Car Audio "represents sensational value"

The cost and enduring value of upgrading a car's audio system makes it terrific value when compared with the high price of live music entertainment, according to mobile music maestros Clarion, and we think they have a point. While the equipment has improved even more, prices have tumbled. On the other hand, a ticket to a major music event such as the 2011 Glastonbury Music Festival can cost around £200, and while the memories may stay with you for a long time, the music will have faded away quite soon. But not if you have Clarion's new dashboard delight, the CZ501E radio/CD combination, that for the same outlay will be banging out your top tunes for many years.

"In comparative terms, investing in a replacement car audio system represents sensational value for money," says Graham Case, General Manager of Clarion (GB), "and our two-year warranty ensures the performance lasts a great deal longer than the memory of any live music entertainment."

Underlining the point, the latest offering from the major Japanese car audio company bristles with technology, features and connectivity that, say Clarion, 'assures that the listening experience is far superior to original equipment car audio systems of only a matter of years ago.' Given the improvement in factory-fitted equipment over recent years, that may seem an unlikely claim, but car manufacturers are in an extremely competitive market and have to watch production costs carefully, while in-car technology has kept pushing the boundaries. And Clarion, as one of the major suppliers of factory-fit stereo equipment over the last few decades, are in a particularly good position to know how the current hardware compares.

The elegant, understated fascia of the CZ501E - which can be used as a direct replacement for the majority of dashboard-installed in-car entertainment head units - belies the impressive line-up of features housed inside, including 4x50w per channel from its efficient MOS-FET amplifier, digital sound processing to give a high degree of adjustment to suit all tastes, and great connectivity.  Music libraries from Apple's iPod, iPhone and any mobile MP3 device will plug and play instantly via the USB port on the front of the fascia, with Album/Artist/Song details displayed on screen.

Add to that a Bluetooth module (and the integral A2DP protocol) built-in to the unit, allowing music files to be streamed wirelessly from Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and PDAs (plus the ability to make hands-free phone calls), and you have a CD/radio priced at £199 that is going to give you lots of happy Mondays... unlike the feeling when you wake up on the Monday morning after the Sunday of the festival! [Kevin O'Byrne, MMSA News Editor]

To get more on the Clarion CZ501E and the rest of the Clarion Car Audio range, see www.clarion.co.uk, call Clarion (GB) Ltd on 01793 870400 or e-mail amsales[at]clarion.co.uk for details of your local dealer.