Does anyone know of the Suzuki head unit can be ref lashed with the full Kenwood firmware?
Reading the manual, there are many menu options that are missing or locked out in the Suzuki version (specifically, safe mode on the navigation)
Difference between RF audio systems?
Hey there... So I work in the 12Volt Industry, and just bought a Red GTS fully loaded with the Kenwood Navi 'port install' (We have done this same install for other suppliers)
What it means is Suzuki wasn't ready for releasing a line fit navi, so they have the cars built with no radios in the cavity, then when it arrives to the USA Port, some installers go and retrofit a system into it,.
These systems need a special radio kit made, hi to low converter, ipod cables, and rear camera cables, and bluetooth mic cables installed.
Then Kenwood, flashes special software with some features locked out, and their splash screen on boot up.
In my past 20 years, I was a car stereo installer, and have tuned numerous systems.
I FULLY agree with you, when you follow the settings recommended in the KENWOOD Quick Start Manual, it sounds horrible.
I tuned it for about an hour with a decent sounding CD, and finally got it to the best it is going to be. (Which is still NOT great.)
I will share my settings later, after I go check the actual values it ended up at.
However, there is still something wrong. I can tell, the sub-woofer is not punching like it should, that's the main problem.
In mine, I have changed the bass, treble, mid, and Q factors, and set the crossovers for the front, rear, and sub, and adjusted the volume compensation, and adjusted the fader about two clicks to the rear, and it sounds a lot better than the default settings, but not as good as the factory radio sounds with the Fosgate Radio.
I suspect, the 'High to low' converter that Kenwood built for this application is causing us some trouble, and also, I read on another post, there might be some in line x-overs that eat up power, and are almost never reccommended.
I will be investigating more, and also complaining to Suzuki USA.
What it means is Suzuki wasn't ready for releasing a line fit navi, so they have the cars built with no radios in the cavity, then when it arrives to the USA Port, some installers go and retrofit a system into it,.
These systems need a special radio kit made, hi to low converter, ipod cables, and rear camera cables, and bluetooth mic cables installed.
Then Kenwood, flashes special software with some features locked out, and their splash screen on boot up.
In my past 20 years, I was a car stereo installer, and have tuned numerous systems.
I FULLY agree with you, when you follow the settings recommended in the KENWOOD Quick Start Manual, it sounds horrible.
I tuned it for about an hour with a decent sounding CD, and finally got it to the best it is going to be. (Which is still NOT great.)
I will share my settings later, after I go check the actual values it ended up at.
However, there is still something wrong. I can tell, the sub-woofer is not punching like it should, that's the main problem.
In mine, I have changed the bass, treble, mid, and Q factors, and set the crossovers for the front, rear, and sub, and adjusted the volume compensation, and adjusted the fader about two clicks to the rear, and it sounds a lot better than the default settings, but not as good as the factory radio sounds with the Fosgate Radio.
I suspect, the 'High to low' converter that Kenwood built for this application is causing us some trouble, and also, I read on another post, there might be some in line x-overs that eat up power, and are almost never reccommended.
I will be investigating more, and also complaining to Suzuki USA.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi GTS - Red - CVT
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Keep us updated if you find anything. The inline crossovers that the other poster was talking about are not the problem either. I took it out, it just makes the volume louder at any given level (setting 10 will sound like 20, 20 will sound like 30 ect..) sound is still thin and lacking real punch. The problem has to be something with the kenwood head unit. Its sending a flawed signal to the amp in the trunk that powers all the speakers.
I added a 300watt amp and 10" subwoofer. It hasnt helped that much believe it or not. The bass coming from the new sub sounds more like mid-bass, not deep at all. The new amp is hooked up to the head unit with an rca cable. This leads me to think that the bass signal is being limited somehow in the kenwood. Makes me very frustrated. Ive lost almost all hope in ever making it sound good. Even with the upgrades i put in, the factory rockford system (non nav) sounds way better.
I added a 300watt amp and 10" subwoofer. It hasnt helped that much believe it or not. The bass coming from the new sub sounds more like mid-bass, not deep at all. The new amp is hooked up to the head unit with an rca cable. This leads me to think that the bass signal is being limited somehow in the kenwood. Makes me very frustrated. Ive lost almost all hope in ever making it sound good. Even with the upgrades i put in, the factory rockford system (non nav) sounds way better.
If removing the "inline crossover" only made it louder, then I would suspect that what you actually removed was the "line out converter". It simply drops speaker level output down to a line level output. It shouldn't be there anyway, instead the line out's from the Kenwood should have been used and rca plugs added to the car's harness. I did this with an Alpine head unit, and while it did sound a lot better than the stock RF head unit it didn't have as much bass at low volume. It did have much better punch at high volumes though . My guess is the stock radio ( which is made by Panasonic ) has some pretty aggressive equalization going on to get the sound that way. I bypassed the RF amp and installed a 50w per channel Alpine amp that sounds better and goes much louder. IMO, the oem RF system really isn't that great, and still is nowhere close to comparing with real aftermarket RF products. The speakers themselves aren't too bad, but the power output of that little amplifier is grossly over-rated.
It's funny that the power is over rated, considering the old 1990's Punch 45, 75, and 150 were SEVERELY under rated... The 150 was one of the best subwoofer amps ever made...
I will be playing with this more at work, and try to figure out what's going on.
I will be playing with this more at work, and try to figure out what's going on.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi GTS - Red - CVT
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Upon further inspection yesterday, while comparing the stock RF door speakers to a set of Alpine components I had sitting here, the stock speakers are 50w 2-ohm. I guess that's how they got some volume from that tiny amp. The speakers are quite beefy, not as nice as aftermarket RF but pretty nice for an oem set. The Alpine's did end up taking their place though.
Those old school Punch amps were good amps. I still have a pair of old Soundstream Lil' Wonders.
Those old school Punch amps were good amps. I still have a pair of old Soundstream Lil' Wonders.
I don’t have anything technical to add to this conversation, and it sounds like you guys have a lot more experience than I do with car audio systems, but I have to say I think the Kenwood navi system sounds great, with plenty of bass. I guess if you wanted to rattle the car next to you at the light, it's not that, but I was listening to a CD the other day, volume set at 28 and the doors were rattling. Also, I think the detail is amazing. I hear things in the music I never even noticed wearing headphones. Again, I make no claims at being any sort of audiophile, but I can tell the difference between good and bad, and except for iPhone volume being too low, I have no complaints, this is the best car audio system I've ever had.
It's not necessarily a bash on the system... It's a loud and system, but if you set up an RTA (Real Time Analyzer) you would probably find the entire 100hz-40hz is not there. The mids, and highs are ok. It's mainly the bass and mid bass are really lacking.
Rockford fosgate has a history of really good bass and mid bass, so it's a little disappointing.
I don't think it's Rockford's problem. I think it's the kenwoods aftermarket radio is not properly matched to the amp and speakers Input levels and frequency responses.
However, if the speakers are 2 ohm, that's probably also causing distortion.
Most car audio amps run the lowest distortion at 4 ohms, but a lot of power (and heat) at 2 ohm.
If you listen to the stock panasonic RF system back at ur dealer on a non navi car, it's sounds so much better in the mid bass and bass ranges.
If all you ever owned was stock stereo, this system probably sounds good, but for an experienced car audio buff, it's frustrating.
Rockford fosgate has a history of really good bass and mid bass, so it's a little disappointing.
I don't think it's Rockford's problem. I think it's the kenwoods aftermarket radio is not properly matched to the amp and speakers Input levels and frequency responses.
However, if the speakers are 2 ohm, that's probably also causing distortion.
Most car audio amps run the lowest distortion at 4 ohms, but a lot of power (and heat) at 2 ohm.
If you listen to the stock panasonic RF system back at ur dealer on a non navi car, it's sounds so much better in the mid bass and bass ranges.
If all you ever owned was stock stereo, this system probably sounds good, but for an experienced car audio buff, it's frustrating.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi GTS - Red - CVT
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Rockford System with Kenwood Navi
Rear 'Suzuki' and 'Kizashi' Badges Removed
Sounds like exactly what my Alpine sounded like through the stock amp. I guess it just doesn't get along well with an aftermarket HU. But the plus side is the Kenwood is a pretty high end unit, and with an aftermarket amp replacing the stock one you would have a pretty decent system.
Hi Everyone, I am contemplating fitting a 2 din HU to my rockford equiped Kizashi so this thread has been very interesting. The question that comes to my mind is, if they use a high to low line converter for the Kenwood (and presumably that is what the Scosche S106B is http://www.scosche.com/car-audio/product/1950), why not us the low level outputs of the Kenwood (surely a high level unit like the Kenwood would have them)?
I won't be using the Kenwood, but any HU that I choose will have low level amp outputs and, as an electronics tech by trade, I dont mind making up a custom adapter to use for this purpase.
Any info that you guys have will be greatly appreciated!
I won't be using the Kenwood, but any HU that I choose will have low level amp outputs and, as an electronics tech by trade, I dont mind making up a custom adapter to use for this purpase.
Any info that you guys have will be greatly appreciated!