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Kenwood KDC-252U

In-Dash Car CD/MP3/WMA Stereo Receiver w/ Front USB & 3.5mm Auxiliary Input

  • 4.7

(29 reviews)

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Specials with this product

  • Free Installation Accessories!details
  • Free Ground Shipping to the 48 statesdetails

Price Information

$109.99

–$25.00

$84.99

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Customer Testimonial

New at this and ordered a lot of things. Called for a question and Landau found some things I bought that did not jive together. So, I put it in his hands and he set it all straight. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT SONIC ELECTRONIX IS TOP NOTCH!!! And the website is set up very well. Thanks Landau for the help!

- Dan from Kansas City

See more…

  • Get 50% Off a 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable with Purchase!
    With the purchase of this receiver, you can save 50% on a universal 3.5mm auxiliary cable. This quality aux cable is 6 feet in length and is perfect for connecting portable music players to your stereo.
    KDC-252U thumbnail
    +
    50% Off
    MN06-Black thumbnail
    =

    $87.98

    (was $90.98)
  • Get 50% Off a USB Charge & Sync Cable with Purchase!
    With the purchase of this receiver, you can save 50% on a Scosche USB cable. This quality cable is 3.2 feet in length and is able to charge and sync your Apple or Micro-USB devices.
    KDC-252U thumbnail
    +
    50% Off
    IPMA thumbnail
    =

    $94.98

    (was $104.98)

 

 

 

 

General Features:

  • In-dash AM/FM, CD, MP3, WMA Receiver with Remote
  • Built-in Pandora internet radio control
  • Theft deterring detachable face plate
  • Single-line DOT text display
  • Wireless remote control included
  • Red illuminated button lighting
  • Power Output:
    • Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels
    • RMS: 22 watts x 4 channels
  • CD text information display
  • MP3 ID3 Tag Display (Title/Artist/Album)
  • 1-year SonicElectronix.com Warranty

Playback and Audio Features:

  • Playback of CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, and WMA
  • AM/FM tuner with 18FM/12AM presets
  • Separate subwoofer level control
  • Dynamic Soundstage Organizer
  • Electronic Shock Protection (ESP)
  • 3-band parametric equalizer with 8 selectable tone curves (7 Preset, 1 User)
  • 24bit Digital Analog Converter (DAC) to enhance your MP3/WMA playback
  • Built-in Low-Pass Filter (LPF)
  • Two-stage bass boost allows for user specified bass level

Expandability Options:

  • 1 Set of 2V preamp outputs (subwoofer)
  • iPod and iPhone Ready: Standard USB-to-iPod Cable compatible
  • Front Auxiliary Input: 3.5mm headphone jack allows connection to portable media devices such as MP3 players
  • Front USB Input: USB port allows connection to digital devices such as flash drives, portable media players, etc.

Product History:

Kenwood KDC-255U thumbnail
(newest, current model)
Kenwood KDC-252U thumbnail
(previous model, replaced by Kenwood KDC-255U)
Kenwood KDC-248U thumbnail
(previous model, replaced by Kenwood KDC-252U)
In-Dash Receiver Specifications
Receiver Size Single DIN
Faceplate Security Detachable
Motorized Faceplate No
Remote Control Yes
Peak Power Output 50 watts x 4 channels
RMS Power Output 22 watts x 4 channels
Preamp RCA Outputs 1 Pair (Switchable Rear/Subwoofer)
Sub Preamp RCA Output Yes
Preamp Voltage 2 volts
Built-In Equalizer 3-band parametric equalizer with 8 selectable tone curves
Display Type Dot-Matrix Text Display
Display Color White
Button Color Red
CD Signal-to-Noise 105 dB
CEA-2006 Compliant No
Playback Features
AM/FM Tuner Yes
FM Presets 18
AM Presets 12
CD-R/RW Playback Yes
MP3 Playback Yes
WMA Playback Yes
DVD / Video Playback No
Dual Zone No
Expandability Features
Navigation No
Audio/Video Inputs Front 3.5mm
Audio/Video Outputs No
USB Input Front
iPod Audio Connection Yes (via iPod USB Cable or Accessory Cable Below)
iPod Video Connection No
Satellite Radio No
HD Radio No
Bluetooth Connectivity No
Steering Wheel Control Compatible No
CD Changer Controls No
Rear View Camera Input No
Memory Card Reader No
Portable Device Information
Compatible Apple Devices 5G 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 Nano 5th Generation (8 & 16GB)
iPod Touch 1st Generation (8, 16 & 32GB)
iPod Touch 2nd Generation (8, 16 & 32GB)
iPod Touch 3nd Generation (8, 32 & 64GB)
iPod Touch 4th Generation (8, 32 & 64GB)
iPhone
iPhone 3G
iPhone 3GS
iPhone 4
iPhone 4S
iPod Charging Adapter Required No
Warranty and Return Policy
Return Policy Standard Return Policy
Parts Warranty Duration 1 year
Labor Warranty Duration 1 year
Warranty Provider Sonic Electronix
Customer Review Summary for Kenwood KDC-252U
Average Customer Rating is 4.7 out of 5 stars:
  • 4.7
based on 29 Reviews
Share your thoughts with others:
Rating Distribution:
5 star:
.
.
69%
4 star:
.
.
28%
3 star:
.
3%
2 star:
.
0%
1 star:
.
0%
what's this?
Average Attributes Rating:
Durability
  • 4.4
4.4
Value
  • 4.9
4.9
Features
  • 4.4
4.4
Design
  • 4.5
4.5
Usability
  • 4.5
4.5
what's this?
Quick Comparison:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews:
August 6, 2012 Great Headunit
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Dean from Los Angeles, California
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 5.0
Usability
  • 5.0
I only had this head unit for about six months, and I love this product. I installed this myself to replace the factory stereo. Since then has been a pleasure to have, and sound quality is much better.



A fault I have with the headunit only has red lighting, but luckily it matches with the rest of my gauges in my Toyota Matrix.



It seems the most common problem is the ipod control through the usb. This is actually a very easy problem to fix. First you plug in the ipod, then the ipod has "kenwood" on its screen, and you can only control it through the headunit. However, if you press the ipod button (on the right of the volume knob) for about 2 seconds, the headunit will display "app's & ipod" I think; anyway from there you can control the music from your ipod. It is mentioned somewhere in the manual.



Hope this helps.
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July 4, 2012 Use in my tractor
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Bosco from Deary, ID
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 3.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 4.0
Design
  • 3.0
Usability
  • 3.0
I bought this radio to use in my Kubota 8540 tractor and it works great. The stock speakers from Kubota have all they can handle (or more) from this unit. My only con is in the selection menu(s) - it's hard to know where you are and where you want to go but that may be a function of having so many options. Also, haven't been able to get my flash drive to play but could be from the format of music on my computer.
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June 18, 2012 Serious Improvement
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Mike from NY
Overall
  • 4.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 4.0
Usability
  • 4.0
Not going into technical details. Upgraded my stock head unit in a 2012 mazda 5. A true musical delight emerged from my stock speakers. I thought I would have to dig in my pocket a little deeper for 6 new speakers, not the case. Well worth the money. Sonic was on spot with the service.
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May 1, 2012 good features, good looks, easy to use. GREAT VALUE
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Max from Evansville, IN
Overall
  • 5.0
Durability
  • 5.0
Value
  • 5.0
Features
  • 5.0
Design
  • 5.0
Usability
  • 5.0
I have owned one of these for about 3 months. its a very nice radio, has options for sub woofer level, bass, mid, treble, and a lot of things in between. its a great product and the red matches really well with the stock gages on my 2000 grand prix. only problem i have had is that the ipod won't play thru the USB port for some reason. it will just say 'reading' and get to the song but won't play. I have tried hitting the play button on both the ipod and the dash but to no avail. I'm not sure if its the ipod or the radio.



also very easy to use, and as i said earlier it looks great. plenty of features. read the owners manual to find them all



a great product, gonna buy one for my friend on her birthday here soon
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April 2, 2012 nice
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Review by
Denny from Kutztown, PA
Overall
  • 4.0
Durability
  • 4.0
Value
  • 4.0
Features
  • 4.0
Design
  • 4.0
Usability
  • 4.0
Fits perfectly for a sub system but if you plan on doing speakers look elsewhere. Also has no rear usb input so if you hate wires this also isn't for you.
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View All 29 Reviews for Kenwood KDC-252U
iPod Adapters and Cables
An iPod adapter/connection cable will allow you to listen to music through your car in-dash stereo from your iPod, charge the iPod, and usually control the playback and playlists through the in-dash head unit too.
  Product Price Add?
Scosche IPUSBK2 Scosche IPUSBK2
This iPod cable is made specifically for the audio playback of this in-dash receiver.
$13.99
Installation, Tools & Accessories
Get your car stereo receiver installed by an expert, or do it yourself with install tools and accessories found below.
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$14.99
18 Butt Connectors, 2 Ring Terminals, and Zip Ties 18 Butt Connectors, 2 Ring Terminals, and Zip Ties
Great for connecting your car stereo wires to the harness.
$5.99
SoundKase DFC1X SoundKase DFC1X
Soft-Sided Nylon Receiver Faceplate Case
$5.99
System Optimization and Tuning
Use these accessories to test and tune the sound your new audio system!
  Product Price Add?
Scosche SPL Meter Scosche SPL Meter
Monitor the noise level of your new car audio system with this SPL meter measuring from 60-135 dB.
$24.99
AutoSound 2000 CD-103 AutoSound 2000 CD-103
Audiophile reference series test disc for evaluation of all audio components.
$12.99
AutoSound 2000 CD-102 AutoSound 2000 CD-102
High frequency test CD specifically designed for the set-up and evaluation of sound system imaging and placement.
$12.99
AutoSound 2000 CD-105 AutoSound 2000 CD-105
Demonstrates different characteristics and specifications of an audio system.
$12.99
Main Product
  Product Price Add?
Kenwood KDC-252U Kenwood KDC-252U $84.99

Product Summary

Manufacturer: Kenwood
Model number: KDC-252U
UPC: 019048195562
Weight: 3.40 lbs
Internal SKU: kdc252u
Internal product ID: 42342