Clarion CX501 Installed
 

Successfully installed this head unit in my 2009 base last weekend. Thanks to the great disassembly instructions found here, it went very smoothly. The hardest part was soldering together the 4 different wiring harnesses I needed. I used the axxess steering wheel control, and after manually programming it, all functions work. I also had the metra dash kit, but I wasn't pleased about the fit around the A/C controls. After looking at it for a week, I took it out and reinstalled the original dash plate. It is a MUCH better fit. You just have to simply trim the bezel piece that comes with the head unit to fit. Save your money and don't buy the metra dash kit if you install a DD.

As for the radio, I am very pleased. I wanted a low end unit that had bluetooth and usb. The bluetooth works great with my iphone. Syncs before I back out of the garage and the sound quality for music over the bt is great. The built in microphone was a plus for me too, since I didn't have to fool with mounting an external one.
Radio reception is better than the factory head unit and the overall sound quality is much improved.

The pic is with the metra dash kit.

Looks good

I like the center mounted knob on that unit, it keeps the dash symmetry.

Nice. Looking at this unit for my Z.

What all adaptors did you need to retain the steering controls, etc? Why did you have to solder?

Did you just use the built in amp? Stock speakers? How does it sound? I see this unit is lower power, like 22x4 rms

Probably he used the built in amp. Stock speakers probably sense he did not say otherwise. Compared to the stock putting out around 9 watts the stock speakers will sound better with 22 watts which is pretty standard for most head units for RMS.You do not have to solder just makes a more secure connection than crimp connectors IMO. I recommend the metra axxess for controls. you will need to cut three wires from the factory harness and wire them to the axxess.

Metra Axxess Control
 

What three wires do you need to cut into the factory harness to wire to the metra axxes control for a Kenwood DNX 5180 H.U.?

How quickly does the metra axxess control respond?

Quickly and search around the forum there are threads about what wires to use also the instruction manual that comes with it will tell you.

What I like about the Clarion CX501 is that it looks very OEMish and also can be programmed to match the dash colors. It also has the round knob in the same spot as the OEM unit. Very nice.

bigaudiofanat has it right. I did not add an amp, and used the stock speakers. Sound quality is noticeablly better than the oem head unit.
I bought a wiring harness adapter from Crutchfield. I soldered it together with the Clarion harness on a workbench. The metra sterring wheel controls connect to 3 wires in the factory harness. I crimped those connections because I didn't want to solder inside the car. The response from the metra is very quick and with manual programming I retained all steering wheel controls. You will have to program it manually though, so don't button it all back up until programming is complete. You have to see the led on the metra to program it.
If you are looking for a good low end unit without touchscreen, I would recommend it.

The unit looks like it was meant for the car. More OEM than the OEM if you get my drift, especially at night.

I'm curious how the sound quality is compared to touchscreen units double the price? I'm not experienced with aftermarket HU's.

It's the same if your just powering speakers off the head unit. May be lower if amped depending on what amp and speakers you use.

So with that in mind when do you start hearing a difference between head units?

When you drop around 300+ for speakers and 500+ for amps.

You either saved me a bunch of cash or persuaded me to do a full system instead of just a HU swap lol

IMO I would do it all and do it once.

After going through a few threads it looks like people are increasing unhappy with the Metra dash kit. Now trimming the bezel for a double din makes sense and fits but what have people who are running a single din doing?

I love this unit, but there is one flaw (for me). The USB port in the front. It looks aweful! I rarely use CD's. All my music comes from the ipod/phone. Does anyone know if there is a unit similar to this one with the port in the back? Or if there is a way to put a port on this one on the back (ideally).

I think I answered my own question. The CX609 seems to be what I was looking for. Thanks for the inspiration.

Thats a good install.

Thanks for that eastwest2300.
370Fan2000, the bluetooth connection to my iphone works so well, I never even use the USB. I just play all my music over the BT connection.

Nice! Very very nice!:tup:

cool. Do you happen to know the sample rate that BT is playing at?

Dude, I have no idea.

hey, i am getting the same HU for my 370z... i am really confuse to what i need to make all my hariness work with the oem. Can you please show me how u wired the hariness to the Clarion Mobile Electronics CX501?

if i dont install the Metra Axxess ASWC, will the buttons for cruise, etc work? or i will only lose the audio control w/o it?
Another question i have, the base model for the z only have 2 front speakers, can i bridge teh clarion cx501 into 2 speakers? making it 100x2 or somewhat higher power than 50x4?

Check the manual for the HU, but I highly doubt it.

Here is what you need (part numbers are from Crutchfield):
120ASWC Metra ASWC Auto Sensing Steering Wheel Cntrl Intrfc
120707552 Nissan Wire Harness receiver, 2007-up
12040NI12 Nissan Antenna Adapter OEM antenna to Motorola Male
0000390076 NISS 370Z 09- MS (Master instruction and wiring sheet)
Optional:
126CR3NGL Bojo ATH-CR3-NGL 3pc. Plastic Pry Tool Kit

If you don't install the Metra, your cruise control will still work. It has nothing to do with the radio controls.
If you install the HU, install the Metra! It's easy and works great.

The base model has 4 speakers.

thank you, i got all the items needed from amazon.
as for the speakers, i only know the 2 front speakers. Where are the other 2? when i test volume control on the balance for rear, there were no sounds...

There are no rear speakers in the stock z and no speaker wires leading to the back as well.

Most do not even bother putting them in as they are only like 3 1/4

Get brackets made so you can fit 6X9s in the doors.

The only thing with that is there are no good quality component sets with 6x9 I would recommend going with the 6.5

Yeah thats a good point, Matt you like them clear highs, I think I want it loud, and 6X9s do that for me without components.