Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 Review – Is Excelon Still King?
Im gonna start this by comming right out and saying that the Excelon kdc-x304 is our favorite kenwood single din stereo for the price. I have 2 reasons that support this, and im sure the rest of our techs would agree with these points.
I never have to worry about issues with this stereo, so no returns and no phone calls. The last reason is that since the price is so good i never have to actually sell this thing. People come in looking for it.
Table of Contents
In this review, we take a closer look at the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 and learn more about its features and offerings to help buyers make an informed decision.
Kenwood Excelon car stereos are popular for their customization abilities, use of the latest technology and crisp sound. The KDC-X304 is a testament to this tradition and offers several additional features to cater to the demands of those who want to add an in-dash CD player to their car. It also suits newer vehicles and those with cut dashboard. It is also a great choice if you are looking to hide the unit from sight.
Design
What makes this Kenwood stereo special is the dedicated front-panel button for Amazon Alexa that gives you instant voice control over your music playback. It is designed to be easy to use with a rotary control knob. It also lets you customize the display with variable color illumination to match your car interior.
It features a single front-loading CD face that can be detached from the chassis for theft protection. It comes with a 1.5 line LCD screen to make it easy to view the information. It also lets you choose from English, Spanish and French language. The head unit can display 12 or 24-hour clock and day.
Excelon KDC-X304 Features
- The Mix: The receiver can be paired with up to 5 Bluetooth® devices simultaneously, allowing for easy switching between devices and sharing with friends or family.
- Dual Phone Connection: Easily switch between two phones while connected via Bluetooth with the touch of a button.
- Remote App: Basic receiver functions can be controlled through a smartphone application over Bluetooth (iPhone or Android).
- Wireless Music Browsing (AVRCP 1.5 / 1.6): Search and select songs from your music collection via Bluetooth.
- Graphic EQ / Digital Time Alignment: A 13-band equalizer and DTA provide optimal tuning enhancements for listeners.
- Drive EQ: Specific frequencies in the audio signal can be boosted to overcome road noise.
- FLAC Supported: Compatible with various audio file formats including high-res FLAC and WAV, as well as MP3, WMA, and AAC.
- Android Rapid Charge: The USB port can rapidly charge compatible Android smartphones up to a maximum of 1.5A.
- Variable Color Illumination: The bright variable color LEDs can be adjusted to match any dash lighting color.
Amazon Alexa Ready
The Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 comes with a built-in Alexa with voice control. This means you can ask to make calls, play music, listen to the news, control smart home devices, find parking, check the weather and get directions without taking your eyes off the road.
You simply need to install the app on your Android smartphone or iPhone and press the Alexa button on the receiver to activate the feature and start using it.
iPhone Direct Integration
The front-panel USB port of the receiver allows connecting Apple iOS devices to enjoy stored music. You can then use the screen controls to search the music library and skip through the list. You also get access to basic playback controls for the music right from the head unit. The USB connection provides power to charge your connected phone.
Built-in Bluetooth
The receiver supports wireless hands-free communication for a Bluetooth-compatible phone. You can use the controls of the stereo to make and answer calls and carry out conversations using the microphone and speakers of the vehicle.
The Kenwood also allows playing and controlling music from a Bluetooth enables phone or device. You can play music from a stored library or music applications on the phone. The head unit displays the music list and the song information.
Siri Eyes Free Control
You can pair the receiver with iPhone via Bluetooth to start accessing Siri through the front panel controls and microphone. All the Siri functions including reminders, hands-free calling, audible navigation, messaging and music search can be executed. You can also ask Siri to give you directions and it will be heard from the speaker with a map displayed on the screen.
Music Application Controls
When paired with your smartphone, the receiver lets you access and control all the popular music applications on your phone. You can listen to your favorite music and radio stations from Spotify, Pandora or Apple Music Radio through a Bluetooth or USB connected smartphone.
Music Mix
This feature allows you to connect five Bluetooth-enabled audio devices to the receiver at a time so that you can switch quickly between music sources.
USB and AUX Compatibility
The receiver offers an easy front panel connection for compatible USB devices like mass storage drives, smartphones, music players and iPods. You can control the music playback of these devices while charging them. You also get fast charging as an option through the front USB inlet.
Remote Control App
It is possible to control the basic functions of your stereo from a smartphone application called the Kenwood Remote App. Any paired Android or iPhone smartphone can be used to control the receiver wirelessly through Bluetooth.
Dual Phone Connection
Two Bluetooth-enabled phones can be connected to the receiver at any time. You can switch between the two phones with just a button click on the screen.
Sound Quality
The KDC-X304 is a part of the Kenwood Excelon series that uses the latest technologies like equalizer, crossover, audio tuning and other features to deliver exceptional audio quality. This receiver uses a 24-bit DAC for great sound and a MOSFET amplifier for increased power with minimum noise and distortion.
Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 Installation
The receiver is extremely easy to install and comes with all the necessary hardware and mounting accessories needed to attach it to your mounting kit and harness. This stereo will not come with your vehicle-specific dash kit, harness, and antenna adapter, these will need to be purchased separately.
What Parts Are Needed For Installation
- Stereo dash kit
- Wire harness
- Antenna Adapter
The user manual contains detailed, comprehensive instructions about connection and installation. It also represents the head unit structure and installation procedure with diagrams for easy reference.
The head unit is designed to be used with a 12-volt DC supply in the vehicle console. It is recommended to mount the unit at an angle of fewer than 30 degrees for the best performance. The negative terminal of the battery should be disconnected before wiring.
The unit should be ground to the car’s chassis after installation. While it is easy to follow the instructions and install the stereo yourself, it is a good idea to leave the wiring and mounting to a professional for safety.
Need Help Installing any Audio Equipment?
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What’s The Difference Between Kenwood and Kenwood EXcelon
6 channel (3 channel) 5 volt Pre-amp outputs
This means that you have the ability to get high quality input to your aftermarket amplifiers in the form of front, mid, and rear/subwoofer channels. This is awesome for anyone looking to expand on their audio system.
Longer warranty periods
Most Kenwood stereos come with a 1-year warranty. The excelon takes a bit further with a 2 year and sometimes 3-year warranty depending on the type of excelon stereo.
More extensive crossover network settings
Fully adjustable High and Low pass crossovers are a must-have in a lot of audio systems whether you are running a High-end system or a factory system. We use this to clean up unwanted frequencies and to boost needed frequencies.
Conclusion
One of the most affordable options for a DIN head unit, the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X304 delivers a lot in a single, compact unit to make your in-car music experience exceptional. It offers a customizable display, USB port for high-res music playback, smartphone integration and internet radio controls to give you plenty of options to stay entertained while driving. It also adds Bluetooth connectivity to facilitate hands-free calling and wireless music streaming so that you can keep your focus on the road while making the drive enjoyable.
