You are probably all frustrated about the built-in car stereo, which is not wrong. The factory-built car stereo doesn’t offer high-end sound, and raising the volume usually creates distortion. That’s why we are here to give you a choice between Kenwood vs Alpine car stereos and present differences based on our practical experience and customer reviews.
So here you’ll get to know about the Kenwood vs Alpine head units, speakers, and amplifies differences, specifications and their features. Just sit tight and stay focused.
Contents
Why Should You Choose Between Kenwood And Alpine?
Choosing a car stereo depends on many factors and what factors are very lucrative for you. In that sense, Kenwood is no short of any features that you desire in this modern day like Apple l CarPlay for iPhone, Android Auto for Android devices. Also for phone calls, navigation system Kenwood maintains its congeniality.
Similarly, Alpine provides one of the most premium car audio, speakers and navigation systems. For smartphone integration alpine offers Apple CarPlay, Android auto. Additionally Alpine Restyle car stereo or speaker package brings exquisite match for literally any vehicle and it includes wiring harness. This Restyle package matches with the internal appearance of your vehicle and set up looks bread and butter to all.
Other car audio stereos don’t have quality features like Alpine or Kenwood. The top quality car stereos consist of top notch equipment just like top quality phone brands do. Working efficiency, easy setup process, equipment these are difference makers. Also for both Alpine and Kenwood, the display features animation of sounds. In contrast, most other stereos have basic features, but adding the additional features they lack mostly. Even many of them don’t provide display animation.
So for overall performance, quality sound, syncing with phones, display these set a margin for Alpine and Kenwood, very few stereos can reach that level.
A Comprehensive Comparison of Kenwood vs Alpine Car Stereo
Car stereo means the total audio system in a car, starting from the head unit, speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers. Here we are trying to present to you all the things a car stereo includes for both of them.
Alpine iLX-207 vs Kenwood DMX9705S
Alpine iLX-207
The Alpine stereo comes with a 7-inch LCD screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. So you can say this stereo is ready to sync with any smartphone. This stereo is specially designed for the convenience while driving, as soon as you touch the Furthermore, it offers adjustable crossovers so you can adjust the frequency range of both subwoofer and speaker according to your preferences.
The head unit has six channels and four pre-out connections. Also, it allows your vehicle to transfer vehicle information and show it to you on the display. One HDMI port is available to mirror your smartphone into the display. Furthermore, one camera input is available for the backup camera, but you can add multiple cameras using an alpine multiple-camera input adapter.
The unique feature of the Alpine iLX-207 is that it comes with a nine-band parametric EQ and a graphic EQ. So definitely, the nine-band parametric EQ, user-satisfying interface, and clear sound frequency-producing ability make it popular with customers. And no wireless connectivity and only single camera input make it less competitive than the latest head units from other brands.
| Pros | Cons |
| – The stereo comes with built-in drive assist that works with Alpine’s camera system. | – It has only one HDMI input, nowadays you’ll need more. |
| – Aftermarket winch, light bar, air compressors can be controlled through this stereo. | |
| – Both touchscreen and voice control are compatible. | |
| – Equipped with built-in-Bluetooth connectivity. |
Kenwood DMX9705S
This Kenwood unit is chosen because of its popularity and affordability; as you know, Kenwood often asks for a high price. This 6.95-inch touch panel screen is slightly smaller than the Alpine we have described. This Kenwood offers three sets of four-volt pre-outs, Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls and music, and adjustable crossovers. Though it comes with video input, you’ll certainly need a separate AV adaptor.
The Kenwood comes with multi-camera input; in fact, four exist. So you don’t need a camera connecting adapter. Also, wireless android mirroring is available. The only disadvantage you will find is no HDMI in
The Kenwood DMX9705S digital multimedia stereo is offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and some popular apps. Also the built-in auto Wi-Fi helps to connect Android Auto without USB. Furthermore, for playing high-res music collection, you use FLAC or DSD music files on the thumb drive and then plug and play through the second rear USB port. For older music players the stereo has rear aux input.
| Pros | Cons |
| – You can browse YouTube, Waze and Yelp. | – Not good at all the phone’s Bluetooth, so check the performance of your phone’s Bluetooth for this stereo. |
| – The software is good at bass boosting and controlling over loudness. | |
| – It offers both high and low pass filters for setting a good low frequency sound. | |
| – It displays vehicle’s information and engine performance. | |
| – Hands free calling and music streaming. |
Among these two car stereos, both have the ability to provide excellent quality audio, connectivity and accessibility. Yet Alpine ilx-207 provides a larger screen and more user-friendly interface.
Alpine vs Kenwood Single Din Car Stereos
Alpine UTE-73BT
Well it may look like a very old-fashioned small screen car stereo but very much compatible with iPhone and Android if you want to play stored music files through USB connection. Also, the built-in Pandora control allows you to skip tracks and channel browsing.
You can use the front USB port to charge your phone or connect the FLAC, MP3 or WMA files from any device dedicated for music.
The Alpine UTE-73BT offers two volt preamp outputs so you can add an amplifier with it and make your music play much premium like.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Hands free calling and music streaming. | – Un-user friendly buttons and menus. |
| – Compatible with iPod, iPhone and Android. | |
| – The software equipped with low pass and high pass audio filters. | |
| – Features with built-in MOSFET 18 watt amplifier. | |
| – Easy to install and provides a wiring harness. |
Kenwood KMM-BT325U
Well when most of us are busy with finding the best one between a single din Sony and Alpine car stereo, the Kenwood BT325U is offering such a user-friendly stereo. You can use your smartphone as a remote control for this stereo by downloading the Kenwood remote app.
When you are on the phone and using Spotify and Pandora, this stereo allows you to explore music through those apps. Also it plays MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and some high resolution FLAC music files, so no music files will stay unplayed here in this stereo.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Super bright LCD display. | – Doesn’t have any CD input option. |
| – It can connect two phones at once. | |
| – Features with low pass filter and sub level control Built in MOSFET 22-watt amplifier is included. | |
| – Compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner. |
These are two best quality single din car stereo from Alpine and Kenwood, both use LCD screen and low pass filter along with amplifiers. Yet Kenwood BT325U offers clear radio frequency and smartphone remote controlling system that’s why it seems more user friendly.
Alpine vs Kenwood Speakers
Alpine’s S series speakers are made of Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, which makes them very strong but lightweight. Even the built-in materials speakers are designed with premium materials. Also, the installation is very easy for the speakers and is popular for their mid-range sound.
In contrast, Kenwood offers a variety of speakers for high-quality to midrange sound. Kenwood’s two-way shallow mount speakers show excellent power handling capabilities and rarely cause distortion. But in most cases, if you desire premium performance, you must add additional amplifiers, and Kenwood is ready to take more power.
Kenwood vs Alpine Subwoofers
Kenwood subwoofers are very much suitable for any car space, so you don’t need to think much before where to keep them in the car. Most of the Kenwood subwoofers are good, but the Kenwood excel on is the most known for its ability to catch extremely low frequency, and even if you can’t do the crossover exquisitely, it will eliminate high frequency sounds and will give you the clean bass sound.
Alpine, on the other hand, is a very basic form of subwoofer, it offers midrange bass sound, and the bass clarity depends on how exquisitely you can set the crossover. Alpine also offers a unique subwoofer model for trucks.
Amplifier Comparison
Amplifiers are completely a personal choice, yet both of them offer high-end amplifiers to a midrange budget. But in the amplifier marketplace, you will hear more about Kenwood than Alpine because Kenwood offers amplifiers from mono channels to 5 channels. People even use Kenwood amplifiers for other speakers and subs because of its feature for setting up speakers and subwoofers to sound precise.
Alpine amps are good but not as popular as Kenwood, yet Alpine offers more budget-friendly two and 4-channel amplifiers, which have good midrange sound quality. Also, Alpine amplifiers are not power-hungry, so they save a lot more power than Kenwood amplifiers.
FAQ
1. Is Kenwood A Good Sound System for cars?
– Kenwood is all about preciseness. Starting from the head unit, speakers, subs, and amp, Kenwood tries not to compromise with quality even though the price crosses the other competitors. But a total Kenwood sound system for cars definitely gives us more than expected.
2. What Is The Difference Between Alpine vs Pioneer Car Stereo?
– Both of the car stereos are good enough to give you chills, but performance-wise, Alpine is much more affordable than Pioneer. But you must add high-end Alpine amplifiers to get the best performance out of an Alpine car stereo. While in Pioneer, most experts recommended the total stereo but the amps to us.
Read More: Difference between Alpine and Pioneer car stereo.
Final Words
We have tried to give you the comparisons with all honesty, yet car stereo depends on what you want compared to others and what you can take. Like some people who dislike bass, Kenwood may look a little overrated. The other way around, the people living in busy cities with lots of sounds around find alpine midrange sound not enough for them. So overall, your budget, your desire, and the surroundings play a crucial role here.
I install mobile electronics I went to school for it like 26 years ago. And I like Kenwood ALOT but Alpine has had my heart for decades. Since the days of the glowing green cubes! And while when it comes to head units it’s pretty close but there is no comparison for subs or amps. Alpine Type Rs are really well known and much more popular then any sub Kenwood makes. And as far as amps go ever since Alpine made the V12 there is no comparison there either. Alpine for the win!