Decent Sounds In Your Retro - No Modifications

[goosegog]

Hey guys, I have a nice old retro car I need decent sounds in without any modifications. It has a nice, unmolested dash and I don't want a modern head unit in it. So I came up with a plan which has worked very nicely. I thought you should know.

My car has this nice dash


I have a smartphone (HTC Desire HD) on which I keep a load of my favourite tunes in mp3 format. I heard about BlueTooth wireless speakers to which you can stream your tunes, without a wire! So I bought one

This is Logitech's Boombox. (£79.99 Amazon) Having several other Logitech audio devices I expected their usual high quality. Works with other BlueTooth phones like iPhone.


It runs on 12v so I saw the potential to use it in my car. It has an in-built battery too and while the sound is very good, it's way better when it's powered-up from an external supply (my car). This is because it preserves battery life with lower bass output. I found running off the car, things like the brake lights and other circuits upset its steady 12v supply so I bought a regulated power 12v power supply for £11



Here it is installed in my car. Can you see it? Not too intrusive. It's on the magazine rack below the glovebox. The phone lives on the magnet next to the heater controls for ease of vision and operation such as Sat Nav but it can live in your pocket / bag / glovebox if you wish



The sound quality, especially run off the car's power via the power supply is nothing short of excellent. Remarkable bass, crystal clear treble, great and ample volume. I can thoroughly recommend this setup for you car. It also supplies the other sound media from your phone such as sat nav directions. (Not phone calls though on my phone) Great for watching films on your iPad (other tablet devices available) at home too. Removable for picnics etc. Get one!

Cheers, Ferg

[bortaf]

I like that, I like that a lot
simple and effective

[HoTWire]

Good call,.. I bought a nice ghetto blaster for sounds in my car,.. sadly my car has been off the road since before I bought it so I've not had a chance to try it out :/ ...

[akku]

neat solution

[Jack]

I bought a Custom Autosound unit, Fitted in the original location and looks like a standard radio. Has FM tuner and an Aux. plug.




Fitting it was a bit of a faff.


I then replaced the speakers in the factory locations. Works a treat and looks standard with no loose bits rolling around the interior.

[akku]

looks identical to the stock unit in my Buick... I like them. One day...

[Seth]

Nice solutions. I like how modern technology has made doing this sort of thing so much more achievable than it was even just 10 years ago. Goosegog, of course those of us without cig lighter sockets would still need to sort that bit out..

[goosegog]

Cig lighter socket off the back of the fuse box - easy peasy
I bought a Custom Autosound unit for my girlfriend's Datsun which was good for a couple of years before it went pop fizzle unfortunately.

[Lawsy]

In my bug there is no radio, its got a smoothed dash

I'm going to run a small amp with phono in and then just run a jack plug - i found the bluetooth music drains the battery more than the headphone jack.. Then going to link up the small amp to some small discreet speakers and just put a on off switch on the dash, set the volume to where I'd like it, then fine adjustment be done through the phone..

I'll do a post when i do mine too

[goosegog]

In the Datsun we used '80s boxed car speakers hidden under the seats. The sound is alright

[jonallsorts]

[andyborris]

Jun 20, 2012 19:48:24 GMT jonallsorts said:

Great for driving, not so good for sharing while parked.

[Deleted]

decent exhaust and / or a pair of webbers....

[jonallsorts]

Jun 20, 2012 19:57:55 GMT andyborris said:

Jun 20, 2012 19:48:24 GMT jonallsorts said:

Great for driving, not so good for sharing while parked.

I'm just selfish lol

Everybody complains at my musical tastes anyway

[Sinky]

cheers for that Goosegog.
Perfect for my merc cause the sound system is pi@h
Sounds easy enough to pop in and out my other motors too .Thanks

P.S. I cannae get into wearing earphones when driving.

[mym]

isnt wearing earphone while driving basically illegal as you cant hear other traffic?

[VIP]

Jun 21, 2012 9:58:28 GMT mym said:

isnt wearing earphone while driving basically illegal as you cant hear other traffic?

Like if you have your stereo turned up, for example?

[akku]

no its not, AFAIK, but I've had the discussion with coppers and what happens is this...

it may not be illegal to do X. But if you have an accident whilst driving and doing X and the court decides that X was a contributory factor to the accident then it may get you charged with dangerous driving. Or "without due care" or whatever the offence is these days.

[akku]

X being an activity not a reference to extacy, obviously. Thats covered under other legislation

[camerashy]

goosegog, is there an aux jack in the Logitech unit? I am *very* tempted by this, and it'd certainly stop me spunking out on a pricey Alpine Unit I'd been eyeing (that'd need serious adjustment to use an aux jack). Really neat idea, and ideal for 'racing' days

As for earphones...while driving...I pity the fool who thinks that anything good could ever come of it, it just screams raging stupidity.