Kenwood KDC X817 CD Receiver

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Al & Eds

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001 Kenwood KDC-X817

Summary:
Love is too weak a word for my feelings of this unit It sounds amazing! I love that it plays CDr & RWs

Strengths:
Sound quality, flexibility of configuration, mask & removable face, front & rear 4.5 volt outputs plus non fading sub 4.5volt output

Weaknesses:
Butons too small and close together

Similar Products Used:
KDC-811, KDC-X911

Price Paid:  $430.00 from megamart

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1989 Chevy K-1500

Summary:
This headunit is great! Its nice to have something that alot of people dont have. The display is very nice and bright. Im powering four infinty Kappa 4x6 speakers from the deck and I have a MB Quart 10" sub powered by a kenwood amp.

Strengths:
-The equalizer and crossovers are very nice -The display and motorized front. -Nice power from deck -Very clear cd-player never skips -The screensavers are sweet! -The remote is very nice so you dont have to bend over all the time. I thought it was stupid at first but I like it

Weaknesses:
-The eject button is too close to the volume button so you might accidently hit it -The crossover for the sub. Goes from 50 to 80 to 120 to 150 -Bit expensive

Similar Products Used:
pioneer

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I love the motorized d-mask face plate. It''s something you know is very unique, and I always get compliments from people who see it. Very nifty! Animated graphics are pretty cool too, though I''d suggest never to buy a HU based SOLELY on faceplate animated graphics...the novelty wears off after a while. Excellent unit...the smart alternative to the x917. As far as I can tell, it''s exactly the same except that it doesn''t allow the internal amp to be turned off (definitely not worth the xtra $50). Playback is flawless, and mine has yet to skip, even after hitting pretty decent bumps, though I haven''t had a chance to try cd-rs yet. It allows LOTS of flexibility given the quasi-parametric eq and high-pass x-overs for the front and rear, low-pass x-over for the sub output. In regards to the first reviewers complaint about changing eq settings, you have to make sure you adjust the settings while you''re in ''user preset'' mode. If you do it in one of the other built-in factory EQ modes, it won''t store the changes in memory (something I didn''t realize at first), which leads me to one of my first observations.... -reading the owners manual is a MUST. I suppose it isn''t surprising given all the options available. I would have preferred being able to store more than one eq setting, so that you can have different settings for different types of music that you listen to (it doesn''t just store eq, but also x-over points, sub output, etc.) Other minor nitpicks: 1. up volume is too close to the cd eject button. 2. I echo the first reviewer''s complaint about the method of changing from cd to tuner mode. 3. menu system is kind of tedious, but realistically you shouldn''t need to be making all that many changes anyway. 4. the faceplate trim supplied for installation in Japanese cars is kind of flimsy. 5. I would have preferred bigger flexibility in sub x-over points (only allows 80hz, 120hz, and 150hz?) I don''t mean to focus on cons...just little things I noticed. Overall, I love the unit, and I would definitely buy it again if given the chance.

Strengths:
-Impressive motorized d-mask face plate and graphical display. -Excellent playback -LOTS of flexibility

Weaknesses:
-A bit complicated to set up at first, controls/menus take some getting used to.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I upgraded from a 9011 and found some of the user interface features baffling. My 9011 "feels" more robust. Here are some dislikes: - When changing from CD to tuner, one must press the source button twice; otherwise, the unit will shut off. The unit should have been designed like conventional models (hold down power to turn off). Like anything else, this just takes some getting used to. - I''ve also had some problems with the user memory EQ - either I''m doing something wrong or my settings mysteriously change. Despite the above, this is still an excellent unit I would recommend - the pros far outweigh the cons.

Strengths:
Beautiful. Limited parametric EQ.

Weaknesses:
None. Buttons feel "cheaper" than previous unit.

Similar Products Used:
9011

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Crutchfield

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000 Accord

Summary:
Great head unit, everyone that sits in my car is amazed by its motorize face and great display. Very powerful and great looking.

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
The plug that connects to the back of the reciver is a little loose on mine and fell out once. A little pricey but worth it if you want a good product.

Similar Products Used:
Had a Pioneer headunit in last car and i like this one much better.