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Kenwood Basic M2 amplifier in excellent conditionMinty.A 220 watt/channel powerhouse!Specifications:Power output: 220 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo).Frequency response: 1Hz to 300kHz.Total harmonic distortion: 0.004%post id: 7952134290posted: 11 minutes agoShipping to states in longitude of Colorado, farther west or rural parts of the Midwest will be a little more, billed separately
Should you grab it at US$475, or wait for a better entry? Against your own comp set, this sits right on the median and inside the US$473–US$496 interquartile range, so it reads as fairly priced rather than a bargain or an ask with much wiggle room.
That makes it a sensible buy if the unit is clean, stock, and fully working. This is a respected high-current monoblock with the kind of drive and grip that still makes sense in a serious vintage system, and a good one can be a lot of amplifier for the money. At this price, I’d mainly want confidence in channel balance, idle behavior, and whether any service has been done; if it’s original and unserviced, that’s not a deal-breaker, but it does affect how much upside you actually have.
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.
