Kenwood vs Pioneeer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 17
From: Sherwood Park, Ab
Kenwood vs Pioneeer
I am looking to replace the head unit in my C6. Currently have the factory Bose with Nav. Models I am considering are the Kenwood Excelon DMX809S or the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX. I am open to other suggestions and will be keeping the Bose amp and stock speakers. Plan to use phone for navigation and streaming music so do not need CD player. I am planning on using Crutchfield as I have used them before and installation was so much easier. Jus t want to learn pro's and con's of units that others have installed. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
You're going to get pros and cons for both. Both are good quality units. My suggestion is to go to a real store that has both, try them out, and give the site a chance to match the online price.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 930
Likes: 455
From: New Brunswick, Canada
I did exactly that when I was looking. I went with the Pioneer simply because I preferred the user interface better than the UI in the Kenwood. Others have stated just the opposite, so it definitely helps to look at both yourself and choose the one YOU prefer. Remember, this is something you will be looking at/using for most likely the next several years, so if you decide 6 months in that you HATE the UI, then it will cost more to change it or you'll regret installing that unit until you do.
Functionally, they are pretty much identical and both are good units.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
How old was your Kenwood? A few years back Kenwood made big improvements to their sound quality and is considered by many to be top tier or at least on par with the best. Alpine has also always been known to have good sq. I have a Pioneer, and although I find the interface very user friendly and easy to use, I feel like the sound quality is a step behind the Kenwood and Alpine head units.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,725
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
How old was your Kenwood? A few years back Kenwood made big improvements to their sound quality and is considered by many to be top tier or at least on par with the best. Alpine has also always been known to have good sq. I have a Pioneer, and although I find the interface very user friendly and easy to use, I feel like the sound quality is a step behind the Kenwood and Alpine head units.
i moved to Alpine with the ilx-207 in 2017 and changed again to the ilx-507 in 2023
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 1,962
From: Morris County New Jersey
looks like i put in a Kenwood DNX-5120 back in 2009
i moved to Alpine with the ilx-207 in 2017 and changed again to the ilx-507 in 2023
i moved to Alpine with the ilx-207 in 2017 and changed again to the ilx-507 in 2023
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,725
Likes: 229
From: Motor City Vettes Ringleader
SE Michigan Coordinator
CI 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09-'11,-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
yea 2016 was when they came out with the highly anticipated DNX893S which I ended up getting installed by a former forum.vendor. 7 years later and it’s still running great in my C5
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