Clarion?

[DJ metadelic]

i found a great deal on a head unit with ipod controls and USB direct connection for my new CB, 5.25" speakers for my front doors, and 6X9's in rear for about 200 shipped for everything. my question is, i've never heard of Clarion that much, are they good? i heard a few bad things about their products in the past but that was 6 or 7 years ago. Hoping that they've improved. I don't need overpowering bass or anything to spectacular. Just a HU with ipod, and decently clear sound.

Feedback? TIA.

[Sarthos]

If you want decent sound and an iPod that's like saying you wanna drag race your Prius. It might sound decent on radio and stuff but iPods normally sound like crap on the stereo. Clarion is okay stuff though, you could give us more specifics on the stuff.

[DJ metadelic]

stuff. lol ok...

well currently i am using the stock radio and tape player that came in the car when i bought it a week or so ago.

this model:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...+-CZ-200-.html

and whichever speakers of decent quality that i can find. (i'm going for improved aftermarket yet still OEM replacement). don't need a grand invested in equipment when all i'll be using the car for is the daily commute.

[Sarthos]

Not the worst I've ever seen, I think you could probably get something better for the same price. You must be getting a package deal somewhere else, not buying on that site? Are you buying new or used?

This would be better for the same price
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JVC-KD-HDR20...item45f2bf75c5

Or this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ECLIPSE-CD3000-C...item53e32144f4

[92smokeaccord]

for that price u can get a nice pioneer hu.. and speakers for like140-160 front and back at ur local wallymart(aka walmart)

[Sarthos]

You could get speakers at Wal Mart, you could also have your car worked on by a random guy with a ratchet set. Pioneer is nice too, some are better than others. I don't know how much total you'd be willing to spend whether you want loudness or clarity etc.

[Loafer987]

Please dont ever buy speakers at walmart if you want something that sounds good and will last more than 6 months. This years clarion speakers are actually pretty good however they dont have any bass output at all. (hope you have a sub)
The deck you are looking at is a good solid but very basic deck. If you are going to keep the car i would look for something with a HPF (high pass filter) and a 24 bit DAC. Those are the 2 things that make the biggest difference in decks nowadays. HPF cuts the bass off to the speakers that they cant handle so you dont get distortion and blow up your speakers at high volume.
24 bit processing sounds a million times better than basic decks like the clarion CZ200 and its 1 bit DAC. (yes its 24 times more powerful processing- same amount as in DVD players)

Good examples are the Alpine CDA-105 or 117
http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-105/
http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-117

and my personal favorite this year is the kenwood excelon KDC-X494
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...eiver/KDC-X494

[Sarthos]

If he uses an iPod the 24 bit DAC won't make the slightest bit of difference. It'd be like hooking up HDMI cables to your VCR, you're still limited by your weakest point. A high pass filter would help though, although you don't necessarily need it to be integrated into the headunit. A high pass crossover can be used instead.