Jimmy C-6

This springs upgrade is to get rid of my original Bose system. I see Kenwood's and Pioneers. Which brand should I look at? Do I need to replace the wiring? What speakers? What sub and where? I'm a 60 yr old blues and rock fan! I've had the radio bezel out to do the MGW upgrades so I can certainly get in to the guts, but how hard are the speakers?

Flame Red

I have the 2013 model Kenwood and they are VERY buggy. I am looking at the Pioneer for my next HU. Go over to the KenwoodForum and you will see all the troubles over there.

JacksAO

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ies/iagree.gif

I have the DNX690HD and have nothing but issues with it. Its been to Kenwoods authorize repair shop twice in the year that I've owned it.

Zaskar

I have the Kenwood DDX-418 and it's garbage. Bluetooth is worthless nobody can hear me, lots of static on the other end, and when I changes modes it sometimes takes up to 45 seconds to switch over. Get a Pioneer it has to be better!

Jimmy C-6

Guess I'll call the guys at DD and see what they have in Pioneer.

BigT2

I can't say anything about the Kenwood units but I just finished putting a Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS unit in my C4 and it is great so far. I still have to finish the back up camera and my wife convinced me to add satellite radio. So as soon as that comes in I will be pulling it out again to add that in. There is even a navigation add on if I wanted that.

T

drich2905

Got a Kenwood DNX890 last year from Dennis. They did the install. No problems at all. It had been a great unit.

vettefx76

Hi, I use to be an installer for many many years (just work on my own vehicles now) and seen alot more problems and come backs with Kenwood stuff than Pioneer. As far as head units go, I currently have Pioneer in all my vehicles without any problems etc.

The current Pioneer double din units have a 8 Band fully adjustable EQ, Crossover Points, etc. all of which make the system sound cleaner and nicer. I've used them in everything from a nice clean low power setup all the way to a 154+ db spl vehicle (out of that now lol) without a hitch and they never let me down.

hawkgfr

Pioneer in my truck (basic double din and Kentwood in my Vette) I bought this past Christmas. Pioneer has better sound adjustment and more features....Otherwise Kenwood has been fine.

D.Guerra

I've always used Kenwoods HU. My Denali has a Kenwood and it works perfect. I did the install in it haven't had any issues. I do want to do the radio in the Vette too but I'm considering an Alpine in that one.

Buddy A

I have a Pioneer AVH4600 in my truck and a Kenwood DDX8901 in my ZO6. The Pioneer is much quicker at booting up for Pandora. Kenwood is inconsistent in boot times. Sometimes it will boot up on it's own and others I have to plug the phone in for a brief time to get it to work. Pioneer would be my choice if I was to do the ZO6 over. Both sound good. Truck is OEM speakers. Vette is full system. Components up front and 12" in sealed fiberglass enclosure

_Nomad_

I have a 2013 model Kenwood DNX890HD.

Biggest piece of Bantha Fodder I have ever owned!

radbluesfan

After owning a DDX418, a DNX9990HD, and a DNX890HD I will DEFINITELY NEVER buy a Kenwood again. A quick google search or a browse though Kenwwod.com will enlighten any potential buyers. After 3 years of trying, including upgrading units and numerous trips to the installer, my current DNX890 has been working for a little over a year. I still deal with the slowness and crap user interface but at least it is not broken. I've never owned a Pioneer but it HAS to be better than Kenwood---if for no other reason than it could not be worse. I do not see how dealers can suggest or promote Kenwood sales. I have often wondered if it had anything to do with profit margins or some type of commission that is higher than when selling other brands. Live and learn.........I bought Kenwood after reading positive reviews from a dealer only to later have problems which were shared by a large number of other customers. This is my honest experience and opinion and hope it may help someone in the future.

bpenn8966

I've had both recently, but I now have the Kenwood DNX570HD in my Z, I prefer the Kenwood, not one problem with it either. Just like anything, they're each going to have their problems, to each his own. I also take the audio forums with a grain of salt, most people aren't going to post on them raving about how great a product is, but they will take the time to say how bad it is. Just my .02

radbluesfan

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DNN990...owViewpoints=1
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DNX890...owViewpoints=1
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-Touchs...owViewpoints=1
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DNX690...owViewpoints=1

3 minutes of searching finds these dismal reviews on Amazon and not an audio forum. I agree that most people will likely post a negative versus a positive review because their frustration will prompt a response. But I, as most people, will look at reviews on the internet when researching a purchase. I am glad you like your unit and haven't had any issues as I think every consumer should be happy when buying any company's flagship models. A company's top of the line unit should warrant more than 3 out of 5 stars in any review. These people did not spend $600-$1600 to have a car radio that is average. Believe me, I really wanted to LOVE my high dollar fancy new car stereo but I don't. It is merely adequate for me. Like I said, I am only sharing my opinions and experiences because after 3 years of frustration I am motivated to do so.

bpenn8966

I understand what you're saying, and I do my research too, in the same way, but reviews on Amazon with less than 40 reviews don't tell you much when who knows how many units have sold. A one minute search finds one for the pioneer that gives it 3.5 stars not much better...as I said people aren't going to go out of there way to write rave reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B8X...&robot_redir=1

All you can do is try to do your research like we all do, and go with what you like. Every brand is going to have its lemons, I don't know of any one of them that is without its problems.

radbluesfan

Thank you for sharing. Good luck.

kcarlasc

I have the Kenwood DNN990 and DNN770 and while it has some good features and Garmin nav, its really buggy. I probably wont purchase Kenwood again and I have been a Kenwood user for years. I get the buggy, but they don't seem to care about quality anymore esp with the firmware updates that seem to not fix much and make things worse.

Mike Beck

Well Jimmy, you need to decide on what kind of budget you are working with and what kind of features are you looking for? Do you want a double-DIN or keep it simple and leave it as a single-DIN?

There are a TON of options, a ton!

I'm just about done with mine, did the double-DIN. When I did the stereo in my brothers 1999 Vette, there were no double-DINs back then (good for me!). When he sees mine, I know what I'll be doing this summer!

NYC6

I have a Kenwood in my C6 for about 4 years now. Its been a good unit the whole time. I have it running JL C5-650's up front and JL XR-550's in the rears and a JL Stealthbox in the back. Have some help powering all the stuff with 2 additional JL Amps. I'm no expert but the Kenwood hasn't let me down and I like classic rock and good blues and I like it very loud.