is Clarion still good?

Hey guys, I went up to my local car audio shop recently and I was looking at a head unit. I glanced over and saw a clarion head unit with the same options and some more than the one I was looking at had. So, i was like what the hell, let me see how much it costs. I didnt think i could afford it cuz I remember clarion being really high end expensive stuff, so when i went to the counter he told me 175. I went online and the radio goes for 300 on some sites. So, i guess my question is, is clarion still good? How do they compare to alpine head units?1990 Honda Civic HB:

Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.

2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors

Diamond Audio 600.1 amp

Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII

Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp

IMO Clarion Pro Audio high end line is in the same league as Alpine, but their lower end stuff is more comparible to Pioneer, Kenwood, etc.  If you like it and the price is right, why not, just make sure you like the sound as their amps can be a bit thin.Support the12volt.com

save your money... the mechanisms in their newer entry level models are garbage......and their higher end models dont compare to most of their equivlalent competitors....Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

This question goes out to DYohn... how did my post's name go from Clarion to... is Clarion still good? I'm guessing that was your work right?1990 Honda Civic HB:

Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.

2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors

Diamond Audio 600.1 amp

Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII

Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp

i would say look at a Blaupunkt Monte Carlo MP34 except it doesnt have a dedicated sub pre out... other than that it fits the bill.....Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

Uh, not me.  I didn't edit the title.  Clarion made some really good gear in the past few years, but I can't speak about their latests stuff since I haven't played with anything from them newer than 2002--- and back then their top of the line was the same as they made for McIntosh, so it was great.  I agree with Kevin, though, the Blau Monte Carlo is a great deck - far superior SQ to Clarion - and they can be found at a really good price.Support the12volt.com

DYohn, if find your comment about the high end stuff being in the same league as alpine and the lowend stuff in the same class as pioneer and kenwood. I will put a pioneer deck up against an alpine deck anyday of the week. With the exception of the recent catastrophy with the 8400 and 8500 models I would recomend one over and alpine in the same price range any day of the week.double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

I would be on DYohn side on this one. I feel Alpine is a better HU than a comparable Pioneer. I have owned both and the Alpine had better features and lasted longer. The pioneer pooped out on me after a year and a month. Wasnt covered under warrenty either. The Alpine had more adjustments so i could fine tune my system and the EQ the ALpine seemed nicer to me as well. As far as Clarion HU, i feel that they are in the same class as Pioneer or Kenwood if you get the higher end stuff, but ive heard real bad horror stories about the low line...bad newsIt is better to remain queit and have others think u are dumb, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I guess to each his own. I have also owened both head units and felt that the EQ on the pioneer was far more usefull. I also found he sound to be much warmer and found that the preouts did not distort anywhere near as quick as the alpine ones do, at least not to my ear. Now as with the Clarion Issue I am pretty much onboard with everyone else, low end clarion is really bad but the high end stuff is ok.double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer