Kenwood DPX 308U head unit

Pat C. · 01-14-2012, 01:52 PM

Am seriously thinking about upgrading my Base car's head unit with one of these Kenwood double-din units. At this time, I'm in the final stages of Dynamatting my front doors (send a PM if you want to know about doing it right) and have already decided I'd like to go 1 step up with audio quality. Wish I had deep enough pockets to go with a head unit that has Bluetooth, but am unable to dish out at least 1 grand on this upgrade. Already been talking with a local shop about door speakers and feel comfortable with Boston's 6.5" units for this.
Just wanting to see if anyone else has this Kenwood in their 370 and would you go that route again. Crutchfield has these for $200 including mounting kits and free shipping...Hard to pass up...
Thanks in advance!!
Pat

370Fan2000 · 01-14-2012, 03:15 PM

the clarion CX501 looks a lot nicer, I'm thinking about getting it.

jaycz · 01-14-2012, 04:36 PM

I'm between clarion 501 and jvc kw xr-810. I wish
the cd s/n ratio was better on the 510. I'm a red book sort of guy.

Pat C. · 01-15-2012, 01:46 AM

Thanks for the other possible choices. Just thought I had read/heard that the Kenwood brand was much better than most other's except for perhaps Alpine. What are you guys looking for in speaker choice? Just thinking about getting in touch with Crutchfield and placing an order for speakers and head unit.
Pat

37Z · 01-15-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat C.

Am seriously thinking about upgrading my Base car's head unit with one of these Kenwood double-din units. At this time, I'm in the final stages of Dynamatting my front doors (send a PM if you want to know about doing it right) and have already decided I'd like to go 1 step up with audio quality. Wish I had deep enough pockets to go with a head unit that has Bluetooth, but am unable to dish out at least 1 grand on this upgrade. Already been talking with a local shop about door speakers and feel comfortable with Boston's 6.5" units for this.
Just wanting to see if anyone else has this Kenwood in their 370 and would you go that route again. Crutchfield has these for $200 including mounting kits and free shipping...Hard to pass up...
Thanks in advance!!
Pat

Check out SlikNik's and my tips on the "install" sticky above on this site. Get a plastic panel removal tool, watch his vid, read my tips, and go to work removing the door panels. Best to add sound deading and sound absorption material (I use SecondSkin's stuff). Add a sound deflector material located behind the speaker on the inside of the outer door panel skin. This will improve the sound somewhat of the speakers.

Pat C. · 01-15-2012, 03:22 PM

37Z, thanks for the tips on this install. Yes, I've already obtained a nice metal handled set of interior panel tools. Not sure if I had expressed myself well in my earlier posts, but today, my wife and I are going to be figuring out how to reinstall the motor actuator panels (think this is what they are called) that I had removed to install 6 sheets of Dynamat to the inside of the exterior door panels and such.
To take those panels off, you have to drill out 2 factory rivets which are installed before the entire rail system is installed. Rivets aren't a problem, and she's as good, if not better for problem solving as i am.
By the way, looks like my best resource for head units and speakers for this application are going to be with Crutchfield. Any suggestions for speakers? Have you gone this route before, and if you have, did you also replace the speakers up on the dash? Not wanting to sound like a tightwad, but am hoping I can find a reasonable head and speaker combo for around 5-600 bucks. Too many irons in the fire to spend much more.
It's about -10 F here with about 6ft. of snow. Have the time and patience to do this project correctly. Just need a few "helpful" directions to travel....
Pat

bigaudiofanat · 01-15-2012, 06:16 PM

Polk db's if you are going to run them off a head unit would be your best bet. Alpine head units are going to be the fastest response and best ipod interface.

Kenwood comes in second on my list.

Pat C. · 01-15-2012, 11:17 PM

Bigaudiofanat, any problems with the Clarion unit suggested above? Given the choice, you'd go with the Kenwood DPX 308 for sound and clarity? Would be nice to have Bluetooth, but not the end of the world....Thanks for the recommendation of Polks too....
Pat

Austexan · 01-16-2012, 04:01 PM

I just installed the PolkMM6501s and love them. Sears has them for $190 total with free shipping. At crutchfield they are $230 normally $350. A step up from the DBs....love em

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

PS check out my ipod DIY if you have time and want a different idea on a possible mounting location. Also did you ever figure out how to rerivet the door back together or are you just rebolting it to the door? I like the idea of having the dynamat on the exterior door but worried about putting everything back together.

Austexan · 01-16-2012, 04:04 PM

I also installed a kenwood DNX6160 HU and it works great. I would like a little better ipod interface though. It's simple enough but going through selections while driving is a little difficult and i wish it was more of a swipe type scroll rather than just arrow and hold and scroll

01-14-2012, 01:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pat C. Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 70 Drives: 10' 370Z coupe M6 Rep Power: 13	Kenwood DPX 308U head unit Am seriously thinking about upgrading my Base car's head unit with one of these Kenwood double-din units. At this time, I'm in the final stages of Dynamatting my front doors (send a PM if you want to know about doing it right) and have already decided I'd like to go 1 step up with audio quality. Wish I had deep enough pockets to go with a head unit that has Bluetooth, but am unable to dish out at least 1 grand on this upgrade. Already been talking with a local shop about door speakers and feel comfortable with Boston's 6.5" units for this. Just wanting to see if anyone else has this Kenwood in their 370 and would you go that route again. Crutchfield has these for $200 including mounting kits and free shipping...Hard to pass up... Thanks in advance!! Pat

01-15-2012, 06:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Polk db's if you are going to run them off a head unit would be your best bet. Alpine head units are going to be the fastest response and best ipod interface. Kenwood comes in second on my list. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-16-2012, 04:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Austexan Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12 Drives: Blk '11 370Z M6 Sprt Rep Power: 13	Polk MM6501s I just installed the PolkMM6501s and love them. Sears has them for $190 total with free shipping. At crutchfield they are $230 normally $350. A step up from the DBs....love em Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more PS check out my ipod DIY if you have time and want a different idea on a possible mounting location. Also did you ever figure out how to rerivet the door back together or are you just rebolting it to the door? I like the idea of having the dynamat on the exterior door but worried about putting everything back together.

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01-14-2012, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
370Fan2000 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: VA Posts: 115 Drives: 2010 370z Sport Rep Power: 14	the clarion CX501 looks a lot nicer, I'm thinking about getting it.

01-14-2012, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
jaycz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 189 Drives: 09 370z Tour Red 6MT Rep Power: 14	I'm between clarion 501 and jvc kw xr-810. I wish the cd s/n ratio was better on the 510. I'm a red book sort of guy.

01-15-2012, 01:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pat C. Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 70 Drives: 10' 370Z coupe M6 Rep Power: 13	Thanks for the other possible choices. Just thought I had read/heard that the Kenwood brand was much better than most other's except for perhaps Alpine. What are you guys looking for in speaker choice? Just thinking about getting in touch with Crutchfield and placing an order for speakers and head unit. Pat

01-15-2012, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pat C. Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 70 Drives: 10' 370Z coupe M6 Rep Power: 13	37Z, thanks for the tips on this install. Yes, I've already obtained a nice metal handled set of interior panel tools. Not sure if I had expressed myself well in my earlier posts, but today, my wife and I are going to be figuring out how to reinstall the motor actuator panels (think this is what they are called) that I had removed to install 6 sheets of Dynamat to the inside of the exterior door panels and such. To take those panels off, you have to drill out 2 factory rivets which are installed before the entire rail system is installed. Rivets aren't a problem, and she's as good, if not better for problem solving as i am. By the way, looks like my best resource for head units and speakers for this application are going to be with Crutchfield. Any suggestions for speakers? Have you gone this route before, and if you have, did you also replace the speakers up on the dash? Not wanting to sound like a tightwad, but am hoping I can find a reasonable head and speaker combo for around 5-600 bucks. Too many irons in the fire to spend much more. It's about -10 F here with about 6ft. of snow. Have the time and patience to do this project correctly. Just need a few "helpful" directions to travel.... Pat

01-15-2012, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pat C. Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 70 Drives: 10' 370Z coupe M6 Rep Power: 13	Bigaudiofanat, any problems with the Clarion unit suggested above? Given the choice, you'd go with the Kenwood DPX 308 for sound and clarity? Would be nice to have Bluetooth, but not the end of the world....Thanks for the recommendation of Polks too.... Pat

01-16-2012, 04:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Austexan Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12 Drives: Blk '11 370Z M6 Sprt Rep Power: 13	I also installed a kenwood DNX6160 HU and it works great. I would like a little better ipod interface though. It's simple enough but going through selections while driving is a little difficult and i wish it was more of a swipe type scroll rather than just arrow and hold and scroll