About the Kenwood KDC-138
Kenwood's KDC-138 CD receiver includes a front-panel auxiliary input with a handy feature that isn't usually found on lower-priced receivers. You can adjust the input's level so you won't get drastic changes in volume when you switch to or from the auxiliary source. This user-friendly Kenwood also features a 5-function toggle switch on the right side of the faceplate that makes it easy to adjust your settings on the go.
The stereo's built-in amplifier offers plenty of power, and you can shape the sound with a 3-band equalizer and six preset tone curves. If you're adding a subwoofer, the set of preamp outputs include a low-pass filter and level adjustment to keep the signal clean for great-sounding bass.
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 subwoofer level control
Expandability
- inputs: front-panel auxiliary input
- outputs: one set of preamp outputs (can be switched to subwoofer mode)
Other info
- warranty: 1 year
- MFR # KDC-138
What's in the box:
Kenwood KDC-138 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
- Back support screw
- Instruction Manual (English/Spanish/French)
- Warranty Card
- Kenwood Car Audio Passport sheet
Customer reviews for Kenwood KDC-138
Loading...
Loading reviews...
Average review:
4.0 out of 5 starsThanks for submitting your review
Customer photos
This review was collected as part of a promotion
Pros:
Cons:
More details on the Kenwood KDC-138
Features & specs
Expandability | ||
---|---|---|
AUX Input | Front | |
Audio/video Input | --- | |
USB Input | No | |
USB Port Power | --- | |
Backup Camera Input | No | |
Second Camera Input | No | |
CarPlay | No | |
Android Auto | No | |
Siri Control | No | |
Alexa Voice Control | ||
Android Control | No | |
Memory Card Slot | No | |
Bluetooth Compatible | No | |
Satellite Radio Ready | No | |
HD Radio | No | |
Navigation | --- | |
iPod Compatibility | ||
Full size | --- | |
Nano | --- | |
Touch | --- | |
iPhone | --- | |
General | ||
RMS Power (CTA-2006) | N/A | |
RMS Power (Manufacturer) | --- | |
Peak Output | 50 watts | |
RMS Power Bandwidth | 20-20kHz | |
Preamp Outputs | 2-channel | |
Sub Preamp Outputs | No | |
Switchable Rear Preamp Outputs | Yes | |
Video Screen | No | |
Navigation App Compatible (iOS) | ||
Navigation App Compatible (Android) | ||
Preamp Voltage | 2 volts | |
Screen Size | --- | |
Screen Type | --- | |
Display Color | White | |
Key Button Color | Red | |
EQ Bands | 3 | |
Wireless Remote | No | |
Steering Wheel Control Compatible | No | |
Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
Tuner | ||
FM Sensitivity | 9.3 dBf | |
European Tuning | Yes | |
Seek/Scan | Seek | |
Radio Data System | No | |
File Playback | ||
Music File Playback | ||
High-res Playback |
Product Research
Overview: The Kenwood KDC-138 AM/FM CD receiver features a detachable face, front auxiliary input, selectable rear/sub 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.
Display Features
Audio Section
Radio Functions
Disc Playback
Aux Connection
Display Features
Detachable Face: The unit features a single front loading CD face that detaches from the chassis to deter theft.
Note: No face case is included with this unit. An optional soft face case (142DFC1X, sold separately) can be purchased for this unit.
Display: The KDC-138 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.
Audio Section
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 Balance, Fader, Bass, Mid, Treble and preset EQ settings.
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.
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).
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.
Bass/Treble/Mid Control: The KDC-138 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-138 CD receiver feature balance and fade controls from Left15 to Right15 and Rear15 to Front15. The CD receiver uses a 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-138 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.
Tel Mute: The KDC-138 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.
Radio Functions
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.
Disc Playback
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.
CD Playback Options: The KDC-138 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-138 allows you to eject your disc for 10 minutes after switching off the vehicles engine.
Aux Connection
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.
Loading...
Loading accessories...
Customer Q&A
Loading...
Loading articles...
Nice radio, good features. Works great with i pods and portable satellite radio. Price of radio vs. features is what I was looking for.
TD from Eldon, Iowa