Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/644484
MARKET FOCUS SECTION { AUDIO & ENTERTAINMENT } 34 | Boating Industry | March 2016 www.BoatingIndustry.com audio put in my boat. I'd like to go with something brand name.'" More often, what was once an up- grade in the audio system is becoming the standard. "I don't want to say it helps sell boats," Berry said. "That's a little presumptuous on our part, but we know that people are very, very passionate about their audio sys- tems on their boats and that's why they're demanding the best." Pontoons have offered one of the greatest opportunities for more integration of audio. It's a growing segment that has, for the most part, not put a huge emphasis on the category. "We're picking up a lot of work [from pontoons], adding three OEMs just last year," Kochan said. "For many pontoons, audio has been an afterthought. It's not the easiest to design – it's large, it's a lot of space." But as technology continues to advance and get less expensive, we can expect to see the once-luxury become common- place, even as new technology emerges. "There are some cool products com- ing," Kochan said. "There's definitely technology that I don't think has totally emerged yet." Beyond the trends, here are some of the newer products to hit the audio and entertainment market recently. Shakespeare SeaWatch marine TV antennas The new SeaWatch series of marine TV antennas from Shakespeare pro- vide over-the-air digital HDTV to vessels, so users can watch their favorite TV shows and movies for free and in 1080 HD while enjoying life on the water. Each model features a low-noise amplifier and AC, DC and USB power adapters. All four antennas also receive all local HD broadcast sig- nals. When paired with an optional two-way band separator between the antenna and the amplifier, they can also receive AM/FM radio signals. Prospec weatherproof wired remote Prospec Electronics' INFMC30 weatherproof, wired remote incor- porates a 3.5-inch TFT color screen and works as a perfect tran- som complement. This control is an extension of the INFPRV350, providing the same functions as the main receiver. The color screen optimizes visibility. Simple-to-push buttons enable control of the power, menu, volume and tuning. Water seals at the amp connection point ensure longevity in harsh environments. Aquatic AV Bluetooth & USB media player The new Aquatic AV Bluetooth & USB Media Player plays music wirelessly via a Bluetooth enabled smartphone or MP3 device, or via USB connection. Wired connections can also be made with stereo 3.5mm Jack or RCA inputs. A2DP Bluetooth allows wireless audio streaming and two-way communication, between Apple and Android devices and the media player, to view track information, songs, artists, playlists and genres on the 3-inch color LCD display. Designed, engineered and built to withstand demanding conditions on the water, the unit features an onboard 288W amplifier capable of powering up to 8x speakers, or a combination of speakers and subwoofers. Compatible with most smartphones and media devices. Clarion CMS5 Clarion's CMS5 is a digital media multimedia system designed and engi- neered specifically with marine performance and durability in mind. The wa- tertight commander is IP67 rated and features a 4.3-inch optically bonded color LCD display. The standalone black box module allows for flexible mounting as it can be stowed away in a separate location from the controller. The system allows users to play digital music files, listen to satellite radio or streaming Internet radio and offers two-zone capability with two Audio/ Video RCA inputs to drive another zone of entertainment within the boat. JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s The JL Audio MediaMaster MM100s is the company's first full-featured marine audio source unit. The MediaMaster MM100s is purpose-built for marine duty, with marine-grade, weatherproof construction. The MM100s is equipped with audiophile-quality, preamp-level audio circuits, deployed in an eight-channel architecture with 4V RMS outputs. In addition to a built-in AM/FM/Weather Band tuner, the MM100s offers a wide range of connectivity options for external devices, including Bluetooth and USB. AUDIO & ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTS "[We] know that people are very, very passionate about their audio systems on their boats and that's why they're demanding the best." — Josh Berry, Prospec