AzNFoLife924

So I finally decided I've had enough with the stock head unit putting out only 8watts RMS.... And after much debate I decided I would go with a Clarion DUZ385SAT CD Receiver that puts out 20watts RMS.... Has bluetooth compatibility and an iPod interface control... I plugged my USB in to the back of the head unit and ran it to the glovebox... So i can control my tunes from the Head Unit and charge my iPod at the same time!

Thanks again to Cuddles for the writeup on the thread on how to install the head unit! This was much easier than I anticipated, and Crutchfield provided EVERYTHING I needed to do the install.

Just so you know, I'm running a stock sound system with the Door Tweeters, and 1 Aftermarket Kenwood KSC-SW10 Subwoofer. The sound out of this system now sounds GREAT! Ive only turned the system up half way and it sounds better than the stock did maxed out Well, On to some pics!

Here's my own quick little write-up... I didn't take many pictures... sorry!

First off, Remove the trim panel.... Gently pry along the edges to pull it off... Its held in by 5 clips... Shown here:


Next you'll see that the head unit is held in by 4 screws.... 2 on each side that I circled in red... Remove those so you can pull out the head unit...


Next comes the fun part! (No pics though) Simply take the harness provided with the Head unit, and connect them to the provided harness adapter... It's all color coordinated.... Any wires with no color matches between the two aren't needed....

Then simply plug in to the head unit.... then plug in to the existing wiring already in the car...

Attach the new In-Dash Receiver kit so you can mount it in to place... and here's what I ended up with!



And with the Trim back on...




The iPod cable run to the Glove Box...


And a few Night Shots:

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SeattleNate

I have almost the same head unit

Amazon.com: Clarion CX609 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with USB Port: Electronics

I think blue tooth may be the only difference.

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'04 XS

Tussen

looks very nice!

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06 XTL 4EAT 2.5XT-R Yimi Sport Tuned...

snajper69

I will asume that you lost your wheel controlls?

AzNFoLife924

Thread Starter

Thanks!

Yes, Temporarily.... I've purchased an Audio Control Adapter that I'm going to have to set up so that I can use them again

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doogle

did you order the PAC brand steering wheel controls? I have those on my 09 and they work great. I think I need to reprogram them though I've had issues with the volume up and down

2.5x_sleeper

Looks great & I bet it's a major improvement over the OEM/factory head unit!

Bobby...

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Terrainorg

Very nice! So you kept the factory speakers? Where's your subwoofer, under the seat?

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2010 Forester 2.5X Premium MT
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AzNFoLife924

Thread Starter

Yeah, I ordered the PAC Swi-Jak.... I hope I can figure out how to use it...

Thanks! And yeah, it is WAY better than the stock one was....

Thanks! Yeah, all the speakers are factory... thats all gonna change soon... and my sub is under the driver's seat

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Terrainorg

Thanks. Definitely keep us posted on the PAC steering wheel controls. The install for the head unit, at least, looks very straightforward. And it's a good-looking unit, too.

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2010 Forester 2.5X Premium MT
Paprika Red Pearl

felixthecat

It looks like PAC Audio supports the 2009 Forester among other Subie's:

Get vehicle info | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

I would presume it would operate on a 2010, since it is the same generation of vehicle?

WRBlueSPORTSXT

So, it was an immediate improvement in the sound quality over the stock head unit? I really like the looks of this clarion head unit, and it basically has everything I would ever want or need

Question, is the USB/iPod interface powered? Does it charge your iPod or iPhone while you use it? if anyone who has this or a similar head unit could please shoot me a PM that would be great!

Also, that looks great at night, blends right in, nice choice

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2008 Forester Sports XT - Nick

Nasarog

Looks good AzN, but can you still control the headunit from the steering wheel? If not, have you found an appropriate adapter to restore the controls?

AzNFoLife924

Thread Starter

Yup, they should... But the Control adapter depends on the type of head unit... If you check Pac-Audio, They vary based on HU manufacturer and models... So they have various ones there. The adapter Felix mentioned is the one I need to install still... I've heard from others on the forum with similiar head units on 09's that these work well.

Yup! it made the stock speakers sound alot better and they actually seemed DECENT... Think about it... the OEM pushes out 8watts RMS.... the Clarion pushes out 22watts RMS... Although To really get them to bump I'm planning on getting an amp... But the system at half volume is as loud as the stock was at full volume... minus the distortion... and much better clarity.

Oh! And I forgot to mention, the ipod charges while you play... There's a USB in the back of the head unit, which I ran to my glovebox, so When the car is on, it charges and I can play my music simultaneously.. Also, when you plug the ipod in, the HU automatically senses it and will set it as the default music player... Plus, the ipod interface is a huge improvement over the OEM ones.... With a push of a button, you get to scroll through playlists, artists, etc.... and pick individual songs... its so easy to use.

Yes, I plan on getting the Pac-Swi-Jak that Felix mentioned... just haven't got around to installing it yet... I'm too lazy to pull off my dash trim and unscrew everything and figure it all out for probably like the 100th time

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TC2000

Stereo looks nice in there good job!

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