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PRS Reference Series Line Up for 2006

New Competition-Grade Head Unit, D-Class Amplifiers and Speakers

Precise audio quality with competition-grade power – that’s what our PRS Reference Series is designed to deliver. Transcending digital sound and creating a system that sounds more natural and lifelike than any other has always been our design goal.

From April 2006, you’ll be able to get hold of our newest reference series high-level components – giving you even better natural sound performance – the ultimate hi fi system for your car.

The 2006 PRS line up includes:

The DEH-P88RS will be available in April 2006; the ICEPowered amps in May and the Reference Series speakers in June – from your nearest in-car audio shop, or you can contact your local Pioneer office.

Here you'll find a brief overview of each new Reference Series product, including some of the latest innovations in design and technology.

DEH-P88RS The DEH-P88RS CD Tuner Head Unit
Our latest research in powerful DSPs and incorporating the best components available has produced a competition-grade CD tuner that delivers the purest in sound.

The DEH-P88RS offers two primary configurations:

  • Classic car audio set-up: comprising front and rear channels and subwoofer output.
  • A 3-way set-up: which integrates both a high and low range channel, combined with a subwoofer. The network settings feature 11 cut-off points for each of the high, mid and low range high pass and low pass filters. Slopes can be adjusted in at least five steps and the phases can be reversed if necessary. The configuration enhances sound staging and imaging and is likely to be the preferred option for the most demanding audio experts.

To optimise sound image, staging and frequency response, the DEH-P88RS uses automatic time alignment and equalisation to adjust the audio settings.

Time alignment compensates for the off-centre seating position in cars by adding delays to the output channels, thereby optimising sound imaging and staging. On the DEH-P88RS the time alignment can be adjusted in 1.25cm steps, and can be used in either the standard full-range mode or the alternative 3-way mode.

The digital equaliser offers 16 bands, with the possibility of adjusting the left and right channels independently if necessary. Whether you’re an experienced or novice user, the automatic time alignment and equalisation are extremely convenient and, once completed, the settings can be fine-tuned manually to ensure that the sound is pure and accurate to your liking.

The audio components have been selected for their uncompromising quality. From the direct digital transfer from CD to DSP, through high-quality resistors, circuit boards and operation amplifiers, to the high-quality capacitors used in the power supply component selection, the DEH-P88RS is appointed to create exemplary sound quality.

The Burr-Brown Advanced Segment Type DACs that use a combination of multi-bit and 1-bit processing offer extremely low noise performance. This is complemented by the low-noise and high dynamic range of the specially-designed 5V Hi-Volt pre-outs. Where external amps are being used, the internal power amp can be switched off, further optimising performance and noise reduction.

The unit’s refined aluminium face plate provides a refined aesthetic appearance in keeping with the exclusive nature of the product. It’s also easy to use, with a white OEL display and an intuitive turn-and-push user interface.

The PRS Reference Series D-Class Amplifiers
PRS-D400 Our new amplifiers, co-developed with Bang & Olufsen’s ICEpower division deliver full-range ‘Class D’ operation. With undisputed industry-leading efficiency (when measured against all relevant parameters), these are the perfect complement to Pioneer’s DEH-P88RS CD Tuner and PRS speaker range.

Class D is a digital technology which enables high-powered audio to be generated by compact systems. Traditionally, the use of Class D amps has been limited to woofers due to low sound quality. However, ICEpower’s patented technology overcomes this issue to achieve excellent audio quality over the full frequency range, and thus suitable for high grade hi-fi applications.

You have the option of three ICEpower amplifiers in the PRS range:
  • The PRS-D200: offers 2x150W or 1x600W rated power into a 4 Ohm load
  • PRS-D400. offers 4x75W or 2x300W rated power into a 4 Ohm load
  • The PRS range also includes a traditional Class D amplifier designed for subwoofer use, the PRS-D1000M, offering 1x400W (into 4 Ohm), 1x600w (2Ohm and 1Ohm) rated power. This amplifier also offers an external bridging function, allowing two amplifiers to be connected on one subwoofer voice coil, doubling the rated power.

**More on our ICEPower Amps and the technology inside...

New PRS ‘Reference series’ Speaker Range
Speaker Range The PRS speakers include new woofer, tweeter and cone technology to create a high-definition, ultra low distortion sound that, with stereoscopic and expansive staging, is unrivalled in its acuity.

The PRS speaker range consists of a ‘component’ solution and a ‘packaged’ systems series. The component option includes a 28mm tweeter, a 10cm Mid-High range and a 17cm Mid-Bass woofer. The packaged systems range has a 13cm 2-way system and a 17cm 2-way system. The two way systems include the 28mm component tweeter and a high quality passive network.

The TS-W12PRS subwoofer, which was launched before the rest of the PRS product range, is available to complement the system.

**More on the design and technology of our PRS Speakers...

To find out more:

Published 5 April 2006