Kenwood KDC X917 CD Receiver

Price Paid:  $10.00 from ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Kenwood KDC X917

Strengths:
50Wx4 channels 3 preamp outputs Spectrum analyzer Great adjustable EQ

Weaknesses:
Obviously, its broken.

Summary:
Bought it broken off of ebay, haven't had time to fix it, but when I do, it'll kick. I've read the reviews, and here's what they say...I own a 1988 Kenwood casette player (Model #?) but its been broken, and was an easy fix. Radio function still works today. I've used this model Kenwood before (tested it out), and as far as I could tell, I would have bought it, had I not been short of money.

Similar Products Used:
Like mentioned, Kenwood tape player. Great product, Kenwood is a highly reliable brand.

Price Paid:  $313.00 from ebay

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001

Strengths:
-Internal amp mute -Women love the D-Mask (great conversation on a first date to break the ice.) -Hi-volt preouts

Weaknesses:
-No matter where I set my crossovers for my front and rear speakers, there wasn't any change in sound. It could just be my setup but I seriously doubt it. Could also be just my head unit, but nevertheless the front and rear preouts did not seem to do anything. Non-fading (sub) worked just fine. -The eject button is extremely close to the increase volume button. I accidently pushed the eject button on average about 3-4 times a week.

Summary:
I was very satisfied with my x917 when I first bought it. It seemed to be everything that I wanted and more. However, the more I used it and the more I looked/listened/used my friend's Pioneer deh-p740mp, the more I wanted to change over to a Pioneer. Three weeks ago my Kenwood x917 died on me for no reason what so ever. The display wouldn't turn on, my cd wouldn't eject, and no music would play. I WAS PISSED!! My Kenwood served me well for about 1.5 years, but now it is time to move on to something wish a lot more bang for the buck. D-mask on the x917 is kind of a joke because it was Kenwood's top-of-the-line at the time and they made the exterior a high gloss black which is very recognizable. To all out there looking for a versatile head unit: If you can afford an Eclipse deck GET ONE!!! I want to get one to replace my Kenwood but with everyday expenses (girlfriend) I can't see spending $600-$1000 on a cd player no matter how much I love my car audio system. I'm going to be buying the new Pioneer deh-p750mp in the next month and I know it's going to beat out my Kenwood any day of the week (in features and in price.) Kenwood's not a bad product at all, but they are not even close to being the best for the money. Needless to say I will not be buying another Kenwood product for my car again.

Similar Products Used:
-Pioneer Premier Series (740,750,940) Note: Pioneer deh-p850mp is a waste of money because I have heard horror stories about the "double faceplate" breaking. Clarion dxz935 (Clarion's flag ship):

Price Paid:  $519.00 from Soundsolutions

Strengths:
Lots of versitility, from the internal crossover to the different displays.

Weaknesses:
At first I found the unit to be difficult to use with all the different buttons but one your used it, its fine

Summary:
I bought this deck with the entire purpose of the internal amp mute. Also with the amp engaged the deck has measured itspre-out at 8.1volts at the store I bought this from. Since I am running completly off an amp it was perfect for me. But I highly recomend this deck if you are going to run all off an amp.

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic 200U

Price Paid:  $270.00 from Work discount

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001

Strengths:
-Great looks -Cool display -BMS -Sound countouring

Weaknesses:
-A little bit of button clutter. -Track selection buttons are on the right side of deck, illogically placed to make the deck look symetrical. Some drivers may have to stretch a bit (like myself)

Summary:
Previously, I had an eXcelon cassete deck, so the parametric EQ, internal crossover, and BMS control are not new to me. What I did like about this deck was the fact that kenwood finally decided to include a parametric midrange setting, which finally enhanced the warm vocals in my music. The sound is able to be contoured with great precision, and the megamotion display is absolutly gorgeous. At retail price ($500) this deck is a bit pricey, but for what I paid, I am very satisfied with the performace. This deck is identical to the X817, except this one has an internal amp mute which is good if you run solely off external amplifiers. from my experience, All kenwood excelon decks sound the same. They have the same EQ setup, crossover network, preout voltage, and power rating. The more you pay, the more additional features you''ll get, like the cool display, and the amp mute. But in terms of sound, they are all equal. But strictly speaking, this deck excells in every respect. You will not be dissapointed

Similar Products Used:
kenwood KRC X858 cassette deck.