Kenwood excelon kdc-x794

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

I usually see the 994 and the 995 being compared. But I guess the 993 is right in the bunch. They've got time alignment, blue tooth, usb, 3 sets of 4v pre-outs, 5 band eq, wide color range for display, etc. The 994 is just an updated version of the 993, with nothing really changed. Just an updated design, different remote. The 994 has a built in aux in the rear, with additional optional aux in rear. The 993 has a built in aux in the front, with an optional aux in the rear. the 993 will download your texts via bluetooth and show them on the display. The 994 can't do that, but it can stream music via bluetooth. They're very similar units, with only some minor difference. And the 995 is a more expensive version of the 994, without the ability to stream music via BT, but with slightly greater distance options for time alignment.

So it'd basically come down to looks between the 993 and the 994, which one appeals to you more. and if you like having your built in aux in the front, or rear.

 

[knokinnakamichi 10+ year member]

the 993 will download your texts via bluetooth and show them on the display. The 994 can't do that, but it can stream music via bluetooth.

Interesting, I read crutchfield's 'scripts and didn't get this! How would I get one of these to fit when I currently have a cd and tap deck? wouldn't it be too small

 

[knokinnakamichi 10+ year member]

[quote name='TheUnderFighter']I usually see the 994 and the 995 being compared. But I guess the 993 is right in the bunch. They've got time alignment, blue tooth, usb, 3 sets of 4v pre-outs, 5 band eq, wide color range for display, etc. The 994 is just an updated version of the 993, with nothing really changed. Just an updated design, different remote. The 994 has a built in aux in the rear, with additional optional aux in rear. The 993 has a built in aux in the front, with an optional aux in the rear. the 993 will download your texts via bluetooth and show them on the display. The 994 can't do that, but it can stream music via bluetooth. They're very similar units, with only some minor difference. And the 995 is a more expensive version of the 994, without the ability to stream music via BT, but with slightly greater distance options for time alignment.
So it'd basically come down to looks between the 993 and the 994, which one appeals to you more. and if you like having your built in aux in the front, or rear.[/QUOTE]

So, I moved some funds around...should I be willing to drop $200 on a x994???? OR is there another HU around that price I could fine NEW for better SQ?
@CAT MAN

 

[knokinnakamichi 10+ year member]

Well just so you all know, I decided to go with the KDC-695. It has all the features I need, but I would like to be able to install the cd changer while I hook up the HU-guess I need a kenwood cd changer unless there is a way around that?

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

ick >.

 

[JoshC 10+ year member]

Im grabbing the 396 here soon, hoping its a nice upgrade from my cda105

 

[CAT MAN 5,000+ posts]

[quote name='knokinnakamichi']So, I moved some funds around...should I be willing to drop $200 on a x994???? OR is there another HU around that price I could fine NEW for better SQ?
@CAT MAN[/QUOTE]

200 i woulda got a pioneer 8300ub

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I don't understand why would anyone who even remotely cares about SQ would not use time alignment in the car (the only exception would be crafty people who figured how to eliminated PLD between ALL speakers they use). The only Kenwood head units that are worth buying are KDC-993/994/995/996, unless you use an external DSP with time alignment capability. The difference is HUGE. The difference is between having hopelessly messed up imaging versus having at very least passable imaging if you take time to tune the feature.

However, tuning time alignment only does not result in 100% consistent imaging because at frequencies above 2KHz, the intensity of sound is what counts for localization the most. Therefore, for more consistent imaging you need time time alignment AND independent L/R equalizer. In my car I simply use the L/R balance to shift the intensity a bit away from myself. However, if I was buying a brand new head unit, I'd be going with Pioneer DEH-PRS80, which has all the features you need achieve good imaging.

 

[zako 10+ year member]

I usually see the 994 and the 995 being compared.

They are the same unit. 993 got replaced by 994, which got replaced by 995, etc. The newer ones are much better. The 993 has only 5-band graphic equalizer, which is hardly a high end equalizer. The newer ones have more features.

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

If you are still looking heres a 994 for 105 with less than a day left

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