Car Audio Talk With Seth Halstead From JvcKenwood Corp lets talk new 10" touch screen radios 

That analog volume knob wins it for me. Hands down

How did it turn out? I just got the same unit for my 2019 Camry.

@@lukeskywalker1901 it's amazing. Took me about 3 hours.

Inexcusable.. but they add HDMI...pfffft!

@@cueball981 @Kc Emery And it would literally cost no more than $5 in parts to add this to the head unit's PCB. Unfortunately, $5 is way too many pennies negatively affecting their bottom line and ROI. :-(

You could always use an HDMI to Toslink converter, maybe Kenwood makes one

@Arif For your passenger (wife), the viewing experience would be 200% better on a 10" iPad or Android tablet. Bluetooth through the head unit for Audio.

@@bbfoto7248 Heya Buddy, thanks. Been down that road. We don't like having a bunch of devices going. I'm a bit of an audiophile as well. I built systems mostly in high end homes for Sound Advice as an engineer and Audio One back in the day. Quite a few car stereo part time for fun at Audio Logic and SA. I'm not a huge fan of BT. Don't like a lot of clutter and stuff. I like my devices to work the way I'd like them to. Or the way I engineer it. I was an early adopter of appradio unchained and anything but the freedom to do what I need just makes it like not being able to download third party apps. Just doesn't fit our needs. To each his own 😁 I'd rather not need to root my phone again to AA mirror and carstream etc. The Chinese units are getting really good As far as hardware goes. I may get one and start customizing my with higher end components. The old mp3car movement kinda fizzled. Not too many putting in raspberry pie and carputers these days. Hard to integrate these iso dashes and systems. I may get the Kenwood, see how it does. I'd just like to see it functioning first. Not buy online. Maybe I'll drive to Tampa when they are up.

@@arifwulf Oh, and definitely check out the Kenwood head units in person BEFORE buying. You don't really learn or realize their true shortcomings until you've actually lived with them for a month or two! But what may be issues for me may not bother you or affect your use case scenario. Google search, "DIYMA NEW 2018 Kenwood DNX995S" for my own and others review of the Kenwood XR head units. Here's the direct link... www.diymobileaudio.com/threads/new-2018-kenwood-excelon-dnx995s.382090/ And I'll gladly leave it to you to re-engineer those horrible Chinese Android head units. :-P Have fun with that, mate. Not worth the time, effort, or trouble IMPO!

Flagship models without digital outputs is inexcusable in today's DSP era! I ran with a JVC SH707 back in the day. Sexy headunits for sure!

@@cueball981 @justkiddin1980 Not gonna happen, unfortunately. Although I agree that Digital Optical outputs would be great to have for use with the current proliferation of modern DSPs, and also to eliminate RFI & EMI noise in vehicles where radiated noise and ground loops are common problems. I actually still have a fully functioning single-DIN JVC KD-SH707 in my beater/hauler ranch pickup. Still sounds great!

First week in October will be available at the retail stores

It has options for both

The kenwood one is better than pioneer

Unfortunately, I doubt it. Currently, there is simply not a large enough market in single-DIN compatible units (whether traditional or hybrid large screen units) for them to consider investing in the production of a completely separate unit that would have limited sales numbers. :( These companies have to concentrate on maximum ROI just to stay in business. The market for single-DIN compatible head units has been dwindling exponentially for the last 5+ years.

Sure its gonna be $3 grand +++

@@trevormoore4198 I don't think they'll be quite that much, but not too far off for the TOTL model. And IMO $200 is for a simple HD backup camera is total price gouging... Think about this...the MUCH more sophisticated UHD+ camera modules that are infinitely smaller (more expensive to manufacture) and are available in sub-$400 smartphones are infinitely better quality. And the smartphone cameras are also weather-tight. But that camera module is just a small fraction of the included components that are required to manufacturer that ENTIRE sub-$400 retail price smartphone. It would be pushing it to say that the smartphone camera module costs any more than $25 at most. Add $5 for wiring and connectors (again way more than it costs to actually manufacturer), and another $5 for the housing.& mounting hardware, and you're at $35 to manufacturer that camera... Again, that is for a MUCH more sophisticated and higher quality camera module than these simple "backup cameras". IMO, these Kenwood HD backup cameras should be $100 at most.

Yes

Honestly, these TOTL Kenwood eXcelon Reference (XR) head units already sound incredibly good. No joke. I have High-End stand-alone component DACs in my home audiophile stereo and headphone rigs, and it's impressive how well these XR car audio units compare (considering all of the features they have and the cost). But I still have issues with the Fugly and Dated GUI, and serious issues with real-world functionality.

@@bbfoto7248 Your right Kenwood's do sound good as well as some Alpine's. Any idea what DAC's they use? I've been through them all! I also have some Oppo headphone gear HA-1 and Oppo 4k Blu-ray players. I am a bit nostalgic for CD changers lol. Had a dual 18bit Alpine that sounded awesome! I was MECP certified when I was 20 and worked as an installer for a couple years. Turned 49 in August, miss a lot of that stuff!

Anything's possible with a Sawzall and some duct tape. :-P

Is it a double din

@Edward Jones I'm fairly certain the Kenwood "XR" units with *iDataLink Maestro* compatibility will replace and allow you to control most of your OEM functions. Go to the *iDataLink Maestro* web site and input your Specific Vehicle and the Head Unit Model # you are interested in using. Their guide will tell you what OEM functions can or will be retained if you use the Maestro RR interface module.

@@bbfoto7248 most OEM isnt good enough, will stick with factory until...thx for the reply

@Reeferdog Bassin Completely agree. The GUI is Fugly, Dated and way too busy. I own the 2018 & 2019 DDX9905S and DDX9906XR head units and they have A LOT of functionality flaws, and the GUI looks almost the same on these new models...busy, dated & Fugly. Nearly all of this could be fixed with firmware/software updates. But don't hold your breath, Kenwood SUX in this regard and have only provided ONE update just so they would "legally'' comply with the advertised features. IMO, the GUI, and USABLE, SAFE functionality is still "broken" in many regards. SMH. HOWEVER, the SOUND QUALITY is amazing if your system is set up right. But in terms of the GUI & real-world ease of operation, they have a LONG way to go IMO.

@@bbfoto7248 time to rsx gs90 sony.. sorry...to do the best player..

@@chrisnas1483 WTH? Was my previous reply/comment deleted? I guess no one is allowed to state their personal OPINION here. Anyhow...I've owned and used the RSX-GS9. NO THANKS, you can keep it. Sony's app that is required in order to make use of many of its key features is a lackluster POS and not safe to use while driving (IMO). In addition, most states have laws against using "mobile devices" while driving, so there's that. I honestly don't know what Sony was thinking when they decided to develop this head unit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Sony hater. I have owned and loved Sony's previous flagship "Mobile ES" head units in the past. I've had the CDX-C910 & CDX-C90 in multiple vehicles and still use the C90 in one system. In a "High End Head Unit Shootout" on the DIYMA forums, we tested 8 of the best SQ head units in a BLIND listening test. You can still download and listen to the samples for yourself. Just make sure you do it "blind" and don't continue reading the thread and the results until AFTER you have made your own blind judgments on the SQ of each head unit! When the results were revealed, a few people chose the GS9 as #1, but not nearly as many as expected. I personally chose the Sony CDX-C90 as my #1, with the Pioneer Premier DEX-P99RS in 2nd place, and the Sony GS9 as a very close 3rd. At home I have fairly high-end recording studio monitors, an "audiophile" home audio rig, and headphone DAC/Amp setups, and I used all three to compare the files (blind) and rank them before knowing which was which. Anyway, despite its popularity, the GS9 is not for me. Most of that comes down to the UI and UX when it's used as the main source unit in a daily driver vehicle. If all I did was compete in SQ events, I still don't think I would use the GS9. I'd rather use my 8" tablet or portable high-end DAP as my source connected to my DSP directly via digital coaxial or USB, or even using the DAP's analog line level outputs. YMMV

@@bbfoto7248 iam assuming you are a kenwood fan.....

Yes

...Crickets...

Nooo

Detents

Five Star Car Stereo YESSSSS!!!

LOL, I hope you're kidding! I still own over 1,200 CDs, DVD-Audio discs, and SACD discs, but I'm currently halfway through ripping them all to Lossless digital files archived onto a large master HDD, and then onto multiple 2TB SSDs that are connected to my home and DDX9905S & DDX9906XR car stereo head units. I will NEVER go back to carrying or playing physical disc media that take up huge amounts of space and are prone to damage and/or scratches, etc. YMMV

@Trevor Moore The only significant reason IMO is if you normally travel through areas that do not have cell service that is needed to display map images and update them as you progress along your route. Although being able to pre-download maps that cover the desired area when using Google NAV make that a moot point. The TOTL model with Garmin NAV does have a few other features that the non-NAV units lack. One feature is that the display/screen has One Downward-Tilting Angle available to help reduce glare on the screen that is reflected by sun & bright sky coming through the vehicle's windows. There are a few other differences, but IMO they are minor. Google Maps & Waze Maps on your smartphone automatically update on a regular basis for FREE, along with app or program updates and feature enhancements. And you also get free live traffic updates. The built-in Garmin NAV app & map updates are much more stagnant and are updated less frequently. I've never really missed any of the features of the built-in Garmin NAV units. But there are still some people out there that want to have built-in NAV without having to use a smartphone.

@@bbfoto7248 thanks for the reply...hate to c the price

@@trevormoore4198 Yeah, the prices are significant. I only purchased my last two Kenwood XR DDX head units because I got REALLY GOOD deals on them. IMO, they still have way too many functionality flaws and a seriously dated GUI & UX to consider paying the full price for. YMMV

I just bought the jvc kw1000w with allll the installation parts and tools and the maestro and dash kit and everything and it came out to $1,796. You were spot on lol.

The Kenwood eXcelon Reference head units already DO play FLAC files. And Hi-Res FLAC and WAV files up to 24-bit/192kHz as well. I play these types of files every day on my "old" 2018 Kenwood XR DDX9905S and slightly newer DDX9906XR head units using portable 2TB USB HDDs. 95% of popular music that is available wasn't originally recorded any higher than 24/96, and the vast majority was recorded at just 24/44.1 or 24/48. Most music that is advertised and sold as being "Hi-Res" was simply Remastered to a higher bit & sample rate from the original lower res masters. Otherwise it has been converted or "digitized" to 24/96 (and sometimes higher rates) from the original Analog master tapes, which by nature have a set and limited dynamic range due to magnetic tape compression/saturation limits, so there is no true advantage to using the higher bit depths and sample rates. What other "Hi-Res" file options could you possibly want for a CAR audio system?

@@bbfoto7248 but I meant fast processing like sony hi res player rsx gs90

@@bbfoto7248 kenwood can't do sony... sorry..

@@chrisnas1483 FYI, I owned and used the Sony RSX-GS9 before I switched to the Kenwood DDX9905S & DDX9906XR head units. In my honest opinion, the Sony RSX-GS9 did NOT have noticeably better SQ than the Kenwood XR's. I was and still am a long-time fan of the previous Sony CDX-C90 flagship single-DIN head unit. Too bad that they have a horrible faceplate display that deteriorates over time and becomes unreadable. I've had to buy 3 replacement faceplates over the years to keep that system going. :/ Also in a *blind* "High-End Head Unit Shootout" listening test on the DIYMA forums which compared the SQ of 8 High-End head units (including the Sony GS9), I personally ranked the older Sony CDX-C90 in 1st place, and the Pioneer Premier DEX-P99RS as a close 2nd. The Sony GS9 was 3rd. I used my professional Neumann KH-120 Studio Monitors and Beyerdynamic T1 headphones to judge the head units. You can still download the digital files from the DIYMA thread and listen for yourself. If you do, just download and listen to the files first (don't read the results later in the thread) so that your decisions remain completely unbiased. In addition, my personal car audio systems consist of fairly decent gear: the Focal Elite Utopia M, Gladen Aerospace, and Audiofrog GB components, and the Helix DSP Ultra, Helix DSP Pro MK II, and miniDSP C-DSP 8x12 v2 Dirac Live processors. So it's not like the rest of my systems aren't good enough to reveal the true quality of the Sony GS9. I also still have an old school system in one of my car's that is using the Sony CDX-C90 HU and XDP-4000x DSP which still holds its own against the newer systems. IMO, the smartphone/tablet app for Sony GS9 sucks and is a PITA to use in a moving vehicle. That's when I got rid of my GS9 and went with the TOTL Kenwood XR double-DIN head units. With the GS9, you also don't have a screen to display any of your backup or dash cams. That's a no-go for me. I switched to the Kenwood XR Double-DINs and haven't looked back. No, they aren't perfect. There are A LOT of things I still don't like about Kenwood's GUI, and some significant functionality issues. But I still think that they offer the best combination of features and SQ compared to the competition. If my vehicles could only fit a single-DIN, sure, I might still use the GS9. But I would probably just use my smartphone or 8" phablet connected via OTG & USB cables directly to my Helix DSP's USB HEC input as my bit-perfect Hi-Res digital playback source, which I can and do use on occasion.

@@bbfoto7248 I agree about the old cd unit sony.

If you use 3.0 or higher it will be faster I have a 2TB hard drive with 15k songs flac DSD 96/24 192/24 AAC MP3 have a little bit of everything it will read and play in about 15 seconds on my EXCELON radio

@@imbzlgtyryep4645 but I have a 702 single din an it says unavailable or something

@@chrisnas1483 LOL, Time to update to a new XR head unit. I have the 2018 & 2019 DDX9905S & DDX9906XR. and both play all types of lossless & Hi-Res files from my 2TB HDD & SSD nearly INSTANTANEOUSLY via USB. NO JOKE. There is a video on *Erin's Audio Corner* RU-vid channel demonstrating this in action...search for *Kenwood DDX9905S USB load* Here's the link.... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TUT6nD4sKhE.html

@@bbfoto7248 huh???? Test what?

@@bbfoto7248 do you get what iam saying, iam not explaining it right ..

I HAVE THIS UNIT , AND WHAT YOU MEAN BY HALF BAKED UNIT? THERE'S HDMI INPUT AND WHY YOU NEED A REMOTE CONTROLLER ? ARE YOU SERIOUS IT'S NOT A TV 📺 IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

@@kg1329same here pal. I bought mine upon retail availability.I think your CAPS lock is on... Half baked meaning a production unit shouldn't have to reboot every single time it's used, or randomly have the touchscreen not work, or have the steering wheel and mic controls not work until another reboot. The JVC HDMI cable is still not available for purchase and no off the shelf HDMI cable works with this unit. The remote is literally listed as an available accessory and is used at competition events. THAT'S WHY, BOOMER.

@@awfike24 ok now i understand what your problem with hdmi . when you remove that little screw for hdmi bracket any hmdi cable doesn't fits cause hole is smaller what you have to do is shave sides from cable and insert inside and close with bracket

and btw mine reboots maybe ones a month really that can expected with any electronics right?