Brand: KENWOOD
Category: Audio System
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Available Languages: EN , ES
Manual for Spectrum 850 AV
Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 8:46 p.m.
Warranty Information
Refer to the store of purchase or Kenwood Authorized Service Center for warranty information.
Basic Operations
Selecting Input Source:
Use the INPUT SELECTOR knob on the front panel or the INPUT button on the remote to choose from TUNER, CD, PHONO, TAPE, VIDEO 1, or VIDEO 2.Adjusting Volume:
Turn the VOLUME CONTROL knob on the front panel or use the VOLUME buttons on the remote to increase or decrease the sound level in 1 dB increments.Tone Control:
Adjust BASS and TREBLE using their respective knobs to personalize the sound. Turn right to increase, left to decrease.Muting the Sound:
Press the MUTE button on the remote to quickly turn the sound OFF. Press again to turn it ON.Making Sound Fuller at Low Volumes:
Press the LOUDNESS button to increase bass response, compensating for reduced bass sensitivity at low volumes.Bypassing Tone Controls:
Press the LINE STRAIGHT button to enjoy purer sound quality by bypassing tone controls and surround circuitry.Speaker Control:
Use the SPEAKERS button to turn all speakers ON or OFF. The SPEAKERS light indicates when they are ON.Balance Adjustment:
Use the L BALANCE and R BALANCE buttons to adjust the volume between left and right speakers.Headphone Use:
Turn speakers OFF, then insert the headphone plug into the HEADPHONE jack. Ensure volume is turned down before switching speakers on/off.Audio Modes:
Select Dolby Pro Logic for surround sound, Dolby 3 Stereo for systems without surround speakers, or Bypass for standard stereo music. Use the dedicated buttons on the front panel or the SURROUND MODE button on the remote.Tuner Operation:
Automatically tune stations using AUTO/MANU button or manually fine-tune. Store up to 30 stations using the MEMORY button and number buttons. Tune preset stations using the number buttons or the P.CALL button.CD Player Operation:
Play, pause, stop, skip tracks, and change discs using the CD PLAYER buttons on the remote.Cassette Deck Operation:
Play, fast-forward, rewind, stop tapes. Record from various sources, copy tapes, and utilize track-finding functions.Timer Recording:
Set the cassette deck to record from the tuner at a preset time. Use the TIMER switch on the cassette deck to REC.Recording from Records:
Connect a Kenwood turntable and use system control cable to record records simultaneously with turntable start/stop.Dubbing Tapes:
Copy tapes from well A to well B at normal or high speed. Select copying mode and start dubbing.Troubleshooting:
Consult the troubleshooting section for common issues related to the integrated amplifier, tuner, CD player, and cassette deck. Basic steps include checking connections, settings, and power.Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
| Integrated Amplifier | ||
| The remote doesn't work | Dead batteries | Check and replace batteries. |
| Remote too far or obstructed | Ensure proximity and clear line-of-sight. | |
| Source not properly inserted | Check CD, videotape, or other source placement. | |
| Recording in progress | Wait until recording is complete. | |
| Cables not connected properly | Ensure audio and system control cables are correctly connected. | |
| No sound from the system | Volume too low | Set volume to a proper level. |
| Mute is ON | Check that the mute is OFF. | |
| Speakers are OFF | Turn speakers ON; the SPEAKERS light should be ON. | |
| Power cords not connected | Ensure all power cords are properly connected. | |
| Speaker cables not connected | Ensure speaker cables are connected properly. | |
| Input cable incorrect | Check that the input cable from the source component is connected properly. | |
| Shorting plugs removed | Check that shorting plugs are in the ADAPTER loop jacks. | |
| No sound from one of the speakers | Balance set too far | Adjust balance between left and right speakers. |
| Audio/speaker cables incorrect | Check audio and speaker cable connections. | |
| No sound from surround/center speaker, or low sound | Surround mode not ON | Check that a surround mode is ON. |
| Center speaker set to PHANTOM | Check center speaker setting. | |
| Speaker cables incorrect | Check speaker cable connections. | |
| Center speaker input cable incorrect | Ensure center speaker input cable is connected properly. | |
| Speakers not calibrated | Check that CENTER and SURROUND speakers are calibrated properly. | |
| Sound only from center speaker (Dolby Pro Logic) | Program recorded in mono | Mono programs play only through the center speaker in Dolby Pro Logic mode. |
| STANDBY light blinks, no sound | Speaker cables short-circuited | Check for short circuits in speaker cables; separate wires if necessary. |
| Hum when selecting PHONO input | Audio cables loose | Plug audio cables securely into PHONO jacks. |
| Turntable not grounded | Connect turntable ground wire to GND screw. | |
| No functions operate, display wrong info | Microcomputer needs reset | Unplug power cord, then plug back in while holding POWER button. |
| Tuner | ||
| Cannot receive radio stations | Station not tuned properly | Check that the station is tuned in properly. |
| Tuner input not selected | Check that the TUNER input is selected. | |
| Antenna not connected | Check that the antenna is connected properly. | |
| Cannot receive preset station | Tuner input not selected | Check that the TUNER input is selected. |
| Preset frequency not receivable | Check that the preset station frequency is receivable. | |
| Preset memory cleared | Check if memory was cleared due to long power outage; re-preset the station. | |
| Interference with reception | Electrical appliances | Turn off interfering appliances. |
| TV set interference | Turn off TV or move antenna away from TV. | |
| Automobile interference | Install outdoor antenna away from roads. | |
| No functions operate, display wrong info | Microcomputer needs reset | Unplug power cord, then plug back in while holding MEMORY button. |
| CD player | ||
| Power light doesn't come on | Power cord not plugged in | Ensure power cord is properly plugged into the electrical outlet. |
| Player doesn't play loaded CD | CD loaded upside down | Check that the CD is loaded right-side up. |
| CD cracked or dirty | Check that the CD isn't cracked or dirty. | |
| Condensation on lens | Leave player on for 1 hour to clear condensation. | |
| No sound | CD loaded properly | Check that the CD is loaded properly. |
| CD cracked or dirty | Check that the CD isn't cracked or dirty. | |
| PLAY mode not active | Check that the PLAY/PAUSE light is ON. | |
| Audio cables not connected | Check that the audio cables are connected properly. | |
| Skipping (mis-tracking) | CD cracked or dirty | Check that the CD isn't cracked or dirty. |
| Player subjected to vibration | Ensure player is not subjected to strong vibrations. | |
| CD automatically plays when power turned on | CDs left in player | Remove all CDs before turning the unit OFF. |
| Cassette deck | ||
| No sound when PLAY button pressed | Tape is blank | Check that the tape isn't blank. |
| Tape wound improperly | Ensure tape is wound properly in the cassette case. | |
| Audio cables not connected | Check that the audio cables are connected properly. | |
| None of the operation buttons work | No tape inserted | Make sure a tape is inserted into the well. |
| Cassette well door not closed | Ensure the cassette well door is completely closed. | |
| Buttons pressed too soon | Wait at least 3 seconds after closing door or powering on before pressing buttons. | |
| Tape wound to the end | Change tape direction or reinsert tape facing the other direction. | |
| Tape wound improperly | Ensure tape is wound properly in the cassette case. | |
| Track-finding function doesn't work | No 4-second blank spaces between tracks | Make sure there are 4-second blank spaces between tracks. |
| Automatic recording doesn't work | Recording-activation tabs removed | Ensure tabs are not removed from tape in well B. |
| CD not in player | Make sure there is a CD in the CD player. | |
| CD cracked or dirty | Check that the CD isn't cracked or dirty. | |
| System control cables loose | Ensure system control cables are properly plugged in. | |
| Cassette well door doesn't open | Player not in STOP mode | Make sure the player is in the STOP mode. |
| Recordings sound dull/distorted | Recording level too high | Set recording level according to "Setting recording level and balance" on page 40. |
| Dolby Noise Reduction activated | Ensure Dolby Noise Reduction is not activated when playing tapes without it. | |
| Tape heads dirty | Clean tape heads (see "Before using your cassette deck" on page 36). | |
| REC/ARM button doesn't start recording | Recording-activation tabs removed | Ensure tabs are not removed from tape. |
| Cassette well door not closed | Ensure cassette well door is completely closed. | |
| Amplifier input set to TAPE | Set input to something other than TAPE. | |
| Recording level too low | Check that recording level isn't set to minimum. | |
| Tape wound to the end | Check that the tape isn't fully wound to the end. | |
| Tape noise (hiss) level high | Incorrect Dolby Noise Reduction selected | Ensure proper Dolby Noise Reduction is selected for play. |
| Recording level too low | Re-record tape at a higher level. | |
| Tape heads need demagnetizing | Demagnetize tape heads (see "Before using your cassette deck" on page 36). | |
| Sound is 'sour', unstable pitch | Tape heads dirty | Clean tape heads (see "Before using your cassette deck" on page 36). |
| Tape wound improperly | Ensure tape is wound properly in the cassette case. | |
| Tape automatically plays/records when power turned ON | TIMER switch is ON | Make sure the TIMER switch is OFF. |
| No functions operate, display wrong info | Microcomputer needs reset | Unplug power cord, then plug back in while holding STOP button. |