can't decide between kenwood or pioneer

[hogfanallday]

hey guys ready to get rid of this JVC head unit i'm looking at single dins and i can't decide between the kenwood KDC-x696 or the Pioneer DEH-P8400BH what do u guys think? budget is around 200

[zako]

The quality of new Kenwoods is not very good. A lot of people with Excelon models are seeing problems after a short while. I just noticed on my X994 that the unit power cycles when I press any buttons. The newer ones have the same issue. Of course, most other head units are not built much better now.

For under $200, I would have tried a Sony DSX-310, because I like to have time alignment and bt phone support. The Amazon price is under $200.

[sbelew]

I have the x695 and an x995. Have not had any problems with either and I love them. I had a x994 and had noise problems with it, but returned it to Crutchfield and the replaced it with the x995. The x695 has bluetooth with external mic, which I mounted on the steering column, everyone says it sounds great. The front USB is very nice. Pick up one of the mini USB flash drives and it is hardly noticeable when plugged in. This is the one I got;
Newegg.com - SEgoN Mini-Ding Series 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model Black Mini-Ding A-8GB

The song search feature is easier to use on the x695. I've been very happy with both and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. I've had the x995 for about 18 months or so and the x695 for about a year.

[naughtyca]

Pioneer, Kenwood is known for very slow processing, i have run both Kenwood and Pioneer and I like Pioneer better