How Important Is Sub Control?

[Andy C]

Im looking in to a new cd player and I am wondering how important the sub control feature that some of them has is? My current cd player which is the JVC KD-S590 does not have sub control and the one I am looking at does not have sub control either. I have 3 10's Kicker comp VR subs in my truck and a 600 watt kenwood amp. Does it make a big enough difference that I need to pick out a cd player that has it? The cd player I am looking at getting is the Kenwood KDC-X689 I really like this Kenwood unit, and would like to buy it next, but if sub control is important I am willing to get a different unit.

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Ite...tures_and_specs

[thecraft]

As long as you have dedicated subwoofer outputs, you should be fine, most subwoofer amplifiers have those controls built-in anyways. It is nice to have those controls on the head unit though, so you can make changes on-the-fly rather than have to fiddle with your amplifier.

 

BTW: I think that Kenwood has subwoofer controls anyways. My friend has a Kenwood that is the same year model as that one, but it has the color display. Great unit!

 

# System E's: The System E's Advanced Crossover System allows you to tailor your system with selectable crossover points for all channels. For the front and rear, there is a 6 dB/octave high-pass filter with independently selectable crossover points of 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz, or Thru (no filter). The non-fading preamp output for subwoofers has a 12dB/octave low-pass filter with a selectable cutoff frequency of 50Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, or Thru (no filter). You can switch the phase of the non-fading output from normal (0°) to reverse (180°), and adjust the level of the subwoofer output from -15 to +15 in 2dB steps.

[Lincoln30]

The Kenwood X689 has the sub controls but was discontinued about 2 years ago (it's 3 generations old now). I believe it lacks the connections to add HD radio or the Bluetooth kit if you care about that in the future. It's a great sounding unit but is not the most intuitive to setup and use. Be sure to go into the configuration menu and disable the internal amplifier if you are not using it to power any speakers as you will get better sound quality via your external amps if you shut this off (it's an audible difference on my system using an X889).

 

I like having sub level control on my radio since the bass on Sirius seems very boosted compared to CD and FM, this allows quick and easy adjustments to the level when going from source to source. Unfortunately, Kenwood didn't make the sub level setting source specific like some of the other adjustments on the radio. I bypass the crossovers on my Kenwood and use the crossover built into the external amp instead but it's all there if you need it.

[Andy C]

Hey thanks for the replies. Yeah I know it has been discontinued but I am really wanting a Kenwood with the D-Mask+ feature and I am thinking that the X689 was the last model that had this feature. I am haveing a difficulty in finding this unit brand new factory sealed. So far I have found it on ebay, onlinecarstero.com, techronics.com, and millionbuy.com. If anybody has any other store suggestions or any other good kenwood unit with the D-Mask+ feature that may be easier to find or that would be a better unit than the X689 please let me know.

[Lincoln30]

Hey thanks for the replies. Yeah I know it has been discontinued but I am really wanting a Kenwood with the D-Mask+ feature and I am thinking that the X689 was the last model that had this feature. I am haveing a difficulty in finding this unit brand new factory sealed. So far I have found it on ebay, onlinecarstero.com, techronics.com, and millionbuy.com. If anybody has any other store suggestions or any other good kenwood unit with the D-Mask+ feature that may be easier to find or that would be a better unit than the X689 please let me know.

 

I had those self-hiding faceplate radios from both Alpine and Kenwood. The Alpine broke after about a year, so decided to try the Kenwood. The first Kenwood broke right away and second lasted until it got stolen. Notice my statement before you go and get dead set on buying a three year old radio, that's been sitting in some corner of who knows where, that probably wasn't that reliable in the first place and thieves will still take even with a blank face showing. I love the concept but there is a reason no one is doing this anymore

[Andy C]

Yeah I have taken that into account. Most people I have talked to that had problems out of the kenwoods had the ribbons tear that flips the face. Alot of them got atleast a good year out of them before the ribbons broke even a few people has had them for 6 years and not replaced one. I have no problem replaceing a ribbon every year or two. Im not getting it for the security purposes or to get rid of theives im wanting it cause I think its cool looking watching it flip and I just want a cd player that is gonna do something besides just sit there. So far from the way I understand onlinecarstereo.com has the unit for $200 brand new factory sealed and for $30 I can get it with a 3 year repair master extended warrenty or for $50 I cant get a 5 year repair master extended warrenty.

[Lincoln30]

Be sure that the warranty really states they will repair it and not attempt to replace it with an available current "equal" model since no current models have D-mask. I'm not trying to rain on your parade here but don't bother spending the extra money on the warranty if they are not going to do what you want in the end.

[Andy C]

Oh yeah I know your not raining on the parade. I appreciate all the advice and help. Here is what the warrenty states:

 

 

Extended Warranty Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchasing a RepairMaster Service Plan is one of the smartest consumer decisions you'll ever make. Protect yourself from the future cost of repairing your new product by purchasing a RepairMaster Service Plan! Even the best products can eventually malfunction and minor repairs can cost hundreds of dollars. By purchasing a RepairMaster Service Plan, you won't have to hassle with unexpected repair bills.

 

Most manufacturer-limited warranties leave you with no protection against the rising cost of repairs after the first year of ownership. The RepairMaster Extended Service Plan from Warrantech can extend your coverage for four additional years after the conclusion of the manufacturer's warranty.

 

All plans are fully insured by an insurance company rated "Excellent" by A.M. Best. You will never have to pay for parts and labor of any covered repair during the term of the plan. Service representatives are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day via toll-free number for questions and service. In the event that your product can not be repaired, it will be replaced at no cost to you.

 

Key Benefits

• Parts And Labor Coverage
  
• No Deductibles or Hidden Charges
  
• Repair or Replace Guarantee
  
• 24 hr 365 day Toll Free Number For Service
  
• Over 12,000 Service Centers Nationwide
  
• Plan is Transferable and extendable
  
• Fully Insured
  

Plan Details

• Provides complete coverage for up to 4 years
  Most manufacturer-limited warranties leave you with no protection against the rising cost of repairs after the first year of ownership. Our Extended Service Plans offer up to 4 years of complete parts and labor coverage. The warranty plan would start when the warrantee provided by Onlinecarstereo.com expires. This is one year for all New items and 90 day for all factory reconditioned items.
  
  
• Fully Insured for Parts and Labor
  Our plans are fully insured by an insurance company rated "Excellent" by A.M. Best. You will never have to pay for parts and labor of any covered repair during the term of the plan.
  
  
• Toll Free 800 Number
  You can call the toll free number 7 Days a week 24 Hours a day with questions regarding your service plan or if you're Product that needs repair. This includes our 24 Hour technical support from day one.
  
  
• Nationwide Service Network
  You are supported by over 12,000 service centers nationwide.
  
  
• Repair or Replace Promise
  In the event that your Product cannot be repaired, it will be replaced.
  
  
• No Deductibles or Hidden Charges
  Warrantech will pay 100% of all the cost of all parts and labor charges.
  
  
• Transferable
  In the event that the covered product is sold or transferred at anytime during the term of the Service Plan, the coverage may be transferred to the new owner.
  
  
• Renewable
  At the end of the prescribed term, you have the option to renew the service plan, for as long as you own the product.
  
  

Conditions:

• For an item to qualify for this guarantee, you must purchase and register this guarantee within 10 days of purchasing your item.
  
• Service Plans can not be purchased for any products used commercially.
  
• Contracts can not extended a manufacturers warranty more than 5 years.
  

 

Terms and Conditions are available at 1-877-263-7403 or at

www.myrepairmaster.com.

 

 

[Lincoln30]

You should be concerned about the "repair or replace" section.

[Andy C]

You should be concerned about the "repair or replace" section.

 

Yeah I have a really good local audio place that is owned by a family friend maybe I will run this by him and see if he could replace that ribbon in them. That is all that I am worried about breaking on this unit. IDK what to do. I mean I really want a nice $250 or less cd player that is gonna have some kind of cool feature like the D-Mask+. So the cd player will actually move or do something besides just sit there and be plain.