Sherwood Brings DTS And Circle Surround To Car Audio

26-Mar-99

Car audio has indeed come full circle. Sherwood has announced a group of digital car audio products with DTSÆ and Circle SurroundÆ decoding capabilities for a true multichannel sound driving experience.The line includes the XDTS-80 digital processor which decodes both discrete multichannel DTS CDs and DTS-encoded DVDs via its built-in DTS digital processor; decodes any matrix surround encoded material including CDs, video tapes, DVDs or TV broadcasts including those encoded in DolbyÆ Surround using its built-in digital Circle Surround decoder; and uses Circle Surroundís Music Mode to create 5.1 channel music from any stereo source.The Sherwood Digital Autosound group also includes the XCM-7370 CDReceiver with CD Changer Controller and Digital Output, and the six-channel AX-6275 Power Amplifier.In addition to its ability to create 5.1 channel sound from virtually any source, the Sherwood 12-Volt XDTS-80 decoder can also operate in phantom center mode with or without subwoofer in either DTS or Circle Surround making it perfectly suitable as an upgrade for existing autosound systems.According to Jeffrey Hipps, Senior Vice President, Marketing and ProductDevelopment at Sherwood America, ""Although the optimum performance of our digital car system requires both a center channel speaker and a subwoofer, consumers do not need to rebuild their vehicles to take advantage of multichannel music. Adding our XCM-7370 CD receiver and XDTS-80 decoder to even an OEM system with four speakers and four channels of amplification will prove revolutionary.""Housed in a 1/2-DIN chassis, the XDTS-80 includes 2 coaxial digital inputs for direct connection to a head unit or CD changer with digital output (such as the Sherwood 12-Volt XCM-7370) and a stereo pair of analog inputs for reproduction of any material, such as FM, that does not originate in the digital domain. The XDTS-80 utilizes CrystalSemiconductor's CS-4226 20-bit codec for A to D and D to A conversion and decoding is accomplished by the proven 24-bit Motorola DSP56009 digital processor. The XDTS-80 includes a digital encoder to control master volume, left/right balance, front/rear balance, center channel and subwoofer level; built-in subwoofer crossover set at 80 Hz; stereo bypass; center channel phantom mode; and subwoofer on or off. The XDTS-80 has a suggested retail price of $599.95 and is now shipping.The XCM-7370 CD Receiver and changer controller is packed with features, and its digital output makes it a great complement to the XDTS-80. The XCM-7370 delivers RMS output of 30 Watts x 4 channels, has a 4-volt pre-amp output, and comes complete with a credit card sized remote control. Other features include thirty station presets, best station memory, disc titling, provisions to enter and display the call letters of each station entered into a preset, and a clock. The XCM-7370's design includes a fold-down detachable faceplate which allows for a large 3-color LCD display, adding to its handsome looks and intuitive ease-of-use. Suggested retail price is $399.99 and is now shipping.The six-channel AX-6275 Power Amplifier rounds out this incredible group. With RMS power output of 35 Watts x 5 plus 100 Watts for the sixth or sub-woofer channel, this amplifier has the power to deliver sterling 5.1 channel sound. Total harmonic distortion is less than 0.01%, and signal-to-noise ratio is greater than 95 dB. Features include gold-plated connectors, 4-gauge connectors, a thermal protection circuit, and short circuit protection. Suggested retail price for the AX-6275 is $499.95 and is now shipping.As reported previously (March 22), Editor/Publisher Gary Reberís 1996 Impala SS show car, fondly called ""Garyís DTS 5.1 Rocket"" was the Class Winner (Big Car 1996 to 1999) at the Super Chevy Show Car Show held at the Pomona Raceway-Fairplex on March 19, 20 and 21. The car show is sponsored by Super Chevy Magazine. The black Impala took the honors with the new Sherwood XDTS80 car digital theatre system decoder with DTSÆ Digital Surround and Circle SurroundÆ built-in processing. The XDTS80 was mated to Sherwoodís new XCM-7370 AM/FM Compact Disc Player with CD changer control. This is the third consecutive year that Garyís Impala has won at the Super Chevy Show. Gary is awaiting his new 30th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk Convertible, which was ordered last October and is scheduled to arrive April 1. This is a mean muscle car with black exterior and taupe leather interior. Gary is expected to outfit the Firehawk with a full DVD-Video DTS/Dolby Digital system in the near future.For a comprehensive write-up on Garyís DTS 5.1 Rocket see Issue 24.For more information contact Jim Noyd, jim_noyd@acker.com, 310 374 5904or Jeffrey Hipps, stereojeff@aol.com, 714 521 6100.

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