Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio JVC Stereo

I went out today to look at car stereos, I was looking at Kenwoods (KDC-222, and KDC-2022) and then I saw the JVC KD-LX111, and the KD-LX333. These are the stereos with the El Kameleon faces, you know the ones with the knob that retracts and the controls that flip over. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with one of these. I'm just not sure if it would hold up, and the front looks too glossy. Anyone who wants to boost my stereo will take one look at that shiny face and know what it is. I'm just thinking the much cheaper Kenwood would be more durable, and more resistant to theft.
Also wanted to know if anyone that has ordered a stereo for their Contour from Crutchfield, were the directions good, and was the stereo easy to install (Snap in sleeve, plug in the harness that is wired to the stereo harness into the factory harness, and push the reciever into the sleeve) This is what they said, and it sounds easy, but is it really that simple, I know you need to crimp the reciever harness and their harness together, but they make it seem too easy, and I just want to make sure that it is that easy before I start anything.

Any thoughts?

It must be easy because I managed to do it without screwing anything up. I thought the same thing about the El Kameleon faces so I did not get one.

Crutchfield - if you plan to buy at least $200 from them ask somebody on here for a referral code so you and they can save $20 each. They tend to be a little more expensive than other places on the net but I have heard good things about their customer service and if you have the premium sound they are the only place I know of for sure that will be able to get you the right bypass harness(make sure you call them about it if you have it).

When I was looking I ended up with a pioneer stereo because that was what I liked best of what I saw(I wanted something fairly plain loooking).

Thanks, the Kenwood I'm looking at is pretty plain looking Click Here

I thought that the JVC looked cool on the net, but when I saw it in person I just knew that any stereo boost would have fun with that.
I went to a local chain store, kinda like best buy. The people there work on commission. The guy was so pushy, he would not leave me alone. Their prices were between 20 and 50 dollars higher than crutchfield's. The guy also didn't know their installation policy as well as I did. I don't have premium sound, and he told me I would need a special adapter to bypass the amp and installation would cost an extra 68 dollars.
He gave me his card, and as soon as I left I tore it up and threw it away. I told the person I was with that I thought the guy was very pushy, and that I had no intention of buying anything there now. I just wanted to look and the guy was trying to sell me something that cost 10% of the price of my car. He would not even show me a Kenwood model, all he wanted to do was sell me the JVC when I didn't even want it. Next time I need anything electronic, I'm going to Circuit City. Their sales staff is no longer on commission, and they were never as pushy anyway. I was so pissed that I didn't get to see what I wanted because the salesman wanted a larger commission. I should report the guy to his manager. I know they need to make money, but is it better for him to make a little less money on the Kenwood I wanted, or to make nothing because I got it for less without harassment online? BTW, when I said 10% he wanted to sell me speakers, a reciever, and subs. I just wanted a CD player to replace my cassette. I think I will report him. In fact I will go to the store on a day that he is off and talk to the manager about his pushiness. I have bought things there from other salesman before and they werw half pushy as this guy. He really should not be working retail.

I had a JVC Kameleon, and I thought it was well made and sounded pretty good to me,,,worked well with the remote,,kinda fun to see the knob rotate when you use the remote for volume...The display was pretty good also,,

I dont like the red on the buttons of that kenwood how about something like this? I think the green and blue goes better with the car but that might just be me I dont know.

As a victim of Kameleon theft, I say walk.. detatchable face is still the best theft deterant, although it's not much.
Buy an alarm, keep the car close, and pray for good luck...if they want what you got, they will get it...Just try to not get killed in the process.
Personally, I would go with Nakachimi if you budget affords it
They can be had cheap on ebay and ubid.com at times...keep an eye out.
Blank+ black +shiny=gold
that is the most important equation you will ever hear.

I saw the title of this post as JVC Stereo, so of course I had to reply and extole the virtues of owning one.

The JVC ElKameleon actually has less moving parts than the Kenwood MASK models, if that was the concern. As for the glossy finish of the front panel visible when the unit is off, well most all Kenwoods are pretty shiny too.

I must agree though that havng a detachable face unit (and removing said detachable face) is a better theft deterrent than simply trying to have the unit hide itself in the dash. However, if you are never going to take the face off, a unit that hides itself is better than one that sits there and screams "Here I am!"

For overall Audio performance though, I would definitely highly recommend JVC. I use JVC in my system and I always have. My accomplishments speak for themselves.

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As a victim of Kameleon theft, I say walk.. detatchable face is still the best theft deterant, although it's not much.
Buy an alarm, keep the car close, and pray for good luck...if they want what you got, they will get it...Just try to not get killed in the process.

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I second this Mine was gone about a year after buying it... just gotta love insurance and a $25 comp. deductible... and the sad thing is it was in public, under a street light with 3 cars around it