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Kenwood eXcelon DDX9902S Multimedia Receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

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We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand Kenwood
Connectivity Technology Bluetooth, USB
Controller Type Android
Special Feature Touchscreen, Pandora, Spotify
Compatible Devices Smartphone, Speaker
Connector Type USB, HDMI
Output Power 50 Watts
Supported Internet Services Maps
Audio Output Type Speakers
Manufacturer KENWOOD

Top Brand: Kenwood

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Kenwood eXcelon DDX9902S Multimedia Receiver with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto


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Customer reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars
28 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the Android Auto functionality easy to use. They appreciate the clear audio quality and no issues with voice or XM reception. However, some customers have reported issues with the screen brightness and touch screen functionality. The Google Maps feature is not as useful as previous models. Opinions differ on overall functionality and speed.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

3 customers mention "Android auto functionality"3 positive0 negative

Customers like the Android Auto functionality. They mention it switches between CarPlay and Android Auto easily, but the Google Maps are not as useful as the old Garmin. The Android Auto interface works OK, but the Google Map is not as useful as the older Garmin.

"...The Android auto interface works OK but the Google map is not as useful as the old Garmin GPS...." Read more

"...not perfect, this is certainly the best and fastest CarPlay and Android Auto unit available aftermarket right now...." Read more

"...It allows you to switch between Car Play and Android Auto easily, where the Pioneer was more of a hassle...." Read more

3 customers mention "Audio quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the audio quality. They say calls and music come through clearly, with no issues with voice quality or XM reception. The AptX BT Audio support is also appreciated.

"...The audio quality is much better over the stock head unit, its very clean and neat with all buttons underneath and the hidden CD player is an..." Read more

"...The built-in crossovers and EQ are top-notch and I'm getting some incredible audio...." Read more

"...So far no issues with voice quality or XM reception. The GPS antenna and XM antenna are mounted in a corner of the passenger side dash. -..." Read more

3 customers mention "Quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the AV receiver's quality. They find it top of its class, fast, and the best CarPlay and Android device. The built-in crossovers and EQ are excellent, and the unit is clean and neat. Overall, customers say it delivers the best combination of audio quality and smartphone connectivity.

"...quality is much better over the stock head unit, its very clean and neat with all buttons underneath and the hidden CD player is an awesome touch...." Read more

"...While not perfect, this is certainly the best and fastest CarPlay and Android Auto unit available aftermarket right now...." Read more

"nice headunit" Read more

8 customers mention "Functionality"4 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the functionality of the product. Some find it works well with Siri, audio quality, and smart phone functionality. They also appreciate the steering wheel controls and maps with GPS. Others mention that it's great at night but useless if driving in the sun, freezes up, and is overpriced.

"...Steering wheel controls work great, minus one thing (see comments later in review) and they were able to line up the factory backup camera..." Read more

"...Stay away from this Kenwood model. it is overpriced and it sucks. Don't be fooled like I did...." Read more

"...is about as great as advertised so far - super easy to use, maps works great with the additional GPS antenna that augments your iphone's antenna,..." Read more

"...Havent used CarPlay yet but Android Auto connects instantly and works well, no bugs so far...." Read more

4 customers mention "Speed"2 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the speed. Some say it's excellent and has smooth performance from screen to screen, while others mention apps are good but slower than Android Auto.

"...And you can use it while wearing gloves. Performance is excellent as well and I have not noticed a single hiccup in speed or menu transitions at all...." Read more

"...Apps are good but coming slower than Android I think, plus I had to find a different Podcast app since Joyride isn't on iOS..." Read more

"...on Google Play Music, while still getting the same smooth performance from screen to screen...." Read more

"...With the newer phones it works better, but it is still laggy and freezes up making it inefficient as a GPS...." Read more

4 customers mention "Screen brightness"0 positive4 negative

Customers are unhappy with the screen brightness. They mention that the display is washed out and hard to see on a sunny day, making it difficult to use Google Maps. There is also not enough contrast, making for a confusing camera picture.

"...is not enough sometimes when the sun is on the screen, can be very hard to see no matter what you are trying to see -..." Read more

"This old fashion resistive touch display is washed out and hard to see on a sunny day, and there is not enough contrast to use the Google map while..." Read more

"...And the bad: I mentioned the screen could be brighter, but really it should also get much dimmer...." Read more

"...Making for a very confusing looking camera picture...." Read more

4 customers mention "Touch screen functionality"0 positive4 negative

Customers are unhappy with the touch screen functionality of the AV receiver. They mention that the touchscreen doesn't work, navigation stops working, and it doesn't work for Android Auto. The old-fashioned resistive touch display is washed out and hard to see on a sunny day.

"...I have had a handful of times the navigation just stop working, but I attribute that to my phone which I have customized (rooted) and running..." Read more

"This old fashion resistive touch display is washed out and hard to see on a sunny day, and there is not enough contrast to use the Google map while..." Read more

"...When the installation page poped up, the touch screen would not work. I tried a system reset and washing my hands. Still did not work...." Read more

"Does not work for android auto.Still laggy for new units. I would not recommend..." Read more

3 customers mention "Google maps"0 positive3 negative

Customers dislike the Google Maps app. They say the interface works OK but the map is not as useful as the old Garmin GPS, and it can give up within 5 minutes or 20 minutes.

"...Apple maps sucks compared to Google Maps. Why the default color palette is made so dark so you can't use it during daytime is beyond me...." Read more

"...Sometimes Pandora/Googlemaps will give up within 5 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes later...." Read more

"...The Android auto interface works OK but the Google map is not as useful as the old Garmin GPS...." Read more

Great user interface and CarPlay!
5 out of 5 stars
Great user interface and CarPlay!
Just installed this in a 2009 Toyota 2009 Rav4 Limited with JBL because I wanted CarPlay/video unit. Because I knew I wanted Apple Carplay, and on the advice of the folks at Showtime Audio in Chicago I waited for the Kenwood carplay solution to come out, as I needed something easy to use and was advised that Pioneer can be more complex. So when the Kenwood started shipping in June, I immediately ordered it and just had it installed yesterday. Here's the setup:- idatalink Maestro RR for the steering wheel controls. Went with this because it was imperative to retain the steering wheel functionality. Happy to report that all the buttons on the steering wheel work as intended - even the on-hook/off-hook buttons and the push to talk button (the push to talk becomes your siri button when Carplay is activated, and a voice dial button if not). Volume up/down works, and you can scroll through tracks or presets with the arrow up/down button. Additionally, Mode will change inputs such as XM, HD radio, etc. They did have to install a separate bluetooth mic and XM antenna, but I was OK with that as long as it worked. So far no issues with voice quality or XM reception. The GPS antenna and XM antenna are mounted in a corner of the passenger side dash.- PAC TATO JBL interface. Sounds great so far and no issues to report.- Metra dash kit. I went with this solely because the Scosche didn't arrive on time so I had to pick up what they had at Best Buy. I'm happy with the Metra though - color matches closely and good fit. No visible gaps are misalignment. This is probably more a result of professional installation, however.Overall very happy with the unit. It's pretty user friendly - I've not gotten an angry call from my wife yet because she can't figure something out at least. The HD radio sounds awesome and I like the additional information like track name, album art, etc. The XM is easy to use and sounds great. I also like the user interface and the ease of switching modes. Carplay is about as great as advertised so far - super easy to use, maps works great with the additional GPS antenna that augments your iphone's antenna, and I like being able to stream Spotify natively.Finally, I decided to have the unit professionally installed because I wanted to make sure everything worked the way its supposed to and quite frankly I didn't want to mess something up that I wouldn't be able to fix. Glad I did!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2015
    Update 11.4.2015:
    Due to unrelated issues with my S6E, I switched to Apple and am now using CarPlay. Here's my takeaways:
    - Overall reliability when connected is far superior than either Android phone I've used. It connects within seconds of being plugged in and music streaming has no buffering that I experienced on Google Play. Siri is pretty good at getting music requests right as well.
    - Apple maps sucks compared to Google Maps. Why the default color palette is made so dark so you can't use it during daytime is beyond me. It's great at night but next to useless if you are driving in the sun. Not to mention it also struggles to find places by name, but given the street address finds them fine. I also notice it doesn't learn as well if you take a faster route than it wanted to take - Just his past Saturday it started off with the worst route to the golf course I've been to 5 times. Nokia Here would even be better than this.
    - Apps are good but coming slower than Android I think, plus I had to find a different Podcast app since Joyride isn't on iOS

    I like the look of Android Auto better, but CarPlay is much more polished (other than maps)

    Update 9.8.2015:
    I switched back to a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge this past weekend as I needed the camera for an event, and can still attest to the functionality of this unit. I have noticed a few less skips or buffering issues on Google Play Music, while still getting the same smooth performance from screen to screen. Everyone is always impressed how accurate the voice commands work, no matter who is talking, as long as only one person is talking.

    Let me start off by saying I was going to get a Pioneer unit and load that into my on Infiniti; Infiniti had no dash kits and when I tested the lowest-end Pioneer with an S6 Edge it was so slow, so I moved in a different direction and had this installed professionally by Access 1 Alarm and Audio in my 2015 Tacoma. Because my truck is so new it took them a few tries to get the wiring right, but everything is working great. The audio quality is much better over the stock head unit, its very clean and neat with all buttons underneath and the hidden CD player is an awesome touch. The factory hookups for USB and Aux In don't work anymore, but they ran USB and HDMI out of the back through the glovebox, and everything works, including its own new microphone and GPS antenna. I use Android Auto with my Xperia Z2 and could not be happier. Voice recognition is beyond any other car I've used, and just retested an iPhone today and CarPlay fired up instantly. Free updated maps/navigation and Google Music is fantastic. I have had a handful of times the navigation just stop working, but I attribute that to my phone which I have customized (rooted) and running tasker automation 24/7. Steering wheel controls work great, minus one thing (see comments later in review) and they were able to line up the factory backup camera successfully - has both stock lines plus a full set of ones from the kenwood you can customize to help when backing up. I chose this one of the 9702s for two reasons:
    - 7 channel EQ vs 5, which is awesome - every input can be assigned its own preset.
    - AptX BT Audio support - calls and music come through very clear
    Only two issues do I have:
    - Max Screen brightness is not enough sometimes when the sun is on the screen, can be very hard to see no matter what you are trying to see
    - To switch presets, I have not found a way to do it without hitting the one you want from the list. This goes for both on-screen and on-steering wheel controls, which can be a tad inconvenient. When using Android Auto or a CD, I can hit up/down on the steering wheel and it switches to the next track; I probably just haven't found the right screen to be on.
    I have had this almost a month now and can't dream of going back to the stock unit that came with my Tacoma.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2016
    Don't buy this stupid stereo. Kenwood markets heavily on android auto and apple carplay, but they hardly work or don't work at all. I got a Samsung S5 and S6 and neither of these phones would connect to android auto via bluetooth or the USB port. Found out they don't work with the stereo at all.

    Worse thing is the Kenwood app won't even calibrate my phone screen with the stereo screen once I got it to work via HDMI. I got the Microsoft Display adapter and updated the firmware from the computer and the Microsoft Display adapter works with the S5 and S6 and transfers the image to an HDMI signal to the Kenwood HDMI port.

    I bought this for the handsfree bluetooth and the navigation function using Android Auto. Sadly it doesn't work. Do yourself a favor and buy a cheaper stereo at half the price with a HDMI port and use the Microsoft Display adapter (must upgrade firmware on adapter) for your android hardware. Stay away from this Kenwood model. it is overpriced and it sucks. Don't be fooled like I did.

    Also we live in the year 2016, these pitiful screens are not sharp and look like displays coming from the early 2000's. Not even crisp or clear compared to the newer generation phones. I mind as well attach an ipad mini for my stereo and get on with it!

    ****UPDATE September 11th, 2016*******

    I started using an S7 and a S7 Active. With the newer phones it works better, but it is still laggy and freezes up making it inefficient as a GPS. Sometimes Pandora/Googlemaps will give up within 5 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes later. This is a nightmare when you are driving and need to drive from POINT A to POINT B for a handsfree operation. It defeats the purpose if your Kenwood stereo freezes up and you have to take your hands off the wheel to unplug the USB from the phone to plug it back again to restart it. I still wouldn't recommend this unit and I regret buying it in hopes for it to replace the GARMIN GPS or Google maps on a Smartphone.

    Options I should have done if I can go back:
    1. Buy a cheaper stereo with HDMI and have a 3.5mm headphone jack input or bluetooth. Buy the Microsoft Adapter for $59.99 and upgrade the firmware on it to use on the stereo. use your android phone to mirror the screen and play your favorite music from your phone to the headphone jack with pandora or whatever music application you like to use.

    2. For the cheaper route for $100 and below

    $20 phone holder to hold your smartphone and activate google maps. (For GPS)
    $50 for a handsfree bluetooth transmitter for calls or music ( For Music)

    You saved yourself more than $600 + the time to install the Kenwood DDX9902S...
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2015
    This old fashion resistive touch display is washed out and hard to see on a sunny day, and there is not enough contrast to use the Google map while driving. The Android auto interface works OK but the Google map is not as useful as the old Garmin GPS. Maybe the Pioneer would have been a better choice but the junk is in the dash.
    Think twice before you buy this radio.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report