Kenwood USA began shipping late last month new audio receivers with built-in Alexa voice control.
The line of three double DIN and two single DIN audio-only receivers include an Alexa button for easy access to to tens of thousands of Alexa skills including the ability to call up music from SiriusXM and Pandora.
Users first connect their smartphone to the Kenwood radio to enable Alexa. They can also ask Alexa for directions to the nearest gas station or other destinations, and they can ask Alexa to control smart home devices.
The line includes the eXcelon DPX594BT (MSRP $219.95) 2 DIN CD receiver and the eXcelon KDC-X704 ( $209.95) 1 DIN CD receiver, both with a 2-year warranty. Also new are the DPX504BT ($219.95) 2 DIN CD receiver, the KDC-BT778HD ( $199.95) 1 DIN CD receiver, and the DPX304MBT ($189.95) 2 DIN non-CD Digital Media Receiver, with 1 year warranty.
All 5 receivers are SiriusXM ready and the eXcelon KDC-X704 and Kenwood KDC-BT778HD have built-in HD Radio.
The Kenwood DPX304MBT has a shallow chassis, with a mounting depth of under 4-inches, which allows plenty of clearance for some of the more challenging vehicles. All 2 DIN models also include a 3-line text display.
Kenwood became the first car radio maker to ship Alexa-ready car radios in August.
Mike Roberts, Kenwood VP of Sales and Marketing said, “With enhancements such as Alexa, we can reach a new group of users who may have had no other reason to replace their factory stereo, until now.”
For more information visit www.kenwood.com/usa/car.
