Just installed the KDC-X998 Excelon in my GMC truck after installing and having to remove a POS Pioneer with dead rear channels, and I'm happy the Pioneer was a lemon and I upgraded to this Kenwood. It's my second Kenwood but first Excelon, and WOW, VERY happy with this radio, it is a BEAST. AWESOME sound, great build quality, great power, nice display, lots of inputs, would recommend this radio to anyone. Worth every penny.
The kdc-998 is built for sound quality first and foremost. Other offerings from Alpine for example are more focused on being user friendly, but if you want sound quality the 998 or 997 is for sure the way to go! This unit is by no means difficult to operate in my opinion.
I would totally agree with that. I just installed this in my GMC truck. Have Infinity Kappa 6.5's in the front doors and Infinity Kappa 6x9's in custom boxes in the rear, and WOW, no amp, no sub, and this radio ROCKS! Worth every penny.
Nice job on the review! You highlighted some features I had not caught from reading the manufacturer product description. One thing you did not mention is this is a Siri "hands free" receiver- which is a really great feature for iPhone owners looking to access a particular title or artist by pressing a button and asking Siri. Makes for easier phone calling as well.
this unit looks really impressive- how would you compare it to an alpine cda-105 (what i currently have in my car). looking to upgrade.... lovely review!!
The Bluetooth HF/Audio is for calls, not music routing. If you have it set to Front, your calls will play through the front speakers only, but music will still play through all. For calls, if you have it set to all, the person on the other end of the call might hear some feedback or an echo.
so i own this unit and downloaded the 100 page user manual and still cant understand how to save your pre-sets for the equalizer. I know you can save 2 different set ups and switch between them but i dont think im doing right.
Wonder why the Bluetooth audio only plays through the front speakers ( no rears or subs) and yes i checked the fader and amp...its only in bt mode this happens.
You can change this. It’s on page 83 of the manual. -Enter Bluetooth mode -Select Settings > Detailed Settings -Select Bluetooth HF/Audio -Update from Front to All This will output Bluetooth audio to all speakers. This one drove me crazy until I figured it out.
like you vids, wish you would scroll thru all the color choices..not combos mind ya but just the choices. I'm looking for a radio that has a good white to match the insturment panel in my Mazda 6.
I have this radio. I’m having problems with the pairing to iPhone. It’s plays, but when I connect the iPhone it plays but the sound is off. Any tips to help me troubleshoot this problem.
miranda rights r You have to activate the speakers to play the iPod. From the Standby screen press the volume knob and scroll to the HP audio and choose all speakers to play.
thanks for the review. better than the crutchfield one. i recommend you use a real mic next time and even put up a link to amazon so you can get some $
Just installed the KDC-X998 Excelon in my GMC truck after installing and having to remove a POS Pioneer with dead rear channels, and I'm happy the Pioneer was a lemon and I upgraded to this Kenwood. It's my second Kenwood but first Excelon, and WOW, VERY happy with this radio, it is a BEAST. AWESOME sound, great build quality, great power, nice display, lots of inputs, would recommend this radio to anyone. Worth every penny.
The kdc-998 is built for sound quality first and foremost. Other offerings from Alpine for example are more focused on being user friendly, but if you want sound quality the 998 or 997 is for sure the way to go! This unit is by no means difficult to operate in my opinion.
I would totally agree with that. I just installed this in my GMC truck. Have Infinity Kappa 6.5's in the front doors and Infinity Kappa 6x9's in custom boxes in the rear, and WOW, no amp, no sub, and this radio ROCKS! Worth every penny.
Yeah it really is high end for the money. Totally rocks with nice clean sound! Enjoy your system!
Nice job on the review! You highlighted some features I had not caught from reading the manufacturer product description. One thing you did not mention is this is a Siri "hands free" receiver- which is a really great feature for iPhone owners looking to access a particular title or artist by pressing a button and asking Siri. Makes for easier phone calling as well.
Hi, what is better? Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 or Pioneer DEH-X6600BS. Help me please!
My ipod plays quiet now. Unless I restart the song or fast forward. It's annoying. Any ideas ?
for android phones, can you use the USB to play music?
this unit looks really impressive- how would you compare it to an alpine cda-105 (what i currently have in my car). looking to upgrade.... lovely review!!
What is the difference between this unit and last year's model, the KDC-X997?
The Bluetooth HF/Audio is for calls, not music routing. If you have it set to Front, your calls will play through the front speakers only, but music will still play through all. For calls, if you have it set to all, the person on the other end of the call might hear some feedback or an echo.
Thanks this was my issue
While this setting is intended to affect calls only, in my case it affected all audio playback when set to front. I keep it set to all.
That's why my rears won't play..great video.
How do you find the radio's ESN/ID number? "The number you need for SiriusXM"
What's the differences between the KDC-X997 and the newer 998?
so i own this unit and downloaded the 100 page user manual and still cant understand how to save your pre-sets for the equalizer. I know you can save 2 different set ups and switch between them but i dont think im doing right.
is there a head unit that utilizes the whole 32 GB thumb drive? or bigger?
Is this still the best sound quality stereo.
Wonder why the Bluetooth audio only plays through the front speakers ( no rears or subs) and yes i checked the fader and amp...its only in bt mode this happens.
You can change this. It’s on page 83 of the manual.
-Enter Bluetooth mode
-Select Settings > Detailed Settings
-Select Bluetooth HF/Audio
-Update from Front to All
This will output Bluetooth audio to all speakers.
This one drove me crazy until I figured it out.
like you vids, wish you would scroll thru all the color choices..not combos mind ya but just the choices. I'm looking for a radio that has a good white to match the insturment panel in my Mazda 6.
which is better, the Alpine 149 or X998? thanks
This
I have this radio. I’m having problems with the pairing to iPhone. It’s plays, but when I connect the iPhone it plays but the sound is off. Any tips to help me troubleshoot this problem.
miranda rights r You have to activate the speakers to play the iPod. From the Standby screen press the volume knob and scroll to the HP audio and choose all speakers to play.
Juan Mosley thank you I try it.
thanks for the review. better than the crutchfield one. i recommend you use a real mic next time and even put up a link to amazon so you can get some $
Deh-80prs or kdc-998??? Plis help me
For sound quality i would go to Kenwood ;)
Can anyone confirm if the Tweeter shelving filter mentioned in the manual is a true high pass crossover? Thanks
No the kenwood kdc x998 doesn't do 3way active. No it's not a high pass filter it doesn't even have a mid range filter.
What do you do when your car stereo goes into a proect" mode?
Carrie Reed youre fucked
the o best pioneer vs kenwood?
can you use an android as well
+Unarmfever 3 yes
Yes but i cant get my rear or subs to work with Bluetooth audio.
too focused on the design,, hope the quality is better that it seems regarding only the physical optical aspect...
Have one and it's crap .
why dont you like it
You bought a lemon, mine is awesome