AM/FM MD Player w/CD Changer Controller DIN Chassis w/Flip Down Detachable Face Plate

Z-Enhancer EQ Selector, Rotary Volume Control, 4 color 5 x 7 Dot Matrix Display, Touch-n-Go (TM) Flip Down Face, CeNet Controller, Multi-Changer Capable (CD/MD), 6 Channel/4 Volt RCA Line Level Ouptut with Non-Fade Subwoofer Output, Subwoofer Level Control, 180 Watt (45 W x 4), TV Tuner Control, EQ/DSP/Crossover Control, 10 Second Memory Buffer, 8X Oversampling Digital Filter, MD Title Display, Dual 1-Bit D/A Converters, Built in CD Text, Disc/Tuner Title Memory, Prism Key, Magi-Tune+ (R) FM, 18 FM/6 AM Presets, Included Infrared Remote Control

When I got my 855Dz, installation was very simple. At first it was very complicated to operate. Most of the buttons had abbreviated words in them that were not of the common abbreviated features of an MD(so, gotta read the manual). Each button handle multiple functions which could be shifted by pressing regularly or holding for 2 seconds. The 10 second anti-shock memory held pretty good on potholes.

The faceplate was foldable and was very easy to remove/attach. Another good feature was if the faceplate was folded down or when ejecting an MD the unit still played at the currently tuned radio station. The 855Dz came with the remote controller but was thick compared to other car stereo controlls that I've seen.

With a Prestige by Audiovox 200 watts MAX Output Amplifier and a Phyle 350 watts Bazooka Subwoofer hooked up to the 855Dz, all worked perfectly producing great clarity and better management on the high/low pitches. Among the 855Dz features the 180 Watt (45 W x 4) was very useful to my front and rear speakers since they were not amplified. Considering that I connected an amplifier and mono-connected a subwoofer all-in- all the speakers still came strong and was never put back by the sound the subwoofer produced. Meaning that the 45 wattage distributed to my low quality speakers, the unit still accomplished to output high quality sounds. Using the Non-Fade Subwoofer Output to connect the amplifier and mono-ed subwoofer, power was what I got and lots of it. I didn't think it would sound good since it wasn't like some Rockfords but the unit still managed to use and produce the best outputs from the amp and sub sounding cleaner and more defined at all volume levels.

There were some disadvantages about the 855Dz, one of them were reading track names. I'd thought by now Clarion's accomplished to have this feature covered in any of thier '99 units but apparently not. Having been a '99 model, I'd assumed that it had surpassed the regular features a '98 or '97 Sony unit would regularly have but I guessed not. Apparently, the 855Dz lacked this feature very much and what a turn off it was. I had about more than 30 MD disc complete with disc title and track name on them but were very useless to the 855Dz. The only thing this unit could really read was the disc title. Another bad thing was that if the disc title were long enough to not fit the display the title would just be cut off and not even be scrolledto display the rest of the title. Correction as of April 10: After having my review posted, a guy sent me a msg that this unit does display tracknames. I guess the Clarion RMX855Dz doesn't have any disadvantages after all!

The 855Dz's fold-down faceplate had a large area for display which made it appear very nice and gave use to the 4 color 5 x 7 Dot Matrix Display feature. On it, the most unique animation was the rotating 3D ball with the MD written gave the most attraction to the eye. In addition to this, a Prism key feature was included. This feature had 3 settings although setting 2 didn't seem to have any purpose. I don't know why? Prism key setting 1 gave the rotary knob a blue lit color and was very cool and prism key setting 2 was just the same which I thought was questionable and useless. And last but not least setting 3 on the prism key feature was the disco-light-like light changes. The rotary knob displayed different colors according to the (I believe) rhythm accents. Everytime a song goes boom the color changes into something else. Other than that Contrast and Brightness were among the useful functions to set the display to the users want.

In conclusion, if you're very picky on having MD track names don't even bother buying this unit get one by Sony. Now if not having displayed the track names you titled your MD doesn't affect or bother you so much and you plan to install some amplifiers, loud speakers, and some subwoofer then this is 1 hell of an MD unit for you. Again after installing a subwoofer on this unit, my disappointment to the no-track-name display was reassured. This unit can produce such great output I don't think you'd even care about the features it lacks. Even better if you plan to hook up the specified equalizer mentioned on the unit's manual then you'll really get the best out of the unit specially equalizer display which is not available on a stand-alone installment. But even if the unit alone, you will not regret it it's performance.

I've compared this unit's performance to 5 other stereo systems with top brand names such as Kenwood, Rockford, Sony, Alpine, & Pioneer customizing to produce the best output(not the loudest) but the best on quality and the Clarion RMX855Dz stands out with the best clarity. i've purchased this car MD player and it has just been awesome!!!

speaking of display, the display md track titles DOES work except it doesn't scroll titles longer than the available ten spots that display letters/characters. Actually all you have to do to display the track title is while playing an md, hold down the green "DIS" play button to switch from disc title to track title or vice versa. and as for scrolling titles just press the small round green "T" button (unfortunately and annoyingly it only scrolls it once). just thought maybe anyone else might have also missed these things and i love that clarion stereo, the chicks dig the strobe/prism light. happy listening