mnm99
Well-Known Member
I'm looking to upgrade and have been looking at this unit, Rockford an JL. I've been reading negative reviews about the JL and clarion. Anyone have the Clarion?
Clarion CMS5 Radio? Anyone have one?
- Thread starter mnm99
- Start date
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
I was overwhelmingly unimpressed with the user interface of my Clarion. Getting to settings, changing sources, it was all just a little harder than it needed to be. I don't recall the model but it was not the CMS5, mine was installed 4 years ago. Perhaps newer versions are better.
For that kind of cabbage I'd go with a Fusion head unit, personally. It's what I did on my current boat and I find it to be much more user friendly than the Clarion.
My two cents only of course...
For that kind of cabbage I'd go with a Fusion head unit, personally. It's what I did on my current boat and I find it to be much more user friendly than the Clarion.
My two cents only of course...
mnm99
Well-Known Member
That's what I have been reading also. The Rockford Fosgate and Wet Sounds units are getting good reviews. They start at around $600
https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/pmx-1r/
https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/pmx-8bb/
https://www.wetsounds.com/WS-MC-1
Wylie_Tunes
Well-Known Member
I found the CMS5 to be up to the quality of the other clarion heads. I use them a lot and see very few issues. However, we did notice the CMS5 was slow to react to commands with the existing helm MW3 wired remote.
Its on my list to talk with the clarion engineers this week at IBEX about this.
What JL and R/F units are you comparing to? If you are looking at the JL MM100s, id take a serious look at the Wet Sounds MC-1. Its a black box unit, rather then a compact head like the MM100s. The MC-1 has a larger screen but requires a smaller hole for the cable. the MM100s requires a 3" hole for the chassis of the head unit. The MC-1 is also 2 ohm stable, so you can drive up to 8 4 ohm speakers from it alone.
Its on my list to talk with the clarion engineers this week at IBEX about this.
What JL and R/F units are you comparing to? If you are looking at the JL MM100s, id take a serious look at the Wet Sounds MC-1. Its a black box unit, rather then a compact head like the MM100s. The MC-1 has a larger screen but requires a smaller hole for the cable. the MM100s requires a 3" hole for the chassis of the head unit. The MC-1 is also 2 ohm stable, so you can drive up to 8 4 ohm speakers from it alone.
mnm99
Well-Known Member
Yes I noticed the MM100 is a compact head. I want the black box unit so that one is out. The wet sounds is very nice. The price of $699 is up there. I go to NYC Javits show every year and get great deals on Audio equipment. Maybe they will be there and be discounted.
Wylie_Tunes
Well-Known Member
If im reading correctly, the rockford PMX-8BB does not come with a display, its added a-la-carte with 3 to choose from? If paired with the PMX-8HD, the package is a $700.
The MC-1 has true full-range 4 zone volume control with 8 chnl RCA pre-outs. They are namable and unused zones can be deleted from the display.
The MC-1 has true full-range 4 zone volume control with 8 chnl RCA pre-outs. They are namable and unused zones can be deleted from the display.
mnm99
Well-Known Member
I looked at the MM100 again. I went to 2 different shops near me and they both recommended the JL for ease of use and best sound. I held the unit in person, and it's not too big. I would just have to run a power lead and 3 sets of RCA in the cabin, which is pretty easy. It has a NEMA hookup they is up top already also. Still looking. We'll see what the boat show has.
