What's your opinion on the Kenwood KDC-BT742U?

[72BlckButy]

It's been a while since I've been in the car audio scene so I need some help. I'm looking for a new headunit and I kind of liked the looks of this unit. After looking at the specs what's your opinion?

LINKY



General Features
• TDF (Theft Deterrent Faceplate)
• 14 Segment/13-Digit FL Display
• Built-In Bluetooth & Microphone
• Music Search
• Favorite Memory
• Rotary Encoder for Easy Operation
• Key Illumination (Blue)
• Manual Dimmer Function (2Step)
• Supplied with Remote Control Unit

Audio Features
• Maximum Output Power : 50W x 4
• 2.5V 3 Preouts
• Source Tone Memory
• Front AUX Input with Input Sensitivity Adjust
• Attenuator (-20dB) with Smooth Volume Return

Bluetooth Features
• Supports Hands-Free Profile
• Supports SMS
• Supports Voice Dialing
• Supports Automatic Phonebook Download
• Powered By Parrot
• Built-In Microphone with Noise Cancellation

Sound Excellence DSP Features
• 3-band Parametric EQ
• Digital crossover system
• Digital Time Alignment
• Kenwood Customized iPod EQ
• Highway Sound
• Supreme+

USB Features
• Front USB 2.0 Input for thumb drives, external HDD and compatible iPods
• iPhone/iPod USB 1-wire Direct Control connection (recommend KCA-iP101 cable)

iPhone/iPod USB Direct Control Features
• Alphabet Search
• Percentage Search
• Skip Search
• Reverse Browsing
• All Random Playback

Single CD Features
• AAC playback (Apple Audio Codec without DRM)
• WMA playback (Windows Media Audio)
• MP3 playback (MPEG1-Layer3)
• ID-3 Tag Display
• 24bit D/A Converter
• 0-bit Mute
• CD-R/CD-RW Compatible
• Supreme for improved compressed music playback

External Media Control Features
• iPod ready (optional KCA-iP500 for older iPods)
• Satellite Radio Ready (optional KCA-SR50 + Sirius Tuner)
• HD Radio Ready
• Dual External Media Control Capability (with Optional KCA-S220A)

FM/AM Tuner Features
• FM/AM 24 Station Presets (18FM, 6AM)

[72BlckButy]

Also what about these.... overkill? I didn't even know they made a 5-way.

Kenwood KFC-6982ie



General Features
• Max Power: 500 Watts
• 5-way 6"x9" speakers
• Fiber-textured mica-injected polypropylene woofer
• Urethane surround
• 2-3/4" water-resistant midrange cone
• 13/16" PEI balanced dome tweeter
• 13/16" PEI balanced dome super tweeter
• 1/2" passive ceramic flat super tweeter
• 4-ohm impedance
• Frequency response: 28-30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 93 dB
• Depth: 3-1/16"

[AceX]

Both items posted are pretty much middle of the road stuff. Should be fine. I would later invest in a second set of smaller speakers and an amp.

[72BlckButy]

Thanks AceX! I'm not looking for anything to crazy but I would like it to provide a quality sound for a decent price. Are the 5-ways overkill? Like I posted above, I wasn't aware of them actually making a 5-way. When will it stop?

[GRIMSS]

Always been a fan of Kenwood's headunits.

[72BlckButy]

Thanks grimss! I'm needing one with a detachable faceplate and with IPOD capability and this one had pretty good lines as well.

[AceX]

The 5 ways aren't that big of a deal. All that means is they found a way to cram more crap into a smaller space. It doesn't necessarily mean that it will sound better.

[lclippard]

pretty much all of kenwood's products are good stuff. entry level price, yet good quality and good features. cant go wrong with a kenwood IMO

[72BlckButy]

Thanks lclippard! I am seriously considering the headunit but just thought I would post the 5-ways up to see what kind of reaction I received.

I will try to keep you guys posted on my decision, thanks again!

[lclippard]

i have a single DIN kenwood in my civic, cost about $100, sounds better than the $300 alpine that i took out. also i have a $2000(retail) 7" double DIN kenwood cd/dvd/sat/gps in my millenia, i have loved that thing since i first turned it on. im seriously thinking of using that one in my 69 c10. as for the 5 ways, i havent used them, but i have some kenwood 2 ways all around in the civic and it sounds great, coupled with pioneer premier subs. i have had pioneer 3 way 6x9s before and they sounded good. i have also have good sound from cerwin vegas(pricey), jl audio, and infinity(aluminum cone) speakers. you'd be amazed what a difference a 4 channel amp makes on a set of good speakers.

[72BlckButy]

Thanks for the additional info, you're last post has helped me make up my mind. I think I'm going to go with the Kenwood unit posted above, as for the speakers I'm still out on debate for those. I will need to upgrade the speakers and they will be ran on their own separate amp for better sound quality.

Thanks again!