Kenwood KDC V7017 CD Receiver

Price Paid:  $250.00 from EBAY

Year / Model Reviewed:
 KDC-V7017

Summary:
Good design, Great sound quality and features for the money. It produces much better sound than the factory head unit (Mazda Millenia, non Bose system), with the factory speakers! I can't wait to hear it with some good mb quarts or boston acoustics...but the sound is so good now it hasn't justified that purchase yet. It looks nice, not cheap, and the color switching options are neat to have also.

Strengths:
Fit and finish, sound quality, lack of sound distortion, FM reception, add-on options (compass, heads-up display, weather-band radio, sirius satellite ready), Flawless operation of flip function which hides the head unit from would be thieves...

Weaknesses:
Buttons kind of small, but hey, I use the remote about 99.99% of the time, so how can I complain? I can't think of any other weakenesess...after having this unit over a year. Highly Recommended!

Similar Products Used:
Blaupunkt Cd reciever (mid-range), Stock Mazda head unit, Clarion (mid-range) head unit.

Price Paid:  $100.00 from From a friend

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001

Summary:
Overall great deck. It has lots of features and puts out great sounds. It has 2 sets for pre-amp outs to run multiple amps off of and the screen that changes colour is amazing.

Strengths:
Number of features, sound quality, ability to play CD-R's and CD-RW's, changing colour display, remote control, and how the face plate rotates completely around to be hidden from view.

Weaknesses:
$$ kinda high if paid full price, thats about it

Similar Products Used:
Lower end Pioneer, doesn't compare to kenwood

Price Paid:  $179.00 from local chain

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002

Summary:
My 95 Formula has indiglo gauges so this was a for sure purchase, 67 colors to choose from, sweet! Looks nice, mask or face off your choice, nice. Ok, hows it sound, not too bad with my gear. its not as nice (features) as the pioneer DEH''s but does have some control over contour. final statement:The color scan mode is fromage! (thats cheese in french punchy!)it made me dizzy, but good for the price tou can match your gauge no probs. Make sure you use the dimmer.

Strengths:
multi color display is very cool. Nice finishing touch with indiglo, easy matching. OH ya i like the tilt on the face when you power up. It tilts toward you 1 postion not 2 as stated.

Weaknesses:
Text display is weak. theres a bunch of useless characters on the display, thank God you can turn em off. Sure hope the mask on this one works for a while I fixed my older one twice, next time it goes back through they''re window.

Similar Products Used:
kdc-8007 I think.