Clarion CZ100 In-Dash CD / MP3 / WMA / AAC Reciever

by Clarion

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 4.3 x 11.8 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0032FOJHA
• Item model number: CZ100
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,593 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If you want a no-frills CD receiver that will also play your MP3/WMA files, Clarion's CZ100 has you covered.

A no-frills CD receiver that will also play your MP3/WMA files. Click to enlarge.

Front-panel auxiliary input for external devices.

Two sets of RCA preamp outputs.

Distinctive "starburst" control button array.

Bluetooth Ready with BLT370
Hands-free conversations (HSP/HFP) on Bluetooth-ready cell phones promote safe driving. Using the optional BLT370, you can wirelessly connect an appropriate phone to your vehicle's audio system, with A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) so you can enjoy music stored on the phone or portable media player, controlled by AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile).

CD/MP3/WMA Compatible
In addition to store-bought music CDs, you can also enjoy listening to tunes that you've burned to a CD on a personal computer. The most common formats, MP3 and WMA are supported.

Front AUX Input
An Auxiliary Input jack is located on the front of the unit for easy access. Just connect to an external audio source to enjoy its sound with stereo impact.

AM/FM Radio
Enjoy your favorite programming on the AM/FM tuner, complete with 18 FM and six AM presets for quick access.

H.M.I. Balances Design and Usability
Clarion's quest for a superior H.M.I. (Human-Machine Interface) resulted in this year's distinctive "starburst" control button array. Buttons are clustered symbolically for intuitive operation, with a large rotary volume control that is blue illuminated for easy recognition and sensational looks.

BeatEQ for User Customizable Sound
In addition to providing 3 preset equalization patterns--BASS BOOST, IMPACT, and EXCITE--Clarion's BeatEQ even lets you freely customize the level and range of the bass, midrange and treble portions of each pattern. You can tune the sound to your liking, depending on the category of music, for a more fulfilling listening experience.

Low Pass Filter for Subwoofer
Switching on the Low Pass Filter (LPF) will send only the low frequency range through specified outputs to ensure superb performance with a connected subwoofer. A must if you have or plan to add a subwoofer to your system.

4ch/2V RCA Output with Subwoofer Control
With 2 sets of RCA outputs, you are free to add external power amplifiers to create a more powerful, sophisticated audio system. Also, independent volume control is enabled for the subwoofer so you can adjust the level of bass output to your liking at any time, regardless of the output level of the other channels.

Steering Wheel Remote Control Ready
By connecting an optional 3rd-party adapter, The CZ100 is compatible with many of the steering wheel remote controls pre-installed on various makes of cars. So you can upgrade from your factory audio system without losing the convenience of the existing remote.

What's in the Box
Clarion CZ100 Receiver, Remote Control, Installation Hardware, User's Manual

Product Description

If you want a no-frills CD receiver that will also play your MP3/WMA files, Clarion's CZ100 has you covered.CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver, Dot Matrix LCD Display (13 X 10 Digit Display), Front Panel 3.5mm Stereo Mini-Jack Auxiliary Input with Level Control, Bluetooth Ready with Optional BLT370, 45 Watts X 4 Built-in Amplifier, 4 Channel/2 Volt RCA Output (Front+Rear/Subwoofer), Built-in Low Pass Filter, Subwoofer Level Control, Magna Bass EX Dynamic Bass Enchancement, Parametric Equalizer, Beat EQ for Sound Adjustment, OEM Steering Wheel Remote Ready, Wireless Remote Control

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the budget minded, September 23, 2010

By 

Tim - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clarion CZ100 In-Dash CD / MP3 / WMA / AAC Reciever (Electronics)

Looks and sounds great, and the build quality is very good. Has a bunch of options for tuning your sound. The built in low pass filter and subwoofer controls are great. I have this powering the Pioneer TS-A6872R 6-Inch X 8-Inch 3-Way 240-Watt Speakers (Pair) and it sounds great. The FM reception is extremely good. The only reason I give this 4 stars is due to the fact that the clock will not display unless you push a button. If you take any other action you must push the same button in order to make the clock display. There should at least be the option to have the clock be the default display.

UPDATE: I'm now using a JVC KTHDPK1 / KT-HDPK1 / KT-HDPK1 Transportable HD Radio Receiver with Car Kit with this head unit and it sounds like the band is in my car. Also using a JVC KS-AX3002 Compact 2-Channel Power Amplifier with 370 Watts Max. Power Output (Black) to drive the the Pioneers I mentioned above.

UPDATE 2: There is now a newer version called the CZ101, might want to check that one out too

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better sound than a $300 Pioneer I bought 8 years ago, for under $100, December 11, 2010

By 

William - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clarion CZ100 In-Dash CD / MP3 / WMA / AAC Reciever (Electronics)

I've had this head unit for about a week and a half so far in a '93 Honda Civic CX. Hooked to it, I have a pair of 5 1/4 Pioneer TS-G1343R speakers. I am very impressed with the combo and the sound coming from my speakers. This head unit adds an extra something to the sound that seems to be missing in other budget head units. Something that makes me want to keep listening to the music, instead of just turning it off. I suppose that can be good and bad, since I have to move on with my life. Honestly, this head unit is a bit ritzier that what I need, and has blue illumination that is very fancy. Some of the buttons are a little hard to press and will need a bit of wearing in. The navigation is not completely intuitive, but close enough. The EQing options are quite impressive, giving you the ability to tweak the frequency and Q of the bass and midrange, and just the frequency for the treble. If you are getting older and you have lost your ability to hear around 15 kHz (the highs cease to sound crisp to you anymore, but rather they sound tinny), no problem. Just turn the treble frequency down to something in the 12 kHz range, or even lower. If you know how to use a detailed EQ, it can really work to your advantage.

You get 18 watts RMS per channel, which isn't bad, but Clarion certainly has head units that are much higher if you shell out the $$$. You get 4 RCA outputs, which rivals most head unit's 2 outputs. If you have a car with steering wheel audio controls, there is a connection in the back of this head unit for that, which is uncommon for head units that are this cheap.

The radio sounds great on many channels, and this head unit seems to really reveal the bad EQing and poor signal quality on certain FM radio stations. Whereas, on my old Pioneer most channels sounded pretty good, on this head unit, certain channels sound awful and other sound excellent. But one major drawback is that this tuner does not pull in the channels as well as many other similarly priced tuners. Even though it can sound good, it just doesn't pull in channels like my old Pioneer. It occasionally skips pretty strong channels, and I have to rescan to find them, and it is not uncommon to have the signal go in and out when driving under trees and through certain areas. So if you need stellar, perfect signals that don't go in and out once in a while, you might look at some other head units, or even some higher level Clarion's. I've never had a problem with the tuner in Pioneer's though, as they've really gotten it down to a science. However, I have never had any problems with AM reception on this head unit. AM signals come in perfectly fine, and maybe better than my old Pioneer.

The fit and finish of this head unit is pretty good, but I'll have to see how it holds up over time. I had a Pioneer DEH-P6400 head unit that I paid $300 for back in the day, and it was wonderfully built and only started having problems ejecting cds after about 7 years (but you could still get them out with a little work). I don't really feel like I've downgraded too much with this Clarion, although I don't think it's going to be as fit and finish as my old Pioneer. But for the price, this head unit is great so far. And it sounds a little better than my old Pioneer. Can't put my finger on why.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great product, great price, September 1, 2010

By 

Alvaro Tejada (Miami, Florida, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Clarion CZ100 In-Dash CD / MP3 / WMA / AAC Reciever (Electronics)

Excellent choice to buy a reasonablly low-priced, great-quality car stereo.
Easy installation, manually perfectly explained with the necessary details.