It’s a familiar story for many: driving in an older car, relying on outdated tech – maybe a clunky CD player or an auxiliary cable that constantly cuts out. I know I was there. Trying to navigate using my phone awkwardly perched on the dash, fumbling with music playback, and missing important calls because my hands were full. This wasn’t just inconvenient; it felt genuinely unsafe. Modern cars integrate technology seamlessly, and sticking with a prehistoric setup felt increasingly risky in today’s busy driving environment. Finding a solution to upgrade my car’s infotainment system was less about luxury and more about safety and practicality.
So, you’re tired of your car’s ancient audio system and are looking to join the 21st century? A new car stereo, particularly a double-din unit, is often the answer. These devices fundamentally change your driving experience, bringing modern connectivity, navigation capabilities, and vastly improved sound quality into your vehicle. They solve problems like lack of Bluetooth for hands-free calls and audio streaming, poor sound from factory speakers, no convenient way to use smartphone apps like navigation or music services safely, and the absence of useful features like backup camera inputs.
The ideal candidate for an upgrade like the KENWOOD DDX5707S Double Din DVD Car Stereo is someone with an older vehicle who wants to integrate their smartphone, improve sound, and add features like a backup camera without buying a new car. If your primary need is simply a basic radio or CD player and you have no interest in smartphone integration, touchscreens, or advanced audio tuning, a simpler, less expensive single-din unit might suffice. Also, verify if your car has a double-din dash opening, as some vehicles require adapter kits or are only compatible with single-din units. Compatibility is key; research your specific vehicle make and model before committing to ensure a smooth installation.
Introducing the KENWOOD DDX5707S
Enter the KENWOOD DDX5707S. This unit promises to transform your car’s audio and connectivity experience by bringing essential smartphone integration features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your dashboard. It’s a double din DVD receiver featuring a 6.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. In the box, you typically find the main unit, a trim ring, wiring harnesses (power and speaker), a microphone with a bracket, a quick start guide, and warranty information. Compared to older or more basic receivers, the DDX5707S focuses heavily on seamless smartphone integration and modern usability via its responsive touchscreen.
This specific model is perfect for smartphone users who rely heavily on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation, music, and communication while driving. If you are someone who prefers physical buttons and knobs for primary controls like volume or track skipping, you might find the heavy reliance on the touchscreen a slight adjustment, although most core functions are easily accessible.
Here’s a quick look at the ups and downs:
* Pros:
* Excellent Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
* Responsive capacitive touchscreen display.
* Versatile media playback options (DVD, USB, FLAC, WAV).
* Comprehensive audio tuning with 13-band EQ and Time Alignment.
* Backup camera input with parking guidelines.
* Cons:
* Volume controls are small touchscreen buttons.
* Doesn’t include a remote control (though compatible ones are available).
* Some users reported issues with the clock automatically setting correctly initially.
* Steering wheel control retention requires an additional adapter (standard for most aftermarket).
Examining the Capabilities and Advantages
Having lived with the KENWOOD DDX5707S for a significant period, I can confidently delve into its features and how they truly enhance the driving experience. The transition from my old head unit to this modern marvel was substantial, addressing many of the frustrations I had.
The centerpiece is undoubtedly the 6.8-inch capacitive touchscreen. Unlike resistive screens that require pressure, this one feels much more like a modern smartphone display. It’s responsive to light touches and swipes, making navigation through menus, selecting apps in CarPlay/Android Auto, or tuning the radio feel fluid and intuitive. The LCD with LED backlighting provides a clear, bright display with good contrast, even in varying light conditions. This clarity is crucial for using navigation maps or viewing a backup camera feed safely. Having a large, vibrant screen right there makes controlling your media and accessing information much less distracting than fumbling with a phone.
Integrated Apple CarPlay is a major selling point, and the DDX5707S executes it well. Once my iPhone is plugged in via USB, the interface immediately switches to the familiar iOS layout optimized for the car. Siri integration works flawlessly, allowing me to get directions using Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze, send and receive texts, make calls, and control music playback using voice commands. This hands-free operation is paramount for staying focused on the road. Instead of glancing down at my phone, everything I need is on the large screen, easily accessible via touch or voice. It brings the simplicity and power of my iPhone into the car dashboard safely.
Similarly, Android Auto offers the same level of seamless integration for Android phone users. The interface is designed to minimize distractions, displaying relevant information clearly. Voice control via Google Assistant is excellent for managing navigation (with support for Google Maps and Waze), calls, messages, and music from streaming services like Pandora and Spotify. Just like Apple CarPlay, this feature transforms the car into a smart extension of your Android device, making driving safer and more connected. The ability to use familiar navigation apps directly on the car’s screen is a game-changer for anyone who relies on their phone for directions.
Beyond smartphone mirroring, the unit offers robust Media Playback capabilities. Yes, it still has a DVD player, which is great for passengers on long trips, though admittedly less used by the driver these days. More practically, the USB port supports a wide range of audio and video file formats, including high-resolution FLAC and WAV files, delivering excellent sound quality. You can also play standard MP3, WMA, and AAC files. Having access to my digital music library directly from a USB drive is incredibly convenient. Of course, it includes a standard AM/FM radio tuner for catching local broadcasts. It’s also SiriusXM ready (requires an optional tuner), expanding your entertainment options significantly with commercial-free music, sports, news, and talk radio. For Android users who don’t necessarily want full Android Auto, there’s also a USB Mirroring Solution that allows you to simply display and control your phone screen on the head unit, which can be handy for apps not natively supported by Android Auto.
Safety is enhanced by the dedicated backup camera input. Adding an aftermarket backup camera is a relatively easy upgrade, and having the DDX5707S means you have a large screen ready to display the feed automatically when you shift into reverse. The built-in adjustable parking guidelines that overlay the camera view are incredibly helpful for navigating tight spots and ensuring you don’t back into anything or anyone. This feature alone provides peace of mind, especially in older vehicles that didn’t come with integrated backup cameras from the factory.
For audiophiles or anyone looking to improve the sound quality in their car, the audio tuning features are a major plus. The 13 Band Graphic EQ allows for precise tailoring of the sound to match your vehicle’s acoustics and your personal preferences. You can boost bass, tweak the mids, or brighten the highs to get the audio just right. The Time Alignment feature is designed to optimize sound performance by adjusting the delay from each speaker so that the sound waves from all speakers reach the listener’s ears simultaneously, creating a more focused and realistic soundstage. These features provide a level of audio control typically found in more expensive units or dedicated audio processors, allowing you to get the best possible sound out of your existing or upgraded speakers. The unit also includes multiple pre-outs, including a dedicated subwoofer out, making it easy to add external amplifiers and a subwoofer to build a more powerful audio system.
Bluetooth connectivity is standard and works well for hands-free calling and audio streaming from any smartphone, even if you aren’t using CarPlay or Android Auto. Pairing devices is simple, and call quality through the included microphone is clear. Streaming music wirelessly via Bluetooth is convenient for passengers or for quick connections without needing to plug in a USB cable.
While the touchscreen responsiveness is generally good, the small size of the on-screen volume buttons is one minor drawback, as mentioned by some users. It can be a little fiddly to adjust volume precisely while driving compared to a physical knob. However, this is easily mitigated by using the steering wheel controls if your car is equipped and you install the necessary adapter, or by purchasing an inexpensive remote control. Another quirk reported by some, including myself initially, was getting the clock to hold the correct time, as it sometimes fought with the RDS auto-set function. Disabling the RDS CT function and manually setting the time, or sometimes just letting the unit sync over time, resolved this, but it was a frustrating setup step. One reviewer also noted a concerning issue where the unit seemed to draw power even when the car was off, leading to a drained battery, which could indicate a wiring issue specific to their installation or perhaps a fault with that particular unit, but it’s something to be aware of as a potential (though hopefully rare) problem.
Overall, the daily usability of the KENWOOD DDX5707S is excellent. The interface is straightforward once you get used to it, and having direct access to essential smartphone features dramatically improves the driving experience. It feels modern, capable, and significantly safer than relying solely on a handheld phone.
Insights from Other Users
Looking around online, the general sentiment towards the KENWOOD DDX5707S is largely positive. Many users highlight it as a major upgrade from their factory radios, praising the sound quality and the convenience of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen performance is frequently complimented for being responsive. Some echoed the minor complaints about the small on-screen volume buttons and the initial hassle with the clock setting. While most installations seem straightforward, one user did encounter issues with missing parts upon arrival and finding a proper dash kit that allowed the unit to sit flush, indicating that professional installation or careful DIY planning is important. Another reviewer, unfortunately, experienced a severe power drain issue after several months of use, which is a significant concern, though not widely reported. Despite these few negatives, the consensus leans towards satisfaction with the feature set and performance for the price point.
Bringing It All Together
The core problem this KENWOOD DDX5707S addresses is the disconnect between our modern digital lives and the often-outdated technology in our vehicles. Without a solution, we face distractions from using phones unsafely, limited entertainment options, and missing out on convenient features like backup cameras. The complications range from minor annoyances to significant safety risks.
The KENWOOD DDX5707S is a great fit for solving this because it offers seamless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a responsive touchscreen display, and solid audio tuning capabilities, all within a standard double din form factor. It provides a safe and convenient way to use your smartphone’s features while driving and significantly upgrades your car’s sound and capabilities like adding a backup camera input. If you’re ready to modernize your ride, click here to check the KENWOOD DDX5707S out.