I'm thinking about replacing my Bose head unit with something aftermarket. Sound of course is a concern, but so is appearance, so it looks like it belongs in my dash unlike alot of aftermarket units. I've narrowed down to several units, but one strikes me as nice-looking and alot of features for a decent price.

It's a clarion ProAudio DXZ655MP
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-axWV7zh...fo&i=020DXZ655

does anyone know anything about this model or Clarion ProAudio in general (please, no comments about Clarion's stock maxima systems....)

If you don't know, don't waste your breath.

If you do, I'd appreciate your experiences!

 

...loooking for red to match the new LED's? lol

Im usually not a fam of the ease-of-use of clarion decks, i.e. where buttons are placed, etc, but this is probably because ive never had one in my car or messed around with one for more than 5 min. But as far as clarion's quality in general, pretty good. All the specs look good on that deck except the 1.8 volt preouts. Other than that, if you like it, go for it.

-kevin

 

what's the significance of the 1.8v preouts? Will this matter to me since I do NOT plan on putting subs in or anything (will use factory speakers/sub until I can upgrade them).

I'm not much of an audio guru....the 1.8v are the amp preouts, right?

and as to the red led's , your timing is perfect:
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....12#post3765612

 

well you say you will not upgrade, but then you say maybe later on?? if there is ANY chance if putting in anything aftermarket id suggest 4v or higher preouts. 1.8 is just too low IMO when many radios put out 4v or higher.

 

Clarion (ProAudio line) makes decent solid decks. But for the $300 price tag I would suggest something like the Eclipse 5425/5435. The 25 being substantially less, and the 35 being similiar in pricing. Both of which are of superior quality,5V preouts,3 year warranty,1year theft replacement plan,etc...

--Don

 

Don,

As far as upgrades, it would only be the door speakers, I will not ever be putting a sub enclosure or additional amps in.....I listen mostly to punk and indie rock, so I don't have a big need for heavy bass.

One of my concerns is (hate to say it) looks - I want a head unit that will look good in the car, and not look "too aftermarket".....one of the reasons I picked out the clarion. Is 1.8V really bad for preouts? I see even Clarion's top-end head units are 1.8V......

Those eclipse units on eclipses 05 model line may sound great, but IMO they look pretty cheesy....even you said (I think it's you) on caraudio.com

may be a great deck, but I gotta look at it for 3+ hours per day, so it's gotta be easy on the eyes. Any other suggestions (btw, I'm obviously looking for the red display color - wish Alpine had some red ones)

 

cough cough double din tv.

 

i just installed a clairon pro audio. and it sounds great. got it on ebay for 165 a model similar to what you posted. dz645mp. its an older model, but fits my needs perfectly. it too has 1.8v preouts, but hey it gives me what i want.

 

BTW Alpine decks like the 9831 have an entire color spectrum for the buttons, like 500 colors, but they probably wont match as much as the red clarion does.

-kevin

 

The ProAudio line isn't too bad. I think you would be happy with it if you aren't looking to do a whole lot. But kpr10is is right about the preamps.
I know the Sony Xplod line usually has red light output but you defiantely want to stay away from them.

 

My first impression at first was the same, ugly as heII. Then after installing a few the looks werent so bad.

You can also go to... www.eclipse-web.com

 

anyone who want's to buy car audio go here http://infinitecaraudio.com/

 

Yea ummm lead them to a site that isnt authorized to sell half the **** they have listed.

 

yeah, that would red-flag the wife to the car spending BIG-TIME!

Besides, I really have no need for a TV in the car, truthfully...

 

So true. But the idea of it's excess has me in it's grip.

 

then get a flip out. there is no reason but i cant imagine my dash without one.

 

the 1.8v should be a concern for you unless you are going to power your speakers with amps. if your going internal amp, i would look for something in the 65wattsx4. thats the maximum wattage. so it would probably but out around 22-25watts rms. i would strongly suggest you get an amp for your front speakers.

 

I thought the Bose speakers already have amps individually? Do you mean I should get speaker amps WITH the Bose speakers, or with aftermarket speakers?

If 1.8v is so weak it can't drive speakers, why does Clarion make it???

 

my alpine 9833 can turn almost all red, it looks nice but i like the blue so i keep the blue, or you can do green or orange.

 

DXZ655MP CLARION MP-3 FDF MOTORIZED 199.00

thats cost without shipping if your interested...

 

Same reason all other companies do the same...put more money into Form rather than Function. Keeps the prices lower and appeals more to the eyes than the ears.

 

Appreciate the offer, but I have a local connection that can probably get close to that and no shipping, but thanks anyways, nice price!

Yeah I hear you.
Ok, one last question:
SO....the 1.8v will be ok for now with my bose speaker, but if I upgrade speakers I could always get a small 4-channel amp to run aftermarket speakers, right?

Seriously, I went and messed with this deck in person last night and really like the operation (kind of wierd, but alot of function) and the looks. At the shop, it sounded fine even cranked up, but I'll take your word about the preouts.....I don't run around with the music cranked up loud and the bass kicking, so I'm looking for something that will sound good at moderate volumes most of the time.

really appreciate all your advice, btw...

 

Since you are going ampless, I would suggest then a deck with a more beefy internal amp- Just keep in mind that those Blose speakers have timed death, specially once you change the HU. Once you begin removing them and replacing with aftermarket speakers you will lose bass in the doors and gain in the high's/midrange dept. which will leave you void of bottom end at low volumes until you dish out more money into a powered sub. Its the begining of a crazy cycle...

Quite honestly, buy wisely -always thinking ahead or you will lose $$/time in the end and gain further aggravation.

In caraudio the last thing one should do is buy because of looks- if its important to you ....find a balance of looks and performance- I suggest a deck w/ at least 3pairs of preouts, no less than 2.0v-4v, high S/N ratio and the bells and whistles that you find helpfull in sound tailoring

 

So suppose I get this deck AND a small amp to run the main Bose speakers. Can this be wired in with the PAC-ROEM-NIS2, and will it solve the shortcoming of the 1.8v preouts?

 

ok, how about this, dammit. I like alpine, but really would like one that I can switch to red illumination.....

http://www.tweeter.com/product/index...entPage=family

 

You dont need to run a separate amp to the bose speakers- when they blow cross that road when you reach it- by replacing them and either run them off HU power or a separate amplifier. Problem is most who replace the Blose want to replace the component speakers- (tweets in the Apillar + mids in the door- work conjunctively) and HU power ins not sufficient for the aftermarket replacements

As far as the preout voltage goes, its relevant ......

high voltage preouts -> lower input gains on the amplifier ->in which amplifier works less/produces less heat/ to achieve full power and match signal= which equals to a higher overall signal to noise ratio in the system. Less chance of noise entering the system.

But this is simply a nit-picking technicality. If you chose to run amplification in the future you will be fine- just your gains will be higher as opposed to using another higher voltage HU.

 

ok....well thanks guys for the inputs. Between your advice and other research I've done, I'm almost definitely going with the Alpine CDA-9831:

-3 pre-outs
-4v pre-outs
-50Wx4 (should be fine for my uses)
-red lighting well actually any color you want
-One of the local org'ers works at tweeter and can give me a good deal on it
-Signal to noise ratio: 105 which seems pretty good compared to many I've seen...



http://www.tweeter.com/product/index...entPage=family

any last thoughts?

 

If youre going to invest the money now, and *maybe upgrade the speakers later on, why not just get a better h/u now and save some moeny for some great speakers later on. You seem to be preoccupied with the notion that you dont need to worry about the preouts of these systems because of what you listen to. It doesnt matter what you listen to. Im going to be listening to everything from Sting to Rammstein in my car, and Im still going after Arc Audio, Rainbow and Eclipse. Do it right the first time and save money. Youll really notice a difference no matter what you listen to. Also, just adding an amp or even an EQ (which can get expensive) later on does not solve the preout problem. It only adds more "noise". Trust me, you dont have to be an audio geek to appreciate a good quality audio setup.

BTW, isnt Crutchfield the only online authorised Alpine dealer?

 

Tweeter is an authorized dealer, but not online...they just list them online, you have to buy in the store. I know a guy from the org (TAPOUT) who works at one and can give me a deal.

As to the preouts...that Alpine in the post above is 4v....is that STILL not enough?

Believe me, I appreciate good sound, but I really have no intention of spending thousands on car audio. I just want a solid deck.....

This reminds me of threads where people say "which strut tower brace should I get" and I get all over them about how they should forget about the FSTB and go with a stage II lower tie bar (which everyone doesn't need, but I love)...

As far as the Eclipse units....guys, I'm looking for advice, but give it up....I went and saw one in person today and will not get it, regardless of sound. I just need a solid, functional, nice-looking deck , not the incredible Hulk (looks and sound-wise)

What I'm trying to figure out is: Does anyone think ANYTHING besides Eclipse is good? So far, every brand I can think of besides Elcipse has been dogged....even Alpine

Pearl, you dog the Clairon up top because of the 1.8v pre-outs, but then suggest it over the ALpine with 4v pre-outs and more features? What gives?

As to Pioneer, I've had 4 pioneer decks over the years, and all 4 are currently sitting in my basement, broken......so I'm a bit sketchy about going that direction again.


All I've heard so far is "Eclipse is awesome" and "everything else sucks"......

 

It's a good looking deck too.

 

I disagree.

 

go with your instinct and get the clarion, if you like it thats all that matters.

 

The other thing that kills me about Eclipse is lack of detachable face. The only crime that really happens in this area is car audio theft (I know x 2) so detachable face is a requirement...especially living in a townhouse without a driveway or garage....

Theft replacement for a year is all well and good, but what happens after a year? The only theft deterrent is a factory stereo. A close second is detachable face. Some 16-year old isn't gonna know that the Eclipse deck has the little "auto-destruct" function thingy....and not like he's gonna return it when he finds out it won't work.....wonder why Eclipse can make such goodsounding stuff but can't
-make a detachable face
-make something that looks nice...

 

I like Alpine too....but I guess I'll know which one I'm putting in when I go to the shop in a couple hours

 

take pix. let us know what you think.

 

-ESN has been around for a looooooog time....and its track record is solid
- beauty is in the eye of the beholder...eclipse gets recognition for the performance of their decks, it has never been about the looks- Then again they've always been catering to audiophiles not the masses....Function over form...

There's nothing wrong with the Alpine you chose. Good luck!

 

Sure, I agree with you there, but my point is that with ESN's already-perfected audio, it wouldn't be that hard to devote a little bit of extra thought into making it attractive to look at.

I mean, a Porsche is a mean performance machine, but it also is beautiful (well, except Boxsters ). Looks and performance are not mutually exclusive. I would think that Eclipse has mastered the hard part (performance) and the looks would be the easy part!

....but then again, maybe it's ugliness is some kind of "badge of honor" like a scar

 

One things for sure....they are different, and 10/10 times regardless of subject- the posivitives well outweight the negatives

 

You're talking to the guy who has spent almost all my car money on mods that nobody can even see....and have done virtually nothing for the exterior look of my car (except wheels).....so I totally hear you there.

 

hey man- good luck....something tells me you'll soon be a regular here.....consider this the beginning of a terrible disease