Kenwood DNX996XR Head Unit

**Update 2022**
I upgraded to their 10.1” model (DNR 1057XR)
Worth every penny to me. All the features of the 996XR and some. All of these recommendations still apply. Same wiring harness.

Original Post:
For anyone interested in what is currently the only High Definition head unit with WIRELESS Apple Carplay/Android Auto. Here are a few things you should request from the installer to make your life easier. If I missed anything other members please feel free to contribute and save someone else any headaches.

1. Make sure you use the included GPS antenna as it has access to more satellites than the factory GPS antenna. Under Center dash speaker cover is great location for it (see picture).

2. Ask them to update your unit firmware. It made a big difference on my unit. Was faster and Apple Carplay worked perfect after update.

3. REMOTE STARTER USERS, ask to have your accessories circuit powered by your remote starter. This way once you get in your truck your Kenwood unit is already booted up and you're not waiting the 24 seconds this specific head unit takes to boot up. (Backup camera can be used immediately and boot up tome doesnt affect it)

4. Even though the idatalink Maestro database has your specific Tundra trim steering wheel buttons already stored and ready to program/flash your Maestro RR with, I noticed that the mute function is activated by holding the volume down button on steering wheel. It should be your Mode button that mute your radio when it is held. So makes sure to have them switch that around or your Mode button wont mute the radio if held down. To better understand this just go to the idatalink Meastro website and enter your vehicle info and radio serial number. It will bring you to a screen that shows what each steering wheel button will do if you press or if you hold.

5. Make SURE your unit box has the exterior sticker with serial number AND UPC as you will need for your 200 dollar mail and rebate on this specific head unit which expires September 30th 2019. The sticker on my box was suspiciously peeled off and when I brought it up to the shop owner he miraculously found it haha.

6. Ask to have your Apple Carplay/Android Auto usb port wired to your factory usb port and add an additional usb extension for the spare usb port on the radio(which doesnt support Carplay). The shop may or may not have a usb extension that has an end which fits flush with surface so ask prior to going in so you can buy on Amazon. I had the additional usb ports fall right in place of one of my cigarette lighters which a never used. Theres another right next to if I ever needed it.

7. MAKE SURE to DEMAND that the shop use some type of painters tape or anything to protect the two gray plastic trims that run down the dash. They're the L-shape plastic gray trims that have the vents on them. I say this because when you're pulling out and installing these head units, its all metal and sharp corners in the back which will most definitely scratch your dash trim. (see picture)

8. Ask your installer to do what ever grounding witchcraft in order for you to have the ability to watch videos while the vehicle is out of the Park position. You never know when you'd like to listen to/take an occasional peek at a live game or movie while driving.

9. Ask to have the cable from your head unit that's responsible for mostly reading all your vehicle info/changing options, connected/hardwired directly to the OBD 2 port. They simply just depin the ONE cable from the OBD 2 plastic adapter which the head unit comes with. This way it doesnt use up our ONLY OBD 2 port. For your annual vehicle inspection they will need to unplug. In my case I have the plug and play Amp Research Powersteps and it uses my OBD 2 port full time to detect when any doors are open. (see pic)

10. Ask to have microphone installed behind rear view mirror.(no we cannot use the factory mic) Its out of sight and the sound quality is the best at this location according to the manufacturer. (see pic)

11. FOR IPHONE USERS. Late additon but purchase these cables in advance and have them install to allow you to mirror your iphone on your head unit. That HDMI/USB combo cable cant be anymore perfect falling right into one of your cigarette lighter holes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKVRPWV?smid=A37ZX6QF50MWA4

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUX1F5K?smid=A3E6B1BQWBUOYQ

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LRPLQ4?smid=A66MBWMVVRUO1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009WHV3BM?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

12. Last thing(should be first) is simply doing a walk around with the shop owner prior to any installation. Focus on the interior as this is where most of the work will be done. The last thing you need is to get in a heated debate about what scratches were on the interior of you truck prior to them touching your truck. ITS VERY COMMON and easy to scratch these plastic trims in our trucks!! Dont skip this one advice!

 

Great tips. How do you have the new CarPlay? Isn’t that for iOS 13?

 

Thanks. Good catch man. I just downloaded the iOS 13 Beta yesterday. It was actually pretty easy and I havent had any issues so far. It gets released to everyone in September so most if not all issues are worked out at this point. Signing up is quick just log in to your itunes account from Apple website below.

https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/

 

I’ve been super out of the loop and haven’t logged in for a long time...is this the head unit of choice these days? I am just absolutely disgusted with my factory head unit that can’t seem to hold a Bluetooth connection to my phone for more than 5 minutes anymore. I’m done and ordering a new deck tonight! Crap, I need a parts list or I’m sure I’ll forget stuff...

 

If a High Definition head unit with Wireless Carplay/Android Auto is a must for you then this is the only option. Otherwise Alpine has the Halo 9 and Pioneer, well I wouldnt recommend any Pioneer unit after owning one for 4 years. Just compare Pioneer's 1 year warranty to Kenwood's 2 year. I had pioneers's Bluetooth feature just stop working on me one day., and of course it wasnt covered. Not to mention the shitty bluetooth call quality on my Pioneer NEX 4100. I dont know maybe it was just mine but every car stereo shop I called advised me against Pioneer as well.

 

can you play hd video on this from your iPhone?

 

Yeah, I’m curious about casting wirelessly too from a source such as Netflix, YouTube, or any other source from the iPhone as well...

 

Thanks for your timely DM the other day DoorDing, I appreciate that help. Was just in time to let the shop know. I'm doing new speakers, amps and big DSP in a month or two once I've had a chance to listen to a couple more component sets at shows I'm planning on through Oct so I'll be figuring out the rest of the mapping I want done on the wheel controls but the camera and mute advice you provided, is great. Really happy so far, completely woke the stock speakers up.

 

Well crap... looks like I’ll be pulling mine back out to do it the proper way. Thanks for all the tips.

 

Good question. You would think there is an HDMI in on this radio but there is NOT. However, there is another way to get HD video on this unit. You use the Aux jack input in the back. Sounds weird but take a look. You can definitely do this yourself.

 

Wireless casting can only be done through Android cellphones with a built in feature on head unit called Miracast. For iphone users we have to go wired through the Aux jack. Hopefully Apple opens up their wireless casting up to devices other than theirs in the future

 

Nice write up. I have had Kenwood Excelon Nav units for years and recently switched to a Pioneer NEX 8200 and love it.

Enjoy your new toy!

 

Im glad I could help. Wish I had thought of the rest sooner. Im really trying to figure out how to get the radio to power on with the remote starter now. Let me know how your search ends up. I will def like some advice in the amp, speaker, and sub areas. I wouldnt even know where to begin with that stuff.

 

Right now I’m between morel elates and hybrid audio lagatias. 3 ways in the front and two ways in the rear, will leave the amount of power up to the shop and I’ll likely use one of the big helix dsps this time.

No idea on the sub yet. Will probably get the top end done and then try a couple subs/box combos before I figure it out. Subs are far easier to me than the top.

 

Thanks. Any Pros/Cons you can talk about regarding each. I personally prefer buying electronics which offer the most warranty. Kenwood Excelon all offer 2 year warranty vs Pioneers 1 year. I had a bad experience with a Pioneer NEX 4100 where the BT just one day decided to stop working and ofcourse it was at about the 2 year mark. I did the firmware update and it didnt fix it. Called Pioneer and they told me they couldnt do anything since out of warranty. I simply just couldn't understand that. It was completely a manufacturer software defect as it just happened out of the blue, yet they refused to cover.

 

Just updated the recommendation list. Added number 11

 

I have never had a unit fail so have not cared about warranty. Lately I have been getting previous years top of the line (every few years) I got the 8200 last year. I like the Pioneer nav better, and it sounds better.

 

I just watched a youtube review on the Pioneer NEX 8200. Its nice but $1200 is what I paid for my Kenwood DNX996XR after mail and rebate. Even the Kenwood DNX9906XR which is the same as mine just no NAV has better specs and costs about $700. In my opinion the Kenwood Excelon has the much better NAV because they went with the Garmin software which utilizes live traffic from the Inrix phone app which is spot on with the Google maps traffic predictions/route selections. That was the main reason our factory Entune unit NAV was bad, due to the traffic prediction sent through FM stations which always put you on the most congested routes which google maps would never put me on. That Traffic message channel through FM radio broadcast is just an old technology. That is what your Pioneer NEX 8200 utilizes for NAV. You should try it next time during rush hour, select your home route on your phone gps app and then on your head unit to see the difference in routes(assuming you live in an urban area with multiple routes home). Look I dont want to come off as if Im bashing your unit, but I just want readers to make an informed decision is all. Hey at least your unit has a built in HDMI port! They went away with it on mine for the Miracast and left iphone users hanging having to buy all the stuff at the bottom of this forum lol.

 

I paid 450 for my 8200 because it was last years model, I hate how Kenwood maps are locked to Garman and you have to pay 80 bucks a year to update (20 dollar updates for the Pioneer from eBay) I never listened to nav traffic, my Garmin standalone nav always sends me into hell (like the time it got me stuck in the Phoenix airport during rushhour) etc.

I go through phases and have gone back & forth between Kenwood & Pioneer several times. I had a 7200 about 5 years ago and te 8200 replaced whatever the 2014/15 DNX Kenwood was (I have about 5 of them in their boxes in my garage)

 

Wow $450 for a $1200 head unit is awesome! I agree it sucks to pay to update Garmin maps but they can charge 80 for a reason. Their map data is really accurate and even displays the exact green overhead signs on major interstates when its telling you to take that exit. Also map data isnt something most people update every year seeing as roads arent added or removed every year(well at least in major cities like Boston they dont). I can see someone some a rural area that is going through a major housing development boom and new communities/streets are being added each year. Same reason why my last update for my Entune NAV maps was in 2015 and my Toyota dealership told me paying for an map update wouldn’t be worth it with only 4 year old map data of Boston.

I think you’re confused about where the Traffic prediction/route selection is sourced from on the Kenwood DNX996XR. Its sourced from a seperate application on your our phone which automatically connects when we get in our trucks(see pic). It uses LIVE very accurate traffic prediction/route selection just like Google Maps does. The first week of owning this unit I would set Google Maps on my phone and the NAV on my unit to the same location and each time the NAV chose the exact route as Google Maps which is the gold standard in route selection in traffic. Google maps holds that title because by the numbers Androids are the most widely used cell phones. So at any given time they can utilize their device locations and speed to determine traffic accurately(they own Waze as well). Not to say Apple Maps isnt good, its just not as accurate as Google Maps. Take a look at some of the Garmin NAV picture. That is the actual skyline view at that exit. Crazy the amount of detail in the Garmin software.

I believe the Garmin you’re referring to is a stand alone GPS which does not use the Inrix app and gave you the generic route with all that traffic in Phoenix.

 

The DNX996XR is absolutely amazing. I originally got the DNX696S from Crutchfield and just like stock Tundra nav, with sunglasses you couldn't see the screen. I called (awesome customer service) and they let me exchange it for the DNX996XR, and it is night and day difference. I can see the screen in direct sunlight with sunglasses on. The HD screen is excellent.

I second the firmware update. The one from July made Carplay work flawlessly. It didn't work as well before the firmware update if you walked away from the car with your phone. Now it connects right back up. The only thing I dislike is I had registered Inrix on the 696S and got 3 years, but when I did it for the 996 I only got 2. So it was probably a promo for first time users.

 

Your 1794 is perfect now! Are you an iphone user? If so, what do you think about the addition of those cables to have the option of mirroring your iphone?

 

So if you purchase through Crutchfield, does it come with the latest firmware? If not, what's the best approach to getting it? Sorry, been thinking of upgrading for a while, but haven't researched the firmware upgrade on the aftermarket units.

 

I purchased from a local shop that’s an authorized dealer and also installed for me. My unit was brand new and I doubt Crutchfield will open a new unit, power it up, and run a firmware update. I guess you can just call them and ask. Just the risk of damaging it is something they probably rather stay away from.

Updating the firmware was very easy and its ALWAYS free. You just go to Kenwoods website and navigate to your radio and download the update file to a usb thumb drive. Only steps are just using a usb thumb drive which by the way can be formatted in multiple formats, and then plugging into your usb port on radio. The rest is self explanatory. The instructions Kenwood provides or one of the many youtube tutorials make it easy. Its not like updating a Pioneer radio where the usb port can only be formatted in one way in order for the unit to get updated. Most people dont even know usb’s can be formatted in different ways yet alone how to reformat them to a specific format. Another win for Kenwood.

If you do order from Crutchfield I would just make sure you feel semi-confident in distinguishing cables from you factory wiring since you‘re installing. All the cables back there can get a little intimidating. I paid about 200 for installation from one of Kenwood’s authorized dealer.

 

A few questions for you. In your picture, what do you have plugged into the HDMI port? Is that a thumb drive of sorts? What are you referencing in the picture with the red arrows? Is that the bypass for the video in park only issue?

Thanks for the write up.

 

So in the picture I only have a small usb thumb drive.(I updated the picture to show new HDMI and USB) Its got a few HD movies, wallpapers, and Flac audio albums.
In the picture with the indicated wire, I'm showing the one and only wire that comes included with the unit and has an OBD2 female plug attached to it.(this one wire reads all your vehicle info and displays it on you unit. Things like speed, tire pressure, instant MPG, RPM, etc. Also allows you to change things like when your auto door locks activate, etc.) I found it useless to use up my one and only OBD2 port just for one pin, so I just connected it(more like slid in) straight into the factory wiring harness to free up my OBD2 port for something else.(my Amp Research Powersteps)

 

Ah, I was confused. That's the BEFORE picture before the HDMI Flush Mount was installed. I was like "A thumbs drive in the HDMI port?". Gotcha on the back of the harness. Makes sense. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the link to the flush mount / cigarette lighter HDMI connection. I’m planning on wiring up mine next week. I’ve already got the Kenwood in place, just need to add the iPhone mirroring.

...and then buy some video screens for the back seats

 

I struggled in finding an opening big enough to just go straight up to radio, so I followed the route that the wire harness feeding that lower panel follows. It slightly runs into the driver side and then up and around to connect to radio. You’ll have to remove that panel around the knee air bag to fish the cables.
Also forget what I said last about needing to use both ports on the apple adapter. Mirroring your iphone works just fine with only the hdmi plugged in.

Please post pics when you do get video screens for the back. I’d like to eventually do that!

 

@New_DoorDing (or anyone else that has a similar setup) how is the subwoofer performing? In my setup, I have noticed that the subwoofer isn't as loud now compared to when I had the JBL head unit. I have this subwoofer: https://www.shop.tech12volts.com/product.sc?productId=540&categoryId=124 (and I also have Jame's speakers from the group buy https://www.tundras.com/threads/upd...peaker-group-buy-valid-through-2-28-19.39104/) and I was happy with how everything was sounding with the JBL system. I liked that I could just go in to the audio menu to adjust bass / mid / treble and it worked for me. I mostly just kept everything in the middle, and would adjust the bass up 2-3 levels when my kids weren't in the truck.

With the new Kenwood DNX996XR, I feel like the bass isn't as strong, especially from the subwoofer. I went in to the EQ settings and tried a few presets and even tried some manual adjustments to the EQ and it feels like there's more bass coming from the door speakers than the sub. I'm not an audiophile, just looking for decent sound (anything that's better than the stock JBL system).

I'm tagging @james@tech12volts as well, maybe he has some pointers on this.

During my install, I connected the 2 RCA cable to the back of the kenwood's Front Left & Front Right outputs. There were no instructions on connecting any other speaker/subwoofer wires from the kenwood. I'm guessing the JBL amp decodes the signal and sends the proper power & signal to each speaker & subwoofer ?