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Kenwood Readies Quartet Of eXcelon In-Dash Receivers

Long Beach, Calif. — Kenwood plans November availability of four 2015-model eXcelon in-dash CD-receivers and multimedia receivers.

The multimedia receivers are the $580-suggested DDX492 and $550 DX392. The CD-receivers are the $210-suggested KDC- X599 and $170-suggested KDC-X399. The KDC-X599 ships in November, and the rest ship in October, all earlier than eXcelon products have shipped before.

All are the first eXcelon heads said by the company to offer Android music playback via USB, enabling users to control music stored on a USB-connected Android phone via Android’s Open Accessory Protocol (OAP) when used with a companion Kenwood app. Users can select Android-phone-stored songs by song title, artist, album and genre. OAP delivers a quicker connection and quicker operation compared to using Android’s Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which is designed for moving content from computers to devices, said senior product manager Rick Noetzli.

All heads are equipped with stereo Bluetooth and continue to offer automatic Apple phone pairing when the phone is connected via USB.

The multimedia receivers add new 6.2-inch touchscreens, up from 6.1 inches.

The $170 KDC-X399 CD-receiver represent a lower price point for built-in Bluetooth capabilities. It also features variable-color display, three 4-volt pre-outs, and five-band equalizer. It also supports control of iHeart Radio and Pandora Internet Radio on iPhones and Android phones.

The $210 KDC- X599 CD-receiver features built-in stereo Bluetooth with aptX, CD door. features variable-color display, three 4-volt pre-outs, and five-band equalizer. It also supports control of iHeart Radio and Pandora Internet Radio on iPhones and Android phones. The CD-receiver is one of three Kenwood head units with aptX.

The $550 DDX392 multimedia receiver ($550.00 suggested retail price) offers Siri voice control of USB-connected iPhones, Pandora Internet Radio control for both iPhone and Android, control of an outboard SiriusXM SXV200 tuner, three 4-volt pre-outs, 5-band equalize, and 6.2-inch VGA touchscreen. It also includes rearview-camera input and steering-wheel control input.

The $580 DDX492 adds built-in HD Radio.

All eXcelon receivers are covered by a two-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.

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