Android Auto hasn't changed much since last year, which means that the revised double-DIN head unit models being revealed by car electronics companies this year won't be all that interesting. Case in point: Kenwood's three new Android Auto head units, which are being revealed at CES, are pretty uninteresting. One thing, however, is rather intriguing: the flagship model's stunning $1,599.95 MSRP.Let's start with the two cheaper models: the $599.95 eXcelon DMX7706S and the $649.95 eXcelon DMX706S. Both have 6.95-inch resistive touchscreens, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support (no wireless functionality is mentioned), 1.5A USB outputs, and two camera connections. Audio-wise, the duo each has three sets of 4V, low-level outputs for amps, internal amplification of 22x4 watts RMS for speakers, support for FLAC and WAV files up to 192kHz/24-bit, and a 13-band equalizer with something called Digital Time Alignment. The $50 extra you pay for the DMX706S gets you "tuned audiophile-grade components," as well as an adjustable 3-way crossover. These two will be available in April.

The eXcelon Reference DNX996XR.

Personally, I find the eXcelon Reference DNX996XR more interesting by sheer virtue of its $1,599.95 price tag. This unit has a 6.8" capacitive touchscreen, wireless Auto and wireless CarPlay support, the same 1.5A USB outputs, and three camera connections. It also has built-in Garmin navigation with live traffic, a motor inside to tilt the display for your preferred viewing angles, and a DVD slot. Video can be played via DVD, USB, and SD. The DNX996XR has the same FLAC/WAV support, the same 13-band equalizer, and the same time alignment, as well as three sets of gold-plated 5V RCA-style connections for external amps. This unit will be available in March.

Given that you can get wireless Android Auto in the Pioneer head unit I reviewed for 7 these days, its exclusion on the $600 and $650 Kenwood units seems puzzling. Plus, I really doubt anyone needs the Garmin navigation, motorized display tilting, and DVD slot of the $1,600 unit. Unless these drop drastically in price, or you really want the fancy audio and feature add-ons, they probably won't be worth your time.

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