Headunit rant...

[Glenn]

We've actually got a member that is trying out an Excelon deck; chithead. Though as for your question, Kenwood kinda fell off the map for a while and focused mainly on the low cost high volume gear and there merger with JVC kinda removed some of there SQ cred. Though I do agree that they are still making a top notch product and I would also through JVC's arsenal and some of the top level regular gear in there as well.

Me and Jon (Dejo) are both running Excelon decks, the same one also DDX5901HD. I have no complaints other than a little screen washout in bright light situations. According to my oscilloscope, they are clean at full volume, both loaded and unloaded and put out more than advertised voltages.

[Hi-FiDelity]

Me and Jon (Dejo) are both running Excelon decks, the same one also DDX5901HD. I have no complaints other than a little screen washout in bright light situations. According to my oscilloscope, they are clean at full volume, both loaded and unloaded and put out more than advertised voltages.

I forgot that you two were running that deck. Good to hear that there is some substance to the claims. Though I would like to see a test of Sony's latest HU's, they've been cramming a lot of useful features into there units as of late and aren't charging too much for them either.

[Kevin K]

My Kenwood X997 has fully adjustable contrast, user adjustable color and lcd does well in dark as well as sunlight.

[chad]

Guess who is going Kenwood shopping

[Hi-FiDelity]

My Kenwood X997 has fully adjustable contrast, user adjustable color and lcd does well in dark as well as sunlight.

Same with my Pioneer FH-P5000MP, too bad they stopped making it 10 years ago.

[MrHarv]

Ok, thanks for the update. I was just wondering. I have been running Kenwood faithfully for probably 20 years now. It just seemed like most every one was using Pioneer and/or alpine and not much else. I have just started getting back into car audio the past few months after several years of being absent. Has the sound quality of those two brands returned? This is just an honest question and not meant to start a fuss.

[Hi-FiDelity]

Ok, thanks for the update. I was just wondering. I have been running Kenwood faithfully for probably 20 years now. It just seemed like most every one was using Pioneer and/or alpine and not much else. I have just started getting back into car audio the past few months after several years of being absent. Has the sound quality of those two brands returned? This is just an honest question and not meant to start a fuss.

It really depends on the Model, I know Pioneers 80prs and CDE-149BT are good sounding decks but that's about all my knowledge of there current ranges.

[chithead]

I'll hopefully be hooking up the KDC-X998 this weekend for some listening time. Can give a fair review by Monday at least

[Hillbilly SQ]

stock HU FTW!!! lol

I have to agree! Simple and looks like it belongs.

[Hi-FiDelity]

I have to agree! Simple and looks like it belongs.

Not all of us get the luxury of a factory HU that uses decent components and puts out a clean signal.