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About to pull the trigger: Double-DIN HU (DNX8120 vs W505)...

6.2K views 41 replies 7 participants last post by  HookEm  
#1 ·
OK, so it's down to the "Kenwood DNX8120" & the "Alpine w505+PMD-B200". I'd like to get some feedback from owners of those 2 units:
1) Navigation system
2) Hands-Free calling (Bluetooth)
3) Ipod audio/video intregration
4) User interface (touch-screen & menus)
5) DVD playback
6) Sound quality
7) Reliability (build quality)
8) Customer service

Thanks,
HookEm
 
#2 ·
well i love the alpine w505 i have it and the imprint and the hd radio tuner is on its way should be here by end of june .. but imprint made a huge diff.. night and day i am going to add the blackbird .. blackbird gives u the option to take your nav with u in wifes car or friends car on a trip then pop it back in kenwood cant do that .. plays ipod video and music on one cable included not seperate .. also .. with imprint prevolt goes to 4v from 2v .. dvd playback very nice.. and pick up a pac tr-7 has the factroy alpine video bypass built in and hook up four wires and u have full video playback while driving and ipod video/music video. i love the alpine clean deck.. either way wont go wrong. i promise.
 
#3 ·
well, i think i've decided on the kenwood mainly for the garmin navigation. but i have a couple of questions for benca1:

1) what is "imprint"?
2) do you have a link to blackbird? i'd like to learn more about that option.

Thanks.
 
#5 ·
personally i think the blackbird is the tightest nav i have ever used. its great my buddy has it on his w205 docked inside. and we pull it out and use it al the time when driving to golf tournaments and i love it .. u can hit poi name of business or place type in the first letter and voila find it real quick and hit calculate and takes like 3 seconds and is already talking to u and has built in bluetooth also so dont have to buy and adapter either for bluetooth . a plus . so no exra ipod cable no extra bluetooth adapter nothing. and the best place for the antenna that we found for the gps is to put in right above the third brake light .. right above it like 1 inch and never looses any signal even in tunnel.
 
#6 ·
The Blackbird II has its issues. I had to replace a unit already. Its not a big deal it just washed out the colors while docked in both the w205 and w505. Alpine replaced the Blackbird II and it works now. When talking to Alpine they admitted that they did have a lot of early units with the same problem.

I really like the W505, sound quality is amazing when you add the imprint, even without it the usb cable supplied with the unit for the ipod enhances a 24bit processor to your music. I just need to setup my components and amps correctly to split the frequencies better. But overall i really enjoy the AlpineW505 along with the black bird II.

There are small delays when changing tracks in random, dvd play back is pretty good for a 7" screen. Overall the Alpine W505 is a good system.

Of course if Navigation is your thing the Garmin is a lot better than the Black Bird II. How much is the Kenwood? One thing i dont like about the Alpine is the price. I personally think its way to much for the black bird II. Its a nice navi unit but its not the best. Bluetooth function is picky you have to find a really good spot for the mic. And i have my antenna for the navi in my truck, on the right side of my dash. I get perfect signal and very accurate directions.
 
#7 ·
well there you go trd just bash our shit man . he he no jk . well if i read that i would go with kenwood now .. hope alpine dont read this poor them .. i feel bad now like my stuff aint good no more u mean ass.. jk again . how is yours doing since the imprint . ?
 
#9 ·
Imprint really helped everything sound clear. Still not to pleased with the mids though. I have to gut out my system and set it up correctly. I need to separate the channels correctly. Ill need to give the tweeters their own channel and the mids as well. Since im not using the rear speakers and have a 4 channel amp right now they are bridged to left and right only. So when i ran imprint it wasn't doing it right haha. It still made a difference but i know it could be a lot better.

And im not trying to bash alpine but i had a bad experience with the black bird II. Hopefully my second unit doesn't go bad. :eek::
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
you know what would be great i think i am going to do it is get the new jl 8" midbass driver put it in the door and then try and pick up a set of 4" for the a pillars and add the tweeter now to the a pillar and shoulg get the right sound field.
 
#14 ·
Wrong thread?


Benca, you probabaly intended these comments to go in your 'JL Audio' thread?

I'm not interested in comments about IMPRINT either - at least not on ths thread... Let's please stay on topic: 'DNX8120' vs 'W505+Blackbird'.

Thanks,
HookEm
 
#15 ·
my fault on the comments about the jl .. and as far as the kenwood goes i totally understand i actually was getting the kenwood 8120 but the shop i was going to deal with kept messing around and didnt take my plans seriously and would never call me back to finalize anything so i went with a diff shop and they dont deal with kenwood so i just got the alpine.. like i said i think either one is great and i would love for someone to have the kenwood .. i think personally u might like it better anyway than the alpine .
 
#16 ·
Tel me more...

i think personally u might like it better anyway than the alpine .
Why is that? (Please ellaborate)... I'd like to hear pro's & con's, to hopefully make a somewhat-informed decision (I wish I could play, in person, with both of these units on a Tacoma... but that's where forums like this come in).

Thanks,
HookEm
 
#18 · (Edited)
kenwood dnx810


Image

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DNX8120

All-in-One Navigation/DVD Entertainment System with Built-in Bluetooth Technology​






With one-touch access to entertainment, navigation, and Bluetooth technology, Kenwood’s DNX8120 is the ultimate all in one. A highly advanced in-dash system, the DNX8120 offers guidance by Garmin, premium NAVTEQ mapping of USA/Canada, and built-in Bluetooth technology for hands-free cell phone operation and voice dialing. The DNX8120 provides superior sound quality, a 6.95" touchscreen with advanced GUI, and the industry’s fastest access to iPod audio and video files.

General Features•6.95” Color Touchscreen Display •Built-in Garmin Navigation With USA, Canada, PR, Alaska, Hawaii Mapping•Built-In Bluetooth Technology •New GUI with Changeable Skin and Customizable Start-up •Fastest Access to iPod Audio/Video with High-speed iPod Control •5.1 Decoding/Playback with (5V) RCA Preouts (L,C,R, LS,RS,Sub)•2 Relay Control Outputs for garage doors, lighting, trunk, etc.•SAT Ready (Requires CA-SR20V + Sirius SC-C1 Tuner or KCA-XM100V + XM Mini Tuner)•HD Radio Ready •Remote Control Included​











IVA-W505​




2 DIN Mobile Multimedia Station

FEATURES



General​
  • • Remote Control: Remote Control Included
  • • Mute: Built-in Audio Mute
  • • Audio Interrupt: Audio Interrupt Input
  • • Remote Turn-On: Amplifier Remote Turn-On Output
  • • Power Antenna Lead: Power Antenna Output
  • • Dimmer: Dimmer Input
  • • DIN Trim Plate: Detachable Trim Plate
  • • Clock: Built-In Clock
  • • Fader & Balance: Fader & Balance Controls
  • • Bass & Treble: Bass & Treble Controls
  • • Steering Wheel Control: Steering Wheel Control Ready
  • • DAC: 24-Bit DAC
  • • Bluetooth®: Bluetooth Ready
  • • PreOut: 3 PreOut (2V PreOut)
  • • Easy Navigating: Quick Search
  • • Playback: DVD Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-VR, VCD, CD-DA, MP3/WMA
  • • Illumination Buttons: Blue Illuminated Buttons
  • • Face Color: Black
  • • iPersonalize: Data Download
  • • Control Type: Rotary Encoder Knob
  • • Display: Monitor
  • • CD Changer: CD Changer Control
  • • Power Output: 50W x 4 High Power Amplifier
CD Changer Control
  • • Repeat: Song/Disc
  • • Music Control: Play/Pause/Forward/Back
  • • Music Text Information: CD:Text Scroll Display, MP3: Text Information Display (ID3 Tag)
  • • Multi-Changer Control: Multi-Changer Control Including MP3 Changer CHA-S624, (with KCA-410C)
  • • M.I.X.: One/All (Shuffle)
Sound Tuning
  • • Crossover: Built-In High-Pass Crossover
  • • MediaXpander: MediaXpander Adjustment
  • • Treble Level: Treble Level Adjustment
  • • Treble Center Frequency: Treble Center Adjustment
  • • Bass Level: Bass Level Adjustment
  • • Bass Width: Bass Width Adjustment
  • • Bass Center Frequency: Bass Center Frequency Adjustment
  • • Subwoofer Level: Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Disc Player
  • • Easy Navigating: Quick Search
  • • M.I.X. Mode: One (Folder)/All (Random Play)/Random (CD Only)
  • • Title Memory: 18 Disc Title Memory Display (Disc Only)
  • • Playback Control: Play/Pause/Forward/Back
  • • Music Sensor: Scan/Repeat
  • • Digital Servo: Digtal Servo
  • • Zero data Mute: 0 Bit Mute
  • • DAC: 24-Bit DAC
  • • Music Playback: MP3/AAC/WMA Playback
  • • Disc Playback Type: DVD / DVD Audio / DVD Video / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R / DVD+RW / VCD / CD / CD-R / CD-RW
  • • Disc Type: DVD Player
Satellite Radio
  • • Portable Compatibility: SIRIUS Plug N Play Devices (Adapter Required)
  • • Music Information: Category, Artist, Song
  • • Easy Navigating: Quick Search
  • • Preset Memory: 3-Bands (6 Per Band, 18 Channels Total)
  • • Satellite Provider Capability: SIRIUS or XM
  • • Connection: SIRIUS or XM Adapter Required
  • • Built-In or Ready: Satellite Radio Ready
Connection for iPod®
  • • Easy Navigating: Quick Search
  • • Information Display: Artist, Song, Album
  • • Percentage Search: Percentage Search
  • • Available Selections: Playlist, Artist, Album, Song, Podcast, Genre, Composer
  • • Music Control: Song Up/Down/Repeat
  • • M.I.X. (Shuffle) Capability: Song, Albums, All
  • • iPod Compatibility: Full Speed Connection: 4th/5th Gen. iPod Video/Photo, iPod mini and iPod nano
  • • Source Type: Dedicated iPod Source
  • • Connection: Full Speed Cable (KCE-422i)
  • • Connection Type: Full Speed Connection for iPod®
Bluetooth®
  • • Streaming Music Control: Streaming Music Control
  • • Streaming Music: Streaming Music Playback
  • • Phone Book: Phone Book Transfer
  • • Hands Free: Hands Free Calling
  • • Connection: Alpine KCE-300BT Required. Features may differ between phone model and service providers.
  • • Built-In or Ready: Bluetooth Ready
HD Radio™
  • • Multi-Casting: Multi-Cast HD1, HD2, HD3
  • • Signal Switching: Automatic Digital/Analog
  • • Connection: Alpine TUA-T500HD Required
  • • Built-In or Ready: HD Radio Ready
Tuner
  • • Seek Mode: Local/DX Selection
  • • Memory: Auto
  • • Memory Presets: Preset Stations (FM:12/AM:6)
SPECIFICATIONS





General​
  • • Maximum Mounting Angle: 30° from Horizontal
  • • Operating Temperature ( °C/ °F): 60 °C (140 °F) to -10 °C (14 °F)
  • • Pre Output Voltage (Before Clipping): 2V
  • • Power Requirement: Power Requirement: 14.4 (11-16) V.DC
Dimensions
  • • Chassis Size (W x H x D) in: 7'' x 3-15/16'' x 6-3/8''
  • • Chassis Size (W x H x D) mm: 178mm x 100mm x 160.5mm
  • • Din Size: 2
Remote Control
  • • Weight: 40 g (1.4oz.)
  • • Dimension (WxHxD) in: 2'' x 4-11/16'' x 1/2''
  • • Dimension (WxHxD) mm: 51mm x 119mm x 13mm
  • • Battery Type: (x1) CR2025
  • • Model Number: RUE-4203
  • • Included/Ready: Remote Control Included
Sound Tuning
  • • IMPRINT: IMPRINT Sound System Ready (PXA-H100 Required)
  • • Crossover: Off/80Hz, 120Hz, 160Hz (12dB/oct)
  • • Time Correction: Adjustable 6 Ch. Time Correction (L-F/R-F/L-R/R-R/L-SW/R-SW), (PXA-H100 Required)
  • • Equalizer: 5 Band Parametric (20Hz - 20KHz, 1/3 oct. Steps), 7 Band Graphic, (PXA-H100 Required)
  • • MediaXpander Aux Settings: MP3, Music, Movie, (Level 1, Off), (PXA-H100 Required)
  • • MediaXpander Modes: MediaXpander Modes: FM, CD, XM, MP3, (Level 1, 2, 3, Off), DVD Video (Level 1, 2, Off), DVD Music (Level 1, Off), (PXA-H100 Required)
  • • Treble Level Control Range: ±14
  • • Bass Level Control Range: ±14
  • • Bass Band Width Adjustment (Q): 4 choices (1 =wide, 4 =narrow)
  • • Bass Center Frequency: 60/80/100/200Hz (Selectable)
  • • Subwoofer Level Adjustment: -15dB to 0dB (1dB steps)
Connection for iPod®
  • • Number of Channels: 2-Channel (Stereo)
  • • AAC Decoding: ACC-LC format ''/m4a'' file
  • • WMA Decoding: Windows Media™ Audio
  • • MP3 Decoding: MPEG-1/2 AUDIO Layer-3
Disc Player
  • • Audio Signal-to-Noise (S/N): 105 dB
  • • Video Signal-to-Noise: DVD: 60dB
  • • Video Ouput Level: 1Vp-p (75Ω)
  • • Horizontal Resolution: 500 Lines or Greater
  • • Oversampling: 8x/352.8kHz
  • • Wow & Flutter (%WRMS): B.M.L.
  • • DAC Type: 24-Bit DAC
  • • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.008% (at 1kHz)
  • • Dynamic Range (1kHz): 95dB (at 1kHz)
  • • Channel Separation (1kHz): 85dB (at 1kHz)
  • • Frequency Response: 5-20k ±1 dB
Display
  • • Illlumination System: Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube
  • • Number of Picture Elements: 280,800 pcs. (400 x 3 x 234)
  • • Operation System: TFT Active Matrix
  • • LCD Type: Transparent Type TN LCD
  • • Screen Size: Mototrized 6.5'' Screen
AM Tuner
  • • Usable Sensitivity (IEC Standard): 22.5/27.0 (µV/dBf)
  • • Tuning Range: 530-1, 710kHz
FM Tuner
  • • Capture Ratio: 2.0 dB
  • • Stereo Separation: 35.0 dB
  • • Signal-to-Noise (S/N): 65.0 dB
  • • Alternate Channel Selectivity: 80.0 dB
  • • 50dB Quieting Sensitivity: 13.5dBf (1.3 µV/75 ohms)
  • • Mono Usable Sensitivity: 9.3dBf (0.8 µV/75 ohms)
  • • Tuning Range: 87.7-107.9 MHz
Max Power Output Ratings
  • • Max Power Output: 50W x 4
CEA-2006 Power Ratings
  • • CEA-2006 Power Rating: 4 Ω @14.4V ≤1%THD+N, S/N 80dBA (ref.1W into 4 Ω), 18W x 4










Kenwood dnx8120 with ipod cable built in nav and bluetooth will be 1528.99

Alpine W505 with blackbird bluetooth and ipod already built in total 1599.99 and with imprint 1799.00

screen size of the alpine .05 bigger not much at all
 
#21 ·
Here's a wish-list..


I'd like phone & the Nav to be top-notch (iPod & DVD not as important, but decent control/integration would be a nice-to-have)... but, most of all I'd like good/clean sound out of the pre-amp outputs, and an intuitive & easy to navigate GUI (you can have all the bells & whistles, but if they're hard to use it's just frustrating).

BTW, I've got a Garmin 'Nuvi' and like it very much (so, in that regard, the Kenwood is holding a slight edge on my account - not 'text-to-speech' on the Blackbird is kind of a bummer).

Thanks,
HookEm
 
#20 ·
oh also dont have to use the stupid apn files for background either with the kenwood.. can just upload regular jpeg files on the kenwood also has a -1 tilt if ever wanted it but our truck wont ever need that more for being like a civic.. can also control the second zone aka back seat monitors or anything like that with its own volume control . from the headunit. kenwood also has this .

Source Tone Memory: This feature allows you to store System Q-EX and bass, middle and treble tone settings for each source (DVD, CD, Aux, FM, AM).

Dual Zone Capability: The unit's dual zone control allows you to independently set the source for the front and rear channels. You can set the front channels to Tuner, Sirius, XM, DVD, Video, USB, iPod, Bluetooth, , Navigation or Standby. You can set the rear channels to DVD, Video, iPod, or Off. You can adjust the volume of the 2nd Zone independently from 0 to 35.

these are great features to .

Control Screens: </STRONG>During DVD playback, you can control certain operations simply by touching an area of the screen. You can touch the left one-third of the screen to start the current chapter over, or the right one-third of the screen to skip to the next chapter. Pressing the top center of the screen activates the DVD Disc Menu control buttons, while pressing the bottom center briefly displays the information screen. </STRONG>For VCD playback, the top center is the Zoom control area.
Direct Search: </STRONG>By entering its number with the supplied remote, you can directly access title, chapter, time, track, channel, or frequency.
Video Display Adjustments: During playback of a video or still image you can reverse the picture horizontally and rotate the picture clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Zoom: The DNX8120 features a four level zoom when playing back video and still images. You can select from 4x, 3x, 2x, or Off.

all in all the kenwood offers a lot more features and is worth every penny and is very very nice even the remote is easier to use and more button functions.
 
#24 ·
Like I said, tThe Kenwood holds a slight edge...


I'm certainly leaning that way, just want to make sure I've done enough homework... One scary thing about the Kenwood is that there have been some issues reported with early releases (hopefully the bugs are getting worked out).

Thanks for the comments so far... keep them coming.
HookEm
 
#27 · (Edited)
What about 'Steering Wheel' controls?


Thanks Benca. Now that you mention wires, What about 'Steering Wheel' controls? (My HU is the standard 6-cd changer, not the JBL, with steering wheel control)... Will I need a harness/adapter?

HookEm
 
#28 ·
yeh pac sells it and its like 20-30 bucks .. i forgot the model number but crutchfield and pac can tell you which one for our car . its easy . will retain the controls but i never ever use them do to the fact of the remote control .. i love the remote.
 
#30 ·
well the remote is perfect it takes like 5 minutes to get the feel of the buttons and i hardly ever look at the unit or the remote.. makes it easier for me to drive.. i love the remote only thing i use .. glance at the screen to go through menus .. and thats it .
 
#31 ·
i'm running the w505 w/ blackbird nav and bluetooth and love every bit of it.
 
#32 ·
jerastan can u get a cpl pics for me of the w505 with blackbird on the screen . only thing i dont have yet is the blackbird and want to see how it looks .. i have everything else.. including the damn imprint .. but its ok .
 
#33 · (Edited)
Why the IMPRINT?


Benca, at the risk of getting too far off-topic... here's my take on the IMPRINT:

As I understand it, 'sound processors' (e.g., JL Audio's CleanSweep & Alpine's IMPRINT) are intended to clean/enhance the outputs from 'factory' HU's, and bring them on par with the 'better' after-market HU's... And I'd hope that the W505, being Alpine's top-of-the-line, would not need that kind of help.

I suppose you could argue that the IMPRINT does make a difference, as and I'm sure it does (for that matter, anything added on the signal path would make a difference), but I'd have reservations that the difference is actually an improvement (I honestly don't know one way or the other, but like I said, I'd be skeptical about adding anything between the pre-amp & the amp, other than decent interconnects - like 'StreetWires' ZN series).

HookEm
 
#41 ·
stock sub disconnected?

Considering the Kenwood DNX8120 and have a rookie question regarding the comment in one of the spec sheets about not being able to use the sub in my 2002 Avalon XLS. Anyone discovered a 'work-around' for this issue? Or is it a non-issue?
thanks
Bunnz