Advice on upgrading to Kenwood DMX9706S

Hey guys, I am thinking about upgrading over time. I don't feel comfortable tackling myself so looking at Best Buy where I can get free install. I am thinking about just replacing the HU right now so I can get Car Play and do the speakers in maybe 9 - 12 months time. I am looking at the Kenwood DMX9706S. Any problems with this unit out there or any other advice?

 

I've been looking at the Kenwood 9706 also. If anyone has this head unit installed, please share pics and your review of it. thanks!

 

I just put in the dmx906s. Very happy with it. Car play can be wired or wireless. Makes the speakers sound day/night better from factor headunit. Car play just use google maps works great. Doesn’t have the built in maps like the entune.

 

If you have JBL, aftermarket headunit plus the tech12volts sub upgrade will do wonders. Just a headunit upgrade on non JBL will help a lot too.

 

Been thinking about the jbl upgrade sub.

 

Yeah mine is the Non JBL. I had that in my 07. The map in the Entune is out of date and not near as good as Google or Waze so I won't miss much there. RCJH, did you have to add a diverter or module to get the steering wheel controls to work on the Kenwood?

 

Yes added the maestro to allow steering wheel controls to work.

 

I’d look into ordering from Crutchfield and do it yourself. They have great instructions and tech support, and with YouTube videos, you should be able to handle a radio install. They also either will give u the needed installation parts like speaker adapter plugs, or they will know exactly what u need.

 

That’s exactly what I did was order from crutchfield. Payed extra to get ready harness to make it easier.

 

I just went through this. I didn’t like entune so I elected to go new head unit over a DSP. I picked up a Kenwood DMX906s and JL speaker, sub, amp package from James at tech12volts. Sound is amazing. Having CarPlay is a game changer. Satellite navigation is awesome. Only downside is no volume knob... have to use steering wheel or a button on the unit. Still totally worth the $.

ETA everything from James was as plug and play as it could possibly be. Highly recommend using him. Price out what he offers versus Crutchfield and you’ll be amazed.

 

Thanks guys....looks like I can do it phases and still get improvement in every step as I go.....still struggling with doing the install myself though

 

I had never put a stereo before and it was very simple. There are several you tube videos showing disassembly. The Maestro instructions are solid for getting everything programmed and wired. The entire interior of our trucks is clipped together and can be disassembled in a few minutes with a pry tool and 10mm socket.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys....so one thing I noticed is it looks like you have to add a XM tuner if you want to use XM radio. Is nobody using XM anymore?

 

Hey guys, so every car I have been in with Apple Car Play, when you connect to Car Play the Icons on the phone show up on the screen. Is that NOT the case with this unit? if not how much of a big deal is it? If I choose Google maps on the phone, will the map show up on the unit screen?

 

No XM here. The signal quality for music is not good.

You can be running CarPlay but still access the Kenwood home (or any other) screen. You will also have access to the traditional CarPlay screen and one touch access to music, maps, and whatever other app you were last in (phone, messages, etc).

 

Awesome!....Thanks for the reply AZ!!

 

Ive run Kenwood for years! Always happy with their products.

 

I've ran several Kenwood single DIN units thru the years on various vehicles as well as Panasonic, Pioneer, and Alpine. My 05DC currently has a single DIN Kenwood that I hope to replace soon with a Kenwood Double DIN. I think I've decided on the Excelon DMX706s. It has various features that I want and the price is not bad.

 

Is the Excelon DMX905s HU locked for Video when the Truck is in Drive?

 

My Excelon DMX706s is on the way and I hope to get it done by the weekend! Woo Hoo!!!

 

More than likely but a little birdie tells me there is probably a way to bypass it. Hint Hint Hint. LOL

 

Something like this? Link

By the way the DMX906S is on sale on Amazon

 

I watched that same video before ordering my 706s. I plan on doing the same. Also I like the short chassis of the 706s since I already installed a mini amp behind the current single DIN headunit already. Love Kenwood headunits. Clean sound and plenty of options.

I also received a tiny bullet style camera that I'm going to try to install in the tailgate handle and connect to the Kenwood. Noice!

 

Hey guys...just an update.Got the HU installed and I love this DMX9706. The sound is Waaayyyy better than the stock HU. I ended up going with the Maestro RR and so gained the guages and tire pressures that I did not have before.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

A few nights ago my fiancé got a new job offer and we went out to celebrate, so I did the right thing let her enjoy and I behaved. Coming home she heard something good on the radio (JBL system) and reached over to crank it. I don't know why but it was a real gut punch to have her blurt out "your radio sucks!" As I was trying to explain, it even sounded stupid to me, so thinking I could live with what came from the factory is now a bad dream. Upgrade this spring is the plan. Thanks for the motivation.

 

I just purchased a good quality used Kenwood DMX906S. I ordered the Maestro unit/harness from Crutchfield but since I didn't order the Kenwood from them...I cannot get the ReadyHarness from them so I'll have to wire the harness myself. Anyone have a personal wiring schematic you used to wire your harness and/or lessons learned during install? Thanks!

 

It should be pretty simple. You're matching wires color for color. Solder your connections and you are set.
Go here, put in your car info and download the instructions guide, it's in pdf file so scroll down to your vehicle and follow the easy steps.
https://maestro.idatalink.com/searc...8&vehicle_model_id=325&vehicle_audio_id=13431

Without jbl