Clarion unveils colorful double-DIN head units

Oh sure, we've seen plenty of flashy and sophisticated devices aimed at filling that gaping double-DIN hole in your dash, but how's about a device that 10-year old passengers and suckers for all-things-adorable would also dig? Enter Clarion's newest duo, which comes in either white (DUB275MP) or black (DUB275MPB; seen after the jump) and actually packs quite a nice feature set considering the lighthearted design. Aside from the CD drive, it also offers up a front-mounted USB port for loading up MP3 / WMA files, customizable accent lights, optional Bluetooth, AM / FM tuner, a 50-watt x 4 amplifier and a cutesy display to boot. Check 'em out later this month for ¥34,650 ($295) apiece.

[Via ShinyShiny]

[sven @ Oct 14th 2007 10:09AM]

Fugly AND 300$. I'll pass.

[JeffDM @ Oct 14th 2007 10:27AM]

I don't see anything wrong with the price, it just looks bad. I guess they've given up on trying to match the interior.

[Fred @ Oct 14th 2007 10:44AM]

That's so 1st gen iMac!

[Shane @ Oct 14th 2007 6:09PM]

Exactly what I was going to say! Clarion has definitely been dipping in the Apple design pool...Too bad they used the early iMac designs for inspiration!

[GoreTEX @ Oct 14th 2007 11:07AM]

At least you wont have to worry about thieves trying to steal it.

[engajeto @ Oct 14th 2007 1:34PM]

If they nicked your car at least you can be rest assured they'll leave this behind.

[saycheese @ Oct 14th 2007 11:12AM]

I see traces of inspiration from classic McIntosh design touches here.

Whatever the design choice, I am sure the sound quality and construction will be top-notch as is usual for Clarion products.

[Shane @ Oct 14th 2007 6:11PM]

Make sure you get your Macs right...

McIntosh = high end stereo equipment...
Macintosh (now just Mac) = Apple's line of computers

[saycheese @ Oct 14th 2007 6:26PM]

@ Shane:

Make sure you know your car audio straight.

McIntosh is a high end audio company that makes high end car audio gear (CD players, and Amplifiers). Well apart from ridiculously high end home audio equipment as well, that is.

[Shane @ Oct 14th 2007 7:05PM]

I know McIntosh also makes high end car stereo equipment...However, I fail to see the similarities in design between the two. Maybe a VAGUE resemblance at best... This particular unit bears more resemblance to Apple's older iMacs.

Come to think of it, this is kind of a departure from Clarion's traditional design schemes...Someone definitely wanted to try something different. In any case, Clarion does indeed make very good gear so regardless of how you feel about the look of the unit it likely has very good performance.

[Alexander @ Oct 14th 2007 11:29AM]

I want Dethklok to make a stereo... That would be brutal.

[Zorque @ Oct 15th 2007 2:13AM]

All the buttons would have needles full of AIDS hidden inside, and no matter which way you turned the knob the volume would only go up.

[Rick @ Oct 14th 2007 11:40AM]

This is a joke right? They expect someone to buy that and install it their contemporary car?

[ben @ Oct 14th 2007 11:52AM]

I don't know what all of you are moaning about. I think it looks clean, uncluttered and a break from the current ICE designs. I like it.

[Dave @ Oct 14th 2007 12:11PM]

fricken nasty! I got excited when I read the title, but that is horrible. I'd love a nice double din unit but I guess I'll just wait until Apple makes their car unit with the gps. ;)

[Adam @ Oct 14th 2007 12:35PM]

Nothing at ALL nice about this one. What a terrible design. Unbalanced, just plain ungly.

This makes my stomach upset.

[christomapher @ Oct 14th 2007 12:36PM]

I think they look great, such a nice break from the traditional ugly obviously aftermarket looks of regular replacement head units. There will definitely be a place for them in which they will fit perfectly. Where? My guess is NICE CARS that don't want to ruin the flow of the dashboard by some nasty black/silver eye sore.

[sr @ Oct 14th 2007 1:07PM]

I never change out the factory stereo because any on the market looks so disgusting compared to the factory unit. Yeah, modern car stereo units are ugly, gaudy, full of flashing lights and other crap that are out of place in any nice car. This one is at least a step in the right direction towards minimalism.

[Spike @ Oct 14th 2007 1:49PM]

Are you KIDDING!? What car would this look right in? Name it! In fact, I'd like to see some pictures of some late model cars' interiors, with late-model aftermarket head units of the same size(!) where it doesn't match. Crappy brands notwithstanding.

To the contray, if you have a double-DIN and don't insist on being taken to the cleaners by the dealer for a 2nd rate, over-priced piece of crap that matches the interior, you have plenty of options in full-screen, double-DIN head units. The only plastic showing is usually a 1/4" around the edge, which minimizes the potential for mis-matchy impact.

sr, you should bar yourself from commenting simply because you DO insist on either being ripped off by the dealer/car manufacturer or suffering with a sub-par stereo.

WHAT CAR HAS A PEACH INTERIOR!?

[uopercival @ Oct 14th 2007 1:05PM]

That looks like a poorly designed Winamp skin or something.
Is that straight out of someone's photoshop folder, damn it fugly.

[matthewlikestoburn @ Oct 14th 2007 1:36PM]

what's wrong with them?

[jeff Lorber @ Oct 14th 2007 1:40PM]

what is DIN?

[Spike @ Oct 14th 2007 1:50PM]

google

[Loonie @ Oct 14th 2007 5:19PM]

Since so many saw fit to dis the color scheme, you should know it appears to be available in black as well. And according to the source, which of course you all read before commenting, you can change the LED lighting color, and possibly even mix the LED lighting up a bit.

Translated quote: " Your choice of lighting can be adjusted to 728 possible color LED BARIABURUKARA adopted. 明細なグラデーション効果と照明の奥行き感を演出します。 Details of gradation effect lighting and depth of a sense of showmanship."

[france.justin @ Oct 14th 2007 5:30PM]

People - look at the black photo. Blue lights.
It has fully customisable LED output, so you can change the colour. So in your VW with green / red lit dash, you can alter it to fit.

With the simple design (especially the black model) you're not far off getting a unit that does actually match your interior.

Why they went with white / peach as the display pic... urgh. That's just bad.

[SVergara @ Oct 14th 2007 9:02PM]

...I'd buy the black one.

It's hard to find a car stereo that will match my speedometer lighting (2003 Mazda Protege 5). All the aftermarket head units with good features are either single din or have blue accents. I want double din (so it doesn't look absolutely cheesy) with reddish/deep orange-ish accents. That could be made possible with this.

Of course, if it's not that, a double din touchscreen with DVD and NAV would be wonderful...and expensive!

[J $ @ Oct 14th 2007 10:31PM]

How many times does it have to say USB on the face?

[Jeff @ Oct 15th 2007 11:49AM]

I expected to see a Hello Kitty logo on that white one.

[uopercival @ Oct 15th 2007 9:36PM]

Big deal that you can change the led color, my $20 Timex alarm clock does that.
It's still ugly, even if someone offered to install it free of charge, I still wouldn't want it.
The tiny LCD screen looks like it came out of some old 1st gen alarm clock or something, and that multi segment display in the middle of the knob, c'mon, if they're going for retro they might as well put in Nixie tubes, at least then it'd be cool.
Are we sure this isn't just some prank photoshop? glowing edges and all?