Clarion Vs Alpine Vs Pioneer Vs Kenwood EDIT - Its a Clarion DXZ 785 USB

Invinsible · 20th March 2009, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

You bet Thanks to Nishant & Frank.

Mine has already arrived in US & should be reaching me early next month.

Doesnt matter how it looks, if it delivers the SQ that we all are expecting, it will be a worthy buy

Exactly, it doesn't matter what looks are, its obvious reason it's the sound that matter for which i got this for.

Nishantgandhi: I yet got to figure out the place. All i want is someone to do clean install and wiring. Am sure i can take care of sound tuning.

One question for all I have a kicker eq. How will it sound using it along with clarion?

Proxima · 20th March 2009, 15:34

Guys, for my Ikon, I have JBL GTO 738s at the rear and JBL components in the front. My HU is a Pioneer 5050. Will the Clarion DXZ 785 USB make a big difference to the sound compared to the Pioneer 5050? For now, I do not plan to go in for a Sub or an Amp. Maybe after a few months, maybe never.

Invinsible · 20th March 2009, 15:49

thanks technocrat for the change of title.

I guess i will have to import a lot many 785 in bulk.
Time to get a import license

nishantgandhi · 20th March 2009, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invinsible

Nishantgandhi: I yet got to figure out the place. All i want is someone to do clean install and wiring. Am sure i can take care of sound tuning.

Did you contact B&T (Ajay)? Which area do you stay in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proxima

Guys, for my Ikon, I have JBL GTO 738s at the rear and JBL components in the front. My HU is a Pioneer 5050. Will the Clarion DXZ 785 USB make a big difference to the sound compared to the Pioneer 5050? For now, I do not plan to go in for a Sub or an Amp. Maybe after a few months, maybe never.

Pioneer 5050 is a good VFM HU. I use it. However, it is on the bright side and more focused on bling. I guess just the TA function the Clarion will make a major difference to your sound, not to mention other features like warmer and more balanced sound compared to Pio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invinsible

thanks technocrat for the change of title.

I guess i will have to import a lot many 785 in bulk.
Time to get a import license

The unit is already phased out and fast disappearing from most reputed stores. Wait for the 786 before applying for the import license!

Proxima · 20th March 2009, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Pioneer 5050 is a good VFM HU. I use it. However, it is on the bright side and more focused on bling. I guess just the TA function the Clarion will make a major difference to your sound, not to mention other features like warmer and more balanced sound compared to Pio.

Thank Nishant, I will see if I can get one for myself. Will it also improve the bass a wee bit?

santosh.s · 20th March 2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invinsible

The 2 things that I din't like is it is Made in China and the other is say it has a Signal to noise ratio of 87dba.

How much of a difference will it make to the sound?

You won't get it so cheap unless it has that stamp, I don't bother much because it actually applies to almost everything that we buy these days!

I had similar doubt about SNR, while searching for amps. But, then I just thought about it- unlike THD, noise floor is kind of independent of signal level. Therefore SNR will vary depending upon the signal level, it will be low for weak signals and high for strong signal. The number that you are seeing is at fairly low power level (1W). At full power it should be much better. May be that is why CES-2006 has deliberately mandated this spec at low power.

Moreover, the SNR rating is for it's inbuilt amp, which I don't think it's owners would normally plan to use.

Preout SNR should be far better I suppose, though it is not explicitly mentioned in even the manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Mine has already arrived in US & should be reaching me early next month.

Mine has been delivered in US too

Quote:

The buttons have a good solid feel to it. On pressing them the tactile feel is good. Somehow I like the feel of it better than the alpines.
Doesnt matter how it looks, if it delivers the SQ that we all are expecting, it will be a worthy buy

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

It actually looks good in real! Just that the display is a gripe and I believe once switched on, it will show its 'true colours'

For me SQ and related features would come first, ease of use and tactile feel second and looks would be the last. That said, I really liked the look very much (more so in relation to alpines). With color adjustments it would be even better, for sure!

Quote:

I know at least 2 more members going the Clarion way and waiting for it to arrive 'any day now'. I believe thats because 9887, which matches this HU the closest in terms of features is still over priced for many regular ICE'rs. At $140, this HU comes to you at the same price as a Kenwood 6539.

Exactly, there is so much price difference that I gave up on imprint.

nishantgandhi · 20th March 2009, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proxima

Thank Nishant, I will see if I can get one for myself. Will it also improve the bass a wee bit?

Well, bass is the territory of subwoofers! But then, you can extract whatever little possible bass effect from your rear fill by using Sound Restorer/retriever function as well as the Bass Boost.

Invinsible · 20th March 2009, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proxima

Thank Nishant, I will see if I can get one for myself. Will it also improve the bass a wee bit?

Am sure bass will improve a lot. Looking around with lot of reviews I read I am sure bass will sound more linear and clean. I mainly dont listen to heavy bass and more into lighter and leaner bass and am sure clarion will do the job. I decided to go for it without even hearing one and am sure its not gonna dissappoint me.

Nishantgandhi: No I haven't spoken to B&T, Ajay as yet. I am put at vileparle-juhu.

Spoken to few shops here at Milan for a dash kit for fabia. Can't find one looks like i might have to call for that too.

nishantgandhi · 20th March 2009, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invinsible

Nishantgandhi: No I haven't spoken to B&T, Ajay as yet. I am put at vileparle-juhu.

Spoken to few shops here at Milan for a dash kit for fabia. Can't find one looks like i might have to call for that too.

Whatever you do, please don't go to Milan Subway. Its a personal request! I have hardly come across good/trust worthy installers there. I would refrain from going there, except for casual recee trips for price checks.

Boom would be a closer and a better option for you.

Else, FM Drive at Santacruz is good enough. He might be able to source the dash kit and harness for you also.

EDIT - I think I found what you want. Check this link. Frank Mehta had ordered his Universal Steering Remote Control from this guy, IIRC. He ships globally and prices seem competitive. e.g. you will get this dash kit for EUR 35 shipped, which is around Rs 2k

Invinsible · 20th March 2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishantgandhi

Whatever you do, please don't go to Milan Subway. Its a personal request! I have hardly come across good/trust worthy installers there. I would refrain from going there, except for casual recee trips for price checks.

Boom would be a closer and a better option for you.

The reason I went to milan was just to source 2 din to 1 din dash kit convertor. I have known guys at Milan for 15 years now and I know as to how good they are, just bulc***.

I have had a word with boom but thought there's no harm looking around incase i find one here. Boom told me it would take 15 days to order one and to receive one.

GUNBIR: Paaji any idea on availability of dashkit?

katpasin · 20th March 2009, 18:19

sonicelectronix ships this HU to India. It costs $140 + $57.38(shipping) = $197.38( roughly about Rs 10.2k )

I am ok with the price, but i have no idea of any import charges. Can anybody tell me how much extra i may need to shell out?

btw Shipping comes down to $43.5 for 5 units. so total cost/unit = $182.3(approx Rs 9.5k) . ..

santosh.s · 20th March 2009, 21:35

Be careful about direct shipping to India. There may be many taxes (official and unofficial

) that you may have to shell out, plus added hassles to get clearance. At the end, it may turn out to be much costlier than you think!

sonirohit · 21st March 2009, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by katpasin

sonicelectronix ships this HU to India. It costs $140 + $57.38(shipping) = $197.38( roughly about Rs 10.2k )

I am ok with the price, but i have no idea of any import charges. Can anybody tell me how much extra i may need to shell out?

btw Shipping comes down to $43.5 for 5 units. so total cost/unit = $182.3(approx Rs 9.5k) . ..

Got a quote for this from KMD - I was quoted 10.3 K inclusive of shipping & customs & other charges... If we order a a couple of more pieces it could probably come out to be much lesser... Waiting for the SQ reviews.

katpasin · 21st March 2009, 12:30

@sonirohit : thats 1 option. lets wait for some reviews here and then start a group order through KMD. Anything around 9.5k should be a good price.

My other local option am considering is a Pioneer 6050UB.

nishantgandhi · 21st March 2009, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonirohit

Got a quote for this from KMD - I was quoted 10.3 K inclusive of shipping & customs & other charges... If we order a a couple of more pieces it could probably come out to be much lesser... Waiting for the SQ reviews.

I dont think quote will come down because shipping costs are generally zero at most online websites. Discounts kick in, due to bulk shipping, only when you order more number of units. Moreover, AFAIK, Sonix has this HU at a mich higher price than other stores.

20th March 2009, 15:34	#107
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 910 Thanked: 302 Times	Guys, for my Ikon, I have JBL GTO 738s at the rear and JBL components in the front. My HU is a Pioneer 5050. Will the Clarion DXZ 785 USB make a big difference to the sound compared to the Pioneer 5050? For now, I do not plan to go in for a Sub or an Amp. Maybe after a few months, maybe never.
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 15:49	#108
Invinsible Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,257 Thanked: 62 Times	thanks technocrat for the change of title. I guess i will have to import a lot many 785 in bulk. Time to get a import license
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 18:19	#116
katpasin BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Edinburgh, UK Posts: 104 Thanked: 2 Times	sonicelectronix ships this HU to India. It costs $140 + $57.38(shipping) = $197.38( roughly about Rs 10.2k ) I am ok with the price, but i have no idea of any import charges. Can anybody tell me how much extra i may need to shell out? btw Shipping comes down to $43.5 for 5 units. so total cost/unit = $182.3(approx Rs 9.5k) . ..
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 21:35	#117
santosh.s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,077 Thanked: 70 Times View My Garage	Be careful about direct shipping to India. There may be many taxes (official and unofficial) that you may have to shell out, plus added hassles to get clearance. At the end, it may turn out to be much costlier than you think!
	() Thanks

21st March 2009, 12:30	#119
katpasin BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Edinburgh, UK Posts: 104 Thanked: 2 Times	@sonirohit : thats 1 option. lets wait for some reviews here and then start a group order through KMD. Anything around 9.5k should be a good price. My other local option am considering is a Pioneer 6050UB.
	() Thanks