New Headunit & Speakers Advice

[scarface]

Firstly whats happened to the forum section dedicated to ICE?

Anyways ive still got the factory fitted stereo in my lcr which im more than happy with, however recently when the car warms up, cd's stop working, everytime i skip a track or put a new cd in, a 'cd error' message comes up.

Plus the front left upper speaker is cracking too.

So its come to the point where i need to get a new headunit (and the mp3 playback would come in handy)

Im looking at the Kenwood KDC-BT40U mp3 headunit, as its bluetooth, got a front 3.5 jack connection and usb connection, plus it illuminates in red so pretty much does everything i want it to do.

Is it ok?

Fully spec below:

Kenwood KDC-BT40U is the first in our range of Bluetooth hands-free solutions which also has iPod/iPhone direct control and USB features. With the Kenwood KDC-BT40U hands-free your phonebook list is displayed for selection and previous call logs can also be used. Incoming caller number or name is also displayed before you allow connection. Other USB music storage devices can also be connected such as a portable hard-drive USB stick etc. A cool blue 13-character display gives easy visibility even in sunny conditions. A high power 4x50watt built-in power amplifier will fill your car with high quality sound from any source.

http://www.bassjunkies.com/unassigned/kenwood-kdc-bt40u £115

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Key Features:Bluetooth with handsfree profile built-in
Microphone integrated in front panel
MP3 WMA & AAC files playback
Illuminated front AUX & USB input
iPod + iPhone direct control (optional accessory KCA-iP101)

Kenwood KDC-BT40U General Features:DIN Size 1 DIN
Detachable Faceplate
Protection Case For Faceplate Soft Case
Key Illumination Red
Rotary Encoder & Control Knob
Music Search function
Attenuator with Smooth Volume Return only by IR remote controller
Touch Sensor Tone
Optional IR remote controller KCA-RC405
Digital Clock (24H)
All-off Select (20/40/60 minutes)
Built-in Connector Molex 16 pin
ISO connector

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Display Features:Display Type Fluorescent (FL) Tube Display
Display Layout 14 segments x 13 Characters
Dimmer Control 2 steps - Manual
Demo Mode
Special Character Display Russian Characters

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Cosmetics features:Front/edge Black Injection
Dress plate Chrome plated
Volume & operation knob or wheel Chrome Plated
Preset key finish Black Injection
Escutcheon finish Black Injection
Triangle Illumination Red
Volume & operation knob illumination Red
Key illumination Red

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Tuner Features:RDS (PI PS AF TI Clock)
Radio Text (RDS)
Program Type Function (PTY)
FM Reception
AM (MW/LW) Reception
Presets 24 Presets (18FM / 3LW / 3MW)
Mixed preset memory (FM & AM) 6 presets
Automatic Memory Entry (AME)
Up/Down Seek Tuning
Tuning mode (Auto1 / Auto2 / Manual)
FM Stereo / Mono Selector

Kenwood KDC-BT40U CD Features:CD-R/RW Compatible
MP3 Playback with ID3 Tag Display
WMA (Windows Media Audio) Playback
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) Playback
CD Text Support
Supreme
D.A.C. processing 24 bit
0 bit Mute
Random Function (Track/Disc)
Repeat Function (Track/Disc)
Scan Function (Track/Disc)

Kenwood KDC-BT40U USB Features:USB terminal Front with slide cover
USB Type USB1.1 / USB 2.0
Kenwood Music Editor Lite can be downloaded from website
MP3 playback with ID3 Tag Display
WMA (Windows Media File) playback
AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) playback

Kenwood KDC-BT40U iPod Features:USB Digital connection (1 wire) with optional cable KCA-iP101
Music playback
Music library search
Alphabet search 3 character search
Skip search
My playlist
Control by hand
Reverse browsing
Works with iPhone * iPhone 3G & 3GS
Works with iPod Classic * 80G & 120G
Works with iPod Video * 5th/6th generation
Works with iPod Nano * 1st/2nd/3rd/4th Gen
Works with iPod Touch * 1st/2nd Gen
Battery charge + power control
* Always update to latest Apple firmware

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Audio Features:Maximum Output Power 50W x 4
MOSFET Power IC
Auxiliary input Front mini-jack
Pre-out 1 RCA
Pre-out Output Level 2V
Preout Rear / Subwoofer Switchable
Subwoofer Reference Level Adj.
Source Tone Control & Memory Bass / Mid / Treble
Balance/Fader Control
Att.(-20dB) with smooth Volume Return
System Q (Preset Sound Control)
Bass Boost Circuit
Low-pass Filter

Kenwood KDC-BT40U Bluetooth General Features:Hands free Profile (HPF)
Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Headset Profile (HSP)
Phonebook Access Profile (PBAP)
Phone numbers hold: up to 1000 per registered phone.
Object Push Profile (OPP)
Synchronization Profile (SYNC)
Short Message Service (SMS) reading only
Phone device status display
Signal strength display
Remaining battery display
Bluetooth phones to register 5
High-quality noise canceling microphone built-in
Bluetooth firmware upgradeable
* depends on phone model/make


Ok and if that wasnt enough i also need to either just replace the front speaker or upgrade the lot. Do i go for component speakers or just tweeters?

Thanks in advance

 

[scarface]

to be fair im not really going to use the bluetooth for calls, they have a headunit without that for £80, but i thought for another £35 may aswell go the whole hog.

 

[jaf2212]

Sony have a similar one, I have got installed it in my LC and it allows you to change the colours between blue and red, its a little dear but works well - Sony MEX-BT3900U

 

[scarface]

bit pricey, not looking to spend too much. what about speakers?

 

[jaf2212]

I've not looked at speakers yet, yes the Sony unit is price but well worth the money and lights up red

 

[Allan_84]

speakers i would look at: Rainbow in the size 6,5", and with a separate tweeter. depending on how much you are willing to spend on them and if you want to replaced both front speakers and rear speakers?

if the OE speakers are ok, you can use them and get a small subwoofer with amp insted of new speakers, if you get a subwoofer, then also get a high passfilter on the OE speakers (HPF 50-60hz), some of the good headunits have this, if your headunit dont have this feature you can get a highpass filter and mount it on the wires for the speakers.

if it was me who had to choose a new radio/headunit, then i would look at Alpine or Pioneer. (i have pioneer deh-p88rs II)

 

[M20FES]

I put one of these head units in my wife's car, but the cheaper version without Bluetooth. Does the job and she runs a 3.5mm audio lead from the front aux port to her iPhone to stream music throughh the car. There ok little units for the money. I'd go with the Bluetooth version you mentioned tbh.

That link for bass junkies in wolves. Got my wife's Kenwood from there aswell lol

 

[scarface]

Yeh i had my system for my old car from there too, they not too far from me and know there stuff.

Think im going to go for the h/unit above, however still unsure on speakers, its just the left speaker crackling.

 

[offitmassive]

How about a Kenwood KDC-W3044A,

only £55 notes

 

[scarface]

Bassjunkies dont do the Kenwood KDC-BT40 anymore but they doing the 414 model for £69.99, reduced from £99.99, only diff is its not bluetooth.

 

[mickeyp88]

Sony have a similar one, I have got installed it in my LC and it allows you to change the colours between blue and red, its a little dear but works well - Sony MEX-BT3900U

Can you definatly change the display to red? Im thinking about buying one but want it to match the dash idealy

 

[sambryant]

Sorry to hijack this thread. I have a quick question. About 2 years ago i bought some alpine tweeters with crossovers. Now if i want to fit them in place of the standard tweeters in my lcr do i need to fit the crossovers aswell?
Back on thread i would buy the bluetooth model if it was me. Red display is a must in a leon. Halfords did a online clearance the other day with big discounts on the alpine stuff. Yesterday i bought the alpine ida-x-305 with full iphone control. Looking forward to getting if fitted

 

[jaf2212]

Can you definatly change the display to red? Im thinking about buying one but want it to match the dash idealy

Yes, comes set up as blue but has the option for red as well, not the best pic but shows it in red

 

[M20FES]

Yes, comes set up as blue but has the option for red as well, not the best pic but shows it in red

Nice looking single din head unit that

 

[jaf2212]

Nice looking single din head unit that

Thanks, it's a good bit of kit for the money

 

[mickeyp88]

Nice looking single din head unit that

Yes, comes set up as blue but has the option for red as well, not the best pic but shows it in red


Thanks for that, just ordered one, it's only £15 more than the kenwood at the top of the thread

 

[jaf2212]

Yes, comes set up as blue but has the option for red as well, not the best pic but shows it in red


Thanks for that, just ordered one, it's only £15 more than the kenwood at the top of the thread

Christ, they have come down in price just lately then, I paid £170 for mine

 

[Dozer360]

i have

link

you can have custom colours on buttons and screen, i have red to match the leon dials or blue to match my leather seats.

sounds great even on standard speakers, has aux, usb and i have used it in my last 3 cars.

 

[M20FES]

are you missing the fascia surround cover, cause i can see the metal cage ?

 

[jaf2212]

are you missing the fascia surround cover, cause i can see the metal cage ?

Nope, taken it off to paint as changing the colour of the dash