nookie alert..audio question about my new (to me 88 carrera)

[schmidder]

Ooops, meant noobie, off to a roaring start here....I'm sure it's been asked and answered a million times..my 88 carrera has the original blaupunkt tape deck..don't want to remove. The car is nearly all original 97k miles..

The sound of the system is terrible. I would think the deck would be capable enough. If the speakers are original..might they be the problem? Where should I look for replacements and will it make a difference in terms of the car remaining original???

Also..is there an input on the old unit to possibly run a cord from a phone to ut? I believe it is the reno model..

Anyway..this is my second carrera..had an 84..just got this one..original paint is perfect..interior is too..over the moon..

[Cajundaddy]

Either bad speakers or fried amplifier. Process of elimination. If this is a DIY project, Crutchfield has a good web tool to match speakers to your original locations. The stock Blau was a nice radio in it's day and if it is still sound, it is worth using. Not likely you will find a line input for ipod though. If the amp is dead you can probably find an Alpine that has retro styling so it looks stock but with modern conveniences.

[Ronnie's.930]

^^^ Noting about "nookie" in the original post - wut a ripoff!!!

[schmidder]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Either bad speakers or fried amplifier. Process of elimination. If this is a DIY project, Crutchfield has a good web tool to match speakers to your original locations. The stock Blau was a nice radio in it's day and if it is still sound, it is worth using. Not likely you will find a line input for ipod though. If the amp is dead you can probably find an Alpine that has retro styling so it looks stock but with modern conveniences.

Amp meaning, internal to the unit? Based on what I am hearing, that sounds possible.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

^^^ Noting about "nookie" in the original post - wut a ripoff!!!

Heh heh. Bevis. He said nookie.

Uhh. No nookie. Uhh.... heh heh.

[tirwin]

Take the cover off the speakers and inspect the cones. Mine were disintegrated. I do not think replacing speakers matters too much in terms of originality unless you start changing to aftermarket grills. How much you value originality is a personal choice. If you ask for opinions you will get lots of different answers. My personal feeling is that I try to not change things in such a way that I couldn't go back to original at some point. I have an aftermarket stereo and speakers but I also have the original Blaupunkt radio stored in a box. I've chosen to do things further my enjoyment of the car over being concours correct. To each his own.

Crutchfield is a good choice to research your options. They are not as price competitive as sites like Amazon but their support is fantastic.

Car audio is like wine. For some people, only the best will do and others are good with a bottle of 3 Buck Chuck. And then there are the people who say forget the radio, just listen to the song of the flat six. While I don't entirely agree, there is some truth to that. These cars are not quiet cabin luxury sedans so premium audio systems tend to be overkill.

I'd suggest doing some research on speakers and post some options you're thinking about and solicit advice.

Head units are really becoming a commodity these days. You can get some really good ones for a couple of hundred bucks. Most people find the hardest part is finding one that doesn't look like it came out of the future and fits the look of an older car.

There was a thread recently where someone posted about a box that basically lets you connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and USB but it has no "face". I think you control it with a smartphone app. The idea was to install it as a "stealth" install. In other words, this new box would be hidden and it would do all the work and the original radio was left just for looks.

Hope this helps...

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Heh heh. Bevis. He said nookie.

Uhh. No nookie. Uhh.... heh heh.

1980's technology audio equipment definitely does not = nookie! Nor does vehicle originality, BUTTofcourse!

Right, Butt Head?!?!

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by tirwin

There was a thread recently where someone posted about a box that basically lets you connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and USB but it has no "face". I think you control it with a smartphone app. The idea was to install it as a "stealth" install. In other words, this new box would be hidden and it would do all the work and the original radio was left just for looks.

Hope this helps...

Link? Please! I would love to leave the Reno in the dash and either install such a "box" or an amp under the passenger seat that accepts aux input. In a perfect world a box or amp that accepts Bluetooth, USB and Aux 3.5mm input. I have not been able to find such a thing.

I've only been able to find a box the wires inline between the antenna cable and head unit or a Bluetooth only module that plugs into the amp's inputs.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QBG614/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=KVBKAIUB0ZUO&coliid=I1OKMCIN17D85W&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BYGEVA4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=KVBKAIUB0ZUO&coliid=IH8BGH8HMIRGU

The original owner of my '88 had the Reno replaced with a Porsche CD-1 unit in '90. At a CONSIDERABLE cost from the dealer. The previous owner then replaced that with a SHINY Kenwood futurama looking thing a few years ago. He also did an amp and MB Quart speakers in the stock locations. The system sounds pretty good actually. I do want the aesthetics of the Reno and the benefit of the upgraded amplifier and speakers. Hence why I'm searching for said Magic Box. Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

I agree that the engine's song is great and that trying to get audiophile quality here seems a bit silly, but I do like occasional period correct '80s tunes when cruising on the freeway.

[tirwin]

Here's A recent thread. Not the one I was thinking about but a starting point.

Car Audio - Hidden, wireless head units???

This is one mentioned in the thread above:

Out of Sight Audio - Bluetooth Audio Stereo Radio for Vintage Classic Cars

I'll keep looking.

[tirwin]

My setup is a Kenwood head unit with USB to my iPhone and a P-car mount. The Kenwood is the least blingy unit I could find. You can change the screen and button colors. I went with 80s amber.

I have an Alpine PDX-5 amp mounted in the trunk along with the crossovers. Hybrid Audio L6 in the doors and L1v2 mounted in the Moch-1 under dash panel. I just went on a road trip where I left early in the morning. It was great having music and now that I have a loud dual out exhaust, the extra power from the amp helps get the music volume above the exhaust. The setup is audiophile quality but only while the engine is off.

When I'm driving I usually play music through my iPhone and I have two other apps running -- Waze for navigation and alerts and the Escort app for my radar detector.

[schmidder]

thanks everybody. great to have this kind of support. I think I might just go with a rechargeable bluetooth speaker for a bit and see how it sounds. As little as the car gets driven, I am not sure i want to replace all the stock stuff.

[DRACO A5OG]

Keep it stock, it will be more valuable

[SOAZ]

Originally Posted by schmidder

Ooops, meant noobie, off to a roaring start here....I'm sure it's been asked and answered a million times..my 88 carrera has the original blaupunkt tape deck..don't want to remove. The car is nearly all original 97k miles..

The sound of the system is terrible. I would think the deck would be capable enough. If the speakers are original..might they be the problem? Where should I look for replacements and will it make a difference in terms of the car remaining original???

Also..is there an input on the old unit to possibly run a cord from a phone to ut? I believe it is the reno model..

Anyway..this is my second carrera..had an 84..just got this one..original paint is perfect..interior is too..over the moon..

In my 88 the stock speakers were cardboard cones and had almost disintegrated. I removed them and saved them. Maybe someone obsessed with originality will want those really crappy speakers. I replaced them with these.
Then I bought a tape deck auxillary jack and now I listen to songs from my phone, ipod or Pandora. It's nice and I was able to keep the stock head unit.

All of this works with the stock covers so you can't tell anything is aftermarket.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JAY397S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BF6HX9E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Amazon.com : Pioneer TS-A4675R 4" X 6" 3-Way Speakers : Component Vehicle Speaker Systems : Car Electronics

[schmidder]

Originally Posted by SOAZ

In my 88 the stock speakers were cardboard cones and had almost disintegrated. I removed them and saved them. Maybe someone obsessed with originality will want those really crappy speakers. I replaced them with these.
Then I bought a tape deck auxillary jack and now I listen to songs from my phone, ipod or Pandora. It's nice and I was able to keep the stock head unit.

All of this works with the stock covers so you can't tell anything is aftermarket.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JAY397S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BF6HX9E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Amazon.com : Pioneer TS-A4675R 4" X 6" 3-Way Speakers : Component Vehicle Speaker Systems : Car Electronics

The sound is decent with the cassette converter deal?

The 4x6 speakers fit in the existing spots in the rear? in the front, my 88 has the rounds and a separate tweeter, maybe not stock..

Erik

[schmidder]

[schmidder]

were there separate speakers like this above stock?

[SOAZ]

Originally Posted by schmidder

were there separate speakers like this above stock?

Yes, but on mine the Tweeter was no longer hooked up and had no visible wires.
That's one reason I went with speakers that had the tweeters integrated into the speaker.

[paa502]

Beautiful car. Classic.

BTW, I am very happy with a CDR-220 in my 964 as far as sound quality and look. Plus very easy to go back to stock - no mods required.

Enjoy.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by tirwin

My setup is a Kenwood head unit with USB to my iPhone and a P-car mount. The Kenwood is the least blingy unit I could find. You can change the screen and button colors. I went with 80s amber.

I bet I have the same one installed in the Mighty Meatlocker Turbo - no bling black, relatively inexpensive, sounds decent and front USB port - just what I wanted and don't give two ****s that it doesn't look period correct. I have the same one in my box truck (the Pedo Van that Bob likes to refer to).

As with anything, each to their own, but I couldn't imagine doing like some folks do and going "radio delete". Maybe that works if the car is only used a couple of times a month for quick squirts down winding roads, but I use mine mainly for highway commuting and errand running (less errand running than highway commuting) - the engine and exhaust sound great, but would get old cruising at 80-85 for hours with nothing but that, and wind noise, in my ear. I've gots to have my Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, Anthrax, etc., donthcha' know - 930 appropriate tuneage, in other words!

BTW - I hear that Bob listens to WAM, Culture Club, Cindy Lauper, etc, in his Targa - not sure if that is accurate, however!!!

[darrin]

I went a different direction on my '86 targa -- don't really listen to the radio much, but do enjoy tunes from time to time. So, I

1) upgraded my speakers to two way speakers with separate tweeters. My cardboard door "cards" (the backing for the interior door pleather) already had cutouts from the factory for 2 way speakers and I was able to easily install tweeters into that position. Bringing the tweeters/treble up from the bottom of the doors did wonders for imaging/definition.

2) installed a power amp under the passenger seat -- mine's an old a/d/s powerplate that has rca inputs (like a home cd player or tape deck) and speaker level outputs. I diverted the existing speaker wires from the radio and extended them under the passenger floormat/carpet to the amp (along with power).

3) I used a Fusion MS-BT100 bluetooth module -- see http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-MS-BT100-Bluetooth-Dongle-Marine/dp/B00CUMQU50 to wirelessly bring my iphone's sound to the power amp using its rca outputs.

It requires a power source to run and provdies line level RCA outs. Paired with my iphone, it uses the iphone's volume controls to adjust/attenuate volume levels.

Sound is surprisingly good -- not as good as a direct connection (a bit of hf phasing) but doesn't sound at all flat/tinny. This allows me to play whatever I want on my iphone (including streaming radio if I wanted to) over my speakers wirelessly. My radio (which has a broken display due to an overcharging issue) sits on the dash doing nothing and looking period correct.

Drawback -- and this may not be specific to this bluetooth model -- I need to pair the bluetooth module with my phone using my phone's bluetooth settings every time I want to listen to music. It does not automatically re-pair and appears to lose the pairing each time I turn off the car's power. I do have it pulling power from a switched power source (i.e. one that goes out when the car's off), as its specs suggested that its standby power draw was more than I wanted as a parasitic drain.