borland

Installed this Kenwood KDC-HD942U receiver in my 1990 S4. I'm pretty happy with its function and performance.

This model has a built-in HD radio tuner, so the installation is pretty easy. The HD tuner works nice with my factory roof antenna, but what's pretty nice too is the way it handles my 30gb iPod, with about 3,000 MP3 files.

The gloss finish was too much for me, so I wet sanded the Kenwood bezel and ***** with 2000 grit sandpaper to give it a black satin finish, to me, more like the Porsche factory look.



Here's the display in daylight...



When I switch on the headlight swtich, the display automatically adjusts for night time driving...



Here in Camarillo CA (outer fringe of LA), most of the FM stations are hispanic, so there are only a few that I listened to. However with HD radio, I was supprised to see that several broadcast multi-channel. So with HD radio here there are several more stations now.

This head unit has a rear mounted USB cable. I located the USB cable for the iPod in the glove box since there is really no reason to reach for the ipod; the Kenwood keeps the iPod battery charged and powers up and down the iPod automatically. Here's the display with the ipod playing....

Bundy

I'm looking at the KDC-X993 right now, which is a similar unit. How is your AM reception? "boot up" time? Search time for ipod songs? I've heard a lot of good reviews from this series, nice pics!

borland

The AM band is also HD radio, but if the station is weak, it still sounds like AM with static background.

The AM reception is not great with the factory roof antenna, but useable. I was suprissed when I found here a news/talk AM station that I listen too (KNX 1070), is actally multi-casting on FM HD (94.7 KTWV channel 2).

I haven't tried any Flash USB devices, but my iPod "READING" time is about 10 seconds (18 GB of MP3 files), afterwards, there's no delay between files such as in a playlist The Kenwood actually uses its own A/D converter so the sound quality is much better than other units that typically feed from the iPod AUX output signal.

S4ordie

Looks great! I like the tip about the 2000 grit sandpaper. Really softens the look perfectly. Ever though about doing the whole faceplate/screen? Might blur things just a tiny bit but would make the interface all the more compatible visually.

Me? I'd never have the intestinal fortitude to try it

StratfordShark

After looking at lots of head units I thought the Kenwood shown here or a very similar model was a great match for the 928. Styling is very restrained, and the iPod interface is by reputation very fast and full-featured.

Almost bought one but very late in process hit on idea of getting a Becker unit and luckily one (Becker Indianapolis) came up on eBay at just the right time, and in illumination colour (amber) which is good match to heater control/clock lighting and the digi-dash. The plastic has that black satin look, but I'm impressed by idea (and bravery!) of sanding down the Kenwood fascia to match.

On subject of well-matched stereos, just this morning I handed over my original Blau Toronto (and outboard amp) to a guy who wanted it for his immaculate 1988 911 Carrera where it had been original equipment also but long since removed.

CJ8 2 928

Looks good & thanks for the tip on the sand paper. I have been looking at that radio & the KDC-MP642U.They both have a low profile look. How bright are the blue lights?
Good Day Sir

borland

The blue lights are reasonably bright.

The Kenwood KDC-HD942U receiver has separate configuration settings for the display's illumination and the control **** illumination. You can't change the backlighting colors on this Kenwood model. The display illumination color is backlighted with white LEDs, while the control ***** are illuminated with blue LEDs.

There are four configuration options for each: 'OFF', 'AUTO', 'MNAL1', and 'MNAL2'. These settings are related to dimming with the headlight switch.

At first thought, you might think that 'OFF' setting would be an option to turn off the blue **** backlighting, however this option only defeats the night driving dimming feature, so the blue LEDs are at full brightness with the option in the 'OFF' setting. 'AUTO' dims the LEDs with the headlight switch, while the manual ('MNAL1' and 'MNAL2') dim options are two levels of constant dimming, regardless of the headlight switch setting. There is no option to adjust the level of 'AUTO' dimming, so you can see this feature was not very well thought out by Kenwood.

CJ8 2 928

Thanks for the info. I was going to do the install but now that you are talking about dimming with the headlight switch it may be a litttle over my head...May need a little help with it when the time comes...

borland

When wiring of the head unit for dimming feature, there is just one wire that is tapped into one of the center console lights. These console lights are all ON-OFF controlled by the headlight switch.

For the installation on my 90' S4, I tapped the wire that feeds power to the cigarette lighter's backlighting bulb. It's the closest and most convenient wire location to tap into.

You can use one of these quick splice connectors:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2998436

, that way, the next time you install another unit, the connector will already be there

cogsy

the only noise i want to hear in my 928 is the v8 running

pcar928fan

I want a pop out touch screen w/ nav for my S4... any thoughts? I want it in the stock location and I don't want to have to cut a bunch of stuff up to get it in there... I think there have been some folks that have done that. Just wondering how it all has worked out...

CJ8 2 928

Thanks again for the info.

hdradioguy53

I like the tip about sanding down the gloss. I would have never thought about that. So, how good of reception do you get? I have experienced some really good reception with my home system, and I'm wondering if it is the same in the car. I have also heard people rippping on it (although I suspect that they have not tried HD radio .

MP
HD Radio Enthusiast
http://hdradionow.com