Kenwood KDC-MP919 Car CD / MP3 Player
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Similar in In Dash Receivers
- MP3 / WMA Playback: MP3 Playback
- Player Type: CD
- Controlled Devices: CD Changer Mini Disk Player Sirius Ready
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Unreliable Mechanics
Pros
1. Many tweaking options, 2. MP3 player is quick to read tracks
Cons
Too breakable
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Reliability problems plus standard short warranty period makes this a unit to avoid.
This is a feature filled head unit that allows one to tweak numerous sonic settings. This is important to me since so much source material is marred by poor or inaccurate equalization. Not to mention the poor acoustics in your auto which further compromises accurate frequency response. I especially like the ability to set center points in the bass, midrange, and treble frequency ranges and then boost or lower output based on those center points. You can even set the shape of the EQ curve in those ranges. The unit has MP3 capability (which I have used more than I had initially expected), and finally, it uses a flip head for added theft security. And it is that feature which has been the headache (read on).
With respect to sound, I find it of average quality. I listened to the unit side by side with comparably priced Sony and Alpine electronics using the same source material with the same external amplifier and speakers. I found the Alpine sound best, followed by the Sony then the Kenwood. Nothing really objectionable with the Kenwood though.
The Alpine gave me better highs. The Kenwood sounded a bit strained and hard in comparison, while the Alpine was more detailed and natural. Bass sounded best again with the Alpine, a bit more defined and tighter. The Sony sounded more neutral than the Kenwood, but did not have the clarity in sound and detail I found with the Alpine. If you are looking for the ultimate in sound quality, you will not find it in the Kenwood. Still one wonders how much difference can be heard with road and engine noise and odd auto acoustics. In the end I went with the Kenwood because it uses bi-polar amplification rather than MOSFET, which I was told is better suited to my stock Volkswagon amplifier. I also thought its EQ functionality was better than other brands. And, of course, there is the flip head.
Regarding ergonomics, I have no complaints. I don't really like the small button design on the tuner pre sets but that's par for the course these days. I would like on-the-fly treble/middle/bass frequency adjustments (like a knob or buttons). But, you need to push some buttons to get to that adjustment which is, again, par for the course. The balance of user ergonomics I found 'OK.'
Regarding the flip head, it is simply not designed robustly. After a year and a half of normal use, a part failed that sends the signal to rotate the head. It is a ribbon, with electronic tracings inside that appears to rotate with the head. After numerous rotations, the tracings break. It is a $120 repair job.
Why do I condemn the product just because it appears I had bad luck? Because, according to the local repair shop that services mobile Kenwoods, this failure happens all the time. They didn't even have to order the part....they keep it stocked. When I called up the shop last week to describe the problem, the guy I was talking to stopped me and explained exactly what I saw (the blank display, the head orientation in the open position, etc.). In other words, he was very familiar with this problem....so much so he has repeat customers.
You would think that the company that designs a rotating head would be especially careful about it's reliability. Kenwood was not and I do not recommend it. Nor could I recommend any other Kenwood model that uses this same technology.
With respect to sound, I find it of average quality. I listened to the unit side by side with comparably priced Sony and Alpine electronics using the same source material with the same external amplifier and speakers. I found the Alpine sound best, followed by the Sony then the Kenwood. Nothing really objectionable with the Kenwood though.
The Alpine gave me better highs. The Kenwood sounded a bit strained and hard in comparison, while the Alpine was more detailed and natural. Bass sounded best again with the Alpine, a bit more defined and tighter. The Sony sounded more neutral than the Kenwood, but did not have the clarity in sound and detail I found with the Alpine. If you are looking for the ultimate in sound quality, you will not find it in the Kenwood. Still one wonders how much difference can be heard with road and engine noise and odd auto acoustics. In the end I went with the Kenwood because it uses bi-polar amplification rather than MOSFET, which I was told is better suited to my stock Volkswagon amplifier. I also thought its EQ functionality was better than other brands. And, of course, there is the flip head.
Regarding ergonomics, I have no complaints. I don't really like the small button design on the tuner pre sets but that's par for the course these days. I would like on-the-fly treble/middle/bass frequency adjustments (like a knob or buttons). But, you need to push some buttons to get to that adjustment which is, again, par for the course. The balance of user ergonomics I found 'OK.'
Regarding the flip head, it is simply not designed robustly. After a year and a half of normal use, a part failed that sends the signal to rotate the head. It is a ribbon, with electronic tracings inside that appears to rotate with the head. After numerous rotations, the tracings break. It is a $120 repair job.
Why do I condemn the product just because it appears I had bad luck? Because, according to the local repair shop that services mobile Kenwoods, this failure happens all the time. They didn't even have to order the part....they keep it stocked. When I called up the shop last week to describe the problem, the guy I was talking to stopped me and explained exactly what I saw (the blank display, the head orientation in the open position, etc.). In other words, he was very familiar with this problem....so much so he has repeat customers.
You would think that the company that designs a rotating head would be especially careful about it's reliability. Kenwood was not and I do not recommend it. Nor could I recommend any other Kenwood model that uses this same technology.
