Introducing Direct Replacement

With many newer vehicles it is impossible or expensive to install a new stereo, due to the shape of the dash, wiring, placement of climate controls, and other factors. Kenwood worked directly with ADS (makers of the iDatalink Maestro RR and RR2 interfaces) to create Direct Replacement, an innovative modular design that fits the receiver around the vehicle, instead of trying to alter a vehicle to accommodate a fixed receiver size.

Kenwood Excelon DAX8000XR Direct Replacement digital multimedia receiver

Kenwood and ADS provide an innovative aftermarket receiver solution that doesn't affect your dash's factory look and controls.

Ground-breaking modular design maintains your factory look

Kenwood employs a modular design that works hand in glove with ADS' iDatalink Maestro APX (pronounced "apex") mounting kits. The display mounts directly in place of the factory display, while the receiver's chassis is mounted behind the dash or kick panel depending on the vehicle — making it especially handy for shallow dash cavities. These packages fit in more vehicles, many of which had no previous stereo replacement options, as well as provide an alternative to stereo installation systems that used expensive dash kits to alter the dash layout and controls in your vehicle.

Kenwood Excelon DAX800XR Direct Replacement digital multimedia receiver

This digital rendering shows a potential mounting application for the Kenwood chassis in the kick panel of a compatible vehicle.

Direct Replacement allows you to keep the look and feel of your factory setup, while enjoying the benefits of an updated stereo. If we have a Direct Replacement package for your vehicle, you'll need several things to complete the package:

A Direct Replacement stereo, like this Kenwood.
A vehicle-specific iDatalink Maestro APX kit, which includes brackets to secure the receiver's display and chassis within your vehicle. It also includes a vehicle-specific wiring harness.
An iDatalink Maestro RR or maesto RR2 interface module: this software-based interface is "flashed" (updated on a computer) for your vehicle and new stereo. This enables the new stereo to communicate with your vehicle, so you can retain many of your factory controls (and even program some new ones). These Maestro interface modules include intuitive vehicle integration that lets you add some vehicle diagnostics (including vehicle pitch and roll) and keep factory features that you'd otherwise lose when you install a new radio.
A receiver-specific wiring harness for the stereo: Direct Replacement receivers come with no wiring. So when everything is ready to be connected, you'll just plug everything together using the T-harness connections on the package's components.

About the receiver

The Kenwood Excleon DAX8000XR digital multimedia receiver offers a high-definition touchscreen display for dazzling clarity compared to the factory radio's dull display — great for navigation apps and backup cameras. And with built-in wired and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, you'll have all your most-used phone features on the display. Looking for some alternative music sources? Take advantage of HD Radio™ and high-res audio playback, and you can add satellite radio with an optional tuner. Plus, Bluetooth makes hands-free calling and wireless music streaming easy. And since this is an Excelon model, Kenwood backs it up with a 2-year warranty.

Serious phone integration

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto put your phone's content at your fingertips. This stereo's controls behave like your phone's interface, so there's no learning curve. Plug in or wirelessly link your Android™ or iPhone®, and you'll get voice control access to your navigation, phone calls, weather, text messages, and of course all your music. Get more info at www.apple.com/ios/carplay and www.android.com/auto. And for more versatility, this receiver's split-screen mode lets you work within the phone interface and also retain control over other sources like radio stations. Android owners, you can also mirror your phone's screen wirelessly using the receiver's built-in Wi-Fi.

Kenwood Excelon DAX8000XR Direct Replacement digital multimedia receiver

ADS' software know-how works with your vehicle to show a variety of diagnostics on the Kenwood display, including your vehicle's pitch and roll using the receiver's built-in gyroscope.

A brilliant display with multi-camera capabilities

Onboard cameras are a must for safer driving, and this Kenwood gives you four video inputs for front-, side-, rear-, and backup cameras. The crisp resolution on Kenwood's CMOS-740HDLP HD backup camera complements this receiver's 720p HD display perfectly.

HD Radio, a USB-C input, and more

Kenwood includes a built-in HD Radio tuner so you can enjoy the very best audio quality in radio, plus extra programming choices on second and third channels when available. And if you're looking for radio stations that won't fade away as you head out of town, add a Sirius XM tunerr (not included) to this Kenwood to enjoy satellite radio's extensive programming wherever you may roam. This receiver is also compatible with SiriusXM with 360L, which uses the receiver's built-in WiFi to provide you even more listening options within SiriusXM's satellite and streaming channels.

Since your phone can be linked wirelessly, a rear USB-C input opens up your source options too. There's great news for audiophiles — this Excelon receiver uses upgraded audiophile components that support high-res file playback of music stored on a USB drive or portable high-res music player. And if you have a smartphone that offers Bluetooth with the LDAC codec, you can listen to high-res audio wirelessly.

Tune and expand

If you care about sound quality, you'll dig Kenwood's suite of sound-crafting tools, including a 13-band equalizer, deep crossover settings, and built-in digital time alignment. Bring back the depth and detail for all your digital music sources with this receiver's processing power. If your car speakers are located down low in the doors, this receiver offers Stage EQ, which adjusts your music's frequencies to virtually "raise" your speakers for better, more natural imaging.

The DAX8000XR also includes three pairs of 5-volt RCA preamp outputs that provide an ultra-clean signal when it's time to add amplifiers to your system. And if you're building a 2- or 3-way system, this receiver gives you that crossover flexibility. This Excelon model even includes a digital optical output, so you can connect select digital signal processors for maximum system tweaking.

Bluetooth note: Use of this receiver's Bluetooth features will depend upon your phone's Bluetooth capabilities.

Smartphone note: If you're going to use your smartphone with this receiver, be sure to check "Details" for compatibility information.

Product highlights:

General features:
Direct Replacement digital multimedia receiver
works with iDatalink Maestro APX kits for select vehicles
requires the iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 interface module
requires direct plug-in wiring harness (receiver includes no wiring for power, ground, and signal)

plays media loaded with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files (plus high-res WAV and FLAC)
8" electrostatic capacitive touchscreen HD display
HD Radio tuner built-in
Waze-ready with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
modular chassis design

Smartphone features:
wired and wireless Android Auto compatible
compatible with Google Assistant voice control when using Android Auto

wired and wireless Apple CarPlay compatible
Siri voice control for select iPhones

wireless mirroring for select Android devices
built-in Bluetooth with dual phone connection for hands-free calling and music streaming
supports smartphones with LDAC codec for wireless high-res audio streaming

rapid Android charging via USB port

Audio features:
13-band parametric EQ
digital time alignment
digital signal processing
Drive EQ boosts frequencies in your music to help overcome road noise
Stage EQ virtually raises the sound from speakers mounted in low door locations for better staging
Sound Restoration restores more natural sound from compressed music

2- or 3-way crossover

Expandability:
compatible with SiriusXM's aftermarket satellite radio tuner (sold separately, subscription required)
works with SiriusXM with 360L for satellite and streaming content using receiver's WiFi (streaming not available if Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are in use)

compatible with Kenwood CMOS-740HD HD backup camera
inputs (chassis): USB-C input, four camera inputs (HD front or rear), HDMI Type-D input
outputs: 6-channel preamp outputs (5-volt front, rear, sub), digital optical output to connect select digital signal processors

Other information:
built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
works with iDatalink Maestro RR or RR2 modules
retains factory features in a wide selection of vehicles
displays engine performance and pitch-and-roll data on display

warranty: 2 years

MFR # DAX800XR
Item # 113DAX800X

What's in the box:

8" Touchscreen monitor
Source unit
Remote control (RC-DV240)
CR2025 3V battery (pre-installed in remote)
Preout/Aux harness
Vide/Camera harness
USB-C to USB-A adapter
40" USB-C extension cable
GPS antenna (attached 11.5' cable terminated by a proprietaery connector)
Microphone w/ bracket (attached 10' cable terminated by a right-angle mono 3.5mm connector)
57" IR receiver cable
Self-adhesive pad
Two-side tape
Screw
Startup Guide
Warranty Information
JVC Support Card

KENWOOD

Kenwood Excelon DAX800XR