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Kenwood KDC-135

CD receiver

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Kenwood KDC-135
 
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Item# 113KDC135 offer details

Item# 113KDC135

Review Sumary

 
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Kenwood

Our take on the Kenwood KDC-135

The KDC-135 CD receiver from Kenwood is ready for today's music-on-the-go mindset. A handy auxiliary input on the faceplate lets you plug in your portable audio player, so you can listen to your favorite songs while in the car. The stereo's built-in amplifier offers plenty of power, and you can shape the sound with Kenwood's System Q sound controls — a 3-band equalizer and six preset tone curves.

A set of preamp outputs lets you connect an external amp or powered subwoofer. Switch the outputs to subwoofer mode, and control your powered sub with an adjustable low-pass filter and level control. The KDC-135's detachable faceplate helps protect your investment.

Get more info on this product

Highlights:

  • General features:
  • CD player with built-in MOSFET amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
  • plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs
  • detachable face
  • Audio features:
  • System Q Sound Control (6 EQ curves and a 3-band equalizer)
  • low-pass filter and sub level control
  • Expandability:
  • front-panel auxiliary input
  • one set of preamp outputs (can be switched to subwoofer mode)
  • Other features and specs:
  • clock
  • CD frequency response: 10-20,000 Hz
  • CD signal-to-noise ratio: 93 dB
  • FM sensitivity: 9.3 dBf
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
General
Chassis Size Code
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IEJ
CEA-2006 Compliant
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No
RMS Power Output
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22 watts
Peak Output
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50 watts
RMS Power Bandwidth
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10-20kHz
Preamp Outputs
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2-channel
Sub Preamp Outputs
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No
Switchable Rear Preamp Outputs
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Yes
Preamp Voltage
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2 volts
Display Color
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White
Key Button Color
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Red
EQ Bands
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3
Wireless Remote
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No
Steering Wheel Control Compatible
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---
Parts Warranty
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1 Year
Labor Warranty
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1 Year
Expandability
AUX Input
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Front
USB Input
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No
Memory Card Slot
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No
Bluetooth Compatible
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No
Satellite Radio Ready
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No
HD Radio
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No
Navigation
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No
Changer Control
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No
iPod Compatibility
Full size
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Nano
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Touch
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Mini
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iPhone
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Tuner
FM Sensitivity
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9.3 dBf
European Tuning
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Yes
Seek/Scan
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Seek
Radio Data System
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No

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • AM/FM/CD receiver with 10-amp fuse inserted into the chassis
  • Sleeve
  • Face
  • Trim ring
  • Wiring harness
  • 2 Removal tools
  • 4 Panhead ISO-mount screws
  • 4 Countersunk ISO-mount screws
  • 1 Face fixing screw
  • Instruction Manual (English/Spanish/French)
  • Warranty Card
  • Kenwood Car Audio Passport sheet

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features

Overview: The Kenwood KDC-135 AM/FM CD receiver features a detachable face, front auxiliary input, rear 2-volt preamp output and CD-R/CD-RW playback capabilities. The units amplifier is rated at 22 watts x 4 channel RMS and 50 watts x 4 channel peak.

Detachable Face: The unit features a single front loading CD face that detaches from the chassis to deter theft. There is a red indicator light that will flash on the unit after the face has been removed to warn potential thieves. You can turn this flashing LED on or off.

Note: The unit does not come with a face case. Optional soft carrying cases (sold separately) are available. Part #s 142DFC2C (Gray face case) and 142DFC2N (Blue face case).

Disc Compatibility: The unit features a single disc player that will playback CD and finalized CD-R/CD-RW audio discs.

Note: This unit will not playback MP3 or WMA discs. The unit will also not playback 3" discs.

Display: The KDC-135 uses a black background display with white characters. The unit displays the following information in the following modes.

  • AM/FM Tuner: displays EQ setting, Stereo indicator, Band display, Preset station number (if applicable), Station frequency, Tuning indicator, CRSC indicator, CD loaded indicator and clock (when selected)
  • CD: displays EQ setting, CD loaded indicator, Track number and track elapsed time or clock (when selected)
  • AUX: displays EQ setting, "AUX" indicator, CD loaded indicator and clock (when selected)
  • Standby: displays CD loaded indicator, "STBY" indicator, and clock (when selected)

Display Illumination/Clock Display: When the unit is in Standby mode, the face and button illumination is "keyed." When the Clock Display is turned on and the unit is in Standby mode, the Clock Display is also "keyed." Pressing and holding the source button turns the unit off completely.

Rotary Volume Control: The CD receiver uses a rotary volume control that increases and decreases the volume of the stereo from 0 to 35. The rotary knob also controls other audio settings such as Bass, Treble and preset EQ settings.

Attenuator: The unit features an Attenuator button that turns the volume down very quickly in your car stereo's system.

System Q Sound Control: The following six EQ curves are preset into memory, allowing you to recall the best preset EQ curve for different types of music: Rock, Pops, Easy, Top 40, Jazz, and Flat (Natural).

Speaker Settings: The Speaker Setting function tailors the System Q Sound Control settings according to the type of speakers in your vehicle. You may select a Speaker Setting of "SP-F" (flat/off), "SP-O" (for OEM factory speaker systems), "SP-6" (for systems with 6" and 6"x9" speakers), or "SP-5" (for systems with 4" and 5" speakers).

Volume Offset: The level of each source may be independently adjusted to prevent radical leaps in output volume when switching from one source to another. The available settings range from -8 to 0.

Bass/Treble/Mid Control: The KDC-135 features independent Bass, Treble and Midrange control. You can adjust each one from -8 to +8db.

Bass Boost: The Kenwood CD receiver also features a Bass Boost control that can be set to the following levels - BB1, BB2 or Off.

Fader/Balance Control: The KDC-135 CD receiver feature balance and fade controls from Left15 to Right15 and Rear15 to Front15. The CD receiver uses at Type 1 and Type 5 fader. When the preamp output is set to "Rear" the receiver uses a Type-5 fader that allows you to fade between the front speaker channels and the rear speaker channels along with the rear preamp output. When the preamp output is set to "Subwoofer" the receiver uses the type 1 fader which only allows fading between the front and rear speaker channels while the subwoofer preamp output is non-fading .

Selectable Preamp Output: The KDC-135 features a preamp output that you can adjust from a full-range rear speaker preamp output to a low-pass subwoofer preamp output.

Low Pass Filter: The receiver features a built-in Low Pass Filter control for the preamp-output when the output is set to Sub. You can select from 80, 120, 160 or off.

Subwoofer Level: Once you have switched the preamp output to "subwoofer" you can independently control the subwoofer preamp output level from the CD receiver. You select levels between -15 to +15.

AUX In: The unit is equipped with a front panel 3.5mm minijack auxiliary input that can be used to input audio from a portable audio source such as an MP3 player. The AUX input can be turned "off" in the menu if you do not want to cycle through this source if you choose not to use the AUX input.

Tel Mute: The KDC-135 features a cell-phone mute wire (brown) in its harness that when hooked up to your car's phone system mute wire will automatically mute the receiver's audio signal when a call comes in.

CR-2 Advanced Tuner: This unit uses Kenwood's CR-2 Advanced tuner for clear radio reception. You can choose one of three tuning modes: Auto 1 (seek tuning), Auto 2 (cycles through and tunes the selected band's preset stations only with each button press), or Manual.

Auto Memory Tuning: Not only does the CD receiver's tuner allow you manually enter your desired presets you can choose to have the unit automatically put stations with good reception in the memory banks automatically; this is a handy feature when traveling. The tuner features 3 FM banks (1, 2, 3) and 1 AM bank. You can store 6 presets for each AM/FM bank giving you a total of 18 FM presets and 6 AM presets.

Clean Reception System Circuit (CRSC): This circuit controls multi-path distortion by reducing stereo separation. As stereo separation is reduced, multi-path has less effect on the radio signal, improving reception in areas with tall buildings and mountains. The CRSC circuit can be turned on or off.

CD Playback Options: The KDC-135 offers the following CD playback features.

  • Pause: stops play of your disc temporarily
  • Fast Forward/Rewind: allows you to fast forward or rewind within a track of a disc
  • Track Search: allows you to skip to the previous or next track on the disc
  • Repeat: repeats single track on disc
  • Random: plays all the songs on the disc in random order
  • Scan: plays the first part of each song on the disc you are listening to

Last Position Memory: If the unit is shut off or switched to the tuner mode while a CD is playing, the next time CD is selected as the source, playback will resume from the point where it left off.

Off Eject: The KDC-135 allows you to eject your disc for 10 minutes after switching off the vehicles engine.

Beep Tone: The CD player features a touch sensor tone that beeps when you have selected a function of the unit. You can turn the beep tone ON or Off.

 

Product Reviews

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Share this product

1-10 of 28 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

love it

Written By Jeremy, queen creek,AZ on Tuesday, July 29, 2008
 
This product has made me extremely happy i've hooked it up to a couple
system's and it sounds great and i love all the options it has especially for
the value of it it was definately worth the money
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Kenwood KDC-135

Written By Zack, Knoxville, TN on Monday, February 18, 2008
 
This cd player is definitely worth the money, especially with its ipod connectivity. It was fairly easy to install, sounds good, and looks pretty cool in the dash. The instructions were easy to follow, and It took a buddy and I about an hour and a half to complete, including putting in two new speakers in the rear deck. I put it in my Ford Escort ZX2, which ment I had to install an adapter plate and switch the ac controls over to the adapter, which took the most time.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Kenwood KDC-135

Written By Gregor, Cleveland, OH on Saturday, February 16, 2008
 
Excellent for the price. Well done instructions and it went in easy. The bass needs some work but it's a minor issue when the budget calls for a complete stereo for under $100.00! The volume control as others have stated does sometimes reset the equalizer.
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Nice unit

Written By LeeP, Trona, CA on Friday, February 15, 2008
 
Decent unit. Kit has everything. Good tech instructions. Solid prduct. User interface [how you use it] is probably common, but not necessarily intuitive - what is user friendly is what you already know how to use. Clean sound, great reception, good noise control. Price was fine as frog hair. I'm real satisfied with it.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
3 out of 5

Kenwood KDC-135

Written By Brett, Dallas, TX. on Thursday, February 14, 2008
 
Volume knob is too small! If you accidently push it in when trying to adjust the volume it takes you into the settings mode, then you have to take your eyes off of the road to see what you are actually affecting and return the radio to what you are seeking.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Kenwood KDC-135

Written By richard, san diego,ca on Monday, February 11, 2008
 
great package deal for the price. the HU isn't the best in the world, but it is pretty good. i have stuck with kenwood with 1993 and have never been let down. i also have thier hi end in in dash dvd in my other car... the sound is very clear ,but i guess my only gripe is with the buttons. they are a tad small, but nothing to cry home about. it gets annoying if you hit the volume knob to turn the radio up or down but you mess up your EQ setting. the aux input is great and works awesome. like any aux input you need to adjust the volume on your player. the speakers are def better than the 1991 blown acura ones they replaced LOL no mega bass, but you're not gonna get that without components... i def reccomend this as a great,cheap replacement radio. all the extra's where great to. the wire harness,instructions and mounting stuff. great value
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
5 out of 5

Kenwood KDC-135

Written By Richard, Ojo Feliz, NM on Saturday, February 09, 2008
 
Crutchfield made it so easy to install my new system. This Kenwood stereo is great. It exceeded my expectations in every way. You can't get a better stereo at this price.
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4 out of 5

KDC-135

Written By Erik, Idaho on Friday, February 08, 2008
 
Good value for replacement stereo. Knobs too small. Clock difficult to set - had to call customer service who gave me a different procedure for setting than in the manual, which worked.
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4 out of 5

Nice for the price

Written By Chris, Rockville, Maryland on Monday, January 28, 2008
 
As many of the reviews have noted, my only hangup with the unit is the buttons are not easy to navigate. The first week I had to keep the manual available to figure out how to use many of the functions.

However, the price was perfect, and the unit came with free speakers as part of a promotion via Kenwood, so that was a nice perk.

I bought the unit because I wanted to have a way to play my Ipod, as the FM transmitters don't work well in Washington, DC, I find it hard to get a channel without some kind of interference. That said, the auxiliary jack works fine, but I notice I have to adjust it quite a bit as it's quieter than the CD or FM functions.

I also found that having the capability for subwoofers is going to come in handy, as I'm finding with only 4 and 6 inch speakers it doesn't really get loud. But, having the capability should solve that issue.

Overall, a nice unit for the money!

Chris
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
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3 out of 5

Great Stereo, Minus detailed installation instructions

Written By Alistair, Woodstock, IL on Monday, January 28, 2008
 
Great Stereo, and Speakers! However, the car I installed them into required the stock stereo to remain behind the new stereo for the wireless entry to continue working. When I ordered this item I was under the impression a crutchfield detailed installation sheet that was specific to my car was to be included... To my dismay it was not. And.. it was difficult trying to fit 2 pounds (stereo's) in to a 1 pound bag. In the future, I will only purchase from crutchfield if the price is good, after my last purchase, it's the only reason to. Thanks for a great stereo though!
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
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1-10 of 28 items >>

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Accessories

Accessories we recommend

Auxiliary Input Cables
Plug your favorite portable device directly to your receiver's aux input.
Peripheral Stereo Miniplug Cable
3-foot cable: male miniplug to male miniplug (Model iSVE913)
$19.99
In Stock
 
 
Monster MusicConnect™
Stereo mini-to-RCA adapter cable
$19.95
In Stock
 
 
Professional Installation
Get more info about having your new receiver put in by a qualified professional in your area.
InstallCard: In-dash Stereo
Prepaid professional in-dash receiver installation
 
Installation Tools
Save money by doing the installation yourself. The right tools will help.
Skewdriver Pro SPK4042
Ratcheting straight and offset screwdriver set with 40 bits (Skewdriver Pro with ratchet handle, pictured)
$49.99
In Stock
 
 
Multi Wedge Trim Panel Tools
Set of six (flexible and rigid) tools — helps remove trim and door panels
$19.99
In Stock
 
 
S&G Tool Aid 87650
Door Trim and Panel Removal Tool
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Spec Tools Stubby Driver
Ratcheting driver for tight installations
$19.99
In Stock
 
 
Metra Crimp Tool and Connectors
Package contains crimp tool and over 150 pieces
$19.99
Out of Stock
 
 
Scosche TK12V Car Stereo Tool Kit
The tools you need for a clean and professional car stereo installation
$19.99
In Stock
 
 
Posi-Products™ Car Stereo Connectors
16 connectors for installing a new car stereo
$6.49
In Stock
 
 
Metra Crimp Tool Set
Package contains light-duty crimp tool and 20 crimp caps
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
S&G Wire Cutter/Stripper Tool
Cuts and strips 12- to 22-gauge stranded wire
$24.99
In Stock
 
 
S&G Wire Cutter/Stripper Tool
Cuts and strips 12- to 22-gauge wire
$29.99
In Stock
 
 
Rockford Fosgate Receiver Installation Kit
Crimp caps, connectors, and assorted hardware (Model IEC HUK)
$0.99
In Stock
 
After $5.00 Price Break
 
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Extras

CD Care
Get rid of the skipping on your favorite discs with a CD cleaning kit.
Maxell CD-335
CD scratch repair kit
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Test Discs
Whether it's for sound quality or for maximum boom, there's no way to perfect your system like a professional test disc.
Autosound 2000 CD Set
$69.95
In Stock
 
 
CD Cases
Keep your CDs off the floor and free from smudges with one of these handy cases.
Visor Storage 12-disc CD Holder
Keep your favorite discs within reach
$14.99
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Kenwood KDC-135, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_113KDC135/Kenwood-KDC-135.html ).

Kenwood KDC-135