Ever since I knew about the MP3 file format,
I thought it would awesome to have a CD player that could decode and play MP3 files.
My first MP3CD player was a real junky handheld unit that simply SUCKED!
Thankfully, this second-generation Kenwood Z919 was much better. Put simply, I think this IS THE BEST HEADUIT available today. If youre going to be spending over $400 on a headuit, it would be stupid to buy anything else. I can't understand spending that much money on a unit that only plays audio CD's.

Pros-
Obvisouly, the ability to store over 150 songs on a 700 MB CD-R or RW has its benefits. You dont have to carry many CD's in your car to have a huge selection of music. Of course, with a CD with that many songs, it is important to be able to organize them efficiently. That is where the Z919 really shines. It can display a 30 character file name (provided you recorded it properly. otherwise it will only show 8) , as well as a folder name. The Z919 has a "select" mode that allows you to browse up and down levels in the directory structure very easily, just like a computer. You can have several levels of directory as well, each with 30 character names. I often make a directory for a band, and then have sub directories for each album (btw- a MP3CD can hold about 14 standard albums!) If I want to listen to a certain album, I navigate to that folder and hit "Play"
The "Random" mode plays random files ONLY IN THE CURRENT DIRECTORY! Kind of a problem, but I have a few CD's with all 200 songs in the root directory that I use for random play. I noticed a review saying the Z919 skips. I have not found that to be the case. Perhaps if it is not mounted well it may, but I have mine in a off-roading Jeep and HAVE NEVER HEARD ONE SKIP! I cant say that for any other CD player I had in there.
For the actually sound quality, The Z919 has a lot of options. You can set high and low pass filters for the front and rear speakers separately. It has a psudo-equalizer with 6 presets and 6 memories. The EQ allows you to adjust bass and treble levels, and determine what frequency is defined by each. Built-in amp is just that. Has preouts and a sub preout.

Cons-
The 4-way button (for file/directory changes) is kind of hard to use, but a remote control makes it not necessary to touch.
The CD-R/W has to be recorded in ISO9660 with long file names if you want to see a full file name. Standard JOULET discs only show DOS file names, like METALL~1.MP3 The unit has a fold-down faceplate to load CD's, but it cant not be removed. I would expect that on something costing $550. That's the number 1 thing I would change.
You cant fast-forward files, and the Random mode only works in the current directory level. Kenwood went a little overboard in the display, it really does not need all that it has.

Overall, I think the Z919's benefits totally outweigh its shortcomings. It is a well-built
unit, that does so much more than any other headunit available.

--Bob



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 550