Questions on the Kenwood DDX514

[smullen 1]

So I just picked up a 2005 TrailBlazer and the factory Head Unit has to go....

I have alway like Kenwood head Units so, I'm looking at the Kenwood DDX514....

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DDX514/Kenwood-DDX514.html?tp=20217

It seems to cover most of my wants...

Nice Bright easy to see/read display in all lighting conditions. If its going to have one, it might as well be good!

Ipod control, not just Aux input, but seemingly native controls with Album art, playlists and all (need a 30.00 cable)

Ability to hook up an HD tunner (extra 80 bucks I think)

Ability to hook up a Sirius (again Controls it natively, not just a aux input) (I have sirus and love it for travel)

Ability to add Navigation module (not huge deal, already have a upper end garmin that I'm real happy with)

Does have Aux, so if I come up with something new, I can pipe it in.

Front and Rear USB Ports (no plans for them, but I'd be glad to have'em, keeps futher options open and seems like an easy way for Firmware upgrades)

Plays may formats of media on Burnt CDs and DVDs and re-writables... Some units, won't do Burnt especially DVDs...

Decent price, I think its just under 600.00, before add on modules...

Dual Zone, so I can hook up something for the kid in the back seat if I want to later (probably wont)

I'm sure there are a few more things that are pluses, but Nothing big...

Now my Complaints

Doesn't come with the Stupid Wireless remote (WTF kind D.B. move is that????) (extra 30.00) (Good news is its cheap to replace, my last one was a 100.00, still looking for that MF'er)

Looks like it does not have a dedicated Sub Pre Out...

It has a Dedicated Front Pre-out and the Rear is Switchable from Full Range to Sub only??? (Another D.B. move, who that puts in a mid grade headunit with features like this doesn't want 6 Channels of Output??? F+R+S

I'm thinking that is a deal breaker for me... I want F+R+S Pre-Outs....

Thoughts, are I just being stuborn on the preouts?

Is there another unit that everything I mentioned above????

[CrazyKenKid 64]

•outputs: A/V output, 4-channel preamp output (front, rear/subwoofer)

wtff? why woudl they do that? maybe look else where into an jvc or alpine, or eclipse h/u!! but for sure it says rear/sub does that mean you can have either sub or rear fill only?

[lithium 358]

ive got no experience with that unit but i just wanted to let you know that you can get it for much less on other sites like sonicelectronix.com ($399).

edit: from the list of features, id suspect you can do better for the money.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

for sure shop around but if you got a FAKE sub channel...what good is it for subs??

the only kenwood i have owned is a dvd817 flipout h/u and it had f+r+s+c (front, rear,sub,centre) but it also had a processor unit sperate and i could have backup cam, and video in and the NATIVE IPOD was POS and never worked so i had no option other thne to use AUX!! so ya if that helps a little bit!

[CrazyKenKid 64]

and yes a supper good plus is the h/u abilty to play dvd MP3 disks lol!! that helps otu b/c then you can burn a doulbe lay dvd (8.2gigs) of music!!

and my single din h/u has this abilty along with f+r+s+c fill! so ya!

http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_105KDAVX77/JVC-KD-AVX77.html?search=jvc+avx+77&ssi=0

i love this fully touch screeen single din and i can watch movies and everythign else it has listed plus yoou can change the background pic!!!

[smullen 1]

•outputs: A/V output, 4-channel preamp output (front, rear/subwoofer)

wtff? why woudl they do that? maybe look else where into an jvc or alpine, or eclipse h/u!!

for sure it says rear/sub does that mean you can have either sub or rear fill only?

Thats the way I took it....

If it wasn't for that, I think the unit would be a slam dunk...

To get 6 Channels, like most people would want in a simmilar unit in their line, you would have to move up the the 900.00 Plus model and still have to buy all the modules, plus the d@mn remote.... Those two things really get me...

I tried looking at other brands, and I haven't found anything else that I like the way it looks (reguarding its layout of button/knobs/touch controls) ....

D@mn, I hate being picky...

Was hoping I misread or Misunderstoood and someone was going to school me... Sigh!!!

Edited November 17, 2009 by smullen

[CrazyKenKid 64]

what about this one?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105AVX810/JVC-KW-AVX810.html?tp=20217&avf=N

this one cna play DIVX you know those movies you get from say bit torrent he 700mb files? lol! plus a remote!

or this

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105WAVX820/JVC-KW-AVX820.html?tp=20217&avf=N

or there other brand!

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_077DTS603W/Valor-DTS-603W.html?tp=20217&avf=N

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_077DD858W/Valor-DD-858W.html?tp=20217&avf=N

or

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020VX409/Clarion-VX409.html?tp=20217&avf=N

i know you siad you are PICKY but common man! for that money you can get almost anythign to mathc what you like lol! plus shop on ebay for like 30-50% off deal!

[smullen 1]

what about this one?

http://www.crutchfie...?tp=20217&avf=N

this one cna play DIVX you know those movies you get from say bit torrent he 700mb files? lol! plus a remote!

or this

http://www.crutchfie...?tp=20217&avf=N

or there other brand!

http://www.crutchfie...?tp=20217&avf=N

http://www.crutchfie...?tp=20217&avf=N

or

http://www.crutchfie...?tp=20217&avf=N

i know you siad you are PICKY but common man! for that money you can get almost anythign to mathc what you like lol! plus shop on ebay for like 30-50% off deal!

hmmm, I think the only one of those I'd consider is the Clarion...

The other units either did not fit the bill or had mostly really crappy reviews, which neither the Kenwood nor the Clarion had, which I think is to be expected...

I've had and liked a few of Clarions headunits in the past...

Pluses to the Clarion over the others others...

4Volts (most have 2, but not a huge deal, I don't even know if I need that much)

I do like Clarion.

I do like the looks... Not to flashy, almost could pass for factory till its in use...

Has most of the options I want...

Negatives

Screen has to flip down to putin/remove CD, seems like it will be a source of a problem in a few years... Those crappy contacts and ribbon cable wear out...

Keys are only Blue

NO EQ or Sound Shaping, nice to be able to tweak it abit, though it does have a few pre-canned presets

no security lock

No usb/mem card slot (not a huge deal)

HD Radio module or tuner NO... Thats a big negative, I swore next H.U.. I buy would have HD... I do listen to alot of Jazz and Hip Hop/Rap and the radio stations in my area have been doing a lot of shuffling of music types/Formats, etc... The only Smooth Jazz station is now only HD or web streamable and one of the two stations that played Rap music has went the same way... Not sure why..

Another big minus, it doesn't seem like the Ipod integration is well implemented...

The iPod's controls will be locked during audio playback; [b[during photo and video playback, the controls on the iPod are used to control playback.

One of the goofy cable will not charge the Ipod Touch which I have, with out a Schocshe add on module...

Seems half baked...

Even with all those Negatives listed, its still better than the rest...

I think its the only contender on that site....

I guess I need to do some more researching (most likely spend more)..

Thanks for the links, I totally missed that Clarion unit...

[CrazyKenKid 64]

hey now you let me in on your phy! lol! i will take a look later on tonight and see what i can dig up regarding what you are after!!

but i don't' know man ever since i got a JVC i never looked back!!!

as for 2 or 4volt pre-outs all that means is you have to turn your gains up more! unless you get one of those things which boose the rca voltage...but i don't remember the name of it off hand i know rockford makes one.

but ya i got to run to work and tomorrow i will take a peek and see what i can find ofr you!

i know that my jvc has AMAZING IPOD controls and very easy to switch from ipod lock to ipod not being locked if you know what i mean! ilke 1 button press!! simple! but that is just my 1single din h/u that i have which is n't what you want b/c you want a double din!!

for me looking for a single din was so hard b/c i wanted almost all the things you want but in a single din! and i got lucky enough to find nearly ALL of them lol!!! but that was just me!

i will help you look some tomorrow after school if i get some time!

[CrazyKenKid 64]

hey i got some time to help out! soo let narrow it down as of to what you are looking for! and please feel free to add to this list!

remote

4volt pre-outs

pre-outs of F/R/S

native ipod

sat and hd radio

eq

security lock

how the cd goes in (flips the screen down)

multiple available colors to pick from

bright screen

navigation (if you get lost)

duel zone

dvd mp3

600$

double din!

did i miss anything?

[smullen 1]

hey i got some time to help out! soo let narrow it down as of to what you are looking for! and please feel free to add to this list!

remote

4volt pre-outs

pre-outs of F/R/S

native ipod <-- Charges Ipod too

sat and hd radio <-- Doesn't have to have Sat, but if it does have Sirius, all the better,also would really like HD... Not sure if they are going to happen...

eq

security lock

how the cd goes in (flips the screen down) <---- "no, actually, I Prefer for it not to have to flip dpwn, but a slot at the top or bottom for discs to go in"

multiple available colors to pick from

bright screen

navigation (if you get lost) <---Not even important... If it has it cool, if not cool, not something I'd really demand or pay extra for as I said I have a decent Garmin already.

duel zone

dvd mp3

600$

double din!

did i miss anything?

Other than a few <-- Notes I added to above, I think you about nailed it...

Anything additional is a bonus...