Kenwood's Japan-only GPS car stereo, the MNA-350

Kenwood's aiming its new MNA-350 squarely at the Japanese market for tiny cars, or "kei-cars," but we know plenty of people with double-DIN slots in their SUVs here in the States who would kill for this CD player / GPS nav combo. The 50W unit features a 3.5-inch touchscreen that supports address and phone number lookups, as well as MP3, AAC, and WMA support and optional iPod integration. Those of you rocking to the beat of different DAP can jack in through the front-mounted 1/8-inch aux input, or just play your files through the integrated SD reader. No word on price, but the four of you flying out to snag one of these Japan-only units for your Escalades probably don't care about that, do you?

[Via Akihabara News]

[Big @ May 8th 2007 10:11PM]

I own a 2007 Escalade EXT.

Compared to the GPS NAV radio in my truck, this thing is a JOKE.

I have an 8 inch screen...with an aux jack for MP3 players - not to mention the disk changer is a 6 disk DVD changer that can read CDr's encoded with MP3's.

I'll never understand why people replace the stock units with Alpines and Pioneers. The stock units kick ass.

[Pablo @ May 8th 2007 11:27PM]

stock units kick ass? while the headunit in your escalade is a cut above the rest, it still has undefeatable preset eq curves and limited eq adjustment, not to mention limited power and expandability options. Plus i'll bet you could've picked up an aftermarket unit with better capabilities for less

[Spencer @ May 10th 2007 2:36PM]

You never understand why they replace the head units with Alpine or Pioneers?

And you go to a site like engadget because.....?

Also, it's pretty closed minded of you to think that people should be content with the head unit that comes stock. Sure, it may work for you, but how about those people that need the integration of an iPod (rather than an auxiliary port) or like the bluetooth options with phones?

Anyhow, I don't understand the people who like rap.

[Big @ May 9th 2007 12:25AM]

The Cadillac BOSE system is pretty damn good. It is loud, powerful and clear at even the highest levels.

The only downisde I find is that BASS response is mediocre for RAP music - which I remedied by adding a DUAL 12" SUBWOOFER BOX with a 1600watt Amplifier.

Since I used the stock system, I added a line level adapter.

I'm not the type of person who is highly demanding of equalizers and frequency distribution. I'm only interested in deep, LOUD, BASS, and powerful door speakers.

The best stock head unit I've ever used is in my Dad's S550 - but from what I know, it uses Fiber Optics.

[Pradip kumar Baidya @ Nov 13th 2007 6:03AM]

I have kenwood stereo model JAPAN MAKE KA-76 WITH SYNTHESIZER KT-76 ,GRAPHIC EQUALISER GE-56 AND DOUBLE DECK CASSETTE DECK KX66CW.
The operating manuals for those are not available with me and were lost.

How could they be made available ,if you have online download access,please provide.

Thanks.

[Castle @ May 8th 2007 11:38PM]

>>I own a 2007 Escalade EXT.

Great, you have a good GPS in a shitty vehicle. Congratulations.

[JohnnyCashAK @ May 9th 2007 12:37AM]

Loud Bass and Deep Bass aren't the same thing. You might get loud bass out of your system, but unless it's tuned properly with at least a crossover, all it's going to do is rattle your shit and annoy the people in traffic next to you.

Five bucks says you didn't insulate with dynamat either. And when you say Dual, I hope you mean as in 'two' and not as in 'brand.' Adding a Dual brand amp to a Bose system is grounds for a public flogging.

[Big @ May 9th 2007 3:52PM]

#1 - I would never TOUCH any product made by DUAL. My Amplifier is a Rockford Fosgate T3001bd and I have dual 12" KICKER L7's.

#2 LOUD & DEEP bass may not be the same thing, when I say Loud and Deep, I mean I want my bass to hit ridiculous lows - and I want it to be loud enough to be felt and heard close to 2 blocks away.

#3 NO I did not insulate. A Cadillac EXT has a plastic interior trunk space and the plastic covers are suppossed to be removable and totally unhindered.

[Daikon @ May 9th 2007 3:29AM]

Here in Japan GPS units cost more than a second-hand kei-car...

[Prime @ May 9th 2007 5:53AM]

This thing looks like a piece to me. Two displays? Umpteen squished buttons? No thanks...

To the reply regarding the Escalade's factory navigation: I own an '07 Tahoe with the exact same factory system as you. Mine sucked. I much prefer the Pioneer I replaced it with. I also prefer the factory installed Navteq-based system in my '05 MINI.

[TRAFFICBLOWS @ May 9th 2007 2:45PM]

I feel Kenwood made a novel decision to use two displays and larger buttons. Sure, larger screens are awesome, but the user interface generally lacks in the absense of dedicated buttons and the screens are generally less readable in direct sunlight.

Unfortunately, I also feel Kenwood buttons historically SUCK and why the hell isn't that second display an OLED?

[Big @ May 11th 2007 10:51PM]

Anyhow, I don't understand the people who like rap."


If you ever make it out of the boondocks let me know.

[everrette powell @ May 12th 2007 1:27PM]

so you don't understand all of asia