Clarion BD216 CD Receiver

Price Paid:  $0.00

Strengths:
None at all

Weaknesses:
Everything

Summary:
Clarion has to be one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with period. I received their stereo which did not have any installation instructions in the box, I called them for help and they told me to go back to where I bought it, I ordered it online and I couldn't. They refused to give me any help at all. The only thing I wanted was the wire color designations the customer sevice woman began to swear at me and said "if I don't like it too xxxing bad"

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $140.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002

Strengths:
Excellent clear audiophile sound quality.

Weaknesses:
Poor difficult to understand controls. Horribly ugly extremely bright electric blue display contrasted by bright red buttons.

Summary:
This is a love hate relationship. Fine quality almost audiophile sound quality and performance. Ruined by poor aesthetics. I bought this unit sight unseen based on my previous experience with Clarion. I was immediately impressed by the sound quality but had difficulty with the control buttons. A thorough reading of the instruction manual was needed. At night the electric blue display was so bright I nearly had to shield the unit to keep it from distracting and interfering with my driving. I went to Clarion to see if they could make adjustments to the unit's display but they declined any help and simply said to trade it in for something else. So I ended up trading it in on an inferior sounding but easier to live with Pioneer. If you like this kind of look (which I suspect some young teenagers might)and have the patience to learn the controls this is for you.

Price Paid:  $149.00 from best buy

Year / Model Reviewed:
 bd216

Strengths:
affordable enough power easy o use

Weaknesses:
bright blue light that doesnt dim with your other car lights doesnt bother me but bothers my girlfriend plenty

Summary:
this is a very nice cd deck tat anyone will be happy owning

Similar Products Used:
i havent used other clarion products before