Kenwood KAC-929

Price & Contact: $350; 310-639-9000, www.kenwoodusa.com
All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified
Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0 dB, –.4 dB
L/R channel error max deviation, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: 0.3 dB
Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +23.8 degrees, –33.5 degrees
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, "A" weighted): –101.6 dB
Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.02% THD+N @ 460 watts
Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 4 ohms: 155 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 127 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 81 watts x 2@ 10.5 volts
Output Power(resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms: 214 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 176 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 111 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts
Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 545 watts
Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz): –56.9 dB
Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 0hms: 62
Voltage for Rated Output: 200mV to 4.4 volts
Idle Current Draw: 1.6 amps
Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 29 amps @ 160.3 watts
Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 39%
Power-Up Noise: 20 dB SPL
Power-Down Noise: 28 dB SPL

		Kenwood KAC-929 www.kenwoodusa.com
		Kenwood releases a powerhouse of an amp with a sensible heatsink design.		Kenwood KAC-929 Specs Price & Contact: $350; 310-639-9000, www.kenwoodusa.com All measurements @ 14 volts unless otherwise specified Frequency Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +0 dB, –.4 dB L/R channel error max deviation, 20 Hz to 20 kHz: 0.3 dB Phase Response (4-ohm IHF Load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 kHz Ref.): +23.8 degrees, –33.5 degrees Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Below Rated Output, "A" weighted): –101.6 dB Distortion at Rated Output @ 1 kHz: 0.02% THD+N @ 460 watts Output Power (resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 4 ohms: 155 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 127 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 81 watts x 2@ 10.5 volts Output Power(resistive) minimum output 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ 1% THD+N, all channels driven into 2 ohms: 214 watts x 2 @ 14 volts, 176 watts x 2 @ 12.8 volts, 111 watts x 2 @ 10.5 volts Output Power (4-ohm IHF Reactive Load @ 60 Hz to 1% THD+N): 545 watts Crosstalk (Referenced to Rated Output, 20 Hz to 20 kHz): –56.9 dB Damping Factor @ 100 Hz, 2 0hms: 62 Voltage for Rated Output: 200mV to 4.4 volts Idle Current Draw: 1.6 amps Current Draw @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 29 amps @ 160.3 watts Efficiency @ 1/3 Maximum Power: 39% Power-Up Noise: 20 dB SPL Power-Down Noise: 28 dB SPL
		by Brian Smith

		The KAC-929 is a two-channel amp with power ratings of 150 watts x 2 or 460 watts x 1 into 4 ohms and 230 watts x2 into 2 ohms. Features include a variable low pass filter, switchable bass boost, an expander, speaker level inputs, and fan-forced cooling. Performance The KAC-929 performed quite well on the test bench. While it didn’t post any surprisingly large power figures, it did meet or exceed all of its real power ratings with a minimum of fuss. The amp ran through our entire line-up of tests without a hitch, which generally indicates a stable, sensible design. Efficiency at 1/3 power measured an impressive 39 percent and overall, there’s a lot to like about the performance of this amp. The thing that I don’t like about the KAC-929 is the 1000-watt max power spec that’s emblazoned on the amps heat sink. Maybe the guys that do power ratings for head units also came up with this one. Attempting to keep an open mind, we performed one of those "dynamic" tests that we don’t put an awful lot of stock in. With a 14.4-volt supply, in a bridged configuration, we managed to squeeze out almost 64 volts at 1%THD. 64 volts into 4 ohms would be just over a kilowatt. However, in regard to real wattage, you’re a lot more likely to find this amp drawing 1000 watts than outputting 1000 watts. CONNECTIONS & ADJUSTMENTS Connections to the input side of the KAC-929 include RCA inputs and speaker level inputs, which include a wiring harness. At the other end, the amp provides gold-plated spade receptacles for all power and speaker connections. Power connections are 1/2-inch with speaker and remote turn-on connectors measuring 5/16-inch. All adjustments are located on the input end of the amp and include input sensitivity, bass boost (0, +6, +12 dB), expander on/off, stereo/mono switch, low pass filter on/off, and variable cutoff frequency adjustment. INSTALLATION The KAC-929 offers a fair amount of installation flexibility. The low pass crossover is variable over a sensible range from about 60 Hz to 150 Hz, speaker level inputs are a welcome option, and the amp’s overall layout makes sense. However, the bass boost and expander are of somewhat questionable use. The likelihood of needing either 6 or 12 dB of boost at 80 Hz seems a bit remote, and the expander doesn’t seem to have much of a noticeable effect. After listening to it through several speakers and even a pair of headphones, I’d call its effect subtle at best. The big news here (to me anyway) is that the amp has a sensible heat sink design and that the internal fan actually blows the right way. Many of us learned long ago that heat rises, but it seems that most of the guys that design amps for car audio missed that class. This is the first mobile amp that I’ve tested in which the fan actually draws air up through the amp rather than forcing it down from the top. Now that’s a feature, a cooling system that doesn’t fight the laws of physics.