JVC KW-M740BT

6.8″ Hi-Res Double Din Receiver With Audio Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

JVC KW-M740BT Review

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These days, just about every car audio manufacturer is coming out with devices they claim work well with modern smartphones. Yet it’s not hard to find reports of compatibility issues and poor connectivity. If you’re searching for a solid head unit with excellent performance and audio quality that offers seamless integration with popular streaming services and apps, you can’t go wrong with JVC’s KW-M740BT.

Clearly, the good people at JVC have spent a great deal of time ensuring their device lives up to your expectations. Everything about this unit is tailored to help users get the most out of their phone or tablet’s capabilities while still providing best-in-class sound reproduction and long-lasting quality.

The JVC KW-M740BT is easy to use, looks great, and is priced competitively with similar options on the market. It’s also a breeze to install.

Of course, there are a couple of things to consider before purchasing this Double DIN head unit. We’ll cover those below in our JVC KW-M740BT, so keep reading if you want to know more.

Quick Overview

As mentioned previously, JVC’s KW-M740BT is built with today’s users in mind, and it shows in this unit’s features, user interface, and construction.

Knowing that most people never leave home without their phone, JVC’s sound system quickly and easily connects to any modern device so you can take advantage of all the benefits current technology can provide.

A great deal of attention has been given to streamlining the process of making calls, navigating, and enjoying your music collection without ever having to take your eyes off the road. This is helped by the large 6.8-inch touch screen, which makes safely navigating the UI while you drive possible.

Keeping current trends in mind, JVC’s KW-M740BT is fully integrated with Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to do much more than simply play a few songs—it essentially extends your phone into your vehicle, allowing you to use your favorite apps and control everything right from the large screen.

This kind of software integration lets you stream music from services like Pandora and Spotify, play Sirius satellite radio, and of course listen to terrestrial radio. Navigating your phone’s built-in GPS from a larger screen is also a feature you’ll appreciate.

The unit’s high-definition display is perfect for watching your favorite TV and movies away from home, though you’ll have to do that while parked thanks to a safety feature intended to keep the driver’s attention on the road. Of course, that doesn’t apply to front-seat passengers, so do some Googling if you’re interested in ways of circumventing this feature.

One other great feature of the KW-M740BT we want to touch on quickly is its compatibility with Web Link. Developed by JVC themselves, this free app for Apple and Android devices allows you to further connect your vehicle with useful apps like weather, YouTube, media players, and more. Even without CarPlay or Android Auto, Web Link lets you navigate your favorite apps with ease wherever you go.

What’s in the Box

Your JVC KW-M740BT will come with the following packaged inside the box:

  • Digital media receiver with built-in 6.8” monitor
  • Wiring harness
  • A 39” USB extension cord
  • 3.5mm voice-activated microphone with a 10’ cable and mounting bracket
  • An assortment of installation hardware
  • Instruction manual
  • Warranty card and information
  • “Correction” sheet


That should be everything you need to get your JVC KW-M740BT running right out-of-the-box.

What’s nice is the ability to add even more features to your vehicle’s suite of capabilities using additional components from JVC and third-party solutions.

For example, you can add a separate GPS antenna, eliminating the need to use your phone for navigation.

There’s an input for adding a rear screen so everyone watch the same video at once.

You can use another input to connect a reverse camera for enhanced safety while reversing.

As you can see, the JVC KW-M740BT can help you add a lot of functionality to your vehicle with very little additional investment or hassle. That’s something the competition can’t even begin to touch!

Key Features

The KW-M740BT’s close integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is where it really shines, and we’ll go into that a bit more in-depth below. But before we do, first we need to talk about the audio quality this unit can produce.

At the end of the day, a quality receiver that produces excellent sound is what people really want. That’s something JVC has been providing for decades, and this model is no exception.

Not only do you get standard HD radio and access to Sirius-XM satellite radio, but you also get a host of features geared toward maximum audio quality.

You’ll find a powerful 13-band graphic equalizer, time alignment technology, space and sound enhancement, sound lift, volume-linked EQ, and even more enhancements to give you complete control over your soundscape.

The support for voice activation and voice commands are both extremely welcome additions while driving, helping you check emails, texts, and make calls while keeping your attention on the road.

This model throws out the antiquated disk drive in favor of support for high-quality file formats like FLAC, giving you better sound reproduction than any CD ever could.

It also supports an optional remote control, so you can tilt your seat back and get comfortable watching a video, or let backseat passengers play the part of DJ while you drive.

Couple all of that with the easy Bluetooth pairing and the level of extra features this unit supports, and you can easily see why it’s such a great upgrade for any vehicle.

Important Specs

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility

Like we’ve previously mentioned, the JVC KW-M740BT’s compatibility with Apple and Android automotive software systems is fantastic.

All it takes is installing the app on your phone, then connecting it to the KW-M740BT – either wirelessly via Bluetooth or with the included USB cable. After that, your car software will load up on the screen and you’re good to go.

Obviously, whether you’ll use either CarPlay or Android Auto depends on your phone or tablet. But regardless of which you use, the process is fast, simple, and seamless.

Navigation is quick and easy to see, the responsiveness of the touchscreen is fantastic, and everything is put together so intuitively that anyone can pick it up in a matter of moments. If you can use your phone, you can use it better on your JVC.

It’s amazing how well the capabilities of these software systems can mesh with your existing vehicle with the help of the KW-M740BT, especially given how seamless and polished everything feels.

Final Verdict

Modern life encourages us to keep our phones close, and the KW-M740BT takes this to the next level by turning our vehicles into a powerful, easy-to-use extension for these devices.

By employing master designers and engineers in the field of automotive technology, JVC has created some of the most impressive automobile entertainment systems on the market today. With this Double DIN masterpiece, they’ve brought it all together into one beautiful package.

Pros
Cons

You can feel the quality of this device in its heft, and see it in the build quality. Like everything else JVC makes, this piece of entertainment equipment is built for years of high performance.

Everything about it feels rock-solid, from the snappy, responsive touchscreen to the simple Bluetooth pairing and easy media streaming. That’s the kind of experience you expect from premium hardware, and this lives up to that in every way.

Take all of that, throw in a great one-year warranty directly from JVC themselves, and you’re left with an incredible piece of technology you’d have to be crazy to ignore.

As with anything, there are a couple of factors you’ll want to consider before purchasing. See if other owners have reported issues using your model of phone, and check compatibility with any accessories you already own, like cameras, to avoid disappointments.

That said, the vast majority of shoppers will be absolutely blown away by the level of quality and features the KW-M740BT provides, and it’s hard for even jaded audiophiles to come away unimpressed with the value-for-dollar it brings to the table.

If a new automotive multimedia receiver is on your shopping list, you’ll be delighted with all the power and performance packed into the JVC KW-M740BT!

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