Hertz Marine are an Italian-based company that has had great success in America and Europe. More recently they have entered the UK market and are hoping that a new source unit will help them penetrate the market further …
Hertz Audio have a long track record in the car audio world. Their world-renowned products are filled with freshly patented technologies, which have helped Hertz become a sought-after brand for those looking for audio excellence on the move.
Hertz moved into marine 10 years ago, but it has taken some time for UK distributor FOUR UK to get behind the product. With four ranges of amplifiers and five ranges of speakers and subwoofers available, Hertz Marine also carry several source units and a highly sophisticated digital signal processor (DSP).
The new Capri source unit completes Hertz Marine’s product offering. The Capri is the first Hertz Marine source with an NMEA protocol port. This enables it to interface directly with on-board navigation devices. The ability to control audio functions from the boat’s multifunctional display has become more or less essential in the marine market.
The unit has a 4.3” display and a minimal button count for easy access to all functions. The display will show artist details and album covers and offer visual confirmation of audio settings as well as display images from the in-built reversing camera input. An optional remote control, the Capri HD1, mirrors the control surface and display of the central unit, allowing all functionality below deck or in any of the four audio zones elsewhere in the boat. A simplified remote without display (HMC 1) is also available. This has IPX7 certification and can be fixed in wet areas or even carried by someone in the water.
The Capri is designed to be compatible with phones and tablets. There is also a 2A USB port for both streaming and charging. With Bluetooth 5.1 on board and an LDAC-compatible receiver, users can stream hi-res audio content (24bit 96kHz) from any device also containing LDAC technology, such as Android phones or dedicated hi-res music streaming devices. Hi-res music provides stunning detail and quality when compared with CD-quality music. Hi-res presents musical separation and dynamic response well above the norm. This helps when playing music in the open air, where often musical quality gives way to high volume and unpleasant distortion.
The source unit contains an on-board four-channel 70W amplifier. However, it can also be the heart of a much larger system using external amplifiers, multiple speakers, subwoofers and a DSP. As previously mentioned, it will provide independently controlled audio settings for up to four zones.
The Capri, on paper, brings Hertz Marine’s renowned audio excellence along with functional convenience to any craft. We look forward to trialling it and bringing you a user’s point of view.
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