Alpine CDA-9831 vs. Clarion DXZ835MP, Having Trouble Deciding Options

[Coomer]

Does anyone have experience with these head units? I'm having trouble deciding which one, because they both have their different strengths.

Alpine CDA-9831

• Ability to black out display and turn off internal amps for better sound quality
• Ability to search for a MP3 while another is still playing
• 4 band parametric EQ

Clarion DXZ835MP

• Sub control lever directly on faceplate
• Full control over button and display color
• Cheaper

Does anyone know if the Clarion has the ability to browse for another MP3 to play while the current track is still playing, then you hit a button and it starts playing the MP3 you just browsed to? I know the Alpine supports this for sure, but I didn't see this mentioned in the Clarion's manual.

And which would you guys recommend, and why?

[mikew04]

I would go with the alpine. I would not expect the difference when you blackout the screen and turn the internal amp off to be great, or even noticible at all. I have a similar HU and i like blacking out the screen so its not so bright at night, but i do prefer having my rear stock speakers playing off the internal amp as opposed to turning it off altogether. The mp3 feature is very convenient and easy to use (as are the rest of the controls and features on the HU,) and the sound quality is great.