I've been shopping around for a new head unit for my car and i have always heard that clarion makes very good head units. I was talking to a friend of mine that owns a local audio store and said that he has only heard bad about clarion and that they are known to just stop working. I was wondering if anyone else has heard these things about clarion HU's.

Also what would you guys consider to be the best HU for under $400. Thanks for the input.

 

About four years ago I purchased a Clarion HU w/ 6 disc changer and my friend bought the exact same model but was a step above called the Pro version or something like that. The controls for the bass/treble/fade Etc. were all electronic, no manual dials for either. My friends bass control was always being skip over by the HU so there was no way to change it. His backlight went out and the CD changer kept given him trouble. However, mine has been trouble free for four years, no issues or complaints.

Konrad

 

I haven't had any issues with Clarion HUs. Their midline $400-600 has been solid (which ive dealt with).

Sony by far has been the most unreliable brand Ive seen in years.

You really never know what you're going to get (with any brand) - things break - but if you purchase your deck thru an actual dealer - not an ebayer/off the truck you'll have a warranty.

 

lucid, i was wondering what brand you would recommend for a good HU that you have never heard of having troubles with. Or not just lucid for that fact. i still might go clarion but would like to hear some others opinions

 

I am happy with my Alpine. I had a Poll thread a while back about what head units people had, and Alpine came out way ahead of Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc. A very good Alpine can be had in your price range.

 

Any that never had any problems, no. Like anything things break. In the next 2 weeks anything you might buy would probably be a 2003 model, just be sure to have warranty.

 

I just pulled the trigger on a Clarion DXZ835MP (2003 model) w/ Sirius and the Lucid adapter. I am going to get it install this week hopefully. I will report back then. Looks good, I wanted something that would play MP3's, and be able to receive Sirius. I also looked at the Kenwood 959, looks cool but it dosen't match the amber gauges in the S.

http://www.clarion.com/proaudio/proaudiofm.htm

 

I have the DXZ815MP (2001 model), one in my S2000, another in my wife's car. We've had them for about a year anda half with no problems. Bought them from a shop selling items on Ebay. One didn't read CDs right out of the box, and they replaced it, no problem. I installed everything myself, and even tore down the remote and hooked it up to the audio controls on the dash. If not Clarion, Alpine was the other brand I was looking into.

 

seminole2001...

Do you have any issues with the clarion motorized fold-down? I like the deck but I didn't know if the fitment would be right. Thanks.