Jan 11, 2012

Kenwood Announces Six New CD Receivers For 2012

Kenwood USA announced the introduction of six high-performance CD receivers, all of which have audio connectivity and control capabilities for music files stored on iPhone, iPod and new for 2012, Android smartphones. Kenwood is able to achieve Android smartphone connectivity through the use of the Kenwood Music Control app for Android, available for free from the Android Market in January, 2012.

Users simply download the Kenwood Music Control app onto their Android smartphone, switch the phone over to mass storage playback mode and the Kenwood receiver will then allow for full iPod-like browsing of music files and control over content playback. Also new for 2012 is the iPhone App Mode which can allow for basic control of popular apps such as Slacker Radio and iHeart Radio when used with an iPhone.

Kenwood KDC-BT952HD

The KDC-BT952HD ($300.00 suggested retail price) has a built-in combination of Bluetooth, HD Radio and Pandora Internet radio link, making the KDC-BT952HD a standout model that truly fits the audio enthusiast lifestyle. Pandora Internet radio can be controlled and viewed via the front panel of the KDC-BT952HD using either an iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphone. The five-line, variable color LCD display offers exceptional visibility and fast scrolling of music files, Pandora Internet radio stations, and multiple telephone numbers and names.

Selectable text sizing allows the option to choose three-lines of larger text or a higher quantity of text displayed over five-lines depending on user preference. This flexible, multi-lingual display gives the user the ability to easily operate external media devices such as USB, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, Android smartphone and content from HD Radio or Pandora Internet radio (optional smartphone accessories may be required).

The KDC-BT952HD can also integrate with existing steering wheel controls through a special wired interface (optional adapter might be required), maintaining driver safety and convenience. Also contributing to driver safety is an SMS auto-reply feature which, when enabled, will transmit a pre-written message automatically upon receipt of a text message. The unit also has three 4.0 volt preamp outputs with low-pass and high-pass filtering on board, plus digital time alignment and a 7-band equalizer which makes the KDC-BT952HD a genuine audio performer.

The KDC-BT852U ($260.00 suggested retail price) offers built-in HD Radio, Pandora Internet radio link and Bluetooth plus a dedicated front panel key that is reserved for wireless cell phone operation. An external Bluetooth microphone can be placed in an optimal location within the vehicle for improved hands-free communication. Adding to the safety factor is a three-line display that can be switched to a larger font, two-line format for easier reading of phone numbers, music and source data.

This flexible, multi-lingual display gives the user the ability to easily operate external media devices such as USB, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, Android smartphone and content from HD Radio or Pandora Internet radio (optional smartphone accessories may be required).

Variable color illumination of the display and backlit keys allows the user to match the color of the KDC-BT852U to the dashboard lighting of almost any vehicle. With front panel mounted USB and 3.5mm auxiliary inputs, the KDC-BT852U can conveniently connect to a wide variety of portable devices such as iPod, iTouch, iPhone, Android-platform smartphone, thumb drive or portable mass storage. The KDC-BT752U ($220.00 suggested retail price) has the performance and functionality of the KDC-BT852U with partial variable color illumination and is equipped with a built-in Bluetooth microphone and 14 segment, single-line display.

A new value-priced built-in Bluetooth solution for 2012 is the KDC-BT652U ($190.00 suggested retail price). Bluetooth audio streaming allows for wireless transmission music from an iPhone or Android smartphone. With the use of the Kenwood Music Control app for Android, the user can now browse and control music files on an Android smartphone.

The user can also synchronize with the voice dialing on a smartphone (if properly equipped and configured on the phone), and an SMS auto-reply feature can be enabled that will transmit a pre-written message automatically to callers if the user wishes. The KDC-BT652U also offers front-panel Pandora Internet radio control via iPhone, and a 14-segment display scrolls all of the music-related text.

The KDC-HD552U ($170.00 suggested retail price) delivers the full HD Radio experience. With built-in HD Radio, the KDC-HD552U gives the user all of the features and audio performance of HD Radio right out of the box with no subscription required. Users can enjoy HD Radio-specific programming (where available), and iTunes Tagging is made easy by pressing a dedicated button near the volume control. A front-panel USB input and stereo mini-plug auxiliary input allows for the control and playback of a wide variety of external media, including iPod, iPhone, Android (with the use of the Kenwood Music Control app for Android) and mass storage devices.

A low-cost solution for the customer wanting a larger multi-text display is the KDC-452U ($170.00 suggested retail price). This model offers a three-line display that will show multiple lines of scrolling text when used with a compatible portable media player or smartphone. The KDC-452U also has built-in Pandora Internet radio link which offers full control and display of Pandora through the use of an iPhone. Variable color illumination provides visual customization and/or color matching to the vehicle’s interior lighting.

The KDC-BT952HD, KDC-BT852U, KDC-BT752U, KDC-BT652U, KDC-HD552U and KDC-452U are covered by a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty and are available through authorized Kenwood retailers.