 3.5 mm headphone jack with Qualcomm Aqstic™ WCD9380 Audio optimization by Dirac   Video recording   8K UHD (7680 x 4320) video at 24 fps + EIS 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video at 30 / 60 fps + EIS 1080p FHD video recording at 30 / 60 fps + HyperSteady   Sensor   Accelerator, E-Compass, Proximity, Ambient light sensor, fingerprint sensor, Gyro (support ARCore), Hall Sensor   SIM cards   NANO SIM/NANO SIM 2 choose 2, support DSDV 5G+5G (sim1, sim2 support LTE exchangeable)   Navigation   GNSS support GPS (L1/L5), Glonass (L1), Galileo (E1/E5a), BeiDou (B1/B2a), QZSS (L1/L5) and NavIC (L5)   Operating system   Android™ 12 with ASUS ZenUI 9   Dimensions   146.5 x 68.1 x 9.1 mm   Weight   169 g   [i] Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com   [ii] WiFi 6E availability varies according to country. ###   About ASUS ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.