Kenwood 1057-XR Install. A few thoughts...

Hi guys,

Just finished installing a Kenwood 1057-XR in my 2021 Tundra Limited Crew Max Limited Blackout. There a number of threads here, with plenty of detail in them, so I won't bore you with that. A couple of things that I ran into that may help you with yours are below. Details of the install:
1057-XR head unit
JL Audio HD 900/5
Morel Hybrid 62 Components-Front
Morel Hybrid Integra 62 - Rear
JL Audio Stealthbox - 2 - 10TW3 wired @ 2 Ohm
Maestro RR w/TO3 harness, Antenna adapter, USB Adapter
Metra dash trim kit

1) Ran 1-4 channel and 1-2 channel RCA cable to the amp, under the passenger seat. I wanted to take the shortest route, down the passenger side of the radio opening. So many plastic covers and obstacles going that route. Save yourself some time and drop them down the left side of the radio opening, tuck them under the center console and bring them out under the passenger seat carpet. Had I done this originally, it would have saved me an hour versus trying to fish them down the passenger side.
2) There are a ton of wires that need to be managed. Connect everything, with the dash apart. Test it all then, pay attention to how everything needs to connect, with enough slack to connect on the re-install. Put it on a workbench and shorten/solder everything while it's laid out. Remove wires you don't need (speaker level outputs, etc...) and use Tesa tape to tidy it all up in a nice, neat harness. As a sidenote, the 2021, with JBL (possibly with non-JBL as well) DOES require that you connect the blue power antenna leads together as the factory antenna has a booster that requires voltage to function correctly. Also, you will need to run an Amp turn-on circuit from the head-unit to the amp. At least on this amp using line level inputs.
3) When getting ready to connect everything, set the Maestro unit in the very back, up on top of a tubing cross member and anchor it with something (I used 3M double sided tape). This allows you to get it, along with quite a bundle of wires, back and out of the way of the head unit when putting it in.
4) Spend some time setting the amp gains and input signal. Also, spend some time tuning, to your liking, with the DTA and X-Over functions. This makes a world of difference in how this unit sounds.

Previously, I was using the JBL head unit tied to this amp and speakers, using a

$320 Rockford DSR1 8-Channel Interactive Signal Processor w/Integrated iDatalink Maestro Module

Rockford DSR1. Was pretty impressed with how it sounded but, it seemed to attenuate certain frequencies as you started to increase the volume. Changing it out to this head unit has resulted in an incredible difference in SQ and power. I don't often crank it up, as I'm 61 years old however, when I want to listen to Rush or Volbeat or Kansas at volume, it will blow me out of the seat.

I hope this helps someone out, based on nothing but trial and error, on my part. Just read the tutorials here on the member installs (there some great ones), follow the wiring diagrams, make good solders, and manage the wires (there are a ton). Have fun with it!!

Mike

 

Nice!! I plan on having my audio installer add this headunit down the road eventually. Mine has the JBL and the drs1. But I want the bigger headunit and even better sounding. I bet your sounds awesome. All of my installs over the years had aftermarket headunit. It sounds like I listen to same type of music as you do.

 

I think it sounds pretty incredible. I don't have a "trained ear" for this but, I've been blown away by the ability to tune it how I want. The big difference maker, at least to me, has been the time alignment. The difference between this and the stock JBL, even with the DSR installed and aftermarket amp, is night and day. The larger screen makes everything easier to see and control. You'll appreciate the change, once complete.

 

Thank you for the info. Have any issue with connecting? That seems to be the issue with either Pioneer or Kenwood. It’s almost hit or miss with some.

 

No issue connecting on my Pioneer 8600.

 

Charles what was your deciding factor the pioneer over the Kenwood. Just curious. Thanks Don.

 

Honestly, price. George saw the 8600 for sale on here and it came with the XM tuner, Maestro, and dash kit. After watching some YouTube videos and reading reviews, it was a no brainer. The screen resolution is amazing and the audio output is crisp, clean, and on point.

I think Kenwood makes awesome stuff too but this deal just fell into my lap. The guy who sold it only lived about 40 min from me too.

 

No connectivity issues, thus far. Make sure to upgrade the firmware, if it doesn't have the latest version. That was the first thing I did after install and initial setup. Had read, somewhere along the way, there were some problems however, I haven't run into them.

 

Nice write up, I just swapped this in from a 9906. I thought I had to have CDs but used that once in a year so upgraded, love the bigscreen!

 

That was a good deal especially since you need the other 3 things to go with it. It may come down to that for me depending on the price comparing both. Since they both are 10.1 screen.

 

Hey Mike, I read somewhere on here someone having issues with the headunit moving. Or shaking going over bumps. Any issues with that. I’m ready to pull the trigger getting it thru my audio installer to get it for me and he will do the install. Thanks Don.

 

Don, None at all. It's been solid, so far.

 

That’s good I made the move. Have my audio guy getting it for me at a awesome price. Just have to wait to get it installed with my schedule. Won’t be till November when I’m off of work. But I can wait.

 

Hi Mike, Curious question on your Kenwood if you did it or you were able. Did you run a front camera? And also are you able to watch you tube or any kind of movie apps? I have not talked this over with my installer yet. Only had him order the headunit. But will be discussing this. Thanks.

 

I ran a front camera on mine, it comes on automatically when slowing down to a stop. Unit also has an easy access camera button where you can see front or rear camera at any time. I am able to watch videos from my phone over the HDMI in connection. I don't think I have tried to see if any airplay apps work for video.

-Mike

 

@RusPro21,

I didn't do either one. Ran the wiring for a front camera but, haven't really found a need for one yet. @Scud sounds like the best source of info on that one.

Mike

 

I don’t see needing the front camera. I don’t know if I want my installer to run extra wires for hmi plug to mirror your phone so you can use your apps for movies.