Need oppinions on a Clarion ProAudio Head unit

[Slacker]

I am thinking about getting this Clarion DXZ845 head unit, Etronics has it for $344.00 shipped, I am using the crutchfield link cause they have great pics

Looks full featured and expandable, and not cheap silver plastic looking like most of the current offerings from sony, alpine, pioneer, kenwood etc.

I started off looking at a model that was a little cheaper, but then I saw this model has 128mb internal memory for ripping songs from cd using the built in player, I like the idea of having up to 80 songs available and not needing a cd changer.

Another plus is three outputs, ft rr sub, and one aux input.

Not a powerhouse at 18wx4rms though.

Looking for oppinions....

I dont have much experience with Clarion, I know they have a long history in car audio, my first oppinion of them was back in the mid 80's when they seemed to be an affordable alternative to mid priced competitors, in the past ten years or so it seems that they have stepped up a notch and are high quality mid level products.

My main reason for considering this unit over other brands/models with similar features and quality is the appearance, I dont want a freekin neon circus in a silver box.

Second is the internal memory, I would like access to a wide variety of music without the expense and inconvenience of a cd changer (install/wiring/trunk space lost)

Third would be apparent ease of use/control layout

 

[Slacker]

 

[Capone]

No Head unit is going to put out more than 22 or so RMS, any numbers higher than that are peak power that they are listing. It's just not practical with the heat it would cause. Except maybe the new alpines which you need a 10 ga. amp kit to hook up. and they do get hot. Don't let the power rating get in your way. If you want more power get an amp.

Not bashing Alpine though, they probably make some of the best HU's out right now. Digital Time Correction etc. If I were going to buy a new HU today I'd go with Alpine or Eclipse. You'd probably have to buy the Eclipse locally though, They don't like companies selling their products online.

 

[virtuamike]

If you're looking for an MP3 HU, I'd go with Alpine. Not sure how the gap between tracks is on the Clarion, but on Kenwood and Alpine it's damn near instantaneous, no breaks when playing mixes. Plus you can hook up an iPod and control it off Alpine HU, dunno when the interface kit will come out though (supposedly this summer but who really knows).

 

[Aharami]

i dunno anything about clarion sound, but im not too fond of the looks. I'd say, get an alpine. those are sweeet (but a little costly)

btw. i have a pioneer...and I love the sound

 

[Slacker]

See, thats the thing, I like the look of this unit and really dislike the looks of the current alpine/kenwood/pioneer/sony offerings

I went ahead and bought it, got "The ZEB" to price match etronics and got free shipping too, etronics would have been $344.00 shipped and The ZEB total was $329.00 shipped

I think that is a good price for this system, what other hu's have internal memory?

I might have to open this thing up and see what type of memory it has, I am sure it is surface mounted but it would be cool to see an sodimm in there

Thanks for your oppinions, if you see a rant thread from me about this system then you can pop in with an "I told you so"

 

[Aves]

I bought an HU last week and the Clarion models were tempting because of the free Sirius tuner that Crutchfield is giving away but the look of the face just doesn't do it for me.

I ended up going with the Pioneer DEH-P7600MP

 

[LS20]

well, i had a clarion proaudio unit that i loved until it was stolen! i was also big on its external appearance which was just awesome...

personally i think 350$ is a bit overkill on an HU unless youre going competition. if youre using the internal amplifier then a 250$ model from alpine will do just as well.

you are right in looking at the interface, tho.. and if it works for you then definately go for it

i went with a alpine 9813... admitedlly its control wasnt the most intuitive, but for my purpose (listeing to huge archive), it had a very handy browsing feature. 1 button toggles between folders, and files, wiuth the volume knob to jog through them. it has 3 sets of RCAs, and all the other doodads


just be sure to play around with them in a store before you decide to buy them, tho. good luck

 

[Shawn]

Just get a headunit that plays mp3 cds. That way you have 700MB of mp3s per cd. I have a few cds full of mp3s for my car. Works out great.

 

[Slacker]

The Zeb gets two thumbs up from me, first they pricematched etronics and have free shipping, then my order arrives in just two business days

This is a really nice looking head unit, and it is one heavy mutha! this thing has expansion capabilities like you wouldnt believe.

I am going to install it tomorrow or sunday, I cant wait to try this thing out!