Kenwood DMX8520DABS
Digital Media Receiver with 7.0″ WVGA Display
Apple CarPlay is a safer way to use your iPhone in the car. Simply talk to Siri or touch the receiver’s display to get directions from Apple Maps, make phone calls, listen to voicemail, send and receive texts, and listen to music – all in a way that keeps you focused on the road. With iOS 12.0 and higher, third-party navigation apps like Google Maps™ and Waze™ are also supported. The Kenwood DMX8520DABS now supports Apple CarPlay wirelessly, so your phone stays in your pocket while everything runs through the 7″ display (compatible phone required).
For Australian drivers comparing Kenwood car stereo options, wireless CarPlay support is a genuine differentiator. Most budget head units still require a cable – this unit removes that entirely. The team at Xtreme Car Audio in Blacktown can advise on phone compatibility and handle the full installation, so you’re up and running the same day.
Android Auto is a simpler way to use your Android phone in the car. Connect via USB and your phone’s interface takes over the screen – full access to Google Maps, Waze, your music library, and messaging apps without taking your eyes off the road.
Wireless Mirroring is a ground-breaking feature that lets you display and control your Android smartphone’s apps directly on the KENWOOD receiver screen – no cables and no network connection required on selected Android devices.
Unlike Android Auto, which limits you to a curated app list, Wireless Mirroring puts your full Android home screen on the 7″ display. It’s a practical advantage for drivers who rely on apps outside the standard Android Auto library. Combined with this unit’s Kenwood car audio Bluetooth capability, you get a genuinely cable-free cockpit that’s both smarter and tidier than most aftermarket setups.
True Mirroring lets you display and control your smartphone directly on the KENWOOD receiver screen via USB. Enjoy your favourite apps on a large 7″ display with impressive sound quality. To get started, install the free “Mirroring for KENWOOD” app on your phone, then connect via both the Kenwood car stereo Bluetooth and a USB cable.
Two-way touch control for Android is where this feature really stands out – you’re not just viewing your phone’s screen, you’re controlling it from the head unit itself. For iPhone users, True Mirroring via USB opens up apps beyond what CarPlay allows. It’s a versatile feature that adds long-term value to the unit well beyond its purchase price, and one of the reasons the DMX8520DABS remains a popular choice at Xtreme Car Audio in Blacktown.
While connected through Bluetooth, you can switch between two phones with a single tap. Whether you carry a personal and work phone or share the car with a partner, the Kenwood car audio Bluetooth system in the DMX8520DABS keeps both devices connected and ready.
This is a small detail that makes a real difference for drivers who spend long hours on the road. No fumbling with settings when a second call comes in – the receiver handles it at the display level. It’s the kind of practical, well-thought-out feature that separates a quality Kenwood car radio Bluetooth unit from cheaper alternatives, and it’s one less thing to think about behind the wheel.
