Kenwood introduces two Media Keg PMPs, mini-system

Kenwood on Friday announced it will soon launch two portable media players as part of its MG-E Media Keg series with either 2GB or 4GB of internal memory. Either will sport a microSDHC card slot, allowing that memory to be expanded by another 12GB. Both feature a 1.5-inch six-line OEL display and better audio quality than older Kenwood DAPs thanks to a new and improved DAC. Supported file formats include MP3, WMA, WAV and AAC, with content transferred from computers via a USB 2.0 connection.

Users can further customize the way their sound is delivered via an integrated 5-band graphic equalizer or quickly via any of the eight preset sound settings. Users can search for music using album, genre, artist, track or folders. The integrated lithium-ion battery is rated at a 54-hour play time when 128kbps MP3 files are loaded onto the player. Kenwood includes in-ear headphones with either player, which include a set of three uniquely-sized adapters for the right fit in users' ears.

The pair of personal music players is directly compatible with Kenwood’s other new release, the UD-E77WSD mini sound system. Featuring a power rating of 2x20W, the mini-system has a CD drive and an SD card slot for instant access of up to 32GB of content. The USB port lets users connect other USB devices, include the new and old Media Keg players. The same AAC, WMA, MP3 and WAV files are supported, though they are processed via Kenwood’s 24-bit DAC with the company’s High Resolution Sound software. The system also includes an FM tuner, and can rip CDs to the SD card or microSD cards in one of the two included slots or any USB connected device.

The 4GB MG-E504 will be priced at the equivalent of about $140 when it launches in Japan in late September, while the 2GB MG-E502 version which launches about a month later will cost nearly $120. Color options for each will include white, black and pink. No pricing information was released for the UD-E77WSD mini-system, but it will be out in the market late in October and available in either a grain wood finish or black.

Kenwood Music Keg MG-E series players