Aux Audio Input 

An input on the rear of the receiver that enables you to connect a portable CD, MP3, cassette, or MD player to the receiver. This will require an additional connecting cable.

Bass Boost

This sound enhancement control allows you to boost the lower frequencies in your music to keep it full-sounding, even at lower volumes. 

Changer Control 

Receivers with changer control are capable of operating Kenwood CD or MiniDisc multi-disc changers. 

CD Text from changer

Some compact discs contain CD Text data that include artist name, disc name, and track name. CD Text-capable CD changers automatically read and store this information for display on the front panel of compatible receivers. Convenient auto-scrolling allows you to scan all the information easily.

DAB Ready

Head units with this capability can be connected to a decoder box and receive the growing number of very high quality digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio station. (National coverage not yet in place)

DNPS from changer

Disc name preset.  The names or titles of CDs can be manually entered into the head unit.  Whenever that disc is subsequently played, the head unit will display the text you have entered.

Dolby B/C

Decodes Dolby-encoded tapes during playback to virtually eliminate tape hiss. Dolby B is the most widely used system. Dolby C is even more effective at increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the deck. 

DPSS programme search

Direct programme search system. A method for rapidly locating particular cassette tape tracks.

Dual Zone The dual zone feature allows simultaneous playback of two different sound sources for the front and rear of the vehicle. Fr example, a radio station can be listened to in the front of  the vehicle whilst sound from the auxiliary input can be listened to in the rear, on headphones. This is particularly useful in the growing number of vehicles equipped with rear view TV screens.

EON

When a traffic announcement is broadcast, the radio will automatically switch from a station which does not transmit traffic information to one that does in the same broadcasting network (e.g. from BBC R3 to BBC R4).
See also RDS below.

Full-logic tape deck

With a full-logic cassette deck, you'll enjoy soft-touch electronic controls, instead of the traditional spring-loaded mechanical buttons. When you insert a cassette, the power load feature takes over and automatically moves the cassette into position. No brute force is needed to eject the tape either — just lightly touch a button, and the tape pops out smoothly. Full-logic decks greatly reduce the possibility of tangling or breaking cassette tape by clumsy misuse of mechanical controls. 

Kenwood use hard permalloy in its tape heads which has a high resistance to damage from tape abrasion. This gives the heads extended life.

Max power output

Maximum or peak power is measured during a brief musical burst, such as a sudden drum beat. Some manufacturers display peak power ratings on the face of their products. The RMS power rating is considered a more significant measurement, but is not often quoted as it is always lower than the max power figure. 

Memory Calendar

A display of today's date can be displayed in several formats.

Receivers with the memo feature can have up to 30 memo items entered (of up to 32 characters each) - linked to a particular date.  The text you input automatically appears on the selected date, when the radio's power is is first turned on.

Metal tape

Selects the best equalization response according to the type of tape - normal or high-bias for 'metal' cassette tapes. 

Radio Text

Along with RDS & EON data, some radio stations are also transmitting further information called radio text. This usually gives information on the programme being transmitted and other useful information, phone numbers etc. When selected, this information is scrolled across the radio's display.

RCA preouts

Sockets on the rear of the receiver that allow you to use a standard RCA cable to add an external amplifier. Some receivers have two sets (front & rear), which are useful if you plan to add a 4-channel or second amplifier. Some receivers have three sets, one of which is usually intended to be used for a subwoofer amplifier.

Some receivers offer a "non-fading" set of preamp outputs. Connect your subwoofer amplifier to the non-fading outputs, and you can fade the normal speakers front to rear without affecting the sound of the subwoofer. Or, if you connect the amplifier for your main speakers to the non-fading set and your subwoofer amplifier to the set that fades, you can use the receiver's fader to control the sub's volume. 

Sometimes, an output voltage for the receiver's preamp outputs is quoted. Generally, the higher the preamp output voltage, the better the sound from your amplifier (an improved signal to noise ratio). 

RDS

RDS tuners can automatically tune in stations according to the style of music (or talk) they broadcast. RDS also enables your receiver to display text messages (usually station names and programme format information) that many FM stations include on a subcarrier signal within their normal broadcast signal. Some RDS tuners can even break in with traffic alerts or emergency broadcasts when you're listening to a CD. There are other useful features too, many of which are offered by the growing number of RDS stations. 
See also EON.

Remote Option

For remote option receivers, a wired or infrared wireless remote is either included with a receiver, or available as an accessory. 

RMS power output

The amount of continuous power, measured in watts, that an amplifier produces is called RMS power. The higher the RMS figure, the louder and cleaner your music sounds. 

Selectable Font

see '3-D Display' above

System E's+

System E's is designed to remove very low bass signals from reaching relatively small door and rear shelf speakers. This results in lass distortion and a cleaner sound. It also helps to integrate a proper subwoofer and amplifier setup that is there to replace the bass diverted from smaller speakers.

In addition to this, System E's adds control of subwoofer level, phase and frequency to give complete system setup via the head unit. It also allows rapid system adjustment for different types of music.

Telephone 2-way muting

When connected to a mobile telephone car kit, the output of the CD, tape or radio is paused while a call is made or received, and continued at it's conclusion.

In addition, a connection is available for Kenwood navigation units so that when an instruction is given, receiver volume is lowered.

Track search tape advance

The deck skips over blank tape to the beginning of a track, for forward or rewind track search.

Colours can be programmed to change according to time of day (Time Zone Mode) or by the input source selected (Source Mode). For a summary of receivers with the multicolour display option, click here.

Video clips

see '3-D Display' above