Kenwood KDC BT958HD Manual

The Kenwood KDC BT958HD is a high-performance car stereo receiver featuring Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, CD playback, AM/FM radio with 18FM/6AM presets, built-in amplifier (50W x 4 max), dual phone pairing, hands-free calling, audio streaming, EQ controls, and compatibility with various audio formats. Below are key sections for features, installation, operation, settings, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. Basic Operation 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Bluetooth Connectivity 7. USB and Media Playback 8. Audio Settings 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Main unit, Remote Control, Wiring harness, USB cable, Bluetooth antenna, Installation accessories.

Feature	Description
Bluetooth	Wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling
USB Input	For connecting USB devices and charging
CD Playback	Supports CD-DA, MP3, WMA formats
AM/FM Tuner	18 FM and 6 AM station presets
Power Output	50W x 4 maximum power
EQ Controls	Bass, Mid, Treble adjustments
Dual Phone Pairing	Connect and switch between two phones
Remote Control	Full function wireless remote included
Display	Multi-color LCD with customizable illumination
Audio Input	3.5mm auxiliary input

Installation

Professional installation recommended. Disconnect negative battery terminal before beginning.

Mounting: Remove existing stereo; secure KDC BT958HD using DIN sleeve and mounting kit.
Wiring: Connect wiring harness following color codes (red-ignition, yellow-battery, black-ground).
Antennas: Connect car antenna and Bluetooth antenna.
Speakers: Connect speaker wires ensuring proper polarity.
Testing: Reconnect battery; test all functions before final assembly.

WARNING! Disconnect battery before installation to prevent electrical shorts. Ensure all connections are secure.

Basic Operation

Power on unit; familiarize with basic controls.

Source Selection: Press SOURCE to cycle through modes (Radio, CD, USB, BT, Aux).
Volume Control: Turn VOL knob or use remote volume buttons.
Playback: Use PLAY/PAUSE, TRACK UP/DOWN for media control.
Mode Buttons: RADIO, CD, USB for quick source selection.
Display: Press DISP to change display information.

CAUTION! Do not operate while driving. Set all controls before driving.

Specifications

Power Output: 50W x 4 (Max), 22W x 4 (RMS)
Tuner: FM/AM with 18FM/6AM presets
CD Compatibility: CD-DA, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA
USB: Supports USB devices up to 32GB
Bluetooth: Version 3.0, A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 20kHz
Signal-to-Noise: 95dB (CD)
Operating Voltage: 14.4V DC (11-16V range)
Dimensions: DIN size (178mm x 50mm)

Controls and Settings

Front Panel: POWER/VOL knob, SOURCE, EJECT, Function buttons. Remote: Full function controls.

Main Controls: POWER/VOL, SOURCE, EJECT, BAND, DISP, MENU, AUDIO.

Audio Settings: Bass (-10 to +10), Mid (-10 to +10), Treble (-10 to +10), Loudness (On/Off). System Settings: Display color, Dimmer, Beep, Bluetooth settings, Clock. Radio: Auto store, Local/DX, Preset memory. CD/USB: Repeat, Random, Scan modes.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Pair phones for hands-free calling and audio streaming.

Enable Bluetooth on phone.
Press SOURCE to select BT mode.
Search for "KDC-BT958HD" on phone.
Enter pairing code "0000" if prompted.
Confirm pairing on both devices.
For second phone: Repeat process in BT settings menu.

Tip: Keep phone within 3 feet during initial pairing. Delete old pairings if connection issues occur.

USB and Media Playback

Supports USB drives with MP3, WMA files.

Connect USB device to front USB port.
Press SOURCE to select USB mode.
Navigation: Use folder up/down, track buttons.
Play Modes: Repeat (Track/Folder/All), Random play.
File Support: MP3 (32-320kbps), WMA (32-192kbps).
Charging: USB port provides 5V/1A charging.

WARNING! Do not remove USB device during playback. Format USB as FAT32 for compatibility.

Audio Settings

Access audio menu for sound customization.

Bass/Mid/Treble: Adjust frequency levels (-10 to +10)
Loudness: Enhances low frequencies at low volumes
Balance/Fader: Adjust speaker output distribution
Subwoofer: Control for external subwoofer systems
EQ Presets: Flat, Powerful, Vocal, Custom

Note: Settings are saved automatically when exiting menu.

Care & Maintenance

Clean with soft, dry cloth only. Avoid chemicals and moisture.

CAUTION! Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners. Keep CDs and USB ports free of dust and debris.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device compliant. Bluetooth qualified device. Copyright © Kenwood Corporation. For support, visit www.kenwood.com or contact authorized service centers. This device complies with part 15 of FCC Rules.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power	Wiring/connections	Check battery and ignition connections; verify fuse
Bluetooth not connecting	Pairing/distance	Delete old pairings; ensure within range; restart devices
USB not recognized	Format/capacity	Reformat as FAT32; use compatible USB drive (max 32GB)
Poor radio reception	Antenna connection	Ensure antenna fully connected; check antenna condition
CD skipping	Disc/dirty lens	Clean disc; use CD lens cleaner; avoid burned discs
No sound from speakers	Wiring/settings	Check speaker connections; verify balance/fader settings

Reset: Hold SOURCE while turning power on to reset unit.

Service: Contact authorized Kenwood service center for repairs.