Kenwood excelon kdc-x869 any thoughts?

[aras]

I just bought a kenwood excelon kdc-x869 and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Has anyone had experience with the unit. I'm looking foward to all the features that it has to offer.

 

[huskyfan23]

If it's an Xceleon then you will be happy.

 

[Hokie]

I have the kdc-x859 and I love it... Frankly, I don't know what the difference b/t an 859 and a 869 is... I didn't even know kenwood makes an 869, I thought the highest was the 959... Anyway, great unit, great sound quality and very versatile when it comes to sound contouring... I do wish the system EQ layout was a little more user friendly, to change the bass you have to push and hold for 2 seconds which is a little annoying, I find myself just changing the non fader level (controlling my sub which is powered by a RF amp pushing 530W RMS so I have plenty of bass). My old Pioneer had a little better menu layout, but the sound quality of the X859 is amazing. There are things on there that I haven't figured out how to use or what they are... oh, I also got mine at Kenwood's cost, so I was a little pleased with that too... (working for Crutchfield had its added perks)

 

[Hokie]

869

Whoa... that thing is crazy! I just looked it up on Kenwood.com and its the new version of my deck.. 5.0V preouts!

Have you checked out the options we can get for our units? Compasses, thermometers, weather band tuners, heads up displays... I almost bought the HUD, compass and thermometer when I had this system in my Acura, but I can't justify the HUD in the X b/c the deck already sits up high. but I am still considering the thermometer to monitor the temp. of my amp's...

Oh, and you'll love the MP3 capability! I've gotten 10.6 hours of music on to 1 CD!

 

[TheRookie]

I have the 959 and swear by it. Amazing unit. you will not be dissapointed.

 

[aras]

Can someone give me insight on the WMA feature. I know that it is a windows media application, but what does that intail. Is it mpeg files that you can play?
I wasn't too concerned about it and didn't really need the added graphic features, that's why I didn't go for the X969.

Thanks

 

[Hokie]

WMA = windows meda audio file... Basically, you can rip music as an MP3 and a WMA. From personal experience, WMA's have a little better sound quality than MP3's, but they are seldom seen on napster type p2p programs. I almost got the 959, but decided I liked the layout of the 859 better (I wanted a rotary volume and user friendly controls) and the only time I have used WMA's was when I was ripping songs to make mix cds for friends (but since it was being burnt as an audio cd, it didn't matter if it was MP3 or WMA format, b/c any cd player can play an audio cd.)

I'm not sure if the 959 can play MPEG's or not, but in all reality, those are things you'd never use except to show off to your friends... (like the Dolphins on my deck) (I looked at that Sony that will play short MPEG movies and decided that was really a waste of money for a car audio deck ~ and I got a better deal from Kenwood anyway)

 

[aras]

yeah, i wasn't to keen on the 969 whole idea of split screen stuff or whatever it's selling point is. If I wanted to play screen savers or things like that i would have gotten an in dash monitor.

here's another question. If I wanted to hook up a dvd player all i need is to buy a dvd player then hook the audio into the aux inputs on the back of the HU right. then send the video source to a monitor?
and for that matter all i need to purchase is a monitor and a dvd player correct?

 

[TheRookie]

Yes you are correct with your shopping list. Well you will need cables too. One trick is read the manual. The aux input is not enabled by default. You need to enable it in order to use it.