Kenwood Direct Replacement car stereos
Car stereo replacement solutions for more vehicles
Kenwood and ADS have teamed up to create a stereo-replacement evolution. Their innovative Direct Replacement (DR) packages offer an upgraded audio/video experience. For many vehicles, this is the first time upgrading has been an option at all. For others, this could be a much better option than what's been offered previously. And we couldn’t be more excited about it.
During my 16 years as a Crutchfield Advisor, I shared in the disappointment many of my customers felt when they learned they couldn’t put a new stereo in their vehicle due to the complex design of the factory radio. And I sympathized with those customers who decided not to replace their factory radios because doing so meant using an integration kit that radically redesigned their dash layouts. Enter Direct Replacement.
The new way to get classic A/V benefits
Direct Replacement packages combine ADS' new iDatalink Maestro APX™ (pronounced “apex”) vehicle-integration kits and Maestro software with Kenwood’s cutting-edge Direct Replacement car stereos to provide you the most current technology, upgraded sound quality, and fun options you couldn’t get from your factory system — without messing with your dash design and functionality.
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A Crutchfield expert will tell you all about these new Kenwood stereos.
Kenwood Direct Replacement stereos
And now, here are five aspects that make this approach so revolutionary.
1) Better car stereo integration
Until now, dashes had to be altered in some way to accommodate the size and shape of a car stereo. Often, solutions for newer vehicles require expensive kits with big plastic trim pieces that change the layout of the dash, climate controls and other factory features. ADS flipped this paradigm, and teamed up with Kenwood to design stereos and integration methods to fit the layout of the vehicle. These packages completely retain the factory trim, so there’s no learning curve — you keep climate controls and other options you’re already used to.
This iDatalink Maestro APX kit lets you install a Kenwood Direct Replacement stereo in a variety of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.
2) More vehicles can get in the game
Over the years, the number of vehicles with replaceable factory stereos has declined due to complex dash configurations, intricate wiring, the integration of system controls, and other factors.
Because of their design and integration innovations, Direct Replacement provides first-time stereo replacement solutions for lots of vehicles. But that's not all, it also offers additional options in cars that already allow for stereo upgrades. So if you couldn’t upgrade before, chances are good that you can now. And the number of options will grow to include even more vehicles in the future.
These Kenwood stereos have a split-screen mode that lets you see Apple CarPlay and other sources, like HD Radio, simultaneously. That's handy if you're using a navigation app, but still want to listen to the radio.
3) A better audio/video experience in the car
You may be thinking, “I already have cool features in my factory stereo. Why replace it?” The answer is a dramatically improved audio and video experience. If you've ever had an aftermarket stereo in a vehicle, you probably know what I mean.
Wireless phone integration
Direct Replacement stereos offer wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ — a huge convenience boost that gets your smartphone involved in your driving entertainment and assistance experience.
Clear, detailed display
Upgrading to a high-definition (HD) touchscreen display clearly shows off navigation apps and album art. That also means better images from side-view and backup cameras. And yes, Direct Replacement lets you keep many of your factory cameras — a time saver on installation and viewing angles you're used to.
Improved sound
These stereos also offer more power, improved digital-to-analog converters, and robust tone controls for enhanced clarity and detail. And you can add amplifiers to the preamp outputs to get even more oomph out of your music.
4) A less expensive option for some
According to industry data, as vehicle owners, we are holding onto our cars for an average of 12 years. And it’s not unusual for older factory stereos to fail. This is another reason Direct Replacement are such great news — they come at a price that’s lower than just getting the same radio from the dealer, which offers no updates or improvements. And for some, DR is even less costly than other aftermarket solutions.
5) The stereo adapts to the vehicle
Kenwood DR stereos, which come in 8" flush-mount and 10" floating versions, feature a modular design with a separate display and chassis — the secret to working with the iDatalink Maestro APX kits to keep that factory look.
The Direct Replacement installation method actually depends on your vehicle. iDatalink APX kits and modular DR stereos work together to allow the chassis to be installed wherever it makes sense in a given vehicle — behind the touchscreen display, inside the dash, or as the image above shows, even in the kick panel in some cases (with the help of an extension cable to connect the chassis to the display). It’s the versatility of these packages that lets you enjoy a massive upgrade while retaining that factory look and feel.
iDatalink's MIC1 Bluetooth® microphone interface is an excellent optional accessory to integrate your car's factory microphone. Without the MIC1, you'll have to install the external microphone that comes with the stereo. Like everything else about the Direct Replacement system, the iDatalink MIC1 is a game changer.
Making it all work
In addition to the Kenwood stereo and iDatalink APX hardware, you’ll also need an iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 interface module. This module is the brains of the package. It's what allows the new stereo to integrate with the vehicle's electronics and computer. It provides power, signal, and the retention of factory features. Plus, you’ll get onscreen diagnostic gauges and even pitch-and-roll data about your vehicle. You can read more about the Maestro in this article.
Matt, our ADS iDatalink trainer, showed off the Direct Replacement solution in his Ford Edge.
New tech without changing your dash
You’ve probably gotten used to your vehicle’s dash layout and how you access various things like the climate controls, so keeping them intact is ideal. Take the image of the Ford Edge above, for example. Previous integration solutions in this vehicle rearranged the dash entirely, mounting the stereo low, and providing entirely new climate controls above it. But the iDatalink Maestro APX kit and modular Direct Replacement stereos retain the factory trim to preserve the factory look, climate controls, and even the big volume and selection knob in the center.
Flush-mount options
The Kenwood Direct Replacement models with 8" screens are designed to directly replace 8" factory screens for a perfect fit — they look factory but play like aftermarket stereos. The DAX8000S digital media stereo works with iDatalink Maestro APX kits and includes lots of features you probably won't find on your factory radio. Their Excelon DAX800XR model steps up to a 2-year warranty, upgraded internal audio components, and an optical output to feed a digital signal to select sound processors for serious sound tweakers. Plus, its 5-volt preamp outputs provide crystal-clear sound to amplifiers you can now easily add.
A floating display
For some vehicles, ADS determined that the best mounting option to retain the factory trim would be installing a 10" floating display. The Kenwood Excelon DAX1050XR stereo works seamlessly with an iDatalink Maestro APX kit to fill the spot where a factory 4" or 8.4" screen was, so it looks like a factory big-screen upgrade while keeping the dash trim and controls intact.
Who can get it?
This first wave of packages cover several models from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Infiniti, Lincoln, Nissan, Jeep, and RAM. More solutions for other makes and models will be on the way in the near future.
What you’ll need
If we have a Direct Replacement solution for your vehicle, here are the items to complete the package:
- A Kenwood Direct Replacement stereo
- An iDatalink Maestro APX kit, which includes:
- brackets and hardware
- an antenna adapter
- a USB adapter (if needed)
- a dash-panel removal tool
- An iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 interface module
- An iDatalink wiring harness for the Kenwood stereo (the Direct Replacement stereos include no wiring harness)
- A Monitor Extension Cable provides the extra length needed for some Direct Replacement applications
When you use our vehicle fit tool, we’ll bundle everything you need in one convenient package.
Will it work for you?
Want to see if we have a Kenwood Direct Replacement solution for your vehicle? Use our vehicle fit tool to see if one of these stereos will work in your car. You can also contact our knowledgeable and friendly Advisors for more details. They'll be glad to tell you all about Direct Replacement gear and answer all of your questions.
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