No doubt, the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X789 CD receiver looks awesome. Its motorized faceplate sports a vivid, customizable, multicolor fluorescent display that looks great in any dash, and offers up system information that's easy to read.

You want playback variety? You got it. Like any CD receiver, the KDC-X789 delivers AM/FM reception and plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. Like some receivers, it'll also play discs you've loaded with MP3 and WMA. But, it's one of a select group of receivers that'll also play the CD tracks you've ripped, converted into AAC files and burned onto disc. You'll never be at a loss for something to listen to.

So that you can scroll through your digital music files and folders safely, the KDC-X789 features Kenwood's amazing AC Drive with Voice Index on Tap feature. A built-in voice guide actually tells you the names of your files as you navigate through them — you'll be able to find your favorite songs and keep your eyes on the road at the same time! The included software lets you encode your files on your computer to make them compatible with the AC Drive system.

The Graphic Motion Analyzer adds an element of fun to your drive. It can display certain of your vehicle's performance specifications, such as the G-force your car generates during turns and acceleration, with no special wiring required. The graphics look great on the fluorescent display.

Kenwood loaded this prime-time performer with plenty of MOSFET power (22 watts RMS x 4 channels) and its advanced System Q EX sound control, which lets you tweak six different preset equalizer curves with its three-band parametric EQ. Also, System E's+ offers built-in high- and low-pass filters that let you send the right frequencies to the right speakers for optimum efficiency and sound quality.

Your system doesn't have to stop at the receiver and speakers, either. Three sets of 5-volt preamp outputs send an incredibly clean signal to the external amplifiers you connect, giving your system the extra push you crave. Satellite radio controls give you the option of enjoying either SIRIUS or XM Satellite Radio — that's over 120 channels of music, news, sports, talk, entertainment, and more, broadcast without interruption from coast to coast (compatible tuner, subscription, and antenna required).

You can also connect an HD Radio tuner and, where available, enjoy this growing technology. It makes FM sound nearly like CDs, and AM sound almost like FM, and it offers extra information you don't get with standard radio. And if you're into the iPod™ scene, you can connect it (or any portable player) to the auxiliary input and play it through the system.

Top of page