Sony and Kenwood are two renowned and well-respected brands in the audio industry that produce high-quality speakers, headphones, soundbars, subwoofers, and amplifiers.
In this article, we will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at the sound quality, durability, price, and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points. However, we will compare them as closely as we can.
Sony products often offer a wide range of features and good sound quality, while Kenwood products are known for their excellent sound quality and wide range of products.
Sony and Kenwood Comparison Table
| Criteria | Sony | Kenwood |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | Global brand known for a wide range of consumer electronics, including audio and video products. | Respected for audio and communication equipment, including car audio systems and home audio products. |
| Sound Quality | Produces audio products with diverse sound signatures, catering to different preferences. | Offers audio solutions with a focus on clarity and precision, especially in car audio systems. |
| Build Quality/Design | Offers a variety of designs, from stylish to ergonomic, with attention to build quality and durability. | Known for durable construction, especially in car audio systems, and user-friendly designs. |
| Product Range | Provides a broad range of audio and video products, including headphones, cameras, and home entertainment systems. | Specializes in car audio systems, communication equipment, and home audio products. |
| Pricing | Offers products across various price points, from budget-friendly to high-end premium options. | Varied pricing, providing options for different budgets, especially in the car audio and communication technology segments. |
| Features | Known for incorporating advanced technologies, such as high-resolution displays and advanced camera features. | Emphasizes advanced features in car audio systems, including connectivity and integration with other devices. |
Before we continue, you can check out similar comparisons in the series:
Pros and Cons of Kenwood:
- Pros: Known for producing a wide range of audio and video products, including speakers, headphones, and home theater systems. Many of their products are well-regarded for their sound quality and value for money.
- Cons: Some users have reported issues with the functioning of some Kenwood systems. Often, Kenwood stereos require a reset to regain proper functioning.
Pros and Cons of Sony:
- Pros: Known for producing a wide range of audio and video products, including speakers, headphones, and home theater systems. Many of their products are well-regarded for their sound quality and value for money.
- Cons: Sony products tend to be expensive and many would describe them as overpriced.
Quick History
Sony Quick History
Sony Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of consumer electronics products incorporated in 1946 by Ibuka Masaru and Morita Akio as Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation.
Before this, Ibuka had used his Japanese Precision Instruments Company to supply electronic devices during World War II. He met Morita while they worked for the Imperial Japanese Army as engineers designing heat-seeking missiles during World War II.
In 1952, Ibuka made efforts to license the transistor from Bell Laboratories in the US before Morita signed a deal with Western Electric there the following year. The agreement led to the production of the Totsuko’s transistor radios, the Sony’s TR-63, in 1955. In 1958, Sony became the official company name.
The name was derived from the Latin word Sonus which stands for “sound.” Its pocket radios were the company’s most significant success and led to its international brand recognition.
In 1960, Sony Corporation of America was created with headquarters in New York City. Sony then introduced the MD-5, the first all-transistor desktop calculator, in 1964 during the New York World’s Fair, followed by the historic shipping of its first Trinitron color television in 1968.
Sony currently focuses on research and development (R&D), planning, designing, manufacturing, and marketing of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets.
Kenwood Quick History
Kenwood is an audio company that was established in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, in 1946 as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. Kasuga invented the name Kenwood as a combination of “Ken” from Kenmore appliances and “Wood,” which stood for durability and also suggested a relation to Hollywood, California.
Kenwood became more popular than Trio. Trio then bought it in 1986 and renamed itself Kenwood. Kenwood produces speakers (including car stereos), amplifiers, and subwoofers.
Sound Quality
Sony Sound Quality
Sony products generally sound good. Compared to other competitors, Sony is a premium brand that takes a lot of time to research and develop its sound systems, making it one of the best-sounding audio products.
The soundbars are feature loaded, have great surround sound performance, and most of them support Dolby Atmos content. Sony is at the forefront of technology innovation, its sound-loving engineers work tirelessly to maintain the standard of its high-quality Hi-Fi speakers.
Kenwood Sound Quality
Kenwood is very consistent in producing fairly average to good-quality sound regardless of the model. The vintage Kenwood speaker surrounds were built with urethane for optimal cone movement during sound production.
In general, their speakers are average in terms of sound. This is because many of them lack strong bass. However, the mids and highs tend to be ok.
Kenwood car stereos are particularly good and are some of the best and most popular on the market. This is because Kenwood stereos offer impressive sound quality, making them ideal for car audio systems.
The new Kenwood ODELIC SP0001 Glass speakers defy the old belief of wood-only speakers. The speakers themselves are made from an aluminum die-cast body to reduce unnecessary vibrations.
Features
Sony Features
Sony is known to manufacture high-quality products. Some of the key features of Sony speakers include:
- Bluetooth speakers with prolonged battery life
- Compact designs that make them easily fit in every home or office space
- High-quality sound
Key features of Sony TVs include:
- Good picture quality
- New frame tweeter technology with sound-from-picture reality
- Two-position stand
- New Ambient Optimization
- Hands-free capabilities such as remote control systems for easy management of TV programs
- Easy connectivity
- Compatibility with 4K 120fps
Kenwood Features
The key features of Kenwood products include:
- High power handling
- Wide range of frequency response
- Wide range of signal-to-noise ratio ratings
- Compatibility with a wide range of systems
Build Quality
Sony Build Quality
Sony was initially known for good-quality products. In fact, Sony originally maintained a high market price to compensate for the high build quality despite many customers saying they charged so high.
Most people say that Sony manufactures premium audio products with fantastic sound quality and build.
No company can handle a wide array of products like Sony while maintaining high quality. Sony leads in manufacturing cameras, audio, and mobile phones, among many other products. Besides, they offer a fantastic after-sales service.
However, some people note that the build quality they get from Sony is generally bad. This is mainly from customers who buy Sony cameras who say they have had a problem or two with their Sony cameras, and even after Sony fixed them, the situation became worse.
Therefore, whether Sony products are of good build or not remains an opinion whose outcome mainly depends on the type of product and the experience of individual users.
Kenwood Build Quality
Kenwood pioneered the use of urethane in speaker surrounds for greater cone vibrations. They are built with a high-quality one-piece steel basket for added durability. Besides, the woofers are built with mica-injected fiber textured polypropylene to ensure the sound is great and the speakers are durable.
Kenwood now offers Excelon (stylized as EXcelon), its proprietary speaker technology offering better sound quality based on sound range, quality parts and superior workmanship. Kenwood’s Excelon line is their best. The front plates are typically made in brushed aluminum with aluminum knobs and switches and glass covers.
As an example, the new ODELIC SP0001 Glass Speakers look fantastic besides being strong. The aluminum die-cast bodies of the speakers themselves resist vibrations and ensure longevity.
For customers who opt for cheaper speakers, Kenwood also has a speaker line built with cloth edge and polypropylene mica composite cones. While these speakers may look decent, their quality is low and may not last long.
Ease of Use
Sony Ease Of Use
Some Sony products are not easy to use. For instance, getting Sony KDL-32EX650 to work is not very easy. Besides, setting up a wireless network takes a long time.
Also, setting up the Bravia KDL-40WD650 (Bravia is a Sony brand) is more complicated despite Sony 43XG7005 being the most intuitive and easy-to-use Sony TV with a quick and responsive menu.
The speakers are however easy to use with the Bluetooth ones easily connecting to your devices to provide on-the-go entertainment.
Kenwood Ease of Use
Kenwood stereos are not easy to connect to iOS and Android devices. The stereos come with one to three inputs for cameras, while the very high-end ones include an integrated and advanced navigation system that may not be very easy to use for an average individual.
On the other hand, Kenwood speakers are simple and easy to install.
Cost
Sony Cost
The cost of some Sony products are listed below:
- Speakers: $40 – $4000
- Receivers: $20 – $1000
- Amplifier: $30 – $500
Kenwood Cost
Here are some price ranges for different Kenwood products:
- Speakers: $20 – $100
- Amplifiers: $50 – $5000
- Subwoofer: $20 – $1500
Space Requirements
Sony Space Requirements
Every person wants to maximize their small spaces. This is why every audio manufacturer puts more effort into researching to use of versatile drivers that can deliver high efficiency while reducing the volume of materials used.
Sony products are generally constructed with a compact design and build. They take smaller spaces than other products and will perfectly fit into your small spaces whether you buy a smart TV or home theater system.
Kenwood Space Requirements
Kenwood car speakers are compact and easily fit in tiny spaces. For instance, the tweeter heights of the New PS Series are designed as low as possible, and the speaker units decently fit within the spaces for factory speakers.
Kenwood’s higher-end amplifiers are quite good, yet they are small considering the massive output that they can push.
Remote Controls
Sony Remote Controls
Some people report that remotes for Sony KD-55XD8005 TVs, KD49X8309C, KD49XD8077 and KD-55X8508C, among other brands, have occasional problems. The issues are mainly that the remote controls become unresponsive occasionally and have to be troubleshot to continue working.
Sony remote controls are, however, generally excellent and responsive. However, where the remotes show problems, Sony offers quick customer support to ensure you continue using your remote control perfectly to enjoy your TV programs.
Kenwood Remote Control
Kenwood products come with remote controls for hands-free control. Besides, you can also install the Kenwood remote application to enhance your experience with the Kenwood car stereo, for instance.
The Kenwood Remote app helps you connect and control compatible Kenwood car receivers via Bluetooth, just like a wireless remote control. The app can also display the source information of Kenwood car receivers on your smartphone’s screen, making it easier to make audio settings using the graphic interface.
Connectivity Options
Sony Connectivity Options
When it comes to connectivity options, Sony is one of the most evolving brands in the market today. For instance, Sony Bravia (Bravia is a Sony brand) comes with a wide range of connectivity options, from USB to wireless connectivity channels.
Some of the connectivity options supported by different Sony products include:
-
- RCA for older products
- USB ports
- HDMI ports for digital connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Composite video inputs
- Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity
Kenwood Connectivity Options
Kenwood supports a wide range of connectivity options, including:
- Bluetooth
- RCA
- Optical
- Headphone
- HDMI
Power Range
Sony Power Range
Like many audio products in the market, Sony products work perfectly well with the conventional power range of 110 V – 240 V.
They have a shallow standby power consumption, and the TVs are built with a power-saving mode backlight on and off control to help minimize power consumption.
Kenwood Power Range
- Speakers: S Series up to 500W, X Series up to 180W, HQR Series up to 700W, M Series up to 1000W, and SPL Series up to 120W
- Amplifiers: X Series up to 800W, HQR Series up to 1200W, PS Series up to 500W output power
- Subwoofers: X Series up to 1000W
Frequency Response
Sony Frequency Response
Most Sony audio products deliver within the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This frequency range effectively supports a good delivery of audio outputs for both the Sony speakers, subwoofers, and even the Sony TVs.
Kenwood Frequency Response
The frequency range of Kenwood component tweeters is 5 kHz – 25 kHz, while that of midrange speakers is 800 Hz – 23000 Hz.
Conclusion
Sony is good for playing jazz sound. The brand is versatile with numerous connectivity options and good build quality. Besides, there are products for all price ranges. Kenwood focuses on excellent workmanship and quality parts and is one of the most widely known car audio speaker brands. It also manufactures home stereo units, two-way radio systems, and amateur radio equipment.