JVC KD-A925BT Head Unit Review

    Although JVC is a well known brand name, I had not heard anything about their car audio products. I have to admit, at first I was a little skeptical of buying a JVC stereo. I had done a lot of research on what I wanted in a single din head unit, and this was about the only one that was readily available and had all of the features I was looking for. My list of features included a Single Din format that had a CD player with AM/FM/HD Radio capabilities, Ipod/Iphone apps, and bluetooth connectivity abilities, subwoofer outputs and under $250.00.

JVC Arsenal KD-A925BT with remote

 with remote

 The JVC Arsenal KD-A925BT is a single din flip-down/detachable face, dual USB (one in front, and one in the rear) CD Player that has AM/FM radio, also is HD Radio/Sirius/XM Radio Ready. This head unit is equipped with bluetooth technology that has the ability to play music over your car speakers wirelessly as well as hands free operation while talking on the phone. This head unit also plays music via your phone using the Pandora app. It also features 3 pairs of Preamp RCA Outputs. These are just some of the key features of this head unit, but is it as great as it sounds?

With 20 watts RMS going to 4 speakers and 50 watts peak, this stereo sounds really nice. I purchased this unit to put in my 2010 Jeep Commander, and although the speakers are still stock, the head unit made my system sound a thousand times better!

   There are 18 FM and 6 AM presets that are controlled by the up and down buttons, so you'll easily be able to navigate between stations. You can press the over buttons to change the stations also. With the XM or Sirius Radio package (sold separately which also requires a subscription), HD Radio package (Sold separately and does not require a subscription), in CD mode, Ipod Mode, you will get song titles, artists, and other text to display on the face of the unit.

   Navigating the Ipod or other mass storage device via the head unit is much more simpler than the head units I've dealt with in the past with a simple alphabetical selection list by pressing the up or down buttons while in the ipod artist menu.

JVD Dongle- Required for Bluetooth Function but included with the KD-A925BT

The bluetooth function of the head unit is great. Using an Iphone 4, I can press and hold the phone button and it will prompt my phone to go in to voice command. Although I don't have the original JVC microphone, talking on the phone is easy while driving and staying safe. Another GREAT feature about the bluetooth function is when you're getting ready to leave your car and you are on the phone, one simple push of the volume control knob and you are switching between the  bluetooth and your phone! To hang up, simply press and hold either the phone button or the volume control knob. This unit also allows for up to two devices such as a phone and an ipod touch or two phones to be connected wirelessly at the same time! The only drawback about the bluetooth setup with this unit is that it requires you to use one of the USB ports to attach the JVC Dongle (a small almost jump drive like device which is required to be used for the bluetooth) to the unit.  As a side note and contrary to what the salesman at Sound Warehouse told me, you cannot use a USB hub to connect both the bluetooth and ipod to the rear USB connection. The bluetooth will still work, however the Ipod will not be recognized.

JVC KT-HD300 HD Radio Accessory 

With this unit customization features set this apart from most other units in the $250 and below price point. You have the option of customizing the screen and buttons with over 30,000 color variations as well as choosing colors for day and night.The display changes color when you are in a menu although you cannot customize that. The head unit buttons and display will change colors when receiving a call while you can choose to hear your ring tones over the radio or one of 3 that are loaded on the head unit.
The sound preferences with the equalizer function are very similar to Pioneer receivers in which you have the ability to change to 5 preset and 4 customizable EQ preferences.


   Purchased separately, you have the option of adding the Sirius Radio package (currently for $110.00 at Sonic Electronics), XM Radio package (Currently selling for $115.00 at Sonic Electronics), or HD Radio (Part number:  JVC KT-HD300). The Sirius Radio Package and XM Radio Package require purchasing two units; one unit being the jvc unit that allows for the Sirius (Part number: JVC KSS-RA100) or XM  Radio (Part number: Audiovox CNPJVC1) to be connected to your JVC head unit, and the other is the Sirius (Part number: Sirius SC-C1) or XM unit (Part number: Audiovox CNP2000UCA). 

Sirius SC-C1 and JVC KSS-RA100

The Sirius and XM radios do require a monthly subscription starting at around $13 a month while the HD Radio is free. I would advise you to check out the HD Radio website for stations available in your area before purchasing the unit as there is only a few HD Channels in my area which makes me hesitate to shell out an extra $100.00.

Audiovox CNPJVC1 and Audiovox CNP2000UCA

   Currently, the HD Radio accessory is also quite hard to find with all of the major car audio websites such as Crutchfield, Sonic Electronics, and Techronics stating they're out of stock or the item has been discontinued.

   While it does have some flaws, the JVC Arsenal KD-A925BT head unit is currently, in my opinion, the best head unit under $250.00 and worth every penny.