stereo simplification/modernization

[Fleetwood]

While my 80's vintage overdone stereo receives little use I'd like to have something for those long drives. A recent trip using an Iphone and a blue tooth speaker proved there's other options. I've searched similar posts for ideas along with my minimizing plans. I deleted the antenna years ago so I'm hoping other Pelicans can critique/chime in on my ideas.

First idea is to delete the rear speakers and one of the ADS amplifiers. Switching between the front and rear set of speakers has demonstrated (to me at least) the front door ADS speakers (normal round speaker plus a small tweeter above) provide better overall sound than the rears and possibly better than a combination of the two. This fits my minimization goal and cleans up the rear package shelf.

Next thought is to delete the dash mounted head unit and replace it with a unit recommended by Tremelune.

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/early-stealth-bluetooth-stereo-install.4266328/

Not sure where to mount it...maybe the console or ashtray...but I'd like to clear the dash for a future improvement like the backdated basketweave effect or maybe even wood pieces like the early 911s

Am I going down the right path? Any guidance appreciated and thanks ahead

[rwest]

Fully agree to ditch the rear speakers, I never had them in my car and my system sounds great.

When you go to a concert, the band is in front of you, so your speakers should be as well.

I like a head unit in the dash, but that is purely a personal opinion and the only objective thing I can think of is ease of adjusting the settings.

[stevie 77 930]

Have a look here for bluetooth options


https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1078775-coolest-new-device-i-have-seen-while-classic-blaupunkt-bluetooth-converter.html

[avenbugt]

Which is better: the sound of a flat 6 or that of a stereo system? My choice is made...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by avenbugt

Which is better: the sound of a flat 6 or that of a stereo system? My choice is made...

Engine sound is great for short drives. I have done 12 hour drives many many times. Music is wonderful on long trips. Like cruise control, not needed for short drives, but after many hours on a straight interstate, it is wonderful.

[avenbugt]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Engine sound is great for short drives. I have done 12 hour drives many many times. Music is wonderful on long trips. Like cruise control, not needed for short drives, but after many hours on a straight interstate, it is wonderful.

Where do you find the time: many 12-hour rides AND nearly 82,000 posts!?

[darrin]

Fleetwood -- prior to installing a blaupunkt reno sqr46, I used one of these https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ai3PeOuvHIS/p_13691180/JL-Audio-MBT-RX.html?XVINQ=GLX&XVVer=1J1U&awcr=699425553119&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9195404&awkw=pla-504079980672&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9vS6BhA9EiwAJpnXw_GUJqeUjEYksNmdQqDy erCiHoPzSBDRV3RgkCZnqYgVo8Wu5llkFBoC1mkQAvD_BwE -- allowed me to use my iPhone as a "head unit" for my car's stereo amp (also an ads) driving the front speakers, installed it under the passenger seat and used the same power source that was already there for the power amp -- my iPhone's volume controls served as the volume control for my stereo. Worked great and the price was very right. Pair it with the Rennline iPhone mount and you'd have a solid/minimalist system

[Showdown]

I bought a PYLE Bluetooth amplifier off Amazon for 30 or $40 and stuck it under the seat. Stream everything from my phone no visible stereo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[evan9eleven]

I’m also eliminating the head unit on my backdate, adding a bluetooth amp and a tiny controller under where the ashtray used to be. The controller will flip out of the way when not in use so as to not be visible. I went with components from Musway, also ditched the rear speakers in favor of two-way Focal’s in front and a sub under the seat.

Not yet installed but everything is ready and waiting for reassembly. I want the possibility to choose between engine sound and music or whatever. Stuck at the speed limit through the world’s longest road tunnel with average speed cameras at both ends, 2200 RPM in 5th gear isn’t very exciting. Nice to have sound options that no one even knows are there.

[dw1]

Fleetwood - I'm curious as to the end result of your decisions-making & installation efforts, so please be sure to keep us updated.

I'm thinking along the same lines, but in the short term I got a bluetooth adapter for the OEM Blaupunkt SQR26 in my '87. Fyi, the adapter is a bluetooth casette adapter (yes, casette). It is, of course, only a short-term solution.

[rowingone]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084HLVFFK/?coliid=IF7W08ISGYCNH&colid=3748QV4D154QK&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[almostordinary]

Ditch all of that.

I went w the Breman Blaupunkt head unit in my 87 coupe

New door and shelf coax speakers and this subwoofer under the passengers seat with a built in amp.

My system sounds amazing, and i've put a similar setup in my 89 560SL and 77 Scout Traveler.

Pyle amp'd sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09F7MB8LC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Ian

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Engine sound is great for short drives. I have done 12 hour drives many many times. Music is wonderful on long trips. Like cruise control, not needed for short drives, but after many hours on a straight interstate, it is wonderful.

As a fellow owner who does cross country drives and uses daily/weekly for running errands 100% agree.

Originally Posted by almostordinary

Ditch all of that.

I went w the Breman Blaupunkt head unit in my 87 coupe

New door and shelf coax speakers and this subwoofer under the passengers seat with a built in amp.

My system sounds amazing, and i've put a similar setup in my 89 560SL and 77 Scout Traveler.

Pyle amp'd sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09F7MB8LC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Ian

Also agree 100%, headunit, amp, all new component speakers and a small sub and my stereo is fantastic. You CAN get good sound in a 911...it's been done tastefully - even my purist friends all appreciate it. There are great period correct head units out there and very tasteful speakers that don't stand out.

The bluetooth options were not really there when I was installing but I do like the idea...my head units all charge my phone when in use and I really don't want to give that up...

I love music and have upgraded all my older vehicles...I have never regretted it.


Erik

[rowingone]

People don't understand how important DSP is in a car stereo. The unit I listed above from Amazon has the digital signal processing built in and includes a microphone. This will optimize your system based on your speaker placement and in car environment, all of which are very car specific.

[Fleetwood]

Thanks for all the input. The DSP amp is new to me and sound like a fine idea. Currently researching that one. Any more details on DSP appreciated...especially the microphone. Will that get me hands-free phone calls?

Initial thoughts on the bluetooth controller are I like the volume, skip tract, etc controls being separate from the phone for possibly easier access (?) as I really try to not use my phone much while driving. In music mode (not often), my expectation is phone would just be laying on the seat next to me or in the drivers door pocket

Thanks again to everyone. This input and more from the Pelican Brain Trust will make this a smooth and successful project

[rowingone]

The DSP microphone is for the DSP to "listen" to the sound in your car and adjust it for that particular environment. It adjusts the frequency response to compensate for where you install the speakers and how much sound is absorbed or reflected by the various surfaces in your interior. It gives you a more linear frequency response by comparing what it "hears" to what the optimal response should be and adjusting accordingly.

[PopsRacer]

I popped in a modern head that does bluetooth streaming and handsfree phonecalls. I added a Rennline phone mount for my celphone and I just stream from it if I feel like hearing music. I replaced all 4 speakers, just removing the crossovers on the doors (they were dead anyway) The weak spot is that I have not yet found a subwoofer that can fit under the passenger seat.
It is definitely convenient to have hands free & nav in the old car. I mounted the mic just to the driver's side of the ashtray.
Rather than ditching the rears, you might look at a woofer-focused solution back there, getting your mids & highs (& stereo spread) from the door speakers. jm2c
possibly helpful pics if you are digging into it yourself: https://www.joepampel.com/post/it-s-only-audio

[Mocker]

Whatever you do, just don't put a shiny Kenwood-ish head unit in the dash; they ruin the vibe of any older car, and just look like crap. You can keep your old head unit (cassettes are kinda cool!), or put in a blanking plate, and run everything through a compact bluetooth amp.

[AG81]

I do not have a head unit in my 72. Using a JL Audio VX600/6i 6-Channel Amplifier I bridged four of the channels for left and right door speakers and the last two channels for my small sub. I am using a blue tooth unit that syncs with my phone. I have my playlist, Pandora and Sirius XM on my phone. Amp settings link to my phone using the JL "TuN Express" app.

[Fleetwood]

Starting to get the idea that I should consider letting my phone be the controller for my minimized stereo. Please explain some of the operational details of how you all make this work. Phone mount, power plug, driver distraction issues, etc are some of my questions.

Along with a rennline phone mount maybe this is a solution but for me often just signing into my phone takes concentration away from driving. My +70 multi-tasking skills are weakening and the idea of an accident while pushing phone buttons or deciphering a semi-blinded screen (in sunglasses) is a real concern.

As always, thanks ahead for the input. Excellent progress