K.M.E. UCX 4 on Thuringia's First Electric Passenger Vessel

The aim of the project was to provide a powerful, easy-to-operate audio solution for daily passenger service, special events, and hosted themed cruises on the Bleiloch Reservoir. Particular emphasis was placed on achieving excellent speech intelligibility for safety announcements and tourist information.

The installed K.M.E. UCX 4 system, featuring factory-optimized presets, is powered by two Powersoft Mezzo 604 amplifiers and one Powersoft Mezzo 324 AD amplifier. Audio is distributed across three independently controllable zones—the indoor passenger cabin and the two outdoor areas on the upper deck—allowing the system to be flexibly adapted to different operating scenarios.

"The exceptionally quiet operation of an electrically powered passenger vessel places high demands on the audio system. Speech and music become much more prominent. With the K.M.E. UCX 4, we were able to deliver a solution that ensures clear and highly intelligible announcements at all times while also creating a pleasant musical atmosphere on board," says the project team at JAM Sound.

The MS Gera operates on the Bleiloch Reservoir and has been in service since 2026 as Thuringia's first fully electric passenger vessel. The modernization of the onboard audio system is part of the continuous enhancement of the passenger experience.