KENWOOD EXCELON KDC-X493

Listen to your favorite music source brought to life by the premium sound and quality of a Kenwood Excelon car stereo. The KDC-X493 CD receiver features a front-panel USB input for connecting and controlling your iPod® or other USB portable music device, while a front-panel auxiliary input offers a quick way to hook up your other audio sources. This versatile stereo also plays anything from your CD collection, including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC files.

Six preset tone curves give you quick overall sound changes, while a 3-band parametric equalizer offers ultra-fine adjustment of the bass, midrange, and treble. You can manage your bass settings with the built-in subwoofer controls, and you can use the high- and low-pass filters to adjust the frequencies going to your various speakers for optimum performance from your system.

Three sets of preamp outputs make it easier to connect and control a full-blown system of amplifiers and subwoofers. Add any of Kenwood's peripheral gear, including a CD changer or satellite radio; the optional Bluetooth® adapter brings you the safety and convenience of hands-free calling with your compatible cell phone. WAS $199.00 

PRICE REDUCED AGAIN $149.00

Create your own look with Panasonic's CQ-C700U CD receiver. You can choose the animations and images you want for the bright, blue, full-motion 3D Dot Matrix display — customize with downloads from Panasonic's site or import your own images using Image Studio software. The motorized face features a large multi-function control knob that makes it easy to adjust your system or find the song you want.

You can connect your iPod® directly to this receiver with an optional adapter cable, and surf through your songs and playlists on the screen. You'll also find the auxiliary input handy for hooking an MP3 player or other audio source into your system. The Re-Master feature adds high-frequency sparkle to your compressed digital music, giving your tunes a richer, more lively sound. Whether you're playing CDs or music files, Panasonic's most powerful amplifier does justice to all of your music, and you can fix the sound to your liking with six preset curves and a 7-band equalizer.

This receiver works with Panasonic's CD and DVD changers, satellite radio, TV tuner, and iPod adapter. You can even add a Bluetooth kit that allows you to carry on hands-free conversations with a compatible phone through your car speakers. The CY-EM100U expansion module allows you to connect up to four of these options, and it features an auxiliary audio/video input that'll accept a camcorder or video game system.

Note:

General features:

CD receiver with built-in MOSFET amplifier (18 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels) plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs (including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC files — except rights-protected files) motorized, fold-down, detachable face full-motion 3D Dot Matrix display with 2 lines of text remote control

Audio features:

SQ7 7-band equalizer with six preset sound curves Re-Master audio processing high- and low-pass filters

Expandability:

compatible with optional Panasonic Bluetooth receiver, iPod adapter, satellite radio, CD changer expansion module CY-EM100U required for connecting multiple Panasonic add-ons inputs: auxiliary input outputs: 6-channel, 5-volt preamp outputs (front, rear, subwoofer)

If you're going to use your iPod with this receiver, be sure to check "Hands-on Research" for specific iPod model compatibility with this receiver or its optional iPod adapter WAS $229.00

PRICE REDUCED AGAIN $159.00

                                              JVC  MODEL # KD-APD58

                                     PANASONIC CQ-RX400U

USB Connector Allows Direct Control of Your iPod®
A USB connector is all you need for direct control from the head unit to your iPod<sup>®1. The head unit displays artist and album info, so you can easily select tracks and playlists using the Rotary Knob Control. And just like your iPod's click wheel, everything is right at your fingertips. The Front USB Connector can also be used to plug in a USB flash drive or other USB device containing compressed music files from your computer. In addition, your music will sound better than ever because digital signal transfer preserves full audio quality.

Multi-Source Entertainment System
This expansion module-ready receiver gives you the option of extending your digital lifestyle into your vehicle with the first expansion module (CY-EM100U, sold separately) designed specifically to link car audio equipment with a variety of digital devices. Plug in your iPod®, camcorder, video game system, satellite radio receiver, DVD/CD changer, or Bluetooth® Hands-Free Mobile Phone Kit (each sold seperately) — all at the same time! Each of these devices can also be individually connected directly to the head unit.

Multi-Format Playback
Whether you download music from the Internet or rip CDs, you can now enjoy many popular compressed audio file formats in your car. These include not only MP3 and WMA, but also the high performance AAC2 format, which delivers sound quality in league with CD audio, using advanced data compression technology.

Glamorous Design
Sleek contours, keen metallic edges, massive presence and cool blue illumination combine in the Arc Shape Design, inspired by the image of a spark plug firing. New large fonts make the display easier to read and the new Acrylic Panel Reflecting Mount configuration presents a glamorous image that complements your car's interior. And for convenience, the large, high-grade rotary control makes selecting and adjusting functions as easy as turning and pressing a knob.</sup>

                                       Panasonic CQ-5800U

Double DIN AM/FM CD/MP3 Car Stereo Receiver with 3.5mm Aux Input and Weatherband Tuner

Playback and Audio Features: