June 26, 2004

By: Sean Bornhouser
Website: http://www.booming-car-audio.com

Kenwood brand in-dash head units featuring ten CD receivers that play CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs

Catering to the music fans who buy pre-recorded CDs and burn their own, Kenwood USA Corp. introduced its 2001 line of regular Kenwood brand in-dash head units featuring ten CD receivers that play CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs.

The new regular Kenwood line features head units with up to 50-watt per channel power amplifiers, MP3 playback, and Kenwood’s new, exclusive System Q sound contouring technology, which optimizes frequency response and equalization according to music selection and speaker configuration.

Four models - one cassette and three CD receivers - feature Kenwood-exclusive D MASK+ - the motorized, self-hiding, and removable faceplate; and can be equipped with an optional Kenwood tuner for receiving Sirius Satellite digital radio broadcasts. One model also offers Duual Zone operation, allowing two different sources to be played simultaneously for front and rear seat occupants. All products debuted here today at the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show.

Car audio consumers want systems that look cutting-edge, are user-friendly, sound loud and clear, and play the CDs they’ve recorded at home, said Steve Berry, national product manager for mobile electronics. Kenwood is meeting these demands like no other car audio manufacturer in the USA.

The new CD receivers include the line-leading KDC-9017 and Z727, the KDC-V7017, KDC-V6017, KDC-716S, KDC-516S, KDC-416S, KDC-316V, KDC-216S and the KDC-116S.

New cassette receivers include the KRC-709, KRC-609, KRC-509S, KRC-409, and KRC-309S. Maximum output power has been raised to 50-Watts x 4 channels in the KDC-9017; 47-Watts x 4 channels in five CD and three cassette models; and 45-Watts x 4 channels in four CD receivers and one cassette receiver.

For 2001, Kenwood revamped their head units, with cutting-edge cosmetics on all models. Kenwood’s two top-end models – the KDC-9017 and Z727 – although offering similar performance and audio features, have uniquely different appearances.

The new Z727 faceplate takes its style from the high-end Kenwood Exelon 'Z' products, including the popular Z919 MP3 receiver, launched in 2000.

For security, the unit offers a flipdown, detachable faceplate. The KDC-9017 faceplate resembles the uniqueness of the Kenwood Excelon line of products and offers Kenwood’s wildly popular D MASK+.

Kenwood’s mid-line products, including the KDC-V7017, KDC-V6017, KDC-716S, KDC-516S CD players and the KRC-709, KRC-609 and KRC-509S, also have unique to Kenwood cosmetics.

'V' for Variable Color. The V7017 and V6017 have the unique Kenwood Variable Color Display feature. This display can show up to 67 different shades of color, and does not have to stay static, but is programmable. When set in 'time mode', the display can be set to change color automatically every six hours.

For example, at 6:00 AM the display can be set to RED for the drive in to work, automatically changes to YELLOW at noon and to BLUE for the drive home at 6:00 PM. Finally, for night owls, the display will change to DARK BLUE or any other color in the 67-tone palette, for a drive after midnight.

Four Level Gray Scale Fluorescent Display. The KDC-9017 comes with Kenwood’s new Four Level Gray Scale Fluorescent Display that shows 3-D moving images. The new display can read up to 16 frames per second and, unlike other competitor’s displays, is not affected by extreme hot or cold temperatures, therefore having a long life span.

The KDC-9017, as virtually every head unit in the Kenwood line, comes with System Q sound contouring technology. With a touch of a button, System Q optimizes frequency response and equalization according to music selection and speaker configuration.

Although some units provide more control than others, each model offers, in addition to bass and treble control, control of the middle band frequencies – making it possible to obtain a more clear, front-forwarding sound.

Additionally, System Q provides five pre-set equalization settings based on music selection and speaker type. These presets can be combined to create a wide variety of response curves.

About The Author:

Sean Bornhouser is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.booming-car-audio.com.  Get the car audio system you want plus accessories and valuable advice.