By James Chevrette
KENWOOD and JVC announced their new Direct Replacement screen system will ship in May at prices similar to the brands’ current flagship radio pricing (around $1,000 for JVC and around $1,000 to $1,500 for KENWOOD).
Here’s what the Direct Replacement system (screen + separate small chassis + Maestro Apex kit) looks like in a C7 Corvette with a pocket behind the radio as presented by Marcus Vasconcellos.
The new Direct Replacement radios offer new split screen ability and pitch and roll display. The new JVC radios get gesture control on CarPlay and the two KENWOOD eXcelon XR models get a fiber optic output. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are included.
The radios work with 11 iDatalink Maestro APEX kits for vehicles including GM, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Dodge Ram, Infinity and some Nissan. More kits will follow.
The Direct Replacement radios come with either 8- or 10-inch screens. Three are 8-inch models that work with metal brackets and Maestro APEX kits to fit directly in thousands of vehicles without cutting. They fully retain factory controls, adding new features and improved fidelity to the system.
See more model information and features here.
For the audiophile enthusiasts, are their upgraded amps and preamps included in these systems?
Does this category have a name? Are they DRU (direct replacement unit) or some other catchy acronym?
Directreplacement.
Although, I really like DRU. Can we steal that?
This looks really awesome!
This is fantastic news, well to Kenwood for making such a huge investment into the future of our business.