My old Sony head unit finally died, so I used the chance to dive deep into the Kenwood lineup. Over the past year I installed five different Kenwood stereos across my own truck, my brothers SUV, and a few friends cars. Kenwood is one of the few aftermarket brands that still ships clean software and solid hardware, and the units below all earned their place in the lineup.
I compared each head unit for screen responsiveness, CarPlay and Android Auto performance, sound quality through the same set of speakers, and how easy installation was for someone with intermediate skills. Here are the five that stand out.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kenwood DMX9709S | Premium all-around | 4.8/5 |
| Kenwood DDX9907XR | Wireless CarPlay | 4.7/5 |
| Kenwood DMX7706S | Best value | 4.6/5 |
| Kenwood KMM-BT328U | Budget single-DIN | 4.4/5 |
| Kenwood Excelon DMX1037S | Audiophile setups | 4.7/5 |
1. Kenwood DMX9709S - Best Overall
The DMX9709S has a 6.95-inch capacitive touchscreen with a clean, fast interface. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto both worked flawlessly during my month of daily driving. The built-in 13-band EQ gave me real control over the audio output, and the four-volt RCA preamp outputs drove my external amplifier cleanly. The screen brightness ramps with cabin lighting, which I appreciate during night drives. Voice command response felt nearly instant.
2. Kenwood DDX9907XR - Best for Wireless CarPlay
The DDX9907XR is built around the wireless experience. Pairing with both my iPhone and an Android phone was effortless, and the connection stayed stable on long drives. The 6.8-inch screen is bright enough for direct sunlight. It includes both HDMI input and a rear-camera input, plus Bluetooth that handles two phones simultaneously. If wireless smartphone integration is your priority, this is the model to get.
3. Kenwood DMX7706S - Best Value
The DMX7706S delivers wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, a 6.95-inch screen, and dual Bluetooth at a much lower price than the flagship. You give up the high-end DSP and amplifier voltage, but for most drivers using stock or upgraded factory speakers, the difference is hard to hear. I installed this one in a friends Civic and the upgrade over the factory unit was dramatic. Best price-to-performance in the lineup.
4. Kenwood KMM-BT328U - Best Single-DIN
Older trucks and cars with single-DIN dash openings often get ignored by current model lineups. The KMM-BT328U fills that gap. It has Bluetooth audio streaming, USB input, and a clean front-panel button layout. There is no screen, just a small LCD display, but for an older vehicle where you mostly stream from a phone, it does what it needs to. Installation took 25 minutes in my older Ranger.
5. Kenwood Excelon DMX1037S - Best for Audiophiles
The Excelon series is Kenwoods premium tier and the DMX1037S shows it. Internal Burr-Brown DACs, five-volt RCA preamp outputs, and a 16-band parametric EQ give serious audio control. Time alignment lets you tune each speaker for staging. The 10.1-inch floating display dominates the dash. I would only buy this unit if you have aftermarket amplifiers and speakers worth driving. For factory systems, the lower-tier models make more sense.
What Matters Most
DIN size is the first checkpoint. Make sure your dash opening matches the unit you select. Double-DIN is more common in modern vehicles. Wireless capability is the next priority. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto add real convenience, especially if your phone lives in a pocket or bag. Audio outputs matter for sound system upgrades. Look for four-volt or higher preamp outputs if you plan to add an external amplifier, and check the number of RCA outputs to support subwoofers and rear speakers separately.
My Setup
In my own truck I run the DMX9709S into a four-channel amp driving Kenwood KFC-1796PS speakers, with a mono amp powering a sealed 10-inch subwoofer. The Kenwood DSP let me tune the system without any external processor. I keep the steering wheel control adapter wired through so volume and track skipping work from the wheel. The whole install took about four hours including a dash kit and wiring harness from Crutchfield.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is buying a head unit and reusing the factory wiring harness without a proper adapter. Even when the colors look right, the pin assignments can differ between manufacturers, and you can damage the new unit. Always use a vehicle-specific wiring harness adapter. Another common error is ignoring screen size relative to the dash opening. A 10-inch floating display looks great in marketing photos but may block HVAC controls. Finally, people skip the antenna adapter for newer vehicles, which causes weak FM reception or no reception at all.
Final Recommendation
For most installs, the Kenwood DMX9709S is the right balance of features, build quality, and audio performance. If wireless CarPlay is your only concern, the DDX9907XR delivers the cleanest experience. Step down to the DMX7706S if you want most of the goodness at a friendly price, and pick the Excelon DMX1037S only if you are running a serious aftermarket audio system. The KMM-BT328U is the answer for single-DIN dashes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kenwood work with both wired and wireless CarPlay?+
Most current Kenwood DDX and DMX models support both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Older models may be wired-only. Check the spec sheet before buying if wireless is essential.
Will a Kenwood head unit fit my car?+
Kenwood units come in single-DIN and double-DIN sizes. Most cars built after 2005 accept double-DIN, but you may need a dash kit to make a clean install. Crutchfield and Kenwood both offer vehicle fit guides.