Navigation: Kenwood vs. Pioneer?

[HB 4X4]

I am debating between the Pioneer AVIC-X910BT and Kenwood DNX-5140. Does anyone have any personal experiences with either? Can both be used with my JBL system and provide the same sound quality that I get now? I have read through many threads, but still haven't found definite answers. They both look like great units and both offer rear-view camera's.

Pioneer:
Pioneer AVIC-X910BT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com


Kenwood
Kenwood DNX5140 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com


They have an adapter for JBL, is this all that is needed to make it compatible? They ask whether you have JBL or JBL without RDS... What is RDS?

PAC Toyota Factory Integration Adapter Install a new receiver while retaining your JBL amplifier in select 2003-up Toyota vehicles (Model TATO) at Crutchfield.com

I want to retain my JBL sound quality, as well as the steering wheel controls and disc changer.

 

[MikesToy]

That Kenwood looks more "user friendly" than the Pioneer. The video says it has the DNX6140. I know nothing about RDS. Heck, i don't even know what TRAF is and what each RDS, TRAF, and TYPE does. Here's a photo of my OEM. I'mma play with it sometime and see what each does.

 

[rook]

There is na adapter that converts the signal out of the head unit into the jbl digital amp / speakers. Instead, I'd put that money towards the cost of a new amp and speakers as I have not heard rave reviews of the sound quality from those who hooked up a hu to the jbl system. You wouldnt have to spend a lot to outperform the mediocre jbl system.

As for the units. I'm biased towards the Kenwood. I like the Garmin nav interface, it is real easy to use.

 

[HB 4X4]

There is na adapter that converts the signal out of the head unit into the jbl digital amp / speakers. Instead, I'd put that money towards the cost of a new amp and speakers as I have not heard rave reviews of the sound quality from those who hooked up a hu to the jbl system. You wouldnt have to spend a lot to outperform the mediocre jbl system.

As for the units. I'm biased towards the Kenwood. I like the Garmin nav interface, it is real easy to use.

So even with the adapter for the JBL the sound quality will be worse with either of the Navs compared to my stock radio HU?

 

[rook]

So even with the adapter for the JBL the sound quality will be worse with either of the Navs compared to my stock radio HU?

That was my understanding from reading other user's posts. They were less than thrilled with the sound quality.

I'll have to search to see if I can find the original threads.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/40187-jbl-synthesis-10-speaker-amp-adjustments.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/28571-kenwood-dnx7100-installation.html - see post 15

There are other posts with no complaints, but I would not chance it, and I don't think you would either.

 

[HB 4X4]

What is the point of their JBL adapter if it doesn't retain the JBL?

I think mine sounds great and don't want to change my sound system on account of a nav. I'd just like a larger mav than my garmin, and especially a bakup camera. I certainly don't want a decrease in sound, and it's not worth the $$ to me to upgrade my sound system. I don't bump down the street.

Also, can you still use the AUX input inside the center consol with these?

 

[borgzman]

What is the point of their JBL adapter if it doesn't retain the JBL?

IMO, just to prove that it will still sound. I don't have JBL, but if it has an external amp aside from the headunit's built in pre-amp, then coupling an aftermarket brand to that external JBL amp(in your vehicle) is like a mismatch?? because clearly they are not designed with respect to their input/output characteristics..I've been installing aftermarket headunits, sure some are louder but I think your JBL has deeper classy sound..

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I would think adding a new head unit would improve sound quality. The head unit should have some sort of EQ that you can tweak.

If you weren't happy you could add some new speakers and an amp. This set up would not be outrageously loud either.

 

[HB 4X4]

That's my point though. I don't want to add new amps or speakers because I like how it sounds now. I don't want to replace the HU if all it will do is degrade the JBL.

Borgz, are you saying they will be mismatched or will not? Will there be a positive, negative, or no affect on the JBL sound quality? You are right, it sounds great. I have friends with Bose and other brands in their vehicles and mine sounds just as good as theirs. I have been extremely happy with tHe JBL and I'm not planning on spending hundreds to replace it's parts.

 

[borgzman]

Borgz, are you saying they will be mismatched or will not?.

Not exactly, beacuse many have replaced w/ no problem, and adaptors are made just to connect to the stock amp. But many times I'm adding an amp or replacing a headunit towards a vehicle's stock amp, I can hear hum...or BrRRGGG!! at higher volume. Try asking those w/ aftermarket system/nav (including mine) if they can turn their volume to full, most of them have problems. Also, most are thrilled about how loud, and how they make it fit into the dash and blend, but not so many have commented about the sound quality.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Your not supposed to turn an aftermarket head unit much passed 75%. FYI. Distortion is soon to follow.

 

[centxrunner]

Wait for the new Pioneer AVIC-X920BT, it should be available around April/May. Kenwood has nothing to compare to that unit right now. Also the Voice command on the Pioneer unit is much easier to use then Kenwood.

 

[HB 4X4]

Your not supposed to turn an aftermarket head unit much passed 75%. FYI. Distortion is soon to follow.

Up until that point should it sound the same as the stock HU?

Wait for the new Pioneer AVIC-X920BT, it should be available around April/May. Kenwood has nothing to compare to that unit right now. Also the Voice command on the Pioneer unit is much easier to use then Kenwood.

Yes, but then I am looking at 6+ months before I can upgrade. I would want to see a large amount of reviews before I purchased it since Pioneer is so well known for freezing, lagging, glitching, and all sorts of fun stuff.

It does look pretty nice, but no knob for volume control? I'd feel like I was back in my 94 Exploder. Knobs are much easier/faster and don't wear out like buttons do. With something like volume that you are constantly adjusting, they get worn out in no time at all and it looks tacky.

 

[centxrunner]

Knobs are much easier/faster and don't wear out like buttons do. With something like volume that you are constantly adjusting, they get worn out in no time at all and it looks tacky.

Who uses the knob? With controls on the steering wheel and the rest of the controls done by the GUI on screen and by voice, I wouldn't worry about wearing out a button.

 

[HB 4X4]

Who uses the knob? With controls on the steering wheel and the rest of the controls done by the GUI on screen and by voice, I wouldn't worry about wearing out a button.

I use the steering wheel a lot, but it's much faster to adjust the knob. (Unless I'm off-road, then the steering wheel is a life saver)

I am leaning more towards the Kenwood, not only because of the wait on the new Pioneer but because of the price. You can get the Kenwood for a little over $500. The new Pioneer won't be anywhere near that for quite some time, and I would still like to see reviews first. It's supposed to start priced around $1400.

The only thing holding me back from making the purchase is I just want to retain sound quality. So far I haven't seen anyone with the unit who says the sound quality decreases, just that the speakers cut out sooner when trying to max out the volume. I'm not sure if I have ever maxed it out though, and the points in this thread make me skeptical of the new HU.

 

[borgzman]

I'd just like a larger mav than my garmin, and especially a bakup camera. I certainly don't want a decrease in sound, and it's not worth

From my research back in 2007, SANYO :: Navigation Systems :: Easy Street NVM-4370 Portable Navigation This navigator, can play MP4 video(movies), w/ FM transmitter, Bluetooth.. Txt 2 speech, MP3/WMA player(can be transmitted to your JBL via FM), SD card as media storage and more.

Most importantly have Video Input terminal and "This unit is preprogrammed to search for a back-up camera when this feature is activated. In conjunction with the back-up camera installation a signal is sent to the NVM-4370 when plugged in to automatically display the camera feed" So you don't need to mess up your JBL. :thumb3: just hardwiring job..I'm sure there are more high end brands today.

(not recommending that brand though)

 

[HB 4X4]

From my research back in 2007, SANYO :: Navigation Systems :: Easy Street NVM-4370 Portable Navigation This navigator, can play MP4 video(movies), w/ FM transmitter, Bluetooth.. Txt 2 speech, MP3/WMA player(can be transmitted to your JBL via FM), SD card as media storage and more.

Most importantly have Video Input terminal and "This unit is preprogrammed to search for a back-up camera when this feature is activated. In conjunction with the back-up camera installation a signal is sent to the NVM-4370 when plugged in to automatically display the camera feed" So you don't need to mess up your JBL. :thumb3: just hardwiring job..I'm sure there are more high end brands today.

(not recommending that brand though)

The Garmin Nuvi 5000 allows a reverse camera to be hooked up, but I would rather eliminate the windshield mount all together and get an in-dash nav.

 

[centxrunner]

since Pioneer is so well known for freezing, lagging, glitching, and all sorts of fun stuff.

Wow you have one bad model, one year (Avic "F"series) and you are pigeon-holed as making slow, glitche, freezing, nav units. I guess Toyota is well known for making vehicles with bad brakes and vehicles that accelerate unexpectedly.

 

[HB 4X4]

Wow you have one bad model, one year (Avic "F"series) and you are pigeon-holed as making slow, glitche, freezing, nav units. I guess Toyota is well known for making vehicles with bad brakes that accelerate unexpectedly.

Sadly, that's pretty much true right now. Everyone else is taking their chance to rip on Toyota while they can.

It's not just the F-series. The one I am comparing the Kenwood to in this thread has the same problems. Check out reviews on all Pioneers, most of them have a large amount saying the same thing. I think it has to do with their operating system, as well as not using a GPS such as Garmin. If I remember correctly, Pioneer uses Windows, which pretty much explains everything
:lol::flamewar:

Btw, I didn't know brakes could accelerate

 

[HB 4X4]

I have pretty much decided on the Kenwood DNX5140 at this point. Does anyone have any things to say about this unit specifically? Pics perhaps? There aren't many threads about it, so info/pics are limited.