sisbliss

Alright...I'm a total newbie when it comes to car stereos and I'm not too literate with any of the terminologies. I know I do want some sort of MP3 player in my car, so what do you guys think of the Kenwood KDC-X569? Do the specs below look good to you? Anything in there that would not be compatible with a '01 ES sedan? Anything else I would need to buy in order to have this player in my car?

Thanks for all the help! Show off what you know and reply to this thread




Here are the specs:

==========================================
- Dual-Zone Audio Control
- Flip-Down Removable Faceplate with Carrying Case
- High-Pass and Low-Pass Electronic Crossovers
- Kenwood Music Keg Ready
- Maximum Output Power: 50 Watts x 4
- Plays MP3-Encoded CD-Rs and Conventional CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs
- Preouts: Front, Rear and Non-Fading
- Rotary Encoder Volume Control
- SIRIUS Satellite Ready
- System Q EX Sound Control
- LCD Display: Color Multi-Mode, with White LED Backlight

GENERAL FEATURES
- Clock
- Display Contrast Adjustment
- Display Dimmer
- Display Readout: 5 x 7 12-Character Dot Matrix
- Finish: Ebony
- Flip-Down Removable Faceplate with Carrying Case
- Iso-Mount Capability for Japanese Vehicles
- Power Supply Stabilization Capacitor
- Rotary Encoder Volume Control
- Sub Illumination: Blue
- Illuminated Function Buttons: Green & Red (Selectable)
- LCD Display: Color Multi-Mode, with White LED Backlight
- Touch-Tone Buttons: Defeatable

POWER RATINGS
- Full Bandwidth Power (less than 1%% THD): 22 Watts x 4
- Maximum Output Power: 50 Watts x 4

AUDIO FEATURES
- Attenuator with Smooth Volume Return
- B.M.S. Amplifier Interface
- Dual-Zone Audio Control
- Electronic Audio Control (Volume, Balance, Fader)
- Front/Rear Fader
- High-Pass Electronic Crossover: Front: 100/125/170Hz/Through; Rear: 200Hz/Through, 6dB/oct
- Loudness Control
- Low-Pass Electronic Crossover: 50/80/120Hz/Through, 12dB/oct
- Preouts: Front, Rear and Non-Fading
- Source Tone Memory
- System Q EX Sound Control: with User Memory
- Tone Controls: Bass, Midrange, Treble

COMPACT DISC FEATURES
- 0-Bit Mute
- CD Text
- Digital Filter: 8-Times Oversampling
- Digital Optimum Servo Control
- Digital to Analog Converter: Integrated Quad 1-Bit
- Intro Scan
- Play/Pause
- Plays MP3-Encoded CD-Rs and Conventional CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs
- Precision Digital Timing (DPAC)
- Random Play
- Repeat Play: Track, Disc

AMPLIFIER FEATURES
- MOSFET Power Amplifier IC
- Muting Circuit for Internal Amplifier: Switchable

CHANGER CONTROL FEATURES
- CD Text Display
- Changer Control: 2, or 1 + Aux (with KCA-S210A or Compatible Changer)
- Disc Name Preset Play
- Disc Naming
- Kenwood Music Keg Ready
- Random Play: Disc, Magazine
- Repeat Play
- Scan: Track, Disc

TUNER FEATURES
- Automatic Memory Entry
- HD Radio Ready
- High-Speed Multipath Control (CRSC) with ANRC
- Kenwood CR-2 Advanced Tuner
- Seek Tuning
- SIRIUS Satellite Ready
- Station Presets: 24 (18FM, 6 AM)

MisterT

Kenwood makes some nice head units. In my opinion, that is all they make that I like. They are perhaps one of the best in terms of bang for your buck too! You can get more features than most (that are decent units) for less money or the same. I would recommend Kenwood. I don't care for the sound of their speakers, but again my opinion. I had one of their amps years ago, and it worked great as a sub amp, but as far as for highs when replacing it with a bigger amp, I liked my old Alpine although half the power. You could hear the difference in sound quality. The Kenwood was a little too bright whereas the Alpine amp was more natural uncolored sounding. So as far as head units are concerned, Kenwood makes good head units! I like the features too. I don't think you would be at all disappointed if you selected that model.

MisterT

sisbliss

Thanks MisterT for your input!

I'm getting more and more convinced that I want this HU

hihoslva

I've run Kenwood decks for years, and never had a problem with one. Ever.

I'm with Mr.T - good bang-for-buck product.

My only complaints about Kenwoods are that they could be more "attractive", and a bit more user-friendly. I'd love to have the EQ's and such more "accessible", rather than having to scroll menus to get to the adjustments. And the decks look *okay*, but there are far nicer-looking units out there. Just my opinions.

But the MP8017 I have now has been in my car for almost 2 years, without a single hiccup. And I bought two of them - one is in the wife's Jeep for the same amount of time. Neither has had a single issue, and both still work perfectly.

~HH

BaLa

I have the KDC-X469 same HU
(-) mp3 playback
(-) selectable button illumination

(at least thats what Crutchfield says)

I think it's a great HU
I really like the looks of it too..
and it has pretty good specs for the price as well..

can't compare it to anything else really..but it sounds pretty good in my car considering I still have factory speakers..

oh and btw;
I have a 2001 DX and I don't think there were any probs installing it..(got it done proffesionally) bought the radio @ Crutchfield...

MisterT

I know what you mean. The new head units no matter the brand have so many buttons to push that you can swurve off the road trying to adjust the music. That is partly why I got the Alpine that I still have. One **** for volume and just push it in to adjust TRE, BASS, BAL, FAD...Easy to use and 4 volt preouts. It also has a remote control which I used in my 88 Fullsize GMC Jimmy. It came in handy because the car was so bouncy. I would try to turn up the volume, hit a bump and accidently push the button in which the BASS level adj. feature would come on.
Now that it's in my sedan, I don't mess with the remote.

MisterT

pope_P5

I think you would be very happy with the x569. The only thing you might want to consider is if you plan on adding any amps. If you plan on running subs or something you might want to consider going with the x869 which adds 5V preouts. If you are just looking for a good all around head unit then i think you found it.

sisbliss

Thanks for pointing that out pope!

Well, if I go with the x569, does that I mean I won't be able to add a sub or an amp later since it doesn't have a 5V preout? I'm trying to stick to a budget so that's why I'm not look at other models and I kinda don't like how the x869 has that fold down panel.

I told you I don't know anything about car stereos

BaLa

no..

in fact you can add 3 amps

front, rear, sub..

higher voltage pre-out means cleaner signal..(correct me if I'm wrong)
the KDC-X569 has 2 volt PreAmp Outputs

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...s&i=113KDCX569

hihoslva

You can add amps to any deck.

But the higher the signal voltage, generally the cleaner and better the sound when using amplifiers.

But no worries about lower voltage - my Kenny has measly 1.8 volt outputs, and I use them with amps just fine - and it cranks.

While important, pre-out voltage is usually over-emphasized when purchasing.

It's not going to matter enough for you - go for the deck you like.

~HH

sisbliss

Thank you!! All your comments really helped a lot!!

slip415

But the MP8017 I have now has been in my car for almost 2 years, without a single hiccup. And I bought two of them - one is in the wife's Jeep for the same amount of time. Neither has had a single issue, and both still work perfectly.

~HH


ahhh i wish i could say the same with my mp8017 deck. i bought mine new from crutchfield a few years ago, and i loved it. i still do, but just last week it started having problems. i believe it's an issue with the "printer ribbon" that connects the face base to the receiver. i think it got crimped or something when the d + mask was rotated halfway between stowed and cd eject position. i really do like this deck, but now i can only get it to work when it's tilted at about 20 degrees /. i only can control the volume and the source select. i cant change tracks or change the system Q (preset eq) because it keeps scanning the different eq presets. it pisses me off because i am torn. should i fix it or just buy a new deck?

as for kenwood mp3 decks, i would recommend them, but just be careful if you have a motorized or manual d + mask. dont put any tall bottles into your drink holder.

BaLa

if you had your deck for 2 yrs I would recommend something newer anyways..lots o' better stuff out there

I bet also unless you can fix it yourself..you might have to pay quite a bit to get it fixed...

hihoslva

Agreed.

Consumer electronics have become so relatively cheap that it's rarely worth it to fix something unless it's under warranty or a very expensive piece.

Truth is, I always figured that if anything was going to crap out on the deck, that would be it - that "ribbon" of wire from the deck to the face. But for now at least, I'm still in fine shape.

~HH

1st MP3 in NH

The X569 has proven very reliable and is a good performer. It is the only kenwood unit I would buy. The others, well,