Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X811

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Audio King

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1998

Summary:
This is the first head unit I''''ve personally used, but after installing a dozen of them in my friends cars, I see that my weeks of hunting for the perfect one paid off. This is the perfect example of what Kenwood can do. I love all of the amazing features. Did I mention the sweet D-mask flip-face plate?

Strengths:
CD player, equalizer, x-over all in one unit. 3 preouts and ZERO distortion. Gorgeous display and is great for running a well built system. Plus if u wanna show off your deck, just let it flip around and watch the excitment on your passengers faces.

Weaknesses:
The internal amp seems a bit weaker than the said 22/44 watts. But with this serious deck, go with a serious system and buy an amp! I''''m running 3 amps and its great

Similar Products Used:
I''''ve installed and toyed with: Pioneer, Clarion Pro, Sony Xplode and Blaupunkt (crap) and the Kenwood whooped em all hands down. If your serious about audio, Kenwood made this Excelon for you!

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Auto Fun

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000

Summary:
Ever since I installed my X811 in my Continental, I''ve been getting complement after compliment on its apearance and sound. This Deck has SOO many cool features: built-in X-overs, 3 preouts, everything you would want in a deck.

Strengths:
The features are amazing! Acoustically Perfect! The power out of the preouts and speakers are perfect too!

Weaknesses:
The only problems are the buttons are kinda small, but with a full function remote Kenwood''s got you covered. Display washes out in the sun, but with all of the good stuff, you can deal with that.

Similar Products Used:
Clarion, Pioneer, Sony, JVC: This Kenwood beats them hands down!

Price Paid:  $450.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1999

Summary:
i love it, when ever someone gets in my car and the face plate turns over they just compliment me on the fine product i have purchased. it complements my Jl's very nicely

Strengths:
everthing on this enginering marvel works like it was made.

Weaknesses:
----======== PERFECT ============-----

Similar Products Used:
I've had sony, rockford fosgate, and pioneer. nothing compares to its compleet enginuity

Summary:
I find this deck to be one of the best sounding and best looking decks out. Kenwood's Excelon line has done nothing but impress me. I get a lot of compliments on this deck, mostly for the revolving faceplate :). I would never go without a Kenwood Excelon deck for a minute!

Strengths:
Many EQ features for preouts. Excellent display. I love the Radio Data System for when I travel, not many other decks have that. Thanks Kenwood!!

Weaknesses:
buttons are small, cannot turn off without rotating faceplate, but I think I can deal with these small things when the sound is incredible!

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1999

Summary:
This deck was made for stereo competition in mind yet I dont compete. If you dont want to settle for second best than I recommen this deck. I paid $370 for my deck and it was a great deal but just before the 2000 models were coming out I saw it retail for about $250. I definitley recommend it to everyone who is looking for the Highest in features and quality and I plan to get another one. The new models are about $500 depending on where u shop but it is still very worth it. Remeber Your stereo system is only as good as its weakest link.

Strengths:
If your gonna spend anywhere in excess of a $1000 on your complete deck than no other deck will do. Features features features!!! This Deck Has It All. Kenwood Hands down makes the best decks out there and the eXcelons are their best. The Kenwood layout system on all their deck Ive found to be very easy to use and it functions really well the decks buttons are small but all these other features sure do make up for it-- awsome sound, built in EQ, rotatable face, and if u burn cds u know that cd text is the bomb! Not many decks have this feature and for someone like me, gold pre-outs,
IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THE BEST DECK FOR YOUR BUCK THIS IS IT!

Weaknesses:
I couldnt of been happier with my deck, two things though, first the buttons r small but a remote quickly solves that problem, second my deck was stolen (otherwise i wouldve kept it for the rest of my life) so I guess the revolving plate disnt too good at theft protection. It still is the coolest thing to show your friends regardless.

Similar Products Used:
Sony Xplode deck, Alpine, Lots of other Kenwood decks, and I mean Lots. The eXcelons are the best decks Kenwood has ever made their isn't anything I couldve asked for them to do extra to this deck it has it all.