Built-in Bluetooth
USB/Tuner/Aux
Audio & DSP Section
Display & Remote Features

Built-in Bluetooth

Bluetooth Technology: The JVC KD-X280BT is equipped with built-in Bluetooth 4.2, allowing you to make and receive phone calls wirelessly through the receiver; as well as stream music wirelessly from your smartphone to the head unit. In order to use Bluetooth wireless technology, your phone must also be Bluetooth compatible and be able to interpret certain profiles. This unit is compatible with the following Bluetooth Profiles:

• Hands-Free Communication: HFP 1.7.1 (Hands Free Profile) & PBAB 1.0 (Phone Book Access Profile).
• Audio Streaming: A2DP 1.2 (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) & AVRCP 1.6.1 (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile).

SSP (Secure Simple Pairing): With Secure Simple Pairing (SSP), you can easily pair a Bluetooth enabled phone to the JVC KD-X280BT without having to enter pin codes or go through complicated settings. You can pair up to five Bluetooth-enabled devices to the JVC head unit. When an already paired Bluetooth device is in close proximity to the receiver, the auto connection function automatically pairs the two units.

• Dual Phone Connection: Thanks to the Dual Phone Connection feature, two Bluetooth-enabled phones can remain connected to the JVC receiver. This means you can an answer an incoming call from either phone from the head unit. Also, both of your phone's contact lists are downloaded to the receiver. To make a call from one of the phones using the JVC receiver, you simply have to select Phone 1 or Phone 2 on the head unit's front-panel.
• Streaming DJ: The new Streaming DJ feature allows five Bluetooth audio source devices to be connected to the JVC receiver at one time, so you can switch between Bluetooth playback sources a lot easier and quicker. While "BT Audio" source is selected on the head unit, you can simply press the music playback button on your connected Bluetooth source devices to switch between devices and begin music playback. However, you cannot stream audio from two different Bluetooth audio source devices at the same time or combine music libraries or playlists from two different connected devices.

Bluetooth Hands-Free Communication: The head unit supports Bluetooth hands-free communication for your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. And thanks to the latest Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.7) with wideband speech capability, the KD-X280BT provides more natural sound quality and details during wireless calls. The controls of the KD-X280BT can be used to dial a number, answer an in-coming call, or end a call. The unit also includes an external microphone (with mounting bracket) featuring adjustable gain, so you can carry on your side of the conversation while listening to the caller through your vehicles speakers. During a conversation, you can switch between the Private Mode (talking directly on your cell phone) and the Hands Free Mode.

• Answering A Call: When a call comes in, a ring-tone will be heard through your vehicle's speaker and the caller's name or phone number will be displayed. You can answer the call from the head unit's front-panel controls, or setup the head unit to automatically answer the incoming call immediately or after 1-30 seconds. The KD-X280BT also supports the Call Waiting function, so you can answer another incoming call while suspending the current call you are on. Your compatible cell-phone must also support this feature.
• Dialing A Number: Using the KD-X280BT, you can dial a phone number in one of the following ways:
  • Enter Phone #: Allows you to directly dial a phone number up to 32 digits from the head unit's front-panel rotary dial.
  • Preset Dialing: You can store up to 6 contacts in the memory of this unit for speed dialing.
  • Phone Book: You can download phone book data from your mobile phone to the digital media receiver. You can then dial a contact within the phonebook from the head unit's front-panel controls. Your phonebook can be searched alphabetically or numerically.
  • Call History: The Call History is a list of calls that have originated from and were received by this unit that you can dial. You can select Outgoing, Incoming, or Missed calls.
  • Voice Dialing: If your mobile phone supports voice recognition, then you can dial out by voice command. Simply speak into the included microphone once you have activated the voice dialing function from the head unit's front-panel.

Wireless Audio Streaming: The JVC KD-X280BT supports wireless audio playback (AD2P) and control (AVRCP) of a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or audio player, plus song/artist information display. You are able to stream your stored music library on your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, as well as music apps downloaded on your smartphone to the JVC KD-X280BT for playback.

• SBC + AAC Codecs: In addition to support for the standard SBC Bluetooth audio codec, the KD-X280BT offers support of AAC. By supporting AAC, the KD-X280BT offers better audio performance of the music streamed from and Apple iOS device. (Apple iOS devices are only compatible using Bluetooth.)
• Advanced Music Browsing: In addition to basic playback functions (Play/Pause, FF/RW, Skip, Random/Repeat), the KD-X280BT lets you browse your stored music by Playlist, Artist, Album, Song, etc. Advanced music browsing is supported by Android 4.0+ smartphones and Apple iPhones 5.0+ (specific advanced functions vary by phone).
• Song/Artist Information: The head unit will also display your stored music and music app's song information; such as Artist name and Song/Album title (not compatible with all apps).

External Mic: The external wired microphone offers improved audio quality versus an integrated microphone, so you can be heard easier over noisy traffic and road noise. You can adjust the volume level, noise cancellation, and echo cancellation of the microphone without affecting the other sources. The external microphone features an attached 10' cable terminated by a right-angle 3.5mm connector which plugs into the mic input on the rear-panel of the head unit. The microphone offers an integrated mounting bracket which can be clipped to your vehicle's sun-visor or taped to your dash.

Low Battery Information: When the battery of a connected Bluetooth device runs low, a beep sound is heard and "LOW BATTERY" appears on the receiver's display.

USB/Tuner/Aux

USB Mass Storage Devices: The JVC KD-X280BT features a front-panel USB (type-A) port that is hidden behind a flip-out cover. The USB port enables connection of USB mass storage class (MSC) devices, like USB thumbdrives or portable digital music players. You can insert a compatible USB MSC device into the head unit's USB port for playback, control, and song/artist display of a variety of music files.

• Music Drive: The Music Drive feature lets you switch between multiple memory cards in a USB multi-card reader. When a mass storage class (MSC) compatible smartphone is connected to the head unit's USB input, the unit's Music Drive features lets you select its internal memory or external memory (such as an SD card) for stored music playback.
• USB Charging: USB devices that can be charged via USB will be charged when plugged into the digital media receiver's USB port (max. 1.5A), and the vehicle's ignition switch is set to ACC or On.

Compressed Music Files: The JVC KD-X280BT supports the following types of music files loaded onto a compatible USB mass storage class device.

Playback & Search Functions: The JVC KD-X280BT offers a variety of playback and search functions to help you find and enjoy your music a USB memory device.

• Track/Folder List: The Track/Folder List displays a list of music folders and tracks on a connected USB device, so you can easily access your music.
• Repeat: Track Repeat (plays the current track repeatedly), Folder Repeat (plays all tracks of the current folder repeatedly), Off (cancels repeat function)
• Random: Folder Random (plays all tracks of the current folder, then the tracks of the next folder in random), All Random (plays all tracks of the current USB device at random), Off (cancels random function)
• Resume: If you change the source, playback also stops (without ejecting the USB device). Next time you USB for the playback source, the player will start from where it has been stopped previously.

RDS AM/FM Tuner: The JVC KD-X280BT features a built-in AM/FM tuner with manual, seek, and preset tuning. You can store a total of 18 FM stations presets and 6 AM station presets. The radio allows you to set your AM/FM stations manually or automatically. You can also switch the tuner's IF filter to Wide or Auto to increase/decrease the sensitivity. If an analog FM stereo broadcast is hard to receive, you can manually switch the tuner to Mono operation.

• US or European Tuning: You can set the built-in AM/FM tuner between US standard and European tuning spacing.
• RDS: The Radio Data System (RDS) feature displays radio broadcast information such as artist, title, and album when listening to compatible AM/FM stations.
• Radio Timer: The head unit's Radio Timer features lets you tune into a preset station at a specific time regardless of the head unit's current source (you can activate the Radio Timer once, daily, or turn it completely off).

Front-Panel Auxiliary Input: A front-panel stereo minijack is provided to allow the connection of almost any portable audio source with a 3.5mm headphone output. Simply connect your portable digital music player to the unit's front-panel auxiliary input, and you can listen to the audio from the portable player through the speakers in your mobile audio system.

Audio & DSP Section

24 Bit D/A Converter: The JVC KD-X280BT utilizes a 24-bit digital to analog converter for superior sound quality.

MOSFET Amplifier: The JVC KD-X280BT is equipped with a MOSFET amplifier. Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, and it delivers increased power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. More power means louder and cleaner music at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. The power output specs for the KD-X280BT are as follows:

• Full Bandwidth Power: 22 watts RMS x 4 channels (at 4 ohms, 20-20kHz, 1% THD)
• Maximum Output Power: 50 watts x 4 channels (200 total watts)

Amp Gain: When you are using the KD-X280BT with factory speakers (or those rated to less than 50 watts peak), the Amplifier Gain Control can limit the amount of power being sent to those speakers. When the Amp Gain Control is set to "low," the volume control ranges from 0 (minimum) to 25 (maximum). When using speakers rated higher than 50 watts peak, you can set the Amp Gain Control to "high," and the volume control will range from 0 to 35.

2.5V/2Ch Preamp Output: The KD-X280BT is equipped with two 2.5V preamp outputs (Rear/SW). You can set the Rear/SW preamp outputs for connecting a pair of full-range rear speakers (through an external amplifier) or for connecting a subwoofer (through an external amplifier). When set for rear speakers, the rear outputs operate with the unit's fader control. When set for subwoofer, the outputs are non-fading and offer an independent level control (-50 to +10).

Subwoofer Speaker Connection: You can connect a subwoofer to this head unit without the need of a separate power amplifier. Simply connect a single subwoofer (4-8 ohm) directly to head unit's left rear speaker leads (the right rear speaker output will be muted). The rated power output for the subwoofer speaker channel remains 22 watts. The same subwoofer controls apply, except for the subwoofer level adjustment, which is adjustable from -6 to+3.

Vehicle Setup: In order to optimize the sound quality in your vehicle, you can identify the type of vehicle you have and the rear speaker location, as well as configure listening distances.

• Car Type: Select your car type to automatically set the delay time of each speaker for timing adjustment of sound output of each channel to have the highest surround effect. Choose from Compact, Full Size Car, Wagon, Mini Van, SUV, or Off.
• Rear Speaker Location: You can indicate the location of your vehicle's Rear speakers. Choose from Door, Rear Deck, 2nd Row, or 3rd Row.
• DTA (Digital Time Alignment): For a better sound-stage you can select your optimal listening position. You can choose from All, Front Left, Front Right or Front. You can also select to manually fine tune the sound stage, using Digital Time Alignment (DTA) by selecting the distance (0-20') for each individual speaker in the vehicle compared to your listening position.

Crossover Network: The JVC KD-X280BT lets you choose between a 2-way or 3-way crossover network for your car audio application.

• 2-Way Crossover: Allows you to set high-pass and low-pass crossovers for a standard Tweeter, Front, Rear, and Subwoofer speaker setup.
  • Speaker Size: select which size speakers are in your vehicle
    • Tweeter: Small, Medium, Large, or None
    • Front & Rear: 3.5", 4", 4.75", 5", 6.5", 6.75", 7", 4x6", 5x7", 6x8", 6x9", 7x10" or None
    • Subwoofer: 6.5", 8", 10", 12", 15" or greater, None
  • X'Over: Select the high pass or low pass crossover settings for your speakers.
    • Tweeter: high pass filter (HPF)
      • Frequency: 1kHz, 1.6kHz, 2.5kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 6.3kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB
    • Front & Rear: high pass filter (HPF)
      • Frequency: 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 70Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz, 250Hz, Through (Full-Range)
      • Slope: -6dB, -12dB, -18dB, -24dB
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB
    • Sub: low pass filter (LPF)
      • Frequency: 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 70Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz, 250Hz, Through (Full-Range)
      • Slope: -6dB, -12dB, -18dB, -24dB
      • Phase: Reverse (180°), Normal (0°)
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB
• 3-Way Crossover: Allows you to set high-pass and low-pass crossovers for a complex 3-way speaker system with Highs, Mids, and Sub
  • Speaker Size: select which size speakers are in your vehicle
    • Tweeter: Small, Medium, Large, or None
    • Midrange: 3.5", 4", 4.75", 5", 6.5", 6.75", 7", 4x6", 5x7", 6x8", or 6x9"
    • Woofer: 6.5", 8", 10", 12", 15" or greater, None
  • X'Over: Select the high pass or low pass crossover settings for your speakers.
    • Tweeter: high pass filter (HPF)
      • HPF Frequency: 1kHz, 1.6kHz, 2.5kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 6.3kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz
      • Slope: -6dB, -12dB
      • Phase: Reverse (180°), Normal (0°)
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB
    • Midrange: high pass filter (HPF) & low pass filter (LPF)
      • HPF Frequency:30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 70Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz, 250Hz, Through (Full-Range)
      • LPF Frequency: 1kHz, 1.6kHz, 2.5kHz, 4kHz, 5kHz, 6.3kHz, 8kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz
      • Slope: -6dB, -12dB
      • Phase: Reverse (180°), Normal (0°)
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB
    • Woofer: low pass filter (LPF)
      • LPF Frequency: 30Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 70Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 180Hz, 220Hz, 250Hz, Through (Full-Range)
      • Slope: -6dB, -12dB
      • Phase: Reverse (180°), Normal (0°)
      • Gain: -8 to 0 dB

Equalizer: The JVC KD-X280BT is equipped with 11 EQ presets, a 3-Band Easy EQ (3-band), a 13-Band Pro EQ. Choose the one that best fits your type of music listening.

• 11 EQ Presets: You can choose between the following EQ presets - Flat, Hard Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz, Classical, Drive 1/2/3, & User. The Drive EQ boosts frequencies that become hard to hear due to road noise (there are 3 levels). The User mode allows you to select either the 3-band Easy EQ or 13-Band Pro EQ.
• 3-Band Easy EQ: The head unit's Easy EQ consists of a 3-band equalizer (Treble, Mid, & Bass). You can adjust the Treble, Mid, & Bass from -9 to +9.
• 13-Band Pro EQ: The units Pro EQ consists of a 13-band equalizer (100Hz, 160Hz, 250Hz, 400Hz, 630Hz, 1kHz, 1.6kHz, 2.5kHz, 4kHz, 6.3kHz, 10kHz, & 16kHz). Each frequency can be adjusted from -9 to +9. You can also adjust the Q-Factor of each frequency to 1.35, 1.50, or 2.0.

K2 Technology: The KD-X280BT employs K2 technology which dramatically improves the sound quality of compressed music files during USB and Bluetooth playback. When the K2 feature is activated, the sound becomes wider, smoother, and more natural.

Sound Effects: The KD-X280BT offers adjustable Sound Effects to provide a better listening experience inside your vehicle. Use the "Enhance" feature to virtually broaden the soundstage inside your vehicle. Use the "Sound Lift" feature to virtually lift the sound to ear level. Use the "Response" feature to virtually make the sound more realistic and live inside your car. Use the "Vol Link EQ" feature to boost certain frequency ranges that become hard to hear due to road noise.

Loudness, Bass Boost & Bass Extension: The Loudness feature boosts low and high frequencies to produce a well-balanced sound at a low volume level. The unit's Bass Boost enhances low bass frequencies at any volume level. There is also a Bass Extension feature which further enhances the unit's bass output.

Volume Adjust: The input level of each source (other than FM) is adjustable relative to the FM radio volume, so there isn't a significant volume difference when changing sources. Each source is individually adjustable from -15 to +6.

Key Beep: The in-dash head unit provides an audible beep to confirm button operation. This function can be turned On or Off.

Display & Remote Features

Detachable Face: The JVC KD-X280BT features a detachable face to deter theft. No face-case is provided. A face-fixing screw is supplied for making the face non-detachable, if desired.

VA (Vertical Alignment) LCD: The KD-X280BT is equipped with a VA (Vertical Alignment) LCD screen that offers high contrast, sharp images, and a wide viewing angle for better visibility. The LCD screen provides information for audio settings, song/artist/album info, and station identification. You can even select between English or Spanish text.

• Music Sync Effect: The Music Sync Effect feature changes illumination patterns of receiver's display according to the rhythm of the music.
• Day & Time: The unit displays a 12-or 24-hour clock, as well as the day (Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat). The day & time can be selected to remain on, even if the head unit is switched off (as long as the vehicle's key is in the accessory or "on" position).
• Demo Mode: This unit features a Demo mode which can be turned On or Off within the menu.

Brightness & Dimmer: The unit offers a daytime and nighttime brightness settings for the LCD and button illumination. You can adjust the brightness level of each manually from 0-31. The unit's dimmer control can be set automatically, manually, or via timer. Manually select "Off" for daytime brightness setting or "On" for nighttime brightness setting. Choose "Auto" which switches between day and nighttime brightness setting automatically when you turn off/on the headlights (orange/white wire of harness must be connected to headlamp circuit). You can even set a specific time for the "Off" and "On" dimmer setting to be activated.

JVC Remote App (for Android only): The JVC Remote App is an application (for Android OS 4.4+) operates the JVC receiver like a wireless remote control from your Bluetooth connected Android OS device. The JVC Remote App provides traditional touchscreen control, as well as directional and freeform gesture control from your compatible mobile device.

• Source Information & Control: The JVC Remote App provides a Source Control screen with a list of the receiver's built-in sources and connected sources to choose from, so you can change the head unit's source from your mobile device. Once an input is selected, the app displays source information such as station number, track number & playback time, as well as song/artist information (when applicable). From the app, you can also seek stations and tracks, as well as Play and Pause your music.
• Audio Settings: From the application on your mobile device, you can adjust the receiver's volume up or down. In addition, audio settings such as EQ, Crossover, DTA, and other audio adjustments can be easily set using the JVC Remote application.
• Media Player: The application's Media Player screen lets you playback your device's stored music library through the JVC receiver. From the app on your Android device, you can control basic playback functions like Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track and Repeat/Random. The Android version of the app even lets you browse your music library by category (Song/Album/Artist/Playlist/Mood). Song, artist, and album information (along with Album Art) will displayed on your Android device's touchscreen.
• App Launcher: The App Launcher feature of the Android version of the JVC Remote app lets you access 3rd party applications within the JVC Remote app's user interface. The App Launcher can contain up to 24 of your favorite apps for quick access.

Steering Wheel Remote Compatibility: The head unit features an OEM steering wheel remote control input wire (blue/yellow) within the included wiring harness that lets you keep your vehicle's factory radio steering wheel remote controls when used with an optional steering wheel control adapter (vehicle specific and sold separately).