Leading the 2017 Pioneer Z-Series lineup are the 1-DIN AVH-Z7050BT ($1099) and 2-DIN AVH-Z5050BT ($999), followed by the AVH-Z2050BT ($699) and AVH-Z1050DVD ($649).
In continuing with Pioneer’s focus on enhancing user experience, the entire range offers even greater smartphone connectivity, convenient one-cable connection and excellent audio-visual performance, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and other premium entertainment features accessible to every driver.
More drivers can now enjoy one of the most comprehensive smartphone connectivity options available. All Bluetooth-ready Z-Series multimedia receivers can simultaneously connect up to five Bluetooth devices for family entertainment. Additionally, users can browse their media library with upgraded Bluetooth AVRCP 1.6 capability.
The Z-Series range also allows drivers to enjoy a premium selection of mobile applications (apps), simply by connecting their smartphone to the head unit.
An example is Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app. Viewing maps and directions is noticeably easier with the head units’ larger touchscreen. Waze can be launched from AppRadio Mode+. Users can also play videos stored in a smartphone, as well as stream online videos via the AppRadio LIVE app. All these apps are accessible from the new AppRadio Mode+, Pioneer’s proprietary entertainment platform, developed to unlock the wonderful world of mobile apps.
Another highlight is Spotify, currently available in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines with more Southeast Asian countries in the pipeline, with a massive library of over 30 million titles. This music-streaming app can be easily selected from the head unit’s source list, and operated directly on-screen.
Drivers can now also enjoy a more seamless user experience. Connecting a smartphone to any one of the 2017 multimedia receivers is now a plug-and-play affair, as the head unit can automatically detect and retrieve the available content from the smartphone.
Operating the new multimedia receivers has been made easier and more enjoyable by a new customisable graphical user interface. Key enhancements include easy device switching to let users switch their connected smartphones with ease, icon display customisation to deliver a more flexible and personalised screen layout, and colour and design customisation with 112 backlight illumination colours and seven attractive background themes.
To elevate the overall sound quality of these receivers, Pioneer has made refinements “under the hood”, with technologies and expertise from its TAD professional audio division. This includes a newly developed circuit board, which eliminates external interference to enhance audio signal integrity. Performance is further improved by leveraging premium audiophile-grade components for maximum listening pleasure.
