Kenwood KDC-MP342U

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.

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Kenwood KDC-MP342U
MSRP$130.00
Release date January, 2009
BrandKenwood
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Pros & Cons13
Reviews8
Details
Buy It2
Competitors8
Comments
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
8 reviews
85
negative
mixed
positive
5 positive
0 mixed
3 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
easily accessible USB and aux inputs
+5agreedisagree

•
iPod compatible
+5agreedisagree

•
good value
+5agreedisagree

•
affordable price
+4agreedisagree

•
includes remote control
+4agreedisagree

•
easy to install
+4agreedisagree

•
sounds great
+4agreedisagree

•
Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
+2agreedisagree

•
satellite and HD radio ready
+2agreedisagree

•
Ability to control ipod from ipod itself with ipod cord (rather than proprietary cable). Ipod controls are way better than any built-in stereo can provide.
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
accessories cost more than the unit itself
+2agreedisagree

•
Back light is too bright and has no dimmer function other than for the display.
+1agreedisagree

•
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.
-1agreedisagree


8 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

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 January 22, 2010 at 4:49 pm by Bob Stutelberg
This page has been viewed 5823 times, with 74 edits by 10 contributors.
See the full report history »

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

JVC KD-R300

JVC KD-R300

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
ProSCORE
1 review
83
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote JVC KD-R300  
Pioneer DEH-2100IB

Pioneer DEH-2100IB

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
ProSCORE
1 review
67
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote Pioneer DEH-2100IB  
Pioneer DEH-P3100UB

Pioneer DEH-P3100UB

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
ProSCORE
1 review
86
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote Pioneer DEH-P3100UB  
Sony Xplod CDX-GT530UI

Sony Xplod CDX-GT530UI

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...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote Sony Xplod CDX-GT530UI  
JVC KD-HDR20

JVC KD-HDR20

MSRP  $139.95    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • Price- if you are just looking for a amp with auxiliary plug.
ProSCORE
1 review
100
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote JVC KD-HDR20  
JVC KD-A305

JVC KD-A305

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...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote JVC KD-A305  
Sony CDX-GT430U

Sony CDX-GT430U

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...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote Sony CDX-GT430U  
Sony CDX-GT630UI

Sony CDX-GT630UI

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....

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Kenwood KDC-MP342U   vs. vote Sony CDX-GT630UI  

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Comments

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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Steven Castellano

avatar
November 22, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
82
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • easily accessible USB and aux inputs
  • iPod compatible
  • good value
  • affordable price
  • includes remote control
  • easy to install
  • sounds great
  • Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
  • satellite and HD radio ready

Cons

  • accessories cost more than the unit itself
  • Back light is too bright and has no dimmer function other than for the display.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Bob Stutelberg

avatar
January 22, 2010
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
0 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • easily accessible USB and aux inputs
  • iPod compatible
  • good value
  • affordable price
  • includes remote control
  • easy to install
  • sounds great
  • Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
  • satellite and HD radio ready
  • Ability to control ipod from ipod itself with ipod cord (rather than proprietary cable). Ipod controls are way better than any built-in stereo can provide.

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
May 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
89
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
1 con
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • easily accessible USB and aux inputs
  • iPod compatible
  • good value
  • affordable price
  • includes remote control
  • easy to install
  • Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling (requires adapter)
  • satellite and HD radio ready

Cons

  • accessories cost more than the unit itself

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Wesley Baron

avatar
December 10, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
86
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
1 con
love itlove it
have ithave it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • easily accessible USB and aux inputs
  • iPod compatible
  • good value
  • easy to install
  • sounds great
  • Ability to control ipod from ipod itself with ipod cord (rather than proprietary cable). Ipod controls are way better than any built-in stereo can provide.

Cons

  • accessories cost more than the unit itself

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

quisten

avatar
June 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • easily accessible USB and aux inputs
  • iPod compatible
  • good value
  • affordable price
  • includes remote control
  • sounds great

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Brian Ziegler

avatar
October 11, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
0 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

Jonathan Carter

avatar
August 2, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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

Saddletramp362

avatar
April 16, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
love itlove it
0 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

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This product is also known as:

KDC, MP, 342, U, KDCMP, MP342, 342U, KDCMP342, MP342U, KDCMP342U