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The Kenwood KDC-MP342U is a a car CD receiver released by Kenwood in January 2009 retailing at $130. It plays the usual CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files. It gives iPod control through its USB input, and is compatible with Kenwood's Bluetooth® adapter, satellite radio, and HD Radio™ tuner, so users have the option of adding hands-free calling and extra entertainment options to their system. Users can browse through their iPod folders through the receiver's display and using the receiver's control wheel. This receiver also includes a remote control. This piece is 30$ less than the Sony CDX-GT630UI but with an extra 2 watts per channel, the rest of the features are pretty much the same.
MSRP $130.00
Release date January, 2009
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Pros & Cons12
Reviews6
Details
Buy It6
Competitors8
Related2
Gallery1
Pros & Cons
3 positive
0 mixed
3 negative
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
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ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 23
Con votes = 6
Total votes = 29
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Details
Features
- CD player with built-in MOSFET amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
- plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA music files
- detachable face with illuminated USB input
- iPod direct control via USB input — no adapter necessary, but adding Kenwood's optional connecting cable lets you leave your iPod cable at home
- remote control
- System Q Sound Control (6 EQ curves and a 3-band equalizer)
- low-pass filter and sub level control
- compatible with Kenwood's Bluetooth adapter, HD Radio tuner, satellite radio
- inputs: front-panel USB and auxiliary inputs
- outputs: 4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear/sub)
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This report was started
March 28, 2009 at 12:25 pm by
abbood
with the last edit occurring
Today, 12:42 AM by
Steven Castellano
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Buy It
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
• Kenwood KDC-MP342U WMA/MP3 CD Receiver with Satellite/HD Radio/Bluetooth Ready Front Panel USB/AUX Input
• KDC-MP342U In Dash CD/MP3 Player
UPC: 019048181169
EAN: 019048181169
MPN: KDC-MP342U
Competitors
MSRP $119.95
Released January, 2009
Pros
- affordable price
- includes wireless remote
- Satellite and HD radio ready
- Bluetooth compatible (requires add-on module)
- front panel aux input - for use with external audio devices such as MP3 players, laptops, and portable DVD players
Cons
- iPod control requires an add-on
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
JVC KD-R300
MSRP $120.00
Released January, 2009
Pros
- affordable price
- front aux port for use with other audio devices such as mp3 players, laptops or portable DVD players
- built in iPod control - includes required cable
- includes remote control
Cons
- not HD / satellite radio compatible
- no Bluetooth compatibility
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
Pioneer DEH-2100IB
MSRP $150.00
Released January, 2009
Pros
- affordable
- HD / satellite radio ready
- front USB / AUX inputs
- iPod ready
- includes wireless remote
Cons
- awkward and frustrating controls
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
Pioneer DEH-P3100UB
MSRP $140.00
Released February, 2009
The Sony Xplod CDX-GT530UI head unit is a slightly more expensive version of its sister product, the CDX-GT430U and unlike the other product, it has a detachable faceplate, making it a great product for those who want to hide the faceplate to deter theft and car break ins. It is a CD tuner and...
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
Sony Xplod CDX-GT530UI
MSRP $139.95
Released January, 2009
Pros
- Price- if you are just looking for a amp with auxiliary plug.
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
JVC KD-HDR20
MSRP $129.95
Released January, 2009
The JVC KD-A305 is an in-dash car-audio receiver that features a built-in MOSFET amplifier with a 200w max power output. The first of five JVC KD A/V head units, the JVC KD-A305 features a variable-color illumination display with 30 preset color choices, not to mention a CD player that supports traditional CDs, CD-Rs, and...
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
JVC KD-A305
MSRP $130.00
Released January, 2009
The Sony CDX GT430U head unit is a relatively inexpensive device that is compatible with all of Sony's latest audio technologies - a great thing for a consumer who wants to buy cheap now and add on to the capabilities later. It is a CD tuner and comes with USB and AUX-IN connections for...
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
Sony CDX-GT430U
MSRP $160.00
Released January, 2008
The Sony CDX-GT630UI is a car CD receiver released by Sony in 2008 retailing at $160. It has front panel USB and Auxiliary inputs for connecting portable media players, and allows users to contact their iPods without extra adapters. Its quick browZer allows users to search their iPod songs by genre, artist or album....
Kenwood KDC-MP342U
vs.
Sony CDX-GT630UI
Reviews
May 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- easily accessible USB and aux inputs
- affordable price
- iPod compatible
- includes remote control
- good value
- Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
- satellite and HD radio ready
- easy to install
Cons
- accessories cost more than the unit itself
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
June 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- easily accessible USB and aux inputs
- affordable price
- iPod compatible
- includes remote control
- good value
- sounds great
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
April 16, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
Did not agree with any pros
Cons
- Back light is too bright and has no dimmer function other than for the display.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Today, 12:42 AM
approved
reviewer
Pros
- easily accessible USB and aux inputs
- affordable price
- iPod compatible
- includes remote control
- good value
- Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
- satellite and HD radio ready
- easy to install
- sounds great
Cons
- Back light is too bright and has no dimmer function other than for the display.
- accessories cost more than the unit itself
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 11, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
Did not agree with any pros
Cons
- Back light is too bright and has no dimmer function other than for the display.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
August 2, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
Did not agree with any pros
Cons
- Putting mp4 files on a USB drive doesn't work. If you want to play files off your USB drive, they'll have to be MP3 or WMA. Apparently, only an iPod can handle Apple's mp4 file format.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Price comparison information by:
This product is also known as:
KDC, MP, 342, U, KDCMP, MP342, 342U, KDCMP342, MP342U, KDCMP342U
