I can't say which stereo is better, factory or the Kenwood. Since the cabin is so small, your practically sitting inside a speaker. Unless you are a very sensitive stereo person, the sound is great to me, as you said, subjective. I would be curious to know what iPhone vent mount you have for horizontal viewing. Mine is a vertical vent iPhone holder. I'm trying to get the iTunes to NOT engage when I plug in the USB for charging. What a pain to have iTunes turn on and hear that same Beatle song kick in (must be top of the list). Then, it is sometimes difficult to stop the iTunes from playing. Any suggestions how to disengage the default so iTunes does not engage?? Thanks.