Kenwood Excelon DMX1057XR 10.1-inch Headunit Sound Quality Testing, Highlights and Takeaways

[@sgmandrew]

Yes, since you can connect wireless, you don't need 2 USB. I saw in one video Kenwood also saying this. Great and unique review 👌

[@alanworks4354]

Nice review...this is info you normally don't see on headunit vids. I'm glad you cleaned up the O-scope, I think Chad was the last person to put a cleaning rag to it.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

That thing was a breeding ground for COVID-19.

[@JeffMilan]

An excellent review and presentation of "technical" information. Not to knock the "user" reviews on other channels, but this focused on specs and performance that others don't generally address. That was helpful to me in making my head unit selection. I am going for the DMX1057XR instead of the DMX1037S.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bloodycupcake0]

Great video. I purchased the dmx1057xr after seeing your tests. I couldn't be happier. I loved seeing thr part for setting the s.w. level to 1 to get the 4.8V and not worry about the clipping. Cheers

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Glad I could help!

[@04tundra1]

You do not need dual USBs. You can pair your phone wirelessly and still have the USB available.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

This is discussed in the other comments.

[@chloeleedow7250]

It's got wireless aa and car play though although I haven't tried to use AA with usb at the same time.

[@bbfoto7248]

Quick note that I think there are also Subwoofer Level settings in the EQ and DTA/Position menus.

[@chloeleedow7250]

It's got wireless car play so you can have you iPhone connected all the time just use a car charger in the lighter socker

[@BarbieLeni]

Man you are a wizard. Thanks for the amazing input. You did the work so we won’t have to. Now I can straight on put the settings and enjoy

[@jerryjoseph1866]

Erin you knocked it out it the park with this video....thanks for providing quality content man

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I appreciate that!

[@myboy051]

my KENWOOD DMX 906s has pretty much the same output at the same settings only difference is I can put the sub out level up to 3 before it shows clipping on my scope. If I remember correctly it was 4.9 volts max out on the scale. The volume off set is all left at 0 across the board.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@myboy051]

@@ErinsAudioCorner - No problem, figured I would put in on here just in case someone watching had one and wasn’t sure how to test it.

[@Beth-El]

How do you access the secret menu to change the splash screen from kenwood

[@sweetchaoss]

Love the t-shirt!

[@VicFroman]

Did you try putting a usb splitter on it. It may recognize that hub

[@MrCaptainobvious9999]

Great video Erin- Thanks. It would have been great to test file formats from your drive since you have a broad mix so we can confirm playback of DSD/DSF, wav and other formats like aiff, ape. Does album art display from the HD drive? Also- limit of size on the HD? 2TB is pretty awesome. I was shocked both by how quickly it recognized and made available the folder listing, but also how responsive and quick it is in menu structure- This is a nice unit. How is the display? I also really like the Stinger model (nice it has an optical out!) but it doesn't play DSD/DSF. Any other models that compare favorably to this one or is this the best available?

[@bluv5185]

Can anyone help me out please. I’m trying to mirror my iPhone. I have the hdmi and the lighting adapter but when I choose the hdmi source on the radio the screen is just black. Any suggestions?

[@joeymarino7804]

Is there any connection issues with the wireless Apple car play? I know my pioneer 7600nex wireless Apple car play cuts out all the time.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Not that I experienced.

[@Noah-jy9pw]

Do these lose xover settings when battery is disconnected?

[@michaelo6003]

Thank Erin! I just installed this unit yesterday. I know this is going to sound silly, but by any chance do you know how to actually turn the HD radio off? I can't figure it out. Thanks!

[@x219c]

Excellent video... One thing though. This has wireless CarPlay. While I agree, it should have two usb inputs... It can run CarPlay even with your hard drive plugged in.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

You are correct. I was under the impression, however, that wireless carplay won't transmit lossless data. I think someone has since informed that is not the case and my complaint is rendered moot. So, yea for technology. Boo for me being misinformed.

[@x219c]

@@ErinsAudioCorner That’s one I don’t know about for sure. I know it runs over WiFi because the data rate is too slow over Bluetooth, but that’s more than likely for the video than the audio. If I was betting on it, knowing how Apple does their headphones, it’s probably some form of AAC compression, so you’re probably right. Either way, your video was really helpful and I wasn’t trying to take away from that. I just hadn’t considered you were looking for lossless, despite you mentioning the high res files on the hard drive. Flew right over me there. Have a good one.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

No worries! Have a good one!

[@briansouter9243]

Great info and review Erin.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Dude! How the heck have you been? Hope all is well!

[@yayhoo8848]

You should be able to use a USB port expansion module.

[@Joe_wright]

I can do Android auto and USB at same time due to wireless Android auto.

[@toorop111]

Can you run wireless CarPlay for maps and listen to an SSD (2TB) then switch over to Apple Music or Spotify/Tidal because you just tagged a song that you didn’t have on your SSD??

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I honestly have no idea. Sorry I can't help.

[@tengthiamwan4166]

Great review and info. Thanks.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Thanks for watching!

[@ervinebrownejr.2537]

Hi. Just want to know, what speakers do you have in your car and do you prefer 6.5 inch or 6X9 speakers?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5balZWOnZxghbc

[@tombrown1032]

Dang....I am extremely glad I found your channel!!! This video is awesome. So if I have an older Kenwood that is rated at 4 volts, am I going to clip if I simply replace this for the older one? Am I going to have to lower gains on DSP or amps?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Hard to know for sure without testing. More than likely, you'll be OK. Unless you listen to music that is heavily compressed. But, if you listen to more dynamic music then you probably won't push the output volume past clipping.

[@tombrown1032]

@@ErinsAudioCorner probably wouldn’t tell a difference when listening to tidal with this one vs my older kenwood, would I?

[@bbfoto7248]

@@tombrown1032 If you have an older Kenwood with 4-volt preouts, it most likely is not one of Kenwood's *eXcelon Reference* head units (designated "XR" on the packaging) which do have 5-volt preouts, BUT ALSO HAVE higher quality internal DACs and analog electrical components such as capacitors, resistors, OPAMPS, transistors, etc. IMPE, these newer "XR" head units (2018 & up) do "sound better" than the older ones. Many of the older units did clip the signal before reaching full volume or the full 4-volts on the preouts. Will a new XR head unit like this one make a difference in your system? As Erin stated, it might depend on the music that you listen to and the file format. Ultimately, the quality of the rest of your install *and how well it is tuned* would probably determine if you'd actually hear a difference or not. The newer features are nice though, especially if you'd like to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Ideally, you'd want to redo your gain-staging when using the new HU, from the HU, to the DSP, to the Amplifiers.

[@tombrown1032]

@@bbfoto7248 so...I’d like to explain my set up and get your thoughts if possible. I truly appreciate your reply because I am leaning towards this unit even more. If you don’t mind giving anymore help, please let me know

[@bbfoto7248]

@@tombrown1032 Yeah, that's fine. But I would urge you to sign up to the Car Audio Junkies (C.A.J.) Forums or the DIY Mobile Audio Forums (DIYMA) and start a new thread there in the "System Design" section as you'd get a broader range of input and suggestions. My user name is "bbfoto" on both forums.

[@Zaphod7835]

When this deck is set to 3 way on the pre-outs can the rear high level still be used for rear fill?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I’m not sure TBH.

[@Zaphod7835]

@@ErinsAudioCorner I bought one... or rather the jvc version. No, you can't run rears off the deck.

[@burnzy56469]

Has anyone used the idatalink maestro as it's not on their website as a compatible head unit yet

[@obineke]

I had it on my Honda Accord Touring. Most features from my previous head unit (IMid) were unavailable on Maestro due to model being Touring and I was unable to put custom wallpaper. Plan on removing and putting old unit in trunk and just stretching cords to it. That's just me and Honda though. Idk if your model will be perfect for Maestro

[@henrychavez1220]

Do you recommend an external DSP with this head unit?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve with your system. The built in DSP here is impressive. But nowhere near what a good external DSP like Helix.

[@MegaHEC1]

Can you download apps like KZbin Netflix

[@dougmead7669]

How long is the boot time to music? My 1007XR takes 20-25 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kennyq45]

What's the actual display area minus the black bezel?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

No idea, man.

[@PiperUsmc]

you can do wireless carplay...

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

Indeed you can. But this has been addressed in the comments above.

[@lamontgarrison4814]

I have an exceleon double din already if I buy this one could I use the same wiring harness?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I’m not sure. I’d be in the same boat, though. This was too large for my dash so I didn’t even bother to try installing it.

[@chloeleedow7250]

This harness on this is 22 pin it is the same as my 2017 high end kenwood head unit bud

[@noncog1]

Stinger does indeed have optical

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I was pretty sure but was hesitant to commit. Thanks for clarifying.

[@TK-es3jl]

Ii's got wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play. While I agree I'd rather have 2 USB ports if I have a choice, I'd rather not have to plug in my phone. if I need to charge my phone I'll use a the charger as needed and leave my USB drive connected all the time.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I have a lot of high quality lossless albums on my phone.

[@abellas70]

@@ErinsAudioCorner and that won't play through wireless car play?

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

@@abellas70 I’ve been told the bitrate is throttled. But maybe that has changed.

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

@@abellas70 but besides that, I also tend to need my phone plugged in. I just don't understand why KW couldn't keep the two ports for the option to plug both in at the same time.

[@bbfoto7248]

@David Drake Yes, it will. Actually up to 24/192 WAV or FLAC in PCM format. And DSD as well...I think up to 256, not sure.

[@vse0]

has android auto wireless and apple wireless mirroring ...

[@ErinsAudioCorner]

I have lossless audio on my phone.

[@Joe_wright]

Mine sounds so much better than my DDX8706S

[@Locoface91]

Yassss

[@mgeldert]

wireless android auto and usb drive