What Clarion Head Unit is this?

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
New to me boat has this head unit and no manual. Does anyone know what model this is? It appears to have all the features I want though the sound is not the best. Thinking I'd like to upgrade the cockpit speakers, amp and sub. Plug and Play would be nice, that's why I'm trying to figure out what unit this is. It's not the best picture, I was in a rush.

PXL_20220326_183603213.jpg
 
Thanks, I had no idea it could play CDs. I'm not looking to be the loudest baddest boater on the water, from a quick review it looks like a decent head unit?
 
Cool, I plan to call crutchfield as they're close to me, to find out what's a good amp, sub and cockpit speakers to complement this unit. There's four 6.5 Kickers in the cockpit already from the previous owner I assume, and a sub.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Cool, I plan to call crutchfield as they're close to me, to find out what's a good amp, sub and cockpit speakers to complement this unit. There's four 6.5 Kickers in the cockpit already from the previous owner I assume, and a sub.
Click to expand...
Make sure you stick with marine versions of any components you plan to install
 
We have a new Clarion M508. I added a new Kicker amp from Best Buy. Sound quality went from a 2 to a 8 on a 1-10 scale. Still have Clarion speakers, will now add decent sub with it's own amp.
 
@mrsrobinson Take a look at Skar speakers and amps. There is a thread over at THT and people are saying they are very good. While JL Audio is probably the best you can get, ~3K for amp and speakers (6 series) is a bit much for me. I haven't tried these yet, but am considering even though I really want to move to JL Audio or possibly Fusion amps.
 
Yeah $3,000 is more than I want to spend, haven't really put a budget on it yet, just want to upgrade so it sounds a little nicer. I read some reviews on that Clarion unit last night, they are mixed, most don't like it but maybe they're serious audio folks.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Yeah $3,000 is more than I want to spend, haven't really put a budget on it yet, just want to upgrade so it sounds a little nicer. I read some reviews on that Clarion unit last night, they are mixed, most don't like it but maybe they're serious audio folks.
Click to expand...

Nope, most go for the Fusion RA770 and JL Audio amps and speakers. Fusion makes newer amps that are supposed to be great as well. Less costly then the JL Audio stuff but not by much. The thing about Fusion is they have DSP that is already setup and can download to the amp(s) at any time from the app. So no adjusting at the amp.

EDIT: This Fusion amp is almost half the cost of a JL Audio amp of the same spec. https://fusion.factoryoutletstore.c...ine-amplifier---1800w.html?category_id=109190
 
SKybolt said:
Nope, most go for the Fusion RA770 and JL Audio amps and speakers. Fusion makes newer amps that are supposed to be great as well. Less costly then the JL Audio stuff but not by much. The thing about Fusion is they have DSP that is already setup and can download to the amp(s) at any time from the app. So no adjusting at the amp.

EDIT: This Fusion amp is almost half the cost of a JL Audio amp of the same spec. https://fusion.factoryoutletstore.c...ine-amplifier---1800w.html?category_id=109190
Click to expand...
I saw that. I have a channel out on one of the JL amps on the boat and was wondering how the Fusion amps stand up. 4 channel is what I need. The sub is on a separate mono amp.
 
For what it's worth, a 2001 380 came with an amp for the cockpit to run four speakers and a sub. Although I love my Fusion 770 head unit, that Clarion in the OP will sound great if installed right and has a ton of features. The OEM amp was installed behind the salon sofa back cushion, I beleive on the left side. I would check to see what you have before ordering new stuff. You may just need to tune the amp and maybe upgrade speakers.
 
ttmott said:
I saw that. I have a channel out on one of the JL amps on the boat and was wondering how the Fusion amps stand up. 4 channel is what I need. The sub is on a separate mono amp.
Click to expand...

panbo has a great article on them https://panbo.com/fusion-apollo-amps-easy-tuning-and-powerful-sound/ And BOE has the one you need for $650 right now. https://www.boemarine.com/fusion-apollo-marine-4-channel-amplifier-1200w.html - I am seriously considering a few different amps right now and the Fusion is on the list. I think at their price point, their amps coupled with the downloadable DSP might be the ticket.
 
I'm done with JL. They seem to get hotter and draw more juice than others in my last JL burnt out at the ripe old age of two. Work fine on four channels on Startup but drop down to one channel after it heated up
 
If your boat still has the original sound system, replacing the amps will make a big and immediate improvement. The capacitors in the amps are well beyond their lifespan by this point!
 
mrsrobinson said:
Yeah $3,000 is more than I want to spend, haven't really put a budget on it yet, just want to upgrade so it sounds a little nicer. I read some reviews on that Clarion unit last night, they are mixed, most don't like it but maybe they're serious audio folks.
Click to expand...
I would not worry about the reviews on a head unit thats been retired for about 12 years.

If it still functions, id rock it till it dies. Replacing it may set off the dominoes leading to all wired remotes and their cables also being replaced. Off the top of my head, I cant remeber if the remote connector changed with the CMD6 or CMD8. If someone has not added a bluetooth receiver to it, its worth the $50 - $100 investment.

If the Kicker speakers are the KM654 series and in good shape, keep them. Expand the amp and woofer budget. The KM654 is a solid value speaker with good sound quality. They are also still on the market, nearly unchanged, so you can add additional speakers. You can also match a woofer to these speakers.
 
Wylie_Tunes said:
I would not worry about the reviews on a head unit thats been retired for about 12 years.

If it still functions, id rock it till it dies. Replacing it may set off the dominoes leading to all wired remotes and their cables also being replaced. Off the top of my head, I cant remeber if the remote connector changed with the CMD6 or CMD8. If someone has not added a bluetooth receiver to it, its worth the $50 - $100 investment.

If the Kicker speakers are the KM654 series and in good shape, keep them. Expand the amp and woofer budget. The KM654 is a solid value speaker with good sound quality. They are also still on the market, nearly unchanged, so you can add additional speakers. You can also match a woofer to these speakers.
Click to expand...
Yup, someone before me added Bluetooth. I don't know what model the 6.5 cockpit kickers are, I will check next time I am on the boat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,228
Messages
1,428,964
Members
61,120
Latest member
jingenio
Back
Top