Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Kenwood's Direct Replacement receivers give you aftermarket sound and features, while keeping your dash intact. You'll keep all your factory controls, and you won't need a new trim kit to make the new stereo fit.
Shop Kenwood Direct Replacement stereos: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/shopsearch/kenwood_direct_replacement.html
Read our in-depth article on the system: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/learn/kenwood-direct-replacement-stereo-solutions.html
You get a sharp, HD touchscreen, improved sound quality, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But instead of a new dash kit and possibly a new control layout, your dash stays the same, with all your controls working like before. In some cars, the screen fits a factory opening, and in others, Kenwood offers a "floating" screen that protrudes slightly from the dash. In either case, the screens bolt in using vehicle-specific brackets, leaving your original trim undisturbed.
The Direct Replacement screens are separated from their chassis, making them very shallow to mount. A cable connects the screen and chassis, so you can install it somewhere other than directly behind the stereo. This will help this system fit into more vehicles over time, and in some cases, provide a path to an audio upgrade that wasn't available at all.
iDatalink Maestro partnered with Kenwood to make this happen. Their iDatalink Maestro APX bracket kits make the screens fit perfectly into the dash, while their Maestro modules keep your factory controls, including steering wheel controls, working like when they rolled off the assembly line. The chassis, screen, and iDatalink Maestro module all connect using T-harnesses, so behind the dash the Direct Replacement system is largely plug-and-play.
There are three versions of Kenwood's Direct Replacement series: two 8-inch models, DAX800XR and DAX8000S, which replaces factory screens of that size, and sits flush in the dash, and a 10.1-inch, DAX1050XR, which works as a "floating" screen and replaces smaller factory screens, while still mounting in the factory location.
It's become more difficult to swap out your car stereo as cars have gotten more complex. We like Kenwood's approach for this system.
For more info on these Direct Replacement receivers:
8-inch:
Kenwood Excelon DAX800XR: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX800X/Kenwood-Excelon-DAX800XR.html
Kenwood DAX8000S: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX800S/Kenwood-DAX8000S.html
10-inch:
Kenwood Excelon DAX1050XR: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX105X/Kenwood-Excelon-DAX1050XR.html
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 The modern car stereo dilemma
0:51 Separated screen and chassis
1:19 iDatalink Maestro APX bracket kits
1:46 Why replace my factory stereo?
2:16 Two screen sizes
2:45 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
3:10 Four camera inputs
3:21 Audio upgrades
4:19 Not plug-and-play, but close
4:49 Recap
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
Kenwood's Direct Replacement receivers give you aftermarket sound and features, while keeping your dash intact. You'll keep all your factory controls, and you won't need a new trim kit to make the new stereo fit.
Shop Kenwood Direct Replacement stereos: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/shopsearch/kenwood_direct_replacement.html
Read our in-depth article on the system: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/learn/kenwood-direct-replacement-stereo-solutions.html
You get a sharp, HD touchscreen, improved sound quality, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But instead of a new dash kit and possibly a new control layout, your dash stays the same, with all your controls working like before. In some cars, the screen fits a factory opening, and in others, Kenwood offers a "floating" screen that protrudes slightly from the dash. In either case, the screens bolt in using vehicle-specific brackets, leaving your original trim undisturbed.
The Direct Replacement screens are separated from their chassis, making them very shallow to mount. A cable connects the screen and chassis, so you can install it somewhere other than directly behind the stereo. This will help this system fit into more vehicles over time, and in some cases, provide a path to an audio upgrade that wasn't available at all.
iDatalink Maestro partnered with Kenwood to make this happen. Their iDatalink Maestro APX bracket kits make the screens fit perfectly into the dash, while their Maestro modules keep your factory controls, including steering wheel controls, working like when they rolled off the assembly line. The chassis, screen, and iDatalink Maestro module all connect using T-harnesses, so behind the dash the Direct Replacement system is largely plug-and-play.
There are three versions of Kenwood's Direct Replacement series: two 8-inch models, DAX800XR and DAX8000S, which replaces factory screens of that size, and sits flush in the dash, and a 10.1-inch, DAX1050XR, which works as a "floating" screen and replaces smaller factory screens, while still mounting in the factory location.
It's become more difficult to swap out your car stereo as cars have gotten more complex. We like Kenwood's approach for this system.
For more info on these Direct Replacement receivers:
8-inch:
Kenwood Excelon DAX800XR: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX800X/Kenwood-Excelon-DAX800XR.html
Kenwood DAX8000S: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX800S/Kenwood-DAX8000S.html
10-inch:
Kenwood Excelon DAX1050XR: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc34I/p_113DAX105X/Kenwood-Excelon-DAX1050XR.html
VIDEO CHAPTERS:
0:00 The modern car stereo dilemma
0:51 Separated screen and chassis
1:19 iDatalink Maestro APX bracket kits
1:46 Why replace my factory stereo?
2:16 Two screen sizes
2:45 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
3:10 Four camera inputs
3:21 Audio upgrades
4:19 Not plug-and-play, but close
4:49 Recap
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
