Car Audio At It's Greatest!
Written: Feb 21 '02 (Updated Feb 21 '02)
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Pros: Iso-mount; removable faceplate; digital to analog convertor;
Cons: Um...None!
The Bottom Line: Simply perfect. Awesome sound, easy to use and tons of features. Recommended to anyone in the market for a reciever. ANYONE.
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| supahonda's Full Review: Kenwood KDC -X917 Car CD Player |
This reciever is the first major addition to my new Acura Integra. I plan on turning this baby into the greatest sounding car on the planet. And it all starts with the reciever. The Kenwood KDC-X917 CD Receiver provides all the features I could ever need, with amazing sound and a lots of features that lend themseleves to small Japanese cars, which are all the craze right now.
Features
The Kenwood KDC-X917 CD Receiver is jampacked with so many features, I don't think I will ever be able to use them all.
-) LCD Display: High resolution backlit display with 3-D FL display and spectrum analyzer, actaully showing the sound it plays!
-) D-Mask+: Removable OR revolving faceplate, which does a good job of protecting your investment.
-) Front/Rear Fader: Allows you to easily adjust which speakers should play the sound and at what volume. Also works if additional, after-market amplifiers are present.
-) Programmable Security Code System: Another feature that protects your investment. Stops the unit from working if disconnected from the battery. Starting it again requires you to enter a 4 digit password.
-) Iso-Mount Capability: Made to fit perfectly in small Japanese import cars. Desgined to fit factory brackets from most Japanese car manufacturers.
-) CD Text: Shows you what song is playing on the display.
-) 24 Station Preset: Including 18FM and 6AM stations
-) Remote: A fully wireless remote also comes with the unit, allowing to turn on your stereo from outside of the car.
As you can see, there is a lot of features. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are even more (although less important) features included with this reciever.
Overall, I am pleased with all of the different features, and I am grateful that Kenwood included them. Although most of them I will never use, it's still good to know that they are there. My favorite features are all of the security features, because my dads car has been broken into 7 times so far (he drives a Audi A8), and he has had his stereo taken 6 of those times. I hope that with all of the features, including the revolving faceplate, I will never have to take up a claim with my insurance company.
Sound
Obviously the most important feature in a car reciever (unless you are obsessed with fun gadgets). The Kenwood KDC-X917 puts out the greatest sound I have ever heard from a car. It creates awesome natural sound with any set up you have, even if you have external amps and subwoofers.
The maximum output coming from the Kenwood KDC-X917 is 50 watts X 4 channels. It also features a CD frequency response of 10-20,000 Hz. Kenwood has included many different features to make your car audio experience the most enjoyable. Here is a list of the most important ones:
-) System E's+ Advanced Crossover: Provides better preformance from all your speakers.
-) Front and rear sets of 4.5-volt preamp outputs.
-) 22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels
-) Digital to Analog Converter: Converts Digital data into an analog music signal
-) Tone Controls: Bass, Midrange, Treble
-) Digital Optimum Servo Control: DOSC determines the discs reflection rate to help compensate for skipping, vibration, smudges, fingerprints, dust and scratches.
-) Precision Digital Timing (DPAC: Ensures that digital data sounds are played at the same rate they were recorded at.
The KDC-X917 is the most natural sounding reciever I have come across and I recommend it to anyone that needs their music played clear at loud volumes. Many people so far have complimented me (particularly my girlfriend) on how good the sound is and how clear it is compared to other people. Even without a sub, I noticed that the bass is still clear and crisp sounding. Most of the main sound features don't really kick in until you get additional equipment, like amps, new speakers and subs, so I plan to update this review once I can find the perfect amp and sub.
Installation and Ease of Use
The Kenwood KDC-X917 is made for Japanese vechicles driven my teenagers with lots of money to spend. The ISO -Mount allows it to fit perfect with Japanese sports cars, and the High Voltage pre-amp out is perfect for subs. Also, the front/rear fader gets your speakers working thier best. You can also shut off the internal amp if you have external amps.
I managed to install this baby in less that half an hour, but it might take longer if your car is American made. The only real problem I had was trying to set the receiver up for optimal sound from my speakers. It took a lot of fine tuning with the bass and treble control to finally get a setting I liked. And my favorite part is that you can save the setting so you never have to adjust them again.
Overall, the Kenwood KDC-X917 is an amazing reciever. Everything about it is perfect and I have no complaints whatsoever. Also, the Kenwood KDC-X917 comes with a 2 year warrenty.
*****This is the first audio upgrade to my Integra. If you have any ideas about what I should add next, please drop me some comments. Thanks*****
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 502.99
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Epinions.com ID:
supahonda
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Member: David DiGirolamo
Location: Ontario, Canada
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at phildigirolamo@hotmail.com
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