Kenwood USA is a leading developer and manufacturer of consumer electronics and communications equipment. Founded in the United States in 1961, Kenwood USA is the largest sales subsidiary of Kenwood Corporation of Japan and is recognized by consumers and industry professionals for providing products known for quality, performance, and value.

Kenwood USA has a reputation for bringing important new products to the consumer electronics market. The company built the first audio/video amplifier for home theater back in 1981. Kenwood also created the first anti-theft car cassette deck that could be slid out of the dash; the first with an automatic broadcast sensor system and automatic noise reduction; the first with 24 presets; and the first polypropylene speaker cones. Over the years, Kenwood engineers have invented dozens of new technologies later copied by others.

Kenwood Communications, based in Suwanee, GA, maintains a leadership position in North and South America for mobile and portable two-way radios and custom systems. Upon entering the U.S. radio equipment market in 1975, Kenwood Communications quickly became known for its devotion to quality, which created immediate demand and credibility for the professional land mobile radio products introduced to American business and government buyers in 1983. Kenwood land mobile portables, mobiles and custom systems are acknowledged to be a top choice in the world market, particularly by first responders, and are a trusted supplier to business and industry. In addition, Kenwood's dominance of the amateur radio market has been recognized in the U.S. for more than 30 years. Kenwood amateur radio products are the number one choice for ham operators who are on the forefront of civilian emergency response.

Today Kenwood USA has taken a leading role in developing market-driven products and continues to operate as one of the largest manufacturers of personal entertainment and communications equipment in the world. It is a central Kenwood belief to listen to the market and develop exacting products that address customers' needs at the highest possible value.


The company first started in 1946 as the Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. In Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In 1960 the firm was renamed "Trio Corporation". 1963 saw the foundation of the first overseas office of Trio, in Los Angeles, California, USA.

In the early 1960s, The LaFayette Radio Company rebranded and sold Trio's products, unfortunately focusing on the doomed 23-channel CB radio.

Their component HiFi reaches back to the all valve era, with their stereo receiver-amplifiers often having 2 tuning dials and 2 separate tuners, some of which would tune in multiple carrier AM stereo broadcasts.

Innovation at the company was very significant during this period. Trio built oscilloscopes, such as the popular 10 MHz CS-1562A.

A group of Japanese American audio enthusiasts consisting of Bill Kasuga, Yoichi Nakase and George Aratani, who also founded Mikasa & Company started an import company in 1961 that would satisfy their desire for high-quality audio recording equipment. They came across Trio, and started importing their electronics. During that period, Japanese manufactured goods were considered low-quality but Kasuga had faith in Trio's products and decided to create an American-sounding name for them. He described the origin of Kenwood as being an alliteration to Kenmore Appliances, with "Ken" being a Japanese and Western name, and "Wood" being a reference to the durable substance as well as Hollywood.

The brand recognition of Kenwood would surpass that of Trio's, and in 1981, Trio decided on using the Kenwood name worldwide and renamed itself Kenwood Corporation in 1986.

Kenwood introduced Japan's first FM tuner and solid state amplifier. The company introduced an amplifier with integrated audio and video signal switching in 1981. This product is seen as a precursor to today's home cinema systems.

In 1984, Kenwood designed and manufactured the first anti-theft car stereo receiver.

Kenwood introduced its Sovereign line of components in 2001. This high-end line competes with prestige brands of other manufacturers such as Pioneer Elite, Sony ES, Onkyo Integra, and Matsushita Technics. In the car audio market, the "eXcelon" line similarly competes Pioneer Premier and Sony Mobile ES brands.

Kenwood announced its intention to merge with JVC after Matsushita spun off the company. The new company formed JVC Kenwood Holdings on October 1, 2008.