Kenwood (ケンウッド) is a Japanese brand for consumer electronics. Since October 2011, Kenwood has been owned by JVCKenwood as a result of a merger between Kenwood Corporation and JVC. Kenwood manufactures audio equipment such as AM/FM stereo receivers, cassette tape decks/recorders, amateur radio (ham) equipment, radios, cellular phones, speakers, and other consumer electronics.

History

The company was established in 1946 as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In 1960, the company was renamed to Trio Corporation. In 1963, the first overseas office was founded in Los Angeles County, California, USA. In the early 1960s, Trio's products were rebranded by the Lafayette Radio Company, with a focus on citizens' band radio. A&A Trading Co. imported Japanese-made electronics for RadioShack. William "Bill" Kasuga, a bilingual Japanese-speaking manager from A&A, partnered with George Aratani and Yoichi Nakase to establish a company as the exclusive importer of Trio products. The name Kenwood was invented by Kasuga as a combination of "Ken" (a name common to Japan and North America that was considered acceptable to American consumers due to Kenmore appliances), and "Wood" (referring to the durable substance, as well as suggesting a relation to Hollywood, California). The brand recognition of Kenwood eventually surpassed that of Trio. In 1986, Trio bought Kenwood and renamed itself Kenwood. George Aratani was the first chairman of Kenwood USA Corporation, and was later succeeded by Kasuga. In October 2008, Kenwood merged with JVC to form a new holding company, JVCKenwood. Kenwood introduced its Sovereign line of components in 2001. In 2007, Kenwood discontinued its line of consumer audio receivers, home theater systems and other home electronics. Today, Kenwood products include home audio, car audio aftermarket and OEM, in car entertainment, amateur radio, professional two-way radio and DECT wireless intercom sectors.

Products

Speakers

Kenwood offers speakers at different grades, ranging from stage sound to hi-fidelity.

X series

Amateur radio transceivers

Kenwood has offered lines of HF, VHF/UHF, and portable amateur radio models, including some with built-in digital data modes (Automatic Packet Reporting System, built on AX.25 packet radio) and modems needed to send and receive these protocols.

KA Series hi-fi systems

Kenwood's series of "Integrated Amplifier" stereo power amplifiers, launched in 1977 and produced through the mid-1980s. The design for most of these products feature a true dual-mono path for stereo output (no electrical components are shared between left- and right-channel amplification). Front plates were typically made in brushed aluminum with aluminum knobs and switches, glass covers, and in some cases analog VU meters. Amplifiers in this series included (in no particular order):

NV Series hi-fi systems

These were a series of mini hi-fi systems launched in 2000, featuring a new design aesthetic. The NV-301 and NV-701 both shared a three-layered half-mirrored design. The NV-301 was the basic model with two speakers and a line input (marked for MiniDisc and DVD players) while the NV-701 was a 5.1 Dolby surround sound model with A/V inputs. Both featured a three-disc carousel, cassette player with Dolby B noise reduction, natural display, intelligent features and the ability to save up to 40 radio stations, utilising microcomputers to reduce the size of the unit.

Communications equipment

Kenwood is a brand of JVCKENWOOD Corporation making two-way radios including wireless DECT intercom systems, PMR446, dPMR446, dPMR, P25, DMR and NXDN. The Kenwood communications product range includes hand-portable and mobile terminals (including Intrinsically Safe and ATEX / IECEx hand-portables), repeaters, infrastructure and application solutions. Begins selling license-free transceivers. Signs an official supply contract with McLaren to provide wireless radio equipment for the F1 championship. TK-250 launched — Kenwood's first purpose designed PMR range for Europe. Introduces Pro-Talk PMR446 license free two-way radio. Kenwood Nagano Corp. acquires certification to “ISO/TS 16949”, the international standard for quality management specific to the automotive industry. Announcement of completion of acquisition of the U.S. systems-based communication company Zetron, Inc. Invested ¥20.0 billion and formed a strategic business alliance with Victor Company of Japan, Limited. At the same time, JVC KENWOOD Holdings, Inc. changed its name to JVCKENWOOD Corporation. JVCKENWOOD Corporation completed an absorption of its three subsidiaries, Victor Company of Japan, Limited, Kenwood Corporation, and J&K Car Electronics Corporation. Global launch of NEXEDGE ETSI certified dPMR digital two-way radios.

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