Clarion CX501 Double-DIN CD/Bluetooth/USB Receiver

by Clarion Mobile Electronics

Product Features

• Double-DIN AM/FM Radio, CD, CD-R/RW, WMA/MP3, USB, iPod, Bluetooth Receiver
• 50W x 4 MOSFET internal amplifier with three 4V preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer)
• Built-in Bluetooth for hands-free phone operation and audio streaming
• Front-panel USB port with direct iPod control, WMA/MP3 playback; 3.5mm auxiliary input
• Display features oversized rotary knob, 728-variable color illumination
• OEM Steering Wheel Remote Ready. Wireless Remote Control Included
• Built-in Bluetooth Interface (HFP, HSP, OPP, PBAP, A2DP, AVRCP). Front USB Port with iPod Direct Connect Capabilities
• HD Radio Ready with Optional THD301.50 Watts x 4 Built-in Amplifier.6-Channel/4 Volt RCA Output. Subwoofer Volume Control
• Built-in High and Low-Pass Filters.Magna Bass EX Dynamic Bass Enhancement.Parametric EqualizerBeat EQ for Sound Adjustment.
• Built-in Microphone.728 Color Variable Lighting Display and Buttons.3.5mm Audio Auxiliary Input (Front)
• Front USB Port with iPod Direct Connect Capabilities. Sirius Direct Connect Ready.

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Product Description

Edition: Bluetooth and 6-channel output

Amazon.com

Clarion's CX501 is a versatile double-DIN CD receiver with room to grow, offering Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, MP3/WMA playback, USB connectivity with iPod direct control, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and a 50W x 4 MOSFET amplifier to crank out the tunes. Ready to grow? The CX501 offers six channels of preamp outputs for system expansion, and the ability to add SIRIUS or HD radio.

A versatile double-DIN CD receiver with built-in Bluetooth and room to grow. Click here for a larger image

Built-in Bluetooth Hands-free Calling and Audio Streaming

The CX501's built-in wireless Bluetooth interface supports HSP/HFP for hands-free operation and PBAP for phonebook download. You can easily communicate with the outside world by listening to phone calls through the car's audio system and talking through the embedded microphone. And with A2DP/AVRCP support, you can enjoy music streamed from your mobile phone.

CD and WMA/MP3 Playback

Enjoy your favorite CDs or CD-R/RW discs, or burn CD-R/RWs full of MP3/WMA digital audio files for hours of playback on a single disc.

Not feeling like waiting for a disc to burn? Throw a bunch of tunes on a USB thumb drive and play back directly, using the front-panel USB input.

Front-Panel Auxiliary Input

For your other MP3 players, or pretty much anything with a headphone output, a convenient front-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input is provided.

Superior iPod and iPhone Connectivity

Enjoy the familiar operational feel of your iPod and iPhone, with album/artist/song/playlist on-screen display and more. The simple control mode enables system operation using just the iPod/iPhone controls, including ABC search. For audio playback, just use a standard 30-pin to USB cable, like that provided with your iPod / iPhone. As an added bonus, iTunes Tagging via the HD Radio makes it easy to purchase the songs you like.

Oversized rotary volume control for ease of use and comfortable operation.

728-variable color illumination and buttons allow matching to instrument panel or by personal preference.

Form and Function

The old-school, large volume control knob, combined with the ergonomically symmetrical design of the unit, helps to provide equally comfortable operation from the driver side or passenger side.

728-variable color illumination and buttons allow matching to instrument panel or by personal preference.

Beat EQ for User Customizable Sound

In addition to providing three preset equalization patterns--bass boost, impact, and excite--Clarion's Beat EQ allows you freedom to customize the level and range of the bass, midrange and treble portions of each pattern. Easily adjust the sound to your liking, depending on the genre of music and your preferences.

50W x 4 MOS-FET Power

CX501 has a MOS-FET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) power amplifier capable of delivering 50W x 4 of high quality sound with superior linearity and less distortion than conventional power amps even with the volume cranked up.

Six-Channel 4V Preamp Outputs

If that 50W x 4 isn't enough for you, worry not--the CZ401 is ready for system expansion in a big way, offering six-channels of 4V preamp outputs. Built-in high- and low-pass filters let you dial in the output for your particular application/vehicle.

Sirius and HD Radio Ready

The CX501 also supports direct connection with an optional Sirius Satellite Radio tuner. The SCC1 Sirius Connect Vehicle Tuner plugs into the back of CX501 with no adapters necessary. Enjoy high quality genre-specific programming from music and talk, to news and traffic, via direct satellite feed to your car. Similarly, you can expand your radio options by adding a Clarion HD Radio receiver.

What's in the Box

Trim ring, Wiring harness, RCB176 IR remote, CR2025 3 v Lithium battery, 8 counter-sunk phillips head screws, 2 adhesive gaskets, 8 hex head bolts, Warranty sheet, Owner's manual, Installation guide

Product Description

Double-din bluetooth cd/usb/mp3/wma receiver; cd/usb/mp3/wma playback; built-in bluetooth interface (hfp, hsp, opp, pbap, a2dp, avrcp); built-in microphone; 728 color variable lighting display & buttons; sirius direct connect ready; hd radio ready with optional thd301; 50w x 4 built-in amp; subwoofer volume control; built-in high & low-pass filters; magna bass ex dynamic bass enhancement; parametric equalizer; beat eq for sound adjustment; oem steering wheel remote ready; 3.5mm front audio aux input; front usb port with ipod direct connect capabilities; 6-channel/4-volt rca output; includes wireless remote

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Bluetooth June 3, 2011

By catamount

Edition:Bluetooth and 6-channel output|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this for a 2005 Chevy Colorado. I used a Metra 95-2009 Double DIN Installation Multi-Kit for Select 1995-2008 GM/Honda/Isuzu/Suzuki Vehicles installation kit and an Axxess GMRC-01 Class II GM Chime Retention Interface to keep my chimes - my truck doesn't have On-Star or a separate factory amp. I also got the Scosche Mda-1B 1988 - Up Gm Micro/Delco Antenna Adapter because GM uses a small antenna plug. All parts were exactly what I needed. The radio fit perfectly WITHOUT cutting the truck's metal rear support bracket inside the dash. The truck has Boston Acoustic speakers in the front doors and factory speakers in the rear. As a result I keep the fader set to the front speakers only. This truck has no dimmer wire or illumination wire so the dimming feature will not work. I did not need navigation because I use my Droid and I don't need DVD or movies in the truck. I had that feature in my last head unit for three years and never did watch a movie in the truck.

I like that it's compatible with my existing Sirius SCC1 receiver - I didn't want to have to buy a proprietary Sirius receiver. That kind of thing just rankles me and it's a BIG reason I chose this unit. I just plugged it in and it simply worked. The unit will hold 18 Sirius presets and I can choose to display Artist and Track at the same time.

Also, the ability to read USB MP3 files is great - I like to throw audio books on a USB stick for long drives.... The Clarion will remember the track position even after the truck is turned off and the USB stick removed so when I put the USB stick in again the unit will shift to the USB source and start playing where it left off. This is a great feature for audio books. Fastforward/rewind is accomplished by holding the Next Track/Previous Track buttons.

Good bluetooth connection with my Droid X - The unit connects automatically with both BT phone and BT audio at the same time. (My wife's much-more-expensive Pioneer AVIC will not connect both phone and audio to her Incredible at the same time; she has to choose one or the other and go through the cumbersome process to do it.) I can play music on my phone and sound comes out of the Clarion instead of the phone and I can pause, skip tracks, control volume, etc with the Clarion. The BT Telephone part also works great and the sound is fine. The microphone is built into the unit. The Clarion easily accepted my Droid X phone book although it wouldn't transfer the contacts in my favorites but I think that is a problem with the phone and not the Clarion - I'm still working on it. It is not possible to add single numbers to the phone book. The Clarion phone book stores all the names in Last Name | First Name order which I don't like. Calls are not that easy to start from the Clarion unless it is redialing a recent call. Trying to direct dial from the radio while driving would be crazy because its way too complicated. However, incoming calls work perfectly (and mute the radio during the call) and I can make outgoing calls from the phone while it sits in the dock and then it's hands free speaker-phone over the Clarion. Overall I'm extremely happy with the bluetooth and this is another BIG reason I am happy with this unit.

Aux-In jack on the front - haven't used this yet but its good to have.

Double Din - Big two-line text thats easy to read while driving. The buttons are not all mashed together and the volume knob is big. It's easy to control the unit quickly and safely. I appreciate this after driving another vehicle with a single-din unit that had dozens of tiny buttons and practically unreadable text and button labels. However, I can't see the clock at the same time as anything else which is a negative - in other words I can see Artist and Track, or Station or whatever but if I want to see the clock it will be all I see. They should have left a spot where the clock can always be visible.

The FM sounds pretty good - better than the Sirius music stations I think. I can't compare the FM sensitivity to the factory radio because I took out the factory radio long ago...

Music sounds good enough with my BA speakers. Not outstanding, but good enough for me. In my younger days when I was more into music I would have demanded more and probably used an external amp and sub-woofer, etc (and also bought a more expensive brand just because of the name!) but nowadays I mostly listen to talk radio on Sirius. However, like I said, music sounds very acceptable if I don't crank it up way too loud. I actually removed my external Alpine amp at the same time I installed the Clarion. I don't feel like I need it.

The ability to change colors is very cool. Right now I have it on a custom yellow which looks real good.

The remote, which I don't use, has a mute button but the head unit does not. However it's easy to turn down quickly due to the huge volume knob.

I did test the CD part which was fine, but I probably won't be using that either.

There are three ipods in my house so I could test that feature but I just don't care enough to do it. I can use my Droid over bluetooth if I want to play portable music.

Bottom line is that I am very happy with the Clarion considering it's price and would certainly buy again if I needed another head unit. Read more ›

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of bang for the buck - if you can see the display June 21, 2011

By Makrel Johnson

Edition:Bluetooth and 6-channel output|Amazon Verified Purchase

I picked this up this weekend and replaced an older non-amplified Alpine.

This unit is very light. It fit my WRX well after tucking the cabling behind the center vent ducts; and only needing a small custom made trim ring to fill the gaps. The unit went in easily and cleanly. The sound is VERY clean (no EQ setting used). I'm running all channels though older Blue Thunder amplifiers and the imaging is good, bass is clean punchy and the unit looks clean in the dash. The illumination lets you match the car's color very well.

The USB port is the main reason I got this unit. I have a microSD keychain USB adapter that I can toss 8GB of music on, and it plays with no problem. It seeks and changes track incredibly fast. Faster than an iPod.

The bluetooth paired easily with the MyTouch 1.2. I've tested calls and it worked great. Had to adjust the mic gain up some, but thats all.

BONUS: The deck controlled winamp on my android phone. This was a complete surprise to me and I actually giggled when I discovered it.

Radio reception seems fine, I'm not a huge fan of local radio but what it picks up comes in clear. I haven't spun through the entire 'dial' but my main stations are loud & clear. You haven't heard NPR/PRI until the background sub-bass from on-location interviews shakes your seat. ;)

My only gripe is the display. While installing it I thought I had (inexplicably) gotten the dimmer wire screwed up as I could not see the display *at all* while looking directly at it (leaning over the center console installing it). Looking at it off-axis from either front seat helped but it was still pretty dim.... I had to crank up the contrast to full to comfortably read the display and I'll likely have to get my windows tinted to have it be bright enough to be readable at a glance on the road. Granted, this is not helped by the high installation point and slight upward angle of the WRX radio location. I may try a non-glare phone screen protector to see if this helps.

I'm still fidgeting with settings but so far this is a keeper. I was looking at its predecessor deciding on this level of head unit or going with a full-blown Nav system that was literally 10x the price. I'm glad I went this route. It was inexpensive, works great and was super-simple to install. As far as nav, Google maps using the blutetooth audio can tell me where to go.

Bottom line: feature rich - great sound - looks good - HOWEVER, display is NOT daylight friendly. BUT if you have a car with window tint, this is your double DIN head unit. Read more ›

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarion CX 501: why didn't I do it sooner? July 3, 2011

By LeftCoastLiggy

Edition:Bluetooth and 6-channel output|Amazon Verified Purchase

After a frustrating visit to CarToys (they insisted that I needed to spend $600 to $700 for a new stereo and speakers), I took my stock radio out of my 2004 Ford Explorer to find a jumble of 49 wires and thought, oh no, what have I gotten myself into!

After much research starting here on Amazon (Catamount's advice was invaluable), to Metra (Justin at Metra went above and beyond), and ending on Ford Explorer forum sites (where I located a PDF on removing the door panels to replace the stock speakers), I found my way through the wire jumbles and soldered Metra's wiring harness to the CX501's and then connected it all into the stock Ford harnesses. After which, I was happily astonished at the Bluetooth phone connectivity and great sound (coupled with my iPod) of the CX501. All for about $280 you can install an excellent new stereo along with new speakers. The CX501 paired without any issues to my Droid and controls my iPod just as easily as on the device itself. The sound, coupled with new speakers, blows away the factory radio. It begs the question, why didn't I do it sooner?

If anyone, like me, is new to head unit/speakers replacement, and needs help removing the Ford door panels, let me know and I'll get you the link to the PDF (I've found that Amazon strips URLs out of reviews).

The other pieces include:
Metra Harness (for Ford's with stock Amp and Sub-woofer): Metra 70-5521 Radio Wiring Harness for Ford 03-Up Amp

Nice sounding easy to install Kenwood Speakers: com/Kenwood-KFC-P680C-6-Inch-8-Inch-Speaker/dp/B000TQCBUW">Kenwood KFC-P680C 6-Inch x 8-Inch Easy Fit Ford/Mazda Speaker System

Notes: I had to install a RadioShack 5V voltage regulator between the Amp turn-on in the new radio to the stock Amp turn-on since the new radio is 12V while the stock Ford Amp is 5V. Metra told me if I didn't the sub-woofer would probably "pop" when you turned the radio on. Also, the pin-outs for the Ford harness can be found on the Metra package and also on sites such as InstallDoctor and Cruthfield.

I'm very satisfied; it was well worth the time. Good luck! Read more ›