Kenwood KX-440 HX (1988–90)
The Kenwood KX-440 HX is a stereo cassette deck from the late 1980s, introduced in 1988 and built in Japan. It’s a 2-head, single-transport deck with Dolby B and C noise reduction plus Dolby HX Pro headroom extension — the "HX" in the model name points straight at that last feature, which was a genuine selling point for recording enthusiasts at the time. Frequency response is rated from 20Hz to 18kHz on metal tape, and the deck runs at the standard 1⅞ ips (4.76 cm/s).
The front panel has an analog three-digit tape counter and manual tape type selection. The rear has stereo L/R RCA outputs and a headphone jack. It measures 440 x 110 x 250mm (W x H x D). Beyond that, the record is thin. No original price, weight, or detailed specs like wow/flutter or signal-to-noise have turned up in the surviving documentation.
What we know comes mostly from period listings and database entries, not full reviews. It's not a legendary model. It has a clean layout, Dolby C, and HX Pro for better high-frequency headroom on recordings.
It's a straightforward, well-built Japanese deck from the tail end of the cassette era. Don't expect the cachet of Kenwood's earlier separates.
- Type: 2-head stereo cassette deck
- Noise reduction: Dolby B, Dolby C, Dolby HX Pro
- Frequency response: 20Hz–18kHz (metal tape)
- Speed: 1⅞ ips (4.76 cm/s)
- Outputs: Stereo L/R RCA, headphone jack
- Dimensions: 440 × 110 × 250mm (W×H×D)
- Made in: Japan
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