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Given the listing’s unknown condition, the £299 asking price sits above the 75th percentile (£279) of our ground-truth GBP data, making it ambitious rather than fair. With the median at £260 and the 25th percentile at £242, this price clearly exceeds the typical used range, so it’s not a bargain but a higher-end offer that demands confidence in quality.
That said, the Kenwood KT-1100 is a well-regarded 1983 European/Japanese tuner known for robust FM performance (85dB S/N) and clean internals, originally priced at 1,000 DM. If this unit is in original-owner condition with accessories, the timing and rarity could justify the premium, turning it into a worthwhile buy for enthusiasts seeking a reliable vintage tuner with proven build quality.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Kenwood traces its origins to December 21, 1946, when it was founded as Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, by a group of entrepreneurs led by William "Bill" Kasuga. Emerging in the postwar era, the company initially produced electronic components and amateur radio gear, renaming to Trio Corporation in 1960 before adopting the Kenwood name in 1986 to appeal to Western markets—blending "Ken," a familiar name across Japan and America, with "Wood" evoking durability and Hollywood. This rebranding fueled rapid international growth, starting with a U.S. office in Los Angeles County in 1963.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality audio and communications equipment, excelling in home hi-fi amplifiers like the acclaimed 1970 Supreme 1 multichannel model, receivers, tuners, and speakers with innovations such as polypropylene cones. Kenwood also pioneered car audio systems, including the first audio/video amplifier for home theater in 1981 and anti-theft cassette decks, alongside professional two-way radios and amateur transceivers. While maintaining roots in consumer electronics, it expanded into automotive infotainment.
Today, as part of JVCKENWOOD since the 2008 merger with JVC, Kenwood holds a solid mid-tier position in car audio and professional communications, prized by enthusiasts for reliable performance and aftermarket upgrades. Its vintage home hi-fi gear from the 1970s and 1980s commands respect among collectors for robust build and warm sound, though it no longer dominates pure hi-fi markets.
See all Kenwood listings on RADAR.
