HEAD UNITS
Clarion DXZ735MP
By Kristina Wright
Posted on Thursday, Jan 1, 2004

The Clarion DXZ735MP head unit features AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA and CD Changer Control. The 1-Din unit is Sirius Satellite ready, and offers CeNET Control of an optional TV Tuner, Sirius Satellite Radio receiver, DVD changer, and 6-disc CD changer. For added convenience, the DXZ735MP boasts CD text and CD and Station Titling. Clarion offers a 2-band parametric EQ (Z-Enhancer Plus), built-in low pass crossovers, and a front panel subwoofer volume control to shape your tone. In the power department, Clarion’ engineers have loaded the DXZ735MP with a reported 208 watts (52 watts x 4). The unit delivers its signal via dual front and rear/sub RCA line level outputs, and offers Dual Zone control via dedicated line level outputs as well.

The design subtleties of the DXZ735MP combined with the fact that it is Sirius, CD, and MP3/WMA compatible gives this model much love in my book. Having as many CD’s as I do, it’s nice to have the title display option.

The DXZ735MP’s 80 variable color LCD display and control buttons are, to say the least, pretty darned impressive. Your choices include Red, Mandarin, Orange, Amber, Yellow, Yellow Green, Lime, Green, Dark Green, and a user tunable color should your preference fall anywhere in the middle of these many choices. The unit also offers three customized user profiles that can be created using the 80 variable colors -- very cool. Like other head units that I’ve seen, the display is not too bright, so the color is not a distraction when driving at night. The display also complement’s the DXZ735MP’s attractive aluminum faceplate.

Another plus is the DXZ735MP’s five built-in options for equalizing. If you prefer a tad more punch on the high end, choose the excite option and it’s tuned perfectly.

The remote control’s design is amazingly simple, and the lack of buttons is convenient while driving. The buttons on the remote and faceplate are a bit small, so if you’re a guy with larger fingers, you may want to test drive the DXZ735MP before you take the plunge.

It isn’t the most user friendly unit as it did take me a while to learn all the options in the beginning — nothing a quick look at the owner’s manual couldn’t cure. I felt there were some buttons that were a little unclear in their function. For example, the preset scan button is labeled ‘PS’, as opposed to ‘Scan.’ Again, it was just a matter of getting used to the unit.

The DXZ735MP features Clarion’s Magi-Tune+ Tuner with 18 FM and 6 AM presets. I feel that the radio reception could be a little better. But, then again, I remind myself how often I listen to the regular radio with commercials and that doesn’t concern me as much as it normally would if I didn’t have Sirius. The combination of the DXZ735MP with Sirius’s S>PLEX technology (statistical multiplexing) (which optimizes the fidelity on each channel) offers a superior digital sound that’s ‘clean’ and authentic.

With a great look, and a retail price of $399.95, Clarion’s DXZ735MP may be just what you need to bring some good sound to your ride.
For comments, questions, or to tell me about your soundtrack, E-mail me at experiencemusicgirl@hotmail.com.

For more details, contact Clarion at 800-GO-CLARION, or visit www.clarion.com.