Frequently Bought Together
Product Specifications
Weight3.8 Pounds
Technical Details
- 3" Full Color LCD Display
- iPod(R)/iPhone(R) Video & Audio Playback
- Built-In Parrot(R) Bluetooth(R) For Hands-Free Cellular Phone Operation
- Video Output For Back Seat Monitor
- Ripping From USB To Internal Memory (512 Mb)
Product Details
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Product Description
The Kenwood Kiv-Bt900 AM/FM/USB Receiver comes with 3 inch full Color LCD Display, Built-In Parrot(R) Bluetooth(R) For Hands-Free Cellular Phone Operation, and Video Output for Back Seat Monitor.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
It seems to me that some less that perfect early firmware has given this otherwise phenomenal HU a somewhat bad rap. Kenwood probably should have done more QA before release, but show me a software vendor that doesn't have the same problem. I've been running this guy for a week now and couldn't be happier, so I feel the need to do my part to increase its review standings! I had a lengthy list of mandatory criteria, and this was the _only_ HU on the market that satisfied all of them. Specifically:
- Rear mounted iPod an aux cables for clean installation. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, I think this is a huge win (especially vs. the Pioneer decks). Who wants a mess of spaghetti in front of their stereo? It took an extra hour to disassemble the center console and route the cables properly, but it was the "right way" to do it.
- Variable color display/buttons. This one really narrowed the field, and I'm surprised how many decks can't do this. I was replacing the factory stereo in a BMW, and for those who haven't been in one at night, _every_ lighted gauge, button, display, etc. is all the very same orangish-red color. A bright blue stereo would have looked hideous (*cough* Alpine).
- Integrated BT. As others have stated, this HU can't do streaming audio via BT, which is probably the only real con I'd cite. That said, my primary desire for BT was hands free, and it works great. Just in case Kenwood is reading though, I do think it would be super cool if they could pull the profile photos for my contacts and display them the same way they do album art from the iPod....
- Seamless iPod integration, including video. Check. Works great on both of my current and previous gen nanos. As another reviewer stated, you have to wait for the album art to skip to the next song, but there are several display modes available, some of which don't load the artwork and aren't affected if that's really a big deal to someone.
- Flexible, intuitive interface. The configuration options are very robust, and I found myself on several occasions thinking "geez, I wish I could do X", only to discover shortly thereafter that I could do X, Y and Z.
- Firmware updateable. With a deck this complex, this is mandatory in my opinion. No one is going to get it right on version 1.0, even with extensive in-house QA. I'm a software engineer by trade, and know from first hand experience how adept consumers at coaxing bugs out into the light. I used mine a few days before updating it and had some of the problems others have cited (mic drops, random source shifts, etc.), but absolutely no problems since updating it. It has the capability for a reason, so update the unit first thing!
- Good aesthetics and build quality. This is certainly subjective, but I'm appalled by how ugly some aftermarket decks are and how flimsy some of their control mechanisms are! Simple, clean lines and sturdy please.
- Good sound quality. I didn't do extensive comparison testing, but have been happy with previous Kenwood's I've owned this unit certainly outperforms the stock HU.
That's it! Love it!
- Rear mounted iPod an aux cables for clean installation. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, I think this is a huge win (especially vs. the Pioneer decks). Who wants a mess of spaghetti in front of their stereo? It took an extra hour to disassemble the center console and route the cables properly, but it was the "right way" to do it.
- Variable color display/buttons. This one really narrowed the field, and I'm surprised how many decks can't do this. I was replacing the factory stereo in a BMW, and for those who haven't been in one at night, _every_ lighted gauge, button, display, etc. is all the very same orangish-red color. A bright blue stereo would have looked hideous (*cough* Alpine).
- Integrated BT. As others have stated, this HU can't do streaming audio via BT, which is probably the only real con I'd cite. That said, my primary desire for BT was hands free, and it works great. Just in case Kenwood is reading though, I do think it would be super cool if they could pull the profile photos for my contacts and display them the same way they do album art from the iPod....
- Seamless iPod integration, including video. Check. Works great on both of my current and previous gen nanos. As another reviewer stated, you have to wait for the album art to skip to the next song, but there are several display modes available, some of which don't load the artwork and aren't affected if that's really a big deal to someone.
- Flexible, intuitive interface. The configuration options are very robust, and I found myself on several occasions thinking "geez, I wish I could do X", only to discover shortly thereafter that I could do X, Y and Z.
- Firmware updateable. With a deck this complex, this is mandatory in my opinion. No one is going to get it right on version 1.0, even with extensive in-house QA. I'm a software engineer by trade, and know from first hand experience how adept consumers at coaxing bugs out into the light. I used mine a few days before updating it and had some of the problems others have cited (mic drops, random source shifts, etc.), but absolutely no problems since updating it. It has the capability for a reason, so update the unit first thing!
- Good aesthetics and build quality. This is certainly subjective, but I'm appalled by how ugly some aftermarket decks are and how flimsy some of their control mechanisms are! Simple, clean lines and sturdy please.
- Good sound quality. I didn't do extensive comparison testing, but have been happy with previous Kenwood's I've owned this unit certainly outperforms the stock HU.
That's it! Love it!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
I own an '03 Nissan Altima and prior to the purchase I had about $3000 worth of SQ audio equipment and installation costs (2 "12 Memphis M3s, a Memphis Belle 600 watt (a modest underestimation) 5 channel amp, and memphis components and coaxials, with a 2 channel Kenwood head unit). My head unit was outdated and could no longer operate properly with my new iPod touch 2g, so I needed a replacement. Turns out this was the only totally compatible headunit that Kenwood made at the time of purchase (which I discovered after trying a slightly cheaper model). While interfacing flawlessly with the iPod, it also offers convenient bluetooth connectivity with my phone.
So I had achieved my initial goal of fixing the compatibility issue, but I discovered an unexpected bonus in the form of a drastic audio quality improvement. On a scale of 1-10 beforehand, I was a 9 in satisfaction with audio quality. Afterwards I noticed that the treble was more defined, the soundstage richer and more developed, the mids were clearer, and most importantly the bass improved tremendously in extension, but especially is punch and accuracy. I learned this was because of a lowered ohm resistance featured on the head unit, which means that your amp works less to put out better sound. On the same scale as before I would probably rate my level of satisfaction at a 15...hope that says enough.
So I had achieved my initial goal of fixing the compatibility issue, but I discovered an unexpected bonus in the form of a drastic audio quality improvement. On a scale of 1-10 beforehand, I was a 9 in satisfaction with audio quality. Afterwards I noticed that the treble was more defined, the soundstage richer and more developed, the mids were clearer, and most importantly the bass improved tremendously in extension, but especially is punch and accuracy. I learned this was because of a lowered ohm resistance featured on the head unit, which means that your amp works less to put out better sound. On the same scale as before I would probably rate my level of satisfaction at a 15...hope that says enough.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Recentlly I Change my jvc 7400 for this unit looking for a direct control for my zune player, my wife uses an Ipod but I am a zune's fan, this unit handle all the zune functions great the only missed thing is the shuffle or random option in the zunes' play modes, for The Ipod the shuffle function is all ready in the play modes.
At the beginning it take's long time for read my 120GB Zune player,even after I receive a call by the bluetooth, The solution for this issue was upgrade the firmware at [...] after it everything improves a lot.
The sound is not The best attribute for this device but with a good calibration can be improve a lot, The Display interface is nice and easy to read, the bluetooth its easy to pair and configure and shows all the things of your phone including contacts, in and out calls.
battery statement and signal,
I recommended it for the Zune's Lovers and for everyone to wants a very powerful control for the ipod, the control is exactly than the original interface!!!
At the beginning it take's long time for read my 120GB Zune player,even after I receive a call by the bluetooth, The solution for this issue was upgrade the firmware at [...] after it everything improves a lot.
The sound is not The best attribute for this device but with a good calibration can be improve a lot, The Display interface is nice and easy to read, the bluetooth its easy to pair and configure and shows all the things of your phone including contacts, in and out calls.
battery statement and signal,
I recommended it for the Zune's Lovers and for everyone to wants a very powerful control for the ipod, the control is exactly than the original interface!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Buyer beware, this will NOT stream via bluetooth
At first I was very pleased with this product. However, feel very mislead. The unit works great as a hands-free bluetooth for your smartphone, but it DOES NOT supper A2DP music... Read more
Published 27 days ago by J. Waters
wish I had not bought
I listen to audible books and this is very hard to operate when driving down the road. I cannot back the file without often times going back to the begining. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Christopher Brown
Album artwork slows down performance, even if you customize it so that...
Cons: When browsing your iPod library, things load a bit slowly, but it's not really a dealbreaker or anything. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Duncan
Take a pass
When the installer first showed me this unit after he put it in - I was pretty thrilled. It was my first bluetooth-through-stereo, and it worked great with my iPhone 4. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dave B.
Overall: OK
The installation was super easy.
The Sound overall is great (when playing from my iphone its just amazing) but when playing simple radio the sound is very poor. Read more
The Sound overall is great (when playing from my iphone its just amazing) but when playing simple radio the sound is very poor. Read more
Published 11 months ago by lisman
EXCELLENT!!!
Simply excellent head unit, i bought it today, installed in few minutes and sound very quickly with my iPhone 3GS, Bluetooth works immediately, i don't try with my Motorola i1 yet,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Daniel Colchado Rodriguez
A great head unit
I was looking for a head unit that did Ipod functionality well. This hits the mark. There is a slight learning curve to get used to but it does everything I want to and more. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mark
Great Head Unit -- Installed in '08 Mazda MX-5 GT w/Bose
I have had this head unit installed since August 2010 and I've really grown to love it. It's installed in a 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata GT, and I have to say that the installation gear... Read more
Published 14 months ago by MattPF
Nice Receiver
Its a nice Device, easy Installation, a Lot of features, very good sound! I use it with 2amps (1 mono and 1 Four Channel)
Published 14 months ago by Dennis
Amazing head unit
If you were to get this hu all you need to do is sit back and relax. This hu has all the gadget you need for you car. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ccfainkita
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