Alpine vs. Kenwood [Head Units and Speakers compared]
6 min read
I favor the Kenwood head unit over the Alpine, because it provides extra capabilities and options whereas supporting a chic design that enables many customized options.
Relating to the speaker, the Alpine and Kenwood are extra related than not. Whereas the Alpine provides a greater sound high quality than Kenwood, the Kenwood is extra sturdy and has a larger energy output and frequency vary.
Under, I examine two of the most well-liked head items and audio system of Alpine and Kenwood, discussing the totally different options of each. Learn beneath to seek out out which of the 2 manufacturers is healthier to your automotive.
Alpine iLX-W650 vs. Kenwood Excelon DMX706S [Head Units Compared]
The 2 head items I’ll be evaluating are the Alpine iLX-W650 and the Kenwood Excelon DMX706S. They’re each wonderful head items that supply a spread of performance. Nevertheless, which is healthier? I’ve in contrast them beneath.
Options
With reference to options, the Kenwood Excelon DMX706S takes the worth. It’s not that the Alpine iLX-W650 doesn’t provide wonderful options. They each have a USB enter within the rear and again digicam enter. Furthermore, they each have CarPlay. Different related options embody:
- Reminiscence Card Slot
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- iPhone compatibility
Nevertheless, the Kenwood provides extra and higher options. For instance, the Kenwood head unit makes use of a SiriusXM 3.0 satellite tv for pc radio system, whereas the Alpine makes use of a Sirium XM. Furthermore, whereas each are suitable with iPhones, Kenwood is relevant with fashions going again to iPhone 5, whereas Alpine goes again to 5S. That won’t sound like a lot, however I not often know anybody who will get an S-model of iPhone.
The Kenwood has 13 EQ bands, providing extra management over the audio, whereas the Alpine solely has 9. Moreover, the Kenwood comes with two-year elements and labor guarantee, whereas the Alpine comes with a one-year guarantee.
Furthermore, Kenwood provides extra options than Alpine. A number of the options current within the Kenwood however not the Alpine embody:
- AUX enter
- Variable key button shade
- Wi-fi distant
- Radio information system
- Excessive-resolution playback
- Second Digicam Enter Lane Watch
The Alpine provides an RMS Energy of 16 watts, whereas the Kenwood provides an RMS energy of twenty-two watts. Furthermore, the Alpine has a decrease peak output of 45 watts in comparison with Kenwood’s 50 watts peak output. They each assist an influence bandwidth of 20-20k Hz.
Each methods enable telephone and messages and are absolutely suitable with iPhone and Android functions.
Design and usefulness
When it comes to design, I favor Kenwood. The Kenwood has a 6.95” clear resistive touchscreen show, whereas the Alpine has a shallow mount chassis design with a 7″ display screen dimension.
Furthermore, the Kenwood offers a spread of choices for the important thing button shade, whereas the Alpine is available in white solely.
The Kenwood has an LCD touchscreen with LED backlighting, offering a crystal clear show and vivid textual content. The Kenwood LCD has an 800 (H) x 480 decision with 1152000 pixels. The background colours are available 9 decisions. Then again, the Alpine additionally has an identical decision and whole pixels. Nevertheless, the show setting is proscribed of their choices.
When it comes to usability, each methods provide related capabilities. Nevertheless, the Kenwood takes it up a notch with a parking brake interlock that stops video show except the parking brake is engaged. I like this characteristic because it ensures security. If you wish to watch movies in your car, you shouldn’t be driving.
Worth
The Kenwood Excelon DMX706S can price you greater than $500, whereas the Alpine iLX-W650 can price anyplace between $300 to $400. The worth distinction is reasonably steep if you consider it. Whereas the Kenwood provides many options, you must take into account these options price greater than $100 in comparison with the Alpine.
Verdict
In case you are okay with the worth and demand that your head unit has extra options, you want to the Kenwood. Nevertheless, in the event you favor the pinnacle unit to be more cost effective and have the important options, you may just like the Alpine. They’re each nice choices, however the final selection will depend on what options you need and the way a lot you’re prepared to spend.
Alpine S-Sequence vs. Kenwood Efficiency Sequence [Speakers Compared]
Each firm audio system are on the prime of their manufacturers and are the most well-liked selection in terms of automotive audio system. Nevertheless, which one is healthier?
Accessible Sizes
The out there sizes for the Alpine S Sequence are:
Then again, the out there sizes for the Kenwood Efficiency Sequence are:
Subsequently, if you’re in search of smaller audio system, you might need higher luck with the Alpine S-Sequence as they’ve a wider vary, whereas the Kenwood Efficiency Sequence begins with four-inch audio system. Nevertheless, you may favor Kenwood if you’re in search of a larger vary of bigger audio system.
Construct High quality
The Kenwood audio system have a tweeter composition that contains polyetherimide (PEI), whereas the Alpine speaker has a tweeter made from silk. PEI performs brighter than silk dome tweeters and doesn’t require as a lot energy. Furthermore, PEI is a extra inexpensive and available materials than silk.
Kenwood woofer is made from polypropylene, whereas the Alpine woofer is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. Carbon-fiber strengthened plastic is stiffer and provides a managed breakup for smoother high-end roll-off. Then again, polypropylene is straightforward to work with and is extra immune to deformation as a result of temperature. You may favor polypropylene in order for you your woofers to last more, however you may favor carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for better-quality sound.
Each audio system assist a woofer encompass made from rubber and provide a one-year guarantee.
Sound
When it comes to sound, let’s speak in regards to the Alpine S-Sequence first. The audio system have a sensitivity of 88db, which is nice, however not the very best. Furthermore, the audio system provide a frequency response vary of 70-22k Hz. Virtually the entire audio system within the collection provide a peak energy of 260 watts and an RMS energy of 85 watts.
On the opposite aspect, Kenwood Efficiency takes the win over peak energy and RMS energy, Te KFC-6996PS provides a whooping 650 watts peak energy and an RMS of 150 watts. Even the smallest 4” speaker provides a peak energy of 220 watts.
Each audio system have an impedance of 4 ohms, displaying related effectivity in extracting energy from the principle system.
Subsequently, when it comes to loudness and sound, the Kenwood Efficiency collection takes the prize.
Worth
The worth for the speaker collection falls in the identical vary and may price you anyplace between $180 to $200. Nevertheless, whereas the worth vary is analogous, most Kenwood audio system are costlier. Therefore, value is a reasonably menial think about evaluating the 2 audio system except you’re positive of precisely which audio system you need. So, in the event you plan to purchase a cheaper one out of the 2, there isn’t a one proper reply.
Verdict
If you happen to favor a louder, long-lasting speaker with a larger frequency vary, you may wish to go for the Kenwood Efficiency Sequence. Nevertheless, in the event you favor a speaker with higher sound high quality, you may favor the Alpine S.
Closing Ideas
Whereas each merchandise are on the prime of the market, there may be just one winner. There isn’t any doubt that each Alpine and Kenwood head items and audio system are nice choices, however I’d personally go for the Kenwood. The Kenwood head unit has extra options than the Alpine head unit, and the audio system provide larger energy output.
Whereas Kenwood is costlier than the Alpine, the options and choices you get are price it. Furthermore, you’ll be able to take into account it a one-time price as you received’t purchase them each six months, so it’s wonderful to splurge somewhat.
FAQ
Is Alpine Higher Than Kenwood in Phrases of Product High quality?
Alpine audio system and head items are identified for his or her product high quality. Nevertheless, the options and value, coupled with the guarantee, deliver Kenwood shoulder to shoulder with Alpine concerning product high quality.
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