Kenwood head unit and compact subwoofer

[arcano]

A few months ago I finally got around to upgrading my truck's stereo. My old unit was an Alpine, which sounded OK, but was very limited as far as playing some types of CDs and some file formats. Basically, it would only play plain CDs bought from the store, and had no options for AUX or iPod input.

 

I replaced the head unit with a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X891, and I put Kenwood Excelon speakers on all 4 doors. I already had an Alpine Flex-4 75Wx4 amp under the passenger seat, put in by the previous owner. I also added iPod and Bluetooth adaptors. The sound has improved significantly, and now I can listen to my whole music collection from my iPod while it sits safely in the glove box, and I can answer and place calls through the head unit and talk hands free, without even reaching for my phone.

 

Here are some pictures of the new head unit installed. In the second picture you can also see the switches for the lights below the head unit, and for the compressor and locker right behind the shifter.

 

The only part that was still lacking a bit was bass response. So, I recently added a Kenwood KSC-SW1 powered enclosed subwoofer. This thing is really small, and I think is a real good alternative if you don't want to sacrifice too much cabin or trunk space but still want better bass. It uses a 6 1/2" driver and a 6 1/2" "passive radiator" to produce decent bass for its size. It won't rattle windows or nothing like that, but definitely improves the sound.

 

I mounted the woofer in the truck, on the drivers side. I used the provided bracket to mount it vertically, so its really out of the way. Here are some pictures:

 

Subwoofer:

 

Overall...I think it was a good investment.

Edited July 16, 2008 by arcano

[FUELER]

a great investment indeed

 

looks great, clean install

 

so what powers the rear sub (or is it self-powered)?

 

you actually have rear cargo space... i forgot what that is like

 

ps i really like how the passenger side "air bag" is merely just a tray, here in the US its flat like the rest of the dash, looks very useful

[XPLORx4]

ps i really like how the passenger side "air bag" is merely just a tray, here in the US its flat like the rest of the dash, looks very useful

 

It looks like there is no passenger side air bag. Passenger air bags were probably not required in that country.

[arcano]

so what powers the rear sub (or is it self-powered)?

The subwoofer is self powered, with a built in amp rated at 150 watts max. It comes with a wiring harness that plugs right into the Kenwood head unit subwoofer output, so I can control the subwoofer's volume, crossover frequency and other from the head unit.

 

It looks like there is no passenger side air bag. Passenger air bags were probably not required in that country.

Regarding the lack of air bags, my '98 SE is an oddball even here in Panama. I bought it used in 1999, but it came from the factory with no air bags at all, driver or passenger, no ABS brakes, manual 5-speed transmission, leather seats, 4.63 gears and rear LSD.

 

Definetly not very common, at least I have not seen another one like it here in Panama. Most I've seen have automatic transmissions, both driver and passenger air bags, and ABS brakes.

Edited July 20, 2008 by arcano

[Fukinitupagain]

good God look how clean the interior is!

[FUELER]

Regarding the lack of air bags, my '98 SE is an oddball even here in Panama. I bought it used in 1999, but it came from the factory with no air bags at all, driver or passenger, no ABS brakes, manual 5-speed transmission, leather seats, 4.63 gears and rear LSD.

 

 

That's quite the combo! I've never heard of anything like that. I'm jealous of you!!