Kenwood DPX503 review

The Kenwood DPX-503 isn't a bad double din radio for $249.It's actually decent.
Lot of features,nice bluetooth and steering wheel control with adapters.
The unit has 10 different colors that light up.One matches the ugly Toyota orange very well which was important to me..
Tough learning to use all the features and I don't use the truck sometimes for days so it's easy to forget how to use the features.
Biggest drawback is during the day,it's tough to read the screen.Tried bringing the contrast up but it's doesn't do much.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Zq2VgyolbRx/p_113DPX503/Kenwood-DPX503.html

 

Thanks for the write up.

 

Need to see some pics!!!!
I was considering this unit a while back and no one had any real information on it.

 

I just ordered this head unit from Crutchfield, they seem to have the most info about this unit. Crutchfield's price is a little higher but you get the install kit and wiring harness free which makes the $319 price tag not seem so bad and like Joe B said it will match the ugly Tacoma amber dash lights. Oh and here is a site you can get a $20 off coupon...
http://www.couponwinner.com/?cm_mmc...tional codes&gclid=CI3W9NbKk5cCFRhhnAodOzVr9w

 

Does it make any difference which color you have showing? Some colors are easier to see than others.

 

I read a review that says this unit has a display option to change the screen from positive to negative that makes it easier to read in daylight. If I can find the site this review was on I'll repost the link.

 

I don't have a pic of the unit in my Tacoma but this is the head unit itself.

 

I haven't tried any other colors.I bought this unit only because it had the option of matching the ugly orange dash lights.
The unit has 10 colors choices.
I have the contrast at max and it's very tough to see during the day.
Other than that,plus only 6 preset capability and maybe too many options to learn how to navigate,it's a nice radio for the cost.

 

I just purchased this unit tonight from Crutchfield beacuse of the color changing capabilities of the unit, just to match the interior lighting of the dash. I also compaired this unit and the features to the Pioneer Premier deck similar to it. I was looking for a nice Double Din deck with color changing ability and didn't have any use for a navagation system. I also liked the sound EQ abilities of the Kenwood, plus the Kenwood is rated more RMS power than the Pioneer, Kenwwood is 22 watts and the Pioneer is 14, both I think are 50 watts max. The I-pod intergration is really nice also. The Kenwood dosen't have a subwoofer preout on the radio but does have a sub switch? on the front, I don't have the unit yet so I can't expand on that feature. Overall all for the price and for what features this unit offers I don't hardly see how you could go wrong, especially with Crutchfield's included wiring harness and Face plate adaptor. I read about the visibility issues with the screen in the daytime, but I have tinted side and rear windows, so hopefully that will help some. Hope to have the unit installed sometime this week and will post pics as soon as I have it installed.

 

Can't wait to actually see someone post pictures of this unit.
I found several interesting videos on Youtube showing this unit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqUqVidr8IQ is one video.)

A common complaint about this unit that I consistently hear is that the display does not light up very well during the day.

Shall I call my installer and have them on duty to help with the install?

 

That would be great!

 

Just got my DPX 503 installed tonight by my Brother in-law, TRDRacing5, and all I can say is it looks awesome, the orange display matches the Tacoma lighting almost perfect. The sound quality over the stock head unit is a vast improvement, with the stock unit I had to crank it up to about 40 to really pump the JL audio and Sony X-plodes, but with the new head unit I can get great sound at just around 15. Where this baby really shines though is with the I-pod usb connection. The sound is awesome because it overides the I-pods sound with something called DAC. I just use the usb connection on the front, after talking with the guys at Crutchfield, before I was going to buy the Kenwood I-pod connector that plugs into the rear of the DPX, but he convinced me that it was much slower than the front usb connection. Display shows artist, song, time, and you can choose from Artists, Albums, Playlists, composers, song titles, ect. So far I am very pleased with my purchase, now I just have to wait for the Kenwood sw-10 to get here. Hopefully I will post some pics this weekend, gotta hit the sack for now.

 

It seems like a kick ass unit!

 

but the pioneer has bluetooth and the kenwood doesnt.

 

but the pioneer has bluetooth and the kenwood doesnt.

It says its Bluetooth Compatible.


http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=20407
Good price here for $234
http://www.pacificstereo.com/kenwood-dpx503.html
Actually even cheaper here for $229

 

the pioneer has bluetooth built in.. the kenwood takes an additional piece for bluetooth another $100 or so.

 

Ahh I see. thanks.
im no genius when it comes to this stuff. just trying to help out.

 

bluetooth is a big deal to me

 

For me I could care less about Bluetooth, all I wanted was a decent Double Din receiver with excellent I-pod and EQ adjustments with lighting that matched the Tacomas interior. I love Pioneer products and have them in my home theater system, but I feel like for what I was looking for the Kenwood offered the most bang for my buck, just my personal taste.