Radio Install - 1984 Carrera - OEM Look - Budget Friendly

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by X JBM X

from what i've read, this little Alpine amp is supposed to be incredible for what it is. obviously i haven't hooked it up yet, but i'm 'somewhat' of an audiophile so i like when music sounds good. this build is NOT meant to achieve audiophile-grade sound, but rather spruce things up to an enjoyable level without having to cut or fabricate.

I have recently installed speakers and head units in three cars (mine and two sons), all used Polk 6502 6-1/2" component speakers. My sons used a Sony head unit and a Pioneer head unit, both sound substantially better than my new Blaupunkt Bremen in both bass response and clarity at higher volumes.

Now, the Bremen sound quality isnt bad. With my Targa top off, cruising at 60 I can hear the music adequately and really that is all I was after. But, if that small Alpine amp works out as good as I've read, I'll probably install one.

Originally Posted by AlKidd

Im not an audiophile by any means but need to be able to have my phone connect in the car, catch traffic etc. The PO of my car installed an alpine CDE-143BT head unit but with the position of the unit in the dash and small buttons, I find it very difficult to use while driving. The Blaupunkt selected looks like it too has many small buttons. How simple is it to use when your arm is floundering around on an uneven road? Ive been spoiled by too many cars with steering wheel controls.

I agree the Bremen has too many buttons, but that is the look were after, right? Fortunately while driving the only functions I use are volume and skip. The volume knob is probably the most functional of any car radio I've had, perfect size and texture to blindly adjust and the skip button is the large toggle on the right.

I havent used the phone features enough yet to offer an opinion.

Originally Posted by X JBM X

I think I've read that this is due to a wire on the harness being reversed. you need to swap the yellow and red wire in the harness (constant vs. switched power) and that issue should get resolved.

Take a look at this post:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1005494-new-blaupunkt-black-radio-avail-2018-a-12.html#post10971156

Yes, with the power and ignition wires connected correctly the Bremen restarts right were you left off.

[X JBM X]

Originally Posted by waizone

Looks like a good choice. Couple questions for OP:
1. Will stock speaker covers fit new front and rear speakers?
2. Where did you get the Bremen? Been on back order at Crutchfield forever.

Stock speaker covers in the fronts should be fine. The rears I ordered some of Matt Kellett's stock replacements - basically it looks like stock but is a couple mm higher to accommodate the speakers. you'll have to email him to get a set as he's not active here anymore.

Originally Posted by GAJon

Ah that’s a good point. The only other functionality I’d be curious about is the antenna. The Sony I got sends it up regardless of what input is being used. There isn’t a separate antenna trigger. I was going to put a little hidden switch under the dash to trigger it for the few times a week I need it.

Wondering if the Blaupunkt would require this too.

it does. the antenna in our cars goes up when the radio is turned on. there are a couple guys that have wired a switch as you suggested. i'm undecided whether i want to do that - i like the functionality just not sure if i want to add another switch someplace.

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by X JBM X

the antenna in our cars goes up when the radio is turned on. there are a couple guys that have wired a switch as you suggested. i'm undecided whether i want to do that - i like the functionality just not sure if i want to add another switch someplace.

Odd. The '90s vintage Blaupunkt Ventura CD-83 I put in my '84 Carrera had 2 different switched leads. One was solid blue, the other was blue/white. I don't remember which was which, but one was powered anytime the head unit was on to trigger the remote amp. But the other was for the antenna and was only powered if the radio was playing. Stick in a CD and the antenna went down. Seems odd that they would eliminate this option.

[cpg123]

Originally Posted by X JBM X

Hi all

There were a lot of threads on the site that I referenced putting together my parts list and desires for a new audio system.

I'll start by saying that I did not necessarily restrict the build to a particular budget. Rather, I wanted to find a collection of components that would allow me to turn my 911's dog-**** radio into something that sounds decent, and retains as close to a stock look as possible. What I wound up with seems to be rather budget friendly in the scheme of things, so that's a nice added bonus. I'll also be doing a couple things on the interior, you know, 'while I'm in there'.

Of note, the parts have all been purchased, and I'm basically waiting for a warm weekend day to get started. The only work done so far is to take off the door card and repair the door pocket.

So first, a parts list:

Head Unit: Blaupunkt Bremen SQR-46 DAB
Front Speakers: Focal ICU 130 Coaxial
Rear Speakers: Infinity Kappa 64CFX
Amplifier: Alpine KTP-445U
Subwoofer: Alpine PWE-S8

Others:

Rockford Fosgate RFD4 Power Block
Wire Harnesses
100amp Circuit Breaker (this is a first for me - I've always used classic fuse blocks)
Rear Speaker grills from Matt Kellett (to replace the hideous speakers currently installed)
Rear Speaker mesh not acquired yet...

I just noticed this thread. I’ll be following your progress. I hope this turns out well for you.

May I also suggest adding a few of these or similar speaker baffles to your install.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[X JBM X]

Originally Posted by cpg123

I just noticed this thread. I’ll be following your progress. I hope this turns out well for you.

You gave me the idea for a few items on this install list, so thank you - credit where credit's due.

May I also suggest adding a few of these or similar

For some reason my car already has something similar to that on the front - there was some kind of audio setup in it that was later removed by a different previous owner (in favor of a stock looking setup) and while he kept the car in great shape, I guess he never turned the radio on.

i've also thought about adding some dynamat to the doors - both the outer shell and the inner vapor layer... still undecided though.