Thoughts on the Kenwood DPX593BT double DIN head unit (or alternatives)?

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 02 May 2019, 20:07

I'm considering buying this head unit for my 2000 S70 SE:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DPX593 ... l?tp=72406

New it's $140 from Crutchfield, but they also have refurbs for $110, which is probably less money than I'll spend trying to get my stock head unit to accept a line-in and bluetooth, and definitely less time. It's almost suspiciously cheap though, so I'm worried it's low quality.

The reviews are pretty good, although I couldn't find any comment on how good the FM tuner sensitivity is, which is important to me.

Can anyone see any issues with installing this head unit?

Or are there any good alternatives that I should consider?

And any thoughts on whether this is likely to have better sound than my stock SC-816?

And if I wanted to use an external amplifier with it, any tips on one that works well with all the speakers (I think

in my car?

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 02 May 2019, 21:27

I don't have a ton of experience with aftermarket audio setups in these cars, but from what I understand, it's hard to get a real improvement with aftermarket head units. I have an SC-901 with the 4x50 watt factory amp under the passenger seat in both of my V70s, and I think the sound quality is fantastic. These Volvo stereos sound awesome with an amplifier, the only problem is that they aren't easy to find. I got lucky finding the full setup for my GLT, and my R of course has the full Dolby system from the factory. Honestly I prefer the sound in my GLT without the Dolby center channel dash speaker and the sound processor.

Anyway, my cousin has a JVC head unit in his S70, and the sound is good, but not nearly as good as SC-901. He's also got upgraded speakers (not sure what brand, it's been a while since we installed them) and a cheap amp (I wanna say it's a Pyle) along with a Kicker sub in the trunk as well.

I've also read about how getting the dash tweeters and rear deck speakers to work with an aftermarket amp is a challenge, but I don't know the details. Also about how upgrading the speakers isn't as easy as it normally is due to the ohm rating of the speakers, but again, I'm not an audio guy so I won't get too much into that.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 May 2019, 12:28

Yours sounds like a much better stereo than mine. I'm not sure why exactly but having an external amp in my experience helps quite a lot. You'd think they could put the same quality amps inside head units, but apparently not. Also your head unit has twice the rated power of mine, not that it matters if you're using an external amp. I'll have to keep an eye out for those external amps under the passenger seat next time I'm at the junkyard...

The big issue for me though is getting bluetooth and a regular line in. And the ability to connect to an external amp.

With that said, does anyone have any tips on adding an external amp? If I put it under the passenger seat, any tips on how to route the speaker wires? And I know the car has 8 speakers, is it wired as if it's 4 speakers (but 2 speakers in series)?

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 04 May 2019, 12:56

I ran my rca cables under the carpet to the amp. Crutchfield supplies connectors that enable you to plug into existing harness thus no need to run speaker wires. Rear door and back speakers were on same line.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 May 2019, 12:58

How would you get the speaker wires from the amp under the seat to the speaker wire harness under the dash?

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 04 May 2019, 15:39

Carpeting easily pulls up to access the heater core and other goodies. Then I snaked it thru the carpet cut out for the rear hvac vents. Have a look under the seat you see plenty of opportunities for spots.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 May 2019, 15:46

Awesome, thanks for that.

And is your amp just a regular 4 speaker amp? And any problems getting all 8 speakers to work?

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 04 May 2019, 15:58

Been so long since I installed. I know I used crossovers in front. Put tweeter in dash spot and bass/ mid in front door spot. Since the rear door and back were on same line I guess it was a four speaker amp.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 04 May 2019, 18:51

wrybread wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 12:28 Yours sounds like a much better stereo than mine. I'm not sure why exactly but having an external amp in my experience helps quite a lot. You'd think they could put the same quality amps inside head units, but apparently not. Also your head unit has twice the rated power of mine, not that it matters if you're using an external amp. I'll have to keep an eye out for those external amps under the passenger seat next time I'm at the junkyard...

The big issue for me though is getting bluetooth and a regular line in. And the ability to connect to an external amp.

With that said, does anyone have any tips on adding an external amp? If I put it under the passenger seat, any tips on how to route the speaker wires? And I know the car has 8 speakers, is it wired as if it's 4 speakers (but 2 speakers in series)?

My GLT originally had the SC-816 without the amp, and the SC-901 (which requires the factory external amp, by the way) is a HUGE improvement.
It really does surprise me that they can't get that power out of an internal amp. You'd think they would be able to get it into a smaller package to fit within the head unit.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 04 May 2019, 19:43

bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑04 May 2019, 18:51 You'd think they would be able to get it into a smaller package to fit within the head unit.

They can and do but the heat dissipation sucks and the unit does not last as long or perform as well. Heat is the number one nemesis of electronics longevity. The head unit can be better controlled with that massive heat source removed, cleaner audio processing. That one of the reasons the SC-901 sounds so good.