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Kenwood KDC-BT838U

CD, MP3, WMA Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth Hands-Free Capability, Remote, Aux and USB Inputs, and iPod Direct Connection via USB

4.7

(14 reviews)

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Up to $30 in free installation accessories included with this product. Click for details.

Specials with this product

  • Free Installation Accessories!details

General Features:

  • In-dash CD, MP3, WMA Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth Hands-Free Capability, Remote, Aux and USB Inputs, and iPod Direct Connection via USB
  • iPod USB direct connectivity via your standard iPod-to-USB connection cable allows you to charge, control, and playback your iPod through the receiver and stereo system
  • Built-in Bluetooth technology supports hands-free calling with a compatible Bluetooth phone
  • Detachable face with security code function
  • Illumination reacts to the beat of currently playing music
  • Easy to use and grip rotary controls
  • Three-line dot-matrix display
  • Wireless remote control included
  • Blue button lighting
  • Power Output:
    • Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels
    • RMS: 22 watts x 4 channels
  • CD Text display
  • WMA, AAC, and MP3 ID3 Tag Display (Title/Artist/Album)
  • 1-year SonicElectronix.com warranty

Playback and Audio Features:

  • Playback of CD, CD-R, CD-RW, AAC, M4A, MP3, and WMA
  • Tuner with 18FM/6AM presets
  • 8x Optical CD digital oversampling
  • 3-Band equalizer with 7 EQ presets
  • Emotional illumination effects react to the beat of the music

Expandability Options:

  • 3 Sets of 2.5V preamp outputs (front, rear and subwoofer)
  • SIRIUS or XM Satellite Radio Ready: A subscription is required for service as well as either the Kenwood SIRIUS Satellite Radio Package or Kenwood XM Radio Package
  • HD Radio Ready: Kenwood KTC-HR200 HD Radio tuner add-on module is required and sold separately
  • Bluetooth Ready: Built-in Bluetooth hands-free technology with included microphone connection that extends all the way to the steering wheel
    • HFP (Hands Free Profile)
    • HSP (Headset Profile)
    • OPP (Object Push Profile)
    • PBAP (Phonebook Access Profile)
    • SYNC (Synchronization Profile)
    • SPP (Serial Port Profile)
    • A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
    • AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile)
  • iPod Ready: Direct connection via USB-to-iPod cable or Kenwood KCA-iP100 adapter recommended and sold separately
  • Rear auxiliary input: USB port, RCA Audio Input, and 3.5mm (headphone jack) allows connection to portable media devices such as MP3 players, etc.
  • CD Changer controls
In-Dash Receiver Specifications
Receiver SizeSingle DIN
Faceplate SecurityDetachable
Security Code
Motorized FaceplateNo
Remote ControlYes
Peak Power Output50 watts x 4 channels
RMS Power Output19 watts x 4 channels
Preamp RCA Outputs3 Pairs (Front, Rear, and Subwoofer)
Sub Preamp RCA OutputYes
Preamp Voltage2.5 volts
Built-In Equalizer3-Band with 7 EQ Presets
Display TypeDot-Matrix Text Display
Display ColorWhite
Button ColorBlue
CD Signal-to-Noise105 dB
CEA-2006 CompliantNo
Playback Features
AM/FM TunerYes
FM Presets18
AM Presets6
CD-R/RW PlaybackYes
MP3 PlaybackYes
WMA PlaybackYes
DVD / Video PlaybackNo
Expandability Features
NavigationNo
Audio/Video InputsRear 3.5mm
Audio/Video OutputsN/A
USB InputRear
iPod Audio ConnectionYes (via iPod USB Cable or Accessory Cable Below)
Satellite RadioOptional - SIRIUS or XM (Accessory required and sold separately)
HD RadioOptional (Accessory required and sold separately)
Bluetooth ConnectivityYes (Built-in/Included Bluetooth Controls, Adapter and Microphone Included)
Steering Wheel Control CompatibleNo
CD Changer ControlsYes
Rear View Camera InputN/A
Memory Card ReaderNo
iPod Information
Compatible Apple Devices5G iPod Video (30, 60, & 80GB)
iPod Classic (120GB)
iPod Classic (80 &160GB)
iPod Nano 1st Generation (1, 2, & 4GB)
iPod Nano 2nd Generation (4 & 8GB)
iPod Nano 3rd Generation (4 & 8GB)
iPod Nano 4th Generation (8 & 16GB)
iPod Touch 1st Generation (8, 16 & 32GB)
iPod Touch 2nd Generation (8, 16 & 32GB)
Warranty and Return Policy
Return Policy Standard Return Policy
Parts Warranty Duration1 year
Labor Warranty Duration1 year
Warranty ProviderSonic Electronix
Customer Review Summary for Kenwood KDC-BT838U
Average Customer Rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars:
4.7
based on 14 Reviews
Share your thoughts with others:
Rating Distribution:
5 star:
.
.
71%
4 star:
.
.
29%
3 star:
.
0%
2 star:
.
0%
1 star:
.
0%
what's this?
Average Attributes Rating:
Durability
4.7
Value
4.8
Features
4.6
Design
4.6
Usability
3.9
what's this?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews:
March 5, 2010 Great Unit
Review by
RossGo from Cold Spring, KY
Overall
Durability
Value
Features
Design
Usability
This headunit has it all. Great price, great looks, and easily to use features. There are cheap head units, and then there are good head units that are cheaply priced. This is one of the latter. Great price, and has every option one should want out of a non double din unit.
I have installed 4 so far. Highly recommended
Easy to use, and looks super sharp!
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January 10, 2010 Great item, but BT is somewhat wierd
Review by
yuriy from Virginia Beach, VA
Overall
Durability
Value
Features
Design
Usability
Sometimes BT connects completely. I am able to switch songs from the Kenwood stereo.
However, a lot of times BT connects but I am able to switch songs on my phone only.
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November 18, 2009 Awsome Product
Review by
Mario from Saint Louis, MO
Overall
Durability
Value
Features
Design
Usability
Everything about this head unit is great. This is my first time installing a stereo in my car and it was a breeze because sonic electronix sends you everything you need. The blue tooth and the USB connection are the 2 things I use the most and both work great. The remote comes in handy too. 1 negative: the instruction manual did not help much for presetting the stations. All in All coming from a harsh critic, this is a great product and an even better company(sonic electronix) to deal with. Will be buy speakers from SE in the near future.
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October 13, 2009 Great Deal
Review by
Nelson from Atlanta, GA
Overall
Durability
Value
Features
Design
Usability
Head unit is all what you want: bluetooth, usb, mp3 and good quality. it takes some time to get used to the push buttons, but after a while you will be very happy.
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October 4, 2009 NICE
Review by
Tshawn from Russellville, AR
Overall
Durability
Value
Features
Design
Usability
This works great and is an excellent product. This is a great player no matter what but considering the price you can't beat it. The controls take a little getting used to but can eventually be mastered.
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View All 14 Reviews for Kenwood KDC-BT838U
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Product Summary

Manufacturer: Kenwood
Model number: KDC-BT838U
UPC: 019048179128
Weight: 5.00 lbs
Internal SKU: kdcbt838u
Internal product ID: 11790
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Customer Testimonial

What can i say, sonic electronix is by far my go to site for all of my car audio. I just recently purchased my kicker zx300.1 amp and love it. Don't even think twice about this site because they are great and trustworthy. I would give them an A+++! I LOVE SONIC ELECTRONIX!

- Trevor

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