Hidden Audio

[rsrguy]

So I've been looking for a while now and I haven't found what I've been looking for (me to Bono). I have a 72 t and what I want is a hidden head unit controlled by an app from my phone. No face plate, no dash holes, no double din, no stupid LED touch screen, no funky controllers. Just a BT controlled stereo system in which my phone is used as tuner-ipod controller- eq- sat radio, and of course sat nav. Am I asking for too much? This just seems like a no-brainer to me, or is the whole "less is more" concept dead?-Guy

[BrianS]

For what it's worth, I just took out if those modern bright LED stereos from 1987. I installed a Blaupunkt Reno that I bought from a Porsche swap meet. That stereo has a external aux feed that I installed a Bluetooth adapter into. Now, my I can play podcasts from my IPhone.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[motofoto]

I installed a hidden stereo in my Alfa GTV. I used an iphone adapter that goes directly to a hidden amp in the trunk.

Amazon.com : iSimple PolyWire Car Radio RCA Audio Connector Cable for iPhone or iPod, IS75 : Ipod Interface For Ford : MP3 Players & Accessories

JL makes this that I use to control the volume:

Amazon.com : JL Audio CL-RLC : Vehicle Multi Channel Amplifiers : Car Electronics

It makes for really nice audio with the MB Quart amp and speakers I'm using, and the way I installed it, it looks like the car has no stereo of any kind.

[rsrguy]

Nice for the iPhone but I've got an S5. I can hardly believe no one makes a system that is fully integrated. You know, one ring to control them all.

[AVDCAV]

You can do this easily ,, Go to parts express .com and look at the
Lepai integrated 12 v amp selection. I have one in my work van it works perfect .

[darrin]

I have a decidedly low tech, but hi-fi hidden audio solution -- mounted a nice (old a/d/s) power amp under the passenger seat and used an adaptor that goes from the headphone out of my iPhone to the rca (line level) inputs on the power amp. Whatever I want to play on my iPhone goes directly to my speakers via the power amp.

[rsrguy]

Sounds similar to the LepaI set up. I love the simplicity here, I would like to have it as a Bluetooth though. Any suggestions on how to make that a reality ?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by rsrguy

Sounds similar to the LepaI set up. I love the simplicity here, I would like to have it as a Bluetooth though. Any suggestions on how to make that a reality ?

Looks like this would work, except you need to push a button on it to re-pair with your phone?

Amazon.com: GOgroove BlueGATE RCV Bluetooth Audio Receiver with A2DP, Integrated Audio Amplifier, and 15-hour Runtime - (2nd Generation) NEWEST MODEL - Works with Home Stereo , Portable Speakers , Headphones , Car Stereo Sound Systems & More: Cell Ph

[rsrguy]

I saw that one too. Looks as if I'll have to cobble something together and use an amp to drive the speakers. I just need to figure out if I want to mess with this or my muscle car right now. I'm shocked Secret Audio hasn't put all the pieces together, it's like they're selling an obsolete system, too funny.-Guy

[MrScott]

I'm planning something similar. The downside to a completely hidden install is the absence of tactile controls for volume, play, pause, etc. I don't want to have to look at my phone screen.

This looks good, has hands free calling and a button:
Amazon.com: iSimple Hands-Free Calling and Music Streaming Kit

A simple, period correct radio with that kit, an amp and some tinkering would give you a volume knob. Whatever bluetooth setup you go with I suggest one that auto-connects -- one less step to worry about.

Retrosound makes and all-in-one radio/amp/bluetooth kit if you like the looks. They offer a number of style combinations:
Retrosound

[blucille]

i've been playing with this at home, pretty cool...it works

Amazon.com: Grace Digital GDI-BTPB300 3Play Jukebox Bluetooth Adapter (Black): Cell Phones & Accessories

[AVDCAV]

https://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp7498e-200w-class-d-digital-amplifier-with-bluetooth-and-power-supply--310-298

I have this in the van and it rocks " the Bluetooth is rock solid and it laughs at a 4 ohm load .

[rsrguy]

Sweet options to be sure. I'm heading this direction, although I wasn't worried about volume as I was thinking more along the lines of a totally hands free system utilizing a hidden headliner mic.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by AVDCAV

https://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp7498e-200w-class-d-digital-amplifier-with-bluetooth-and-power-supply--310-298

I have this in the van and it rocks " the Bluetooth is rock solid and it laughs at a 4 ohm load .

how do you power it? "Power requirements: 18 to 36 VDC" -- otherwise, looks REAL nice

[McLaren-TAG]

Originally Posted by rsrguy

Sounds similar to the LepaI set up. I love the simplicity here, I would like to have it as a Bluetooth though. Any suggestions on how to make that a reality ?

Why the insistence on Bluetooth? You're just going to be killing the battery on the phone that much quicker and introducing Bluetooth artifacts into the sound. If it's for the wireless freedom, then I bet you'll be wearing down the battery on your mobile quick enough to have to plug it into the cig adapter for power and that will defeat the wireless point anyway, my two cents contribution.

[AVDCAV]

I have this in every car I own , even my 67 cobra has one. I plug all kinds of junk in these
1000 Watt Continuous/2000 Watt Peak Power Inverter

With the hf coupon it's like $50.00. The best is when I go on a club drive and bring my mini
George Forman grill with me and bang out some burgers and dogs in about 5 minutes.
People laugh but it's usually while I'm eating my delicious burger and ther eating there
Crappy soggy sandwich,,,,

[MrScott]

I haven't noticed any/much? decrease is battery life with my bluetooth setup.
GPS, screen illumination and streaming audio are the big battery sinks.

The argument for bluetooth is compatibility and simplicity:
A hard-wired connection would either be a single power/audio cable, making it phone or brand-specific or two separate connections for audio (headphone jack) and power. Not unreasonable overhead for long drives but frequent stops (assuming you don't want to leave your phone in the car) means a lot of plugging/unplugging. Easier to just get in with the phone in your pocket, turn the key and have it auto-connect.

[rsrguy]

Mr Scott nailed it! Ding ding ding give the man a prize. As GP my phone does get power jacked when I drive, so this is not an issue. The on board processor would only be controlled with the BT, unless streaming. Envision a head unit with a processor paired to an amp, the head actually feeds sat radio, tuned radio, and stored media via memory, to the amp, it could even have it's own cell Sim card for broadband access. In summary the phone would not be providing substandard audio quality unless streaming. Streaming could even be improved through a separate wi-fi access, avoiding BT streaming issues. In Guylandia there's no need for redundant controlers, in fact the only reason for the phone to be in this system at all is for integration S5's voice recognition and it's display.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by AVDCAV

I have this in every car I own , even my 67 cobra has one. I plug all kinds of junk in these
1000 Watt Continuous/2000 Watt Peak Power Inverter

With the hf coupon it's like $50.00. The best is when I go on a club drive and bring my mini
George Forman grill with me and bang out some burgers and dogs in about 5 minutes.
People laugh but it's usually while I'm eating my delicious burger and ther eating there
Crappy soggy sandwich,,,,

for low-end handtools and crap like latex gloves and chip brushes for doing fiberglass stuff HF is the way to go. i would never want any of their electronics in my garage let alone my car. if you are going to have a $20,000+ car why skimp out on it? i'm all for saving money but this is one area (inside my 911) that you will never find anything from HF.

[rsrguy]

Succinct and to the point. The overall goal is to get the MFI and all the custom interior bits complete to make it a 60k car, not much room for hf in it.