OK, the Kenwood head unit on my XJR took a dive on me. First, it was a frozen CD tray. Now it won't even capture radio stations. Bummer, and this radio was not cheap, by any means.

So, I've always wanted a video display integral to the head unit, but as we all know:

First, a double DIN would require some substantial modification to the radio opening and second, a flipping display tends to cover up vital dash controls/displays when in use.

So, I decided for a nice compromise. A SINGLE DIN, 5.3" permanent display made by Power Acoustik. It fits perfectly and it has the inputs that I need, mostly USB and A/V for my MP3 and MP4 files. It doesn't have the higher price tag that the Kenwood has, but look where the Kenwood is now. This new radio has been installed for about a couple of months and everything works exactly as advertised and for a fraction of the cost.

For additional info on my system, please refer to my XJR gallery.

What I was losing by losing the Kenwood radio was the control display for the Kenwood Music Keg, which is an early, 40GB hard drive for MP3 storage that I have in the trunk with some 500 CD's worth of opera and classical in MP3 files, but luckily, I still have this Kenwood Sirius adapter that works great as a control/display for the Music Keg (overhead in the glasses' storage case).

Video sources are the built-in DVD player, a 500GB hard drive under the pass seat (with USB and A/V interface, plus a remote), my i-pod in the center glove box and various USB sticks and WD mini hard drive with either music or video files. Yes it looks like an overkill, but it's nice to be able to carry your entire music/video library with you. Music shopping, access and/or streaming is not quite the same with this music type as it is with pop music. Ditto for Internet stations music: what you listen to it is their choice; conversely, what I listen to is always MY choice.

Here's some pics:

 

Wow! You need to give us WAY more information on that headunit...
I did a quick search on their website and see that you have used the PD-535. Any reason you went with this over say, the PD-712?

Also, how does the unit fit in? Are there options for where the face mounts to the body, or does it always hang below?
If so, I'm assuming you have had to angle the unit to clear the metal bar in the dash?
Also, any chance a bigger unit would have fit? Looks like you have a bit of space left at the top and bottom of the unit.

And finally... what's the sound quality like? I've never heard of this brand before, so have no idea how it rates.

 

Man, you're asking the exact right questions...

First, yes, the one I installed is, indeed, the PD-535
Why not the 712? At the time of my shopping the -712 showed "discontinued" in some places (and I wondered why), but I now see them everywhere, in fact, I see many other 7" as well. I was also in doubt as to fitting a 7" unit without looking "funny" in there, as it is a very tight fit. I actually do like the -712 very much with the larger 7" screen and some extra features that I really don't use much, but I suppose is good to have.

The single DIN is very easy to fit in there. In fact, you have some room for flexibility, but I thought that, in this case, the radio mounted at the top is best, so the face hangs down towards the bottom. With the radio at the top, you must angle the panel to avoid that metal bar with an angle that, luckily, kind of follows in harmony the dash's existing angle in that area. The only problem with this is glare, even with this dull, anti-glare screen; quite a bit of reflection, especially from my (Magnolia) lighter color upholstery, worse with the sun. However, the new XJ's have an even worse upper angle, I don't know how they manage all that glare.. One alternative to avoid glare would be to try to mount it with the screen more straight vertically, but the bottom will get tough to negotiate and then you'd be hitting that metal bar. The ideal would be a similar radio with a center body where the screen would protrude at the top and at the bottom. Actually, the overall install at the required angle looks perfect considering the dash shape and angle. Just have to negotiate the glare in the manner that Jag does with the XJ's, however that is...

I may have seen a radio available in which the body is at the bottom and the display extends in the up direction, only that in the case of the X308 dash, going straight up also means going away from the back-leaning dash opening.

For larger units, Power Acoustik has several (7") choices:

PD-710, PD-712, PD-712NBT, PD-718, PD-718NB, PNX-721, PD-930B, PD-931NB, etc. Features vary.

Only thing is, like when I considered a 7", it would not fit in the angle that my 5.3" fits. My new custom panel is 3 3/4" high and a typical 7" display is about the same height, leaving no room for the screen frame at the top and bottom. So, in order to gain height, you'll need to increase the angle and to reach the very end of the opening's lip, at the bottom. Either that, or just modify the frame piece at the bottom in a manner that would allow to keep a lesser angle with a little more depth at the bottom. Only thing is that you'll be stepping into altering some of the original looks of the dash opening. Some people are adamant about this.

Now, regarding sound quality, remember that I have a monster of a system supporting the sound: the radio is just a link in the chain. Some 900wrms from four amplifiers (Kicker and Rockford Fosgate) plus an awesome digital sound processor with parametric equalizer, crossover and field sound effects. Most radios nowadays produce nice sound; it's the speakers what will make the biggest difference.

I hope this helps. Any questions, just ask, I'll be glad to contribute.

Cheers,

 

Looks good but unless PA has improved their quality I foresee you posting this exact same thread in 8 mo.'s lol.

 

Yup, I'm aware of that, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Actually, my luck has been worse with the "better brands" (i.e. way more expensive ones), including some expensive Rockford Fosgate special RCA audio cables that drove me nuts to pint-point an intermittent problem.

But I'm protected, just in case. I bought the longest exchange warranty that I could get and at negligible cost: win-win.

Cheers,

 

Yeah quality head units are a fleeting find, even the known brands are sketchy, about the only one that has never failed me over the years was Alpine. Even Kenwood minus their Excelon line has went south lol.