Home > Consumer Reviews > Kenwood KDC-MP238 WMA/MP3 CD Receiver with Front-Panel AUX Input and External Media Control

If you need a reliable car stereo and not that hi-tech, this is the car stereo for you. It definitely looks nice and the controls are easy to navigate. With the price at less than $90, you can't go wrong with this product.

First, let me qualify my review with the fact that I really don't know squat about electronics, *lol*, so can't give any kind of assessment regarding amps, voltage, ohms, or whatever kind of verbiage is used when speaking intelligently about stereo electronics.

I first went shopping for new Speakers to replace the factory Dash Speakers in my 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport SUV, as they were crackling and such, but decided that if I was going to replace those Speakers, I might just as well replace the whole factory Stereo System. To this end, I found the Kenwood MP238 Receiver at a popular retail store and liked it better than the others there. I liked the bright display especially, (which pretty much sold me), as my eyesight is not the best.

I purchased the unit online for a much better price and, along with the Kenwood MP238 Receiver, also purchased new Dash Speakers (Lightning Strike 4" S4.40's) and Front-door Speakers (Kicker 6.5" KS650's). My husband had a never-used set of Blaupunkt Speakers (6.5"), that he'd stored in our closet from I-don't-know-when, so we decided to put those in the Back-doors.

I had all this professionally installed as, again, neither I nor my husband knows squat about these kinds of things.

I am happy to report that the whole system sounds FANTASTIC! I didn't realize how bad the factory sound-system was until I heard the new system. (I can just hear all the men out there muttering, 'women!' *lol*)

The Kenwood MP238 Receiver has performed outstandingly. I can't tell you why, exactly, since I don't understand electronic components, but I have found the Receiver easy to use and easy to navigate. You will have to read the Instruction Booklet that comes with it, of course, else you'll be lost. But after this learning curve, the machine will perform flawlessly for you.

The Display is very bright, altho you can dim it, but I find the brightness so helpful for my eyesight. I can read it easily during the day with my sunglasses on!

There is also a blue brightness around the Volume Knob which cannot be dimmed. People have complained that it is distracting when driving at night, but it doesn't bother me.

The Pre-set Radio Station buttons on the bottom of the Receiver light up at night too. The numbers are coloured red and are not as bright as the blue. I wish they were tho. The blue shows up so much better for me.

The Volume Knob is also shallow in that there isn't a whole lot of it to grab onto to turn the volume up or down and so, if you accidentally push it in, you will go into the 'Settings' mode and have to keep pushing it to get back out. The remedy for this is to not approach adjusting the volume in a straight-on fashion. It's best to train your hand to touch underneath the Knob with the side of your index finger, then with your thumb, to adjust the volume. In this way, you won't inadvertently 'push' the button in.

Now, some people, like my husband, don't like 'Knobs', they like push-buttons, (which he got in spades in his Boss Receiver, *lol*). But, I have long nails and don't like push-button anything. Knobs work much better for me.

Alas, if push-buttons are your thing, you can use the Remote Control that comes with this unit to make all your adjustments. It is small and easy to use, and the buttons are quite raised which makes them easy to feel and push. The batteries for it are included in the box (two double AA's).

I must admit that the Instruction Booklet is not the most well-written. Alas, once it's gotten thru, and the Receiver played with, it will all be worth it. However, don't lose the booklet! Keep it in the glove-box of your car.

The Receiver seems most able to supply enough power to all the Speakers (I also have 1" Tweeters- whatever that is -in the front doors, but didn't replace them... the installation guy said they were just fine). Anyways, the volume can be turned up very loud without causing any distortion. It won't give you that crazy, throbbing bass like the really souped-up car stereo systems from the 'hood', *lol*, but when I play Led Zeppelin I'm blown out of my car, *lol*, so I'm more than satisfied, *vbs*

I'm very happy with my purchase of the Kenwood MP238 Stereo Receiver. I didn't have to buy an amplifier or subwoofer or god-knows what else to get wonderful sound in my car. Nor did I have to spend a fortune to do so. Thus, I highly recommend this unit.

I've always bought kenwood radios, they work and sound great. The problem with this one, is that the push knob is very sensitive and if you need to adjust the volume you can easily push the knob and change all your settings. The blue light around the knob is very bright for night driving and there is no dimmer for it. But for the price you can't go wrong

I used this stereo to replace the dinosaur of a radio in my camper. For the price, I can't complain. It plays all my burned music and even has the aux input for my Ipod. I would consider replacing my stereo in my car with this one. Great price too.

I got recently and i 100% satisfied. It's powerful enough to drive speakers off the stereo and even has settings for the type of speakers. I'm absolutely impressed with the features to control the sound and all. Only thing is u must go through the manual to know how to use them. I had to that just to adjust the clock. Once you get the hang of it you'll be ok. Kenwood all the way!