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This US$200 asking price is ambitious for a used Kenwood KM-897, sitting well above the US$180 75th percentile and the US$160 median from your own recent comparable listings. While external market data shows units moving as low as US$120 to US$140, this listing exceeds the top of that typical range, making it a tough buy unless the condition is pristine or includes rare accessories.
The KM-897 remains a well-regarded vintage stereo power amp delivering 100W per channel into 8 ohms, prized for its solid build and clean midrange typical of late-70s Kenwood. However, at US$200, you should verify the power supply health and output transistor integrity, as age-related failures are common in this era. Unless this is original-owner condition with original boxes or manuals, a fairer target is closer to the US$160 median.
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.
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