We're all in this quest for good clear sound. I recently "upgraded" to the Sony mex70bt. I've used Sony over the years. Started out years ago using Kenwood, switched to Clarion, had an Eclipse, back to Kenwood, then used Sony for the last 3 car head units I've replaced. Seems all the big name brands have had ups and downs in sound quality, reliability, features , etc. The mex70 has good reviews, comes recommended from the forum too. I have to say I'm disappointed in mine. I like the form, screen, menu options from the handlebar controls, but the fragile faceplate buttons that die after getting damp once (i know I know marine doesn't equal waterproof) bummed me out. I talked to forum sponsor LL247. He said he's used the Kenwood KMR-D765BT marine unit a few times, and people like it. So I asked him to order me one. I picked it up the other night at the 77 Customs bike night. I got home later that night and tore into the fairing. I wired up the new Kenwood, hooked it to my SS PN4.1000, didn't even touch the gains, and fired it up. The result was awesome. Man does my system get loud now! The sound quality is greatly improved. A lot crisper cleaner sound. Less distortion at higher volumes. The PN4.1000 isn't the cleanest amp to begin with, but if you feed a dirty signal into a dirty amp you will get crap out. Don't get me wrong, maybe with a better amp the Sony would sound better. Maybe it was in my tuning. I have since adjusted the gains. I have more volume with less distortion than before. I'm pretty happy with my setup and tune now.

Current setup:
Kenwood KMR-D765BT
SS PN4.1000
Arc Moto 602s in the fairing
Kappa 693.11i in the bag lids
12 SERG

 

Man I've heard some awesome systems with that Sony. How did you EQ it? Did u you do anything different with the Kenwood.

 

I ran it flat, I tried some of the preset eq's. I made a custom eq curve. It sounded good, but I never felt I was getting the clean sound that my previous Kenwood KDC-BT758HD and Arc ks125.2 was giving me. I chalked it up to the Sound Stream not being as clean of an amp. I was running 60 hz high pass but I still had to cross over the 602s more to keep them from sounding muddy. The kappas ate it up. Now with the KMR-D865BT I have both front and rear hp set at 60 the 602s sound more like they did in my batwing. All around just cleaner less distorted sound. I'm only tuning by ear, I've been told I'm a little distorted before. Maybe it's just me.

 

Congrats and any pixs or vids? I'm in the market to replace my older, but dependable Alpine..I know there's better HU out there so your review and comments helps. Thanks. D

 

duglaura, I would def recommend the Kenwood. I work with LL at his shop and we have installed a few of these head units and haven't had an issue yet. Once things our set correctly it just sounds good!

 

That's what I'm hearing....Great reviews....Thanks