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Kenwood DMX500S Review: 6.8-Inch Wireless CarPlay Head Unit

Your car stereo controls more than music now. It handles maps, phone calls, parking help, streaming, and sound tuning every time you drive.

The Kenwood DMX500S is a compact 6.8-inch digital multimedia receiver with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Bluetooth 5.0, rear USB power, a backup camera input, and front, rear, and subwoofer RCA preouts. This review explains how it handles display quality, road noise, power, installation, and future audio upgrades.

You also need to know the trade-offs before you buy. The DMX500S gives strong everyday features, but its 2.5V preouts and installation needs matter if you plan a larger audio system.

Key Takeaways

• The 6.8-inch WSVGA capacitive touchscreen uses a 1024 x 600 pixel layout, so maps and menus look clearer than basic low-resolution receivers.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto let you use maps, calls, messages, and music without plugging in your phone for every drive.
• The built-in amplifier delivers 50W x 4 peak power and 22W x 4 full-bandwidth power at less than 1% THD.
• The 13-band EQ, digital time alignment, crossover controls, and subwoofer settings give you more tuning control than many entry-level stereos.
• The DMX500S uses front, rear, and subwoofer RCA preouts rated at 2.5V/10 kΩ, not 4V preouts.
• The short chassis measures 178 x 100 x 85.7 mm, which helps in tight dashboards, but you still need the correct dash kit, wiring harness, and steering wheel control adapter for your vehicle.

Key Specifications

What Is the Kenwood DMX500S?

The Kenwood DMX500S is a 6.8-inch digital multimedia receiver for drivers who want a modern touchscreen without a deep, complex head unit. It sits in the practical upgrade category, above basic Bluetooth stereos but below premium receivers with high-voltage outputs, larger displays, or built-in HD Radio features.

Its main strength comes from cable-free phone integration. You get wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Bluetooth 5.0, rear USB input, and wireless mirroring through Kenwood’s MirrorApp+ for supported phones.

The short 85.7 mm chassis also helps during installation. That shallow depth can give you more room for harnesses, adapters, and cables behind the dash, which matters in many compact factory openings.

How This Review Was Checked

We checked the live product listing, Kenwood model information, and the Kenwood DMX5710S/DMX50S/DMX500S instruction manual before updating this review. We corrected the preout voltage, installation size, power output, USB power, Bluetooth version, and firmware update details.

Who It’s For and Who Should Skip It

Who It’s For

• Drivers who use Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, Apple Music, or phone calls during daily driving.
• Shoppers who want wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto without paying for a premium flagship receiver.
• Car owners who need a short-chassis receiver because the dashboard has limited room behind the mounting area.

Who Should Skip It

• Audio builders who want 4V or 5V preouts for a cleaner signal into several external amplifiers.
• Drivers who want built-in offline navigation without using a connected phone.
• Buyers who need a plug-and-play install with no dash kit, wiring harness, parking brake wire, or steering wheel control adapter.

Feature-by-Feature Review

Design and Display: First Impressions

The Kenwood DMX500S uses a 6.8-inch WSVGA capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution. That resolution gives you clear menus, readable map labels, and sharper app icons than many basic car stereos.

The display uses a transparent TN LCD panel, a TFT active matrix system, RGB striped pixel arrangement, and LED backlighting. In normal driving, those specs matter because you tap menus, scroll playlists, and glance at maps while the car moves.

The front layout keeps the receiver simple. You get the touchscreen, a tactile volume knob, and physical controls that reduce the need to tap through menus for every quick adjustment.

Sound Performance and Audio Features

The DMX500S gives you 50W x 4 peak power and 22W x 4 full-bandwidth power at less than 1% THD. That output works well for most factory speakers and many basic aftermarket speaker swaps.

For everyday systems, 22W x 4 clean full-bandwidth power matters more than the larger 50W x 4 peak number.

You can shape the sound with a 13-band graphic EQ, digital time alignment, high-pass filters, low-pass filters, subwoofer level control, and subwoofer phase control. These tools help you reduce muddy bass, bring vocals forward, and improve the sound stage from the driver’s seat.

The RCA preouts support front, rear, and subwoofer expansion, but the DMX500S uses 2.5V preouts. That voltage works for many entry and mid-level amplifiers, but higher-end builds may benefit from receivers with stronger 4V or 5V outputs.

Connectivity, Smartphone Integration, and Controls

The DMX500S gives you wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, so your phone can handle maps, calls, messages, podcasts, and music without a cable. It also supports wired use through USB when you want charging and media playback from one connection.

Bluetooth Ver. 5.0 supports hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming. The listed Bluetooth profiles include HFP, SPP, A2DP, AVRCP, and PBAP, so the unit can manage calls, music control, and phonebook access.

The rear USB connection supplies up to DC 5V 2.1A. That helps keep your phone powered, but the rear location means you should route a cable into the glove box, console, or a clean dashboard USB location during installation.

Key connectivity highlights:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto
• Bluetooth 5.0 for calls and audio streaming
• Wireless mirroring through MirrorApp+ for supported phones
• Rear USB 2.0 high-speed connection with 5V 2.1A power
• Rear-view camera input with parking guidelines

Installation, Compatibility, and Expandability

The DMX500S uses a short chassis with a main unit installation size of 178 x 100 x 85.7 mm. In inch measurements, that equals about 7 x 3-15/16 x 3-3/8 inches.

Use the main unit installation size, not the shipping box size, when you measure dash clearance.

Common vehicle options include Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia models. You still need to confirm the correct dash kit, wiring harness, antenna adapter, parking brake connection, and steering wheel control adapter for your exact trim.

The receiver includes a rear-view camera input, video output, front and rear speaker outputs, front and rear preouts, and subwoofer preouts. You can start with factory speakers, then add an amplifier and subwoofer later without replacing the head unit.

How It Performs in Real Use

On a Daily Commute

The biggest daily benefit comes from wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. You can start the car, connect your phone, open maps, and control music without plugging in a cable each time.

The 6.8-inch 1024 x 600 screen gives enough space for map directions and app controls. The volume knob also helps because you can adjust sound without hunting for a small on-screen button.

For Parking and Reverse Camera Use

The rear camera input supports a standard RCA video signal and parking guidelines. That setup can make reversing easier, especially in larger vehicles or older cars without a factory camera.

You still need a compatible backup camera and correct wiring. The DMX500S does not include a rear camera in the standard box, so plan that purchase separately.

For Speaker Upgrades

The built-in amplifier has enough power for basic speaker upgrades, especially if you want clearer mids and cleaner highs. The 13-band EQ and time alignment help you tune the cabin after installation.

The 2.5V preouts make sense for a simple amp and subwoofer setup. Serious systems with multiple amps, long RCA runs, or high-output subwoofers may work better with a receiver that offers higher preout voltage.

For Road Trips

The rear USB 2.1A power output helps keep a phone charged during long drives. Wireless phone integration keeps the cabin cleaner, but heavy navigation and streaming can still drain your phone faster than short local trips.

The unit relies on your smartphone for navigation. That means map quality depends on your phone, your app, your mobile data, and your offline map setup.

Pros and Cons

Is It Worth the Price?

The Kenwood DMX500S offers strong value for the price if your main goal involves wireless smartphone integration, a clear 6.8-inch screen, and clean factory-speaker output. You get features that matter every day, not just specs that look good on a box.

Its value drops if you plan a high-power audio build from day one. The 2.5V preouts still work, but shoppers who want premium amplifier performance may want a Kenwood Excelon model or another receiver with higher-voltage RCA outputs.

For everyday use, the DMX500S feels like a smart buy. You get modern phone features, practical audio tuning, and expansion room without paying for options you may never use.

How It Compares to Alternatives

The Pioneer DMH-260BT is a solid alternative if you want a familiar touchscreen receiver with CarPlay and Android Auto support. Some buyers may also compare the Alpine iLX-W670 because it focuses on a clean interface, shallow mounting depth, and everyday smartphone control.

The Kenwood DMX709S suits buyers who want a higher-end Kenwood option with more premium features. The DMX500S remains the better fit for you if you want wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a short chassis, and a practical price-to-feature balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Kenwood DMX500S support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes. The DMX500S supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, and it also supports wired phone use through USB.

Does the Kenwood DMX500S have built-in navigation?

No. The DMX500S does not include built-in offline maps, so you need a connected smartphone for Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, or another navigation app.

Are the Kenwood DMX500S preouts 4V?

No. The DMX500S manual lists the preout level at 2.5V/10 kΩ. That correction matters because some shoppers choose a receiver based on preout voltage for amplifier upgrades.

How much installation depth does the DMX500S need?

The main unit installation size is 178 x 100 x 85.7 mm, or about 7 x 3-15/16 x 3-3/8 inches. You should still leave extra room for the wiring harness, antenna adapter, USB cable, GPS antenna cable, and steering wheel control adapter.

Can you update the Kenwood DMX500S firmware wirelessly?

No. Kenwood firmware updates for this model family use a USB memory update process. You should follow Kenwood’s update guide and avoid interrupting power during the update.

What comes in the box with the Kenwood DMX500S?

The box includes the receiver, trim ring, side mounting brackets, fuse, wiring harness, GPS antenna, microphone with 10 ft cable, parking brake wire, screws, mounting hardware, Quick Start Guide, and warranty card. Some vehicles still need extra install parts.

The Bottom Line

The Kenwood DMX500S earns an 8/10 because it gives you wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a sharp 6.8-inch screen, Bluetooth 5.0, useful audio controls, and a short chassis. You should buy it if you want a clean daily-driving upgrade, but you should look elsewhere if you need built-in navigation or higher-voltage preouts for a serious amplifier build.