KDC-138 and Deh-1100MP Comparison

I am going to do a comparison between the Kenwood KDC-138 and DEH-1100MP. Although I am a Kenwood person, I will be equal on both brands.

First off Price.

Both radios start off at $100 MSRP

Here is the Specs for the DEH-1100MP

• General features:
• CD receiver with built-in MOSFET amplifier (14 watts RMS CEA-2006/50 peak x 4 channels)
• plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, including discs loaded with MP3 and WMA files (except rights-protected files)
• remote control
• Audio features:
• 3-band equalizer with six preset tone settings
• loudness
• Expandability:
• inputs: front-panel auxiliary input
• outputs: 2-channel preamp outputs
• Other info:
• CEA-2006 compliant amplifier
• warranty: 1 year

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the specs for KDC-138

• General features
• CD player with built-in MOSFET amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
• plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RW discs
• detachable face
• Audio features
• System Q Sound Control (6 EQ curves and a 3-band equalizer)
• low-pass filter and subwoofer level control
• Expandability
• inputs: front-panel auxiliary input
• outputs: one set of preamp outputs (can be switched to subwoofer mode)
• Other info
• warranty: 1 year

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At first look the KDC-138 looks busy. There is a lot of information being shown on the screen. Time, Channel, or Preloaded EQ Rock, vocal, etc.

The DEH-1100MP shows just the track number or channel number.

The main difference, actually two of them, the DEH-1100MP plays MP3, WMA, and comes with a remote. The KDC-138 doesnt play MP3 or WMA nor does it comes with aremote. You can actually move up to the KDC-MP142 to get those features for Kenwood.

They both have a front AUX input. The KDC-138 actually has that turned off by default. But a quick jump in the menu you can turn it back on as well as changing the time, or turning on subwoofer output.

They both have 1 preout. The DEH-1100MP have a 2v preout as well as the KDC-138. The KDC-138's preout is also a switchable subwoofer output.

The KDC-138 has a square joystick style, track or channel advance. If you push the left or right hand side the tracks or fm freq. will change. If you push the top or bottom you will either select AM or FM1/FM2/FM3. The DEH-1100MP has buttons mounted around the volume knob. If you have big fingers like me, you could accidentally push the buttons, as you turn the volume knob. I think they are alittle close. With my fingers there almost is no way to change the channel without my finger also touching the volume knob.

On the KDC-138, to change to bass, mids and treble, all you have to do is push in the volume knob, and you can cycle through bass, mids, treble, balance, and fader. To make a change all you have to do is turn the knob. On the DEH-1100MP, there is a audio button to the top left of the volume knob. You press it, then you use the four small buttons that surround the volume knob. If you press the volume knob, it changes the source, or if you turn it, it changes the volume and resets the audio menu back to the radio. So you have to be careful while going through the four small buttons that tightly surround the volume knob. The top and the bottom bottom actually make the change, and the left and right buttons, change between bass mids and highs. And you have to press the audio button to select what you want to change. Kinda hard while driving I think.

The KDC-138, well most all the Kenwood's come with AME, Automatic Music Entry, which means it will automatically set your presets with 6 of the next found stations. The DEH-1100MP does not have that as I have found.

For cosmetic appearance:

The KDC-138 seems to have a more rugged look, with red illumination and white lettered display. The DEH-1100MP have a sleek less cluttered face with green illumination and a white lettered display.

Overall Recommendations:

KDC-138

Ease of Use: 8

Appearance: 5

Performance and Features: 4

Pros:

Easy menu setup and the ability to change eq settings. Ability to have for clock and frequency or track number on screen at same time.

Cons:

Not very attractive for looks. Does not come with a remote and does not play mp3 cds.

DEH-1100MP

Ease of Use: 6

Appearance: 6

Performance and Features: 6

Pros:

Very nice face, sleek appearance. Having a remote and play mp3s is a plus.

Cons:

Troublesome and tiny buttons, can cause confusion, especially during traffic.

My Thoughts:

While I am a Kenwood fan, if I had the choice to take either the KDC-138 or the DEH-1100MP. I would most probably choose the Pioneer brand, mainly because of the remote.