Kenwood DNX996XR Head Unit

I did. Thanks.

 

Truth be told, Siri is kinda a bitch.

I had an older Kenwood and it did the same thing. I figured it was just ambient noise creating problems. Either way Siri through the MIC never seemed to work for me. I just gave up.

 

That's too bad. =/ Google assistant is pretty great. Can you still run the assistant as an app on iphone? Might be worth a shot if it just stays being a pita.

 

Does the head unit have its own mic?

 

Yes. Currently,I have it mounted on the left pillar by the corner of the window. Same place I put it in my daughters vehicle. Also a Kenwood HU.

Tonight I'm going to pay her phone and see what happens. I'll take some video as well to give you guys a better idea of what's up.

 

iOS 13.1.2 just showed up as available for download on my phone this morning. One of the fixes in the change notes is:

"Addresses an issue where Bluetooth may disconnect on certain vehicles"

Might be worth a shot.

 

I just checked, I have auto updates on some I'm at 13.1.2 now. Not sure that was the case yesterday, so we'll see what happens! Thanks.

 

Sub'd

 

Well, the 13.1.12 didn't fix the issue with the selective Siri listening. Might have stabilized the bluetooth connection for wireless, but that wasn't really my issue. Stay tuned for the video.

 

So far I’m liking the Kenwood head unit. Lots of nice features. The head unit made my stock speakers sound much better. May not need an upgrade but I probably will eventually. While I had everything out, I ran RCA wires for the sub and remote wire leaving it easily accessible when I plan to run an amp for the sub. I already have a sub and amp from an old car I had. Just need to make some time to add sound deadener and install the amp and sub.

 

Here's what I put together this AM. I also ordered a new mic just to eliminate that issue.

https://youtu.be/N7Zq1Rb-hdw

 

Wow.... that’s messed up. I’ve never seen something like that happen before.
I’ll try to research and see if I can find anything.

My only thought right now is to put in the wired headphones that came with the phone and try to use those as the microphone and see if it does the same thing. Try that in the house and not connected to the truck.

 

Love the headunit, have you upgraded all interior speakers yet? For the dash speakers, I used the JBL GTO 3.5in and they sound incredible!

 

It works fine when not connected to the truck, I can run through the same process and it works perfect when its standalone. That's why I ordered the new mic. It's not Siri. My daughter's Kenwood (forget the model number) works perfectly. I'm going to connect her phone to my truck and see if it does the same, if it does, then I'm going to push for a replacement unit.

 

I tried my daughters phone - which works fine on her Kenwood HU in her 4Runner and got the exact same problem. Three different phones now. What we did figure out though, if I initiate Siri through the steering wheel - vs "Hey Siri" she can't hear me at all. See this video:

https://youtu.be/_79hMmFvSag

So now I'm thinking this may be an issue with the mic turning on/off, not the mic itself obviously. Could this be a maestro or harness problem? Don't think so because the mic is connected directly to the head unit. It's always the second command that doesn't work - Yes (to confirm sending a text) or she doesn't hear me say yes (or Reply) to a read text or allow me to speak when I answer a phone call.

 

Can you install and run Google assistant on that iPhone, or do you have access to an Android device? I'd like to see if it can use that, then we can narrow it down to a mic issue vs an iOS issue.

 

I'd have too ask around, most people I know have iPhones. Tried three different phones already, I know two work on the other Kenwood head unit. Hopefully I'll have the new mic in a few days, so we'll see soon if thats it, but it logically doesn't make sense that it is.

 

You trying wired or wireless Carplay? If wired, are you using a certified Lightning cable?

 

Wireless mainly, didn't't work either way.

 

It could be a mic issue after all. It depends on how Siri/Carplay works in with the Kenwood. In some cars the "hey Siri" command needs to be picked up by the iPhone mic, which then kicks it over to the head unit mic. On others the mic is always active. I *think* with our radios the phone has to hear it because if I put my phone in a bad spot, it has a hard time hearing me say "ok google".

So Siri could be hearing you thru the phone, then kicking over to a defective mic. You might be able to test it by blocking the mic on your phone, then say "hey Siri". At least we'd know which mic it's listening on.

Not to insult your intelligence but I'd check where you have it plugged in on the back. There are a few places it could incorrectly go.

EDIT: The more I watch your videos the more I think this is the case. If you say "hey Siri what's the weather like", it picked up that command from the phone and responded because it was all in one sentence/action for Siri". If you say "hey Siri" and wait for her follow up response, shes a cold bitch. Thus, I believe the microphone either no worky, or you got the right key but the wrong key hole.

 

LOL. Yeah, checked it a couple of times and had my son check it, it's in the right place. I'd be the one to do that, but yeah, it's good. I did plug the OEM GPS into the XM tuner originally, so you got me there.

I did think about the two mic scenario and that makes sense if there's a handoff, since it always seems to be the second command. I'm thinking with all the wires in there that the mic cord got pinched and damaged it enough to not work. I should have the mic in a couple of days, maybe by the weekend, but am doubting it. Fingers crossed thats the case.

Let me run out and see what happens when I block the mic.

 

Just tried it and pretty sure its the mic if thats the cause where its initiated on the phone, then is handed off after the initial Hey Siri.

I tried to block the mic on the iPhone after saying Hey Siri and that was no easy task. I actually stuffed the phone under my leg between the seat and my leg. She kept hearing me. I then rolled the window down and put my phone on on the roof, started the car, turned on the AC and shut the window. I was still connected of course, CarPlay was working, but I couldn't get her to come up at all with the new mic, so I think it's damaged. Now have to play the waiting game. Since people can't hear me when I'm on the phone in the truck and I can hear them over the stereo, it makes sense.

 

@chinadog it seems to be an issue with your mic plugged in to the back of the kenwood. Double check that it's plugged in to the correct spot. Otherwise, wait for the new mic to come in and give that one a try.

 

Have not fallen off the face of the earth. Still waiting on the mic to be delivered. Carry on.

 

is the replacement from Kenwood?

 

Yes, from their parts group.

 

Not sure I see the difference with my 9905s other than I’m wired. I like the charge anyway.

 

Just curious, I will be installing my 9905S this weekend or so.. is the unit fast charge or slow? I have a pixel 3.. If it doesn't fast charge with usbc3.0 then I'll have to have another plug when using navigation as it sucks battery fast.

 

I’m not sure. I have no issues with battery and use nav all the time.

 

It doesn't have Qualcomm fast charge but it charges faster than a regular USB port.
Android auto doesn't suck the battery like using nav on your phone does. I was concerned about the lack of fast charge with my unit but so far I haven't found it to be an issue.