Any reservations on this head unit?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrk
  • Start date Start date

mrk

mrk

mrk

Man of Honour
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
105,243
Location
South Coast
http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/products/car/cd_receivers/KDC-W7544U/


Basically I want to change my Pioneer DEH5000UB to something a little more nicer looking that can actually display more than 16 characters, seeing half my song titled chopped in half and missing off track name can be frustrating :p

The Kenwood looks great, the all red mode will suite the E46 nicely, no diff to the Pioneer at the moment and it's more flush too so will snugly fit in going by the image in my head using 3D Manvision™.

Any other recommendations in this price range with my criteria in mind? :D

Sound quality I'm not worried about, I've heard Kenwood units before in this price and am perfectly happy with the output, just have no idea on how robust they are etc!

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
The right HU looks fine, the Pioneer looks fine but has the char limitation I want to lose hence the upgrade.

It's just that some people won't agree end of because it's not OEM it has to look **** but that wasn't my question in the Op! I know what looks good in the E46 (especially going by the positive comments I have had from people who have actually seen it) hence why i have the set criteria :)

It's either OEM HU that looks OEM but has **** sound quality or a decent HU that looks fine (though not OEM obviously) with superior sound quality.
 
Last edited:
I'd stick with a suitable looking HU from Pioneer or Alpine. I've never been convinced by the quality of Kenwood headunits.
 
An Alpine would be perfect but all the suitable ones I've seen have the horrible looking quad buttons at a slant and I dislike that, I like simple, flattish and nothing too outgoing in appearance! - Likewise for Pioneer but for them the ones I actually want go over budget :(

Plus I do like the multiline FL display! would suit my long filenames to a T with folder display etc - again the higher end Pioneers have this but cost way more :/
 
Don't fancy the Pioneer 7000UB or whatever the current equivalent is? Mine was about £170 so not too dear
 
Never actually saw that!

Do you have an exact model number as the 7000UB is the one I just searched and looks good but all pics show it blue lit.

Can you confirm RED/Orange illumination is possible for both screen and buttons?

That would mean I can keep my existing steering control box too :D
 
Nope, mine's blue. Not sure about the newer ones. I'm not fussed about the colour, I guess you might hvae to look elsewhere :(
 
Why does it have to cost so much?!

Even the lower end DEX model is £700 :(
 
I had the equivalent P77MP for years, lovely styling and got it for £100 :o

They have ramped up the quality and prices of their flagship models yet they don't have Bluetooth out the box.
 
If you want something to look a little less bling and a bit more subtle / OEM, take a look at the Becker units.

However I wouldn't ditch a Pioneer for a Kenwood all things being equal.
 
I've never been convinced about aftermarket HUs in the e46 either, never seems to line up properly. But if youve already got one, its not going to look any worse

I'd reccomend an Alpine over a Kenwood really, but if you're after looks then Pioneer would be a good middle ground between quality and style
 
I managed to find a review of the bluetooth model of the Kenwood one I linked to on a car audio forum - seems the menu system is ass, the buttons are ass....

Hmm the search continues :p


I've seen Becker units but they are a bit out of price too!
 
If its just about style then some Blaupunkt units look quite similar to the Becker ones.

The functionality is OK actually but the sound isnt up there with Pioneer and Alpine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom