RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Specifications
Tuning range: FM, MW
Power output: 80 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 1Hz to 160kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.015%
Damping factor: 40
Input sensitivity: 0.25mV (MC), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 68dB (MC), 86dB (MM), 104dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line)
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)
Dimensions: 480 x 142 x 350mm
Weight: 9kg
Repair
Cleaned and Tested
Resoldered
DN4-11026
For this vintage Kenwood, the market is more of a buyer’s market only if it’s fully serviced and clean; at US$349, this asking price is a bit ambitious for an unknown-condition KR-950B. Comparable 1980s Kenwood receivers like this one are valued more like a solid mid-tier vintage piece than a rare trophy, so I’d want the price closer to the upper bargain/fair zone before feeling great about it.
What makes it appealing is the 80 WPC output, proper phono support including MC, and the generally respected Kenwood house sound: a capable, full-bodied receiver with enough muscle for efficient to moderately demanding speakers. It’s also a good-era Japan-built unit with real long-term appeal for a two-channel setup. The big buyer’s note is age: at this point, condition matters more than spec sheet, so confirm smooth controls, clean tuner behavior, and whether it has been serviced; at US$349, originality alone isn’t enough.
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.
