New head unit and speakers
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
New head unit and speakers
I went with the Blaupunkt Toronto 400BT. Let me preface this by saying I'm not an audiophile and I don't have the best hearing. So the price, appearance and bluetooth were the main factors that led to my decision. Illumination color is adjustable to suit whatever floats your boat with 4096 variations. Blaupunkt utilizes the same connector package as my Becker CR-210 so much of it is plug-n-play using an adapter from Crutchfield. You could forego the adapter and wire directly but for the sake of simplicity I wanted not to modify any stock connections. Reversing everything back to stock will take about 30 minutes.
The adapter plug needed it's 12v ignition wire (red) swapped with the 12v battery wire (red) so everything would line up.
The speakers were solely selected by their fit to allow for the stock grills on my non-hifi system and without re-drilling. I used an adapter plug from Crutchfield for the OEM connector so it that will make these easy to install/de-install.
The 4"x6" rear speakers needed fitment by installing the speaker directly on top of the deck and placing the plastic plate on top and then the grill. This was trial and error because most of the speaker manufactures wouldn't fit flush enough to allow for the plate on top. Alpines were the only ones I found to work, there could be others. Also, the tweeter center piece protrudes higher on all of the new speakers and you need the extra space to clear the stock grill. The only gap is the thickness of the speaker plate which doesn't bother me.
The front speaker hole alignment is key because most 5.25" speaker mounting holes do not align perfectly. Kickers were selected because of the hole alignment and that fact it has as separate mounting plate that allows the stock grill to fit it perfectly. Like the rears speakers, the mounting plate is on top of the speaker to give the needed clearance for the tweeter.
Parts list:
Conclusion:
The sound is 50x better than the stock. The power output is sufficient for me although it could use a sub-woofer. The head unit has the glare issue in the daylight as many of the fancy units do. I tried to solve this by cutting a piece of anti-glare film found at the Apple store used on iphones. It helped a bit. The bluetooth works very well even though the mic is in located on the faceplate, however WOT and with stage IIs, forget about making a call.
Cheers,
Greg
The adapter plug needed it's 12v ignition wire (red) swapped with the 12v battery wire (red) so everything would line up.
The speakers were solely selected by their fit to allow for the stock grills on my non-hifi system and without re-drilling. I used an adapter plug from Crutchfield for the OEM connector so it that will make these easy to install/de-install.
The 4"x6" rear speakers needed fitment by installing the speaker directly on top of the deck and placing the plastic plate on top and then the grill. This was trial and error because most of the speaker manufactures wouldn't fit flush enough to allow for the plate on top. Alpines were the only ones I found to work, there could be others. Also, the tweeter center piece protrudes higher on all of the new speakers and you need the extra space to clear the stock grill. The only gap is the thickness of the speaker plate which doesn't bother me.
The front speaker hole alignment is key because most 5.25" speaker mounting holes do not align perfectly. Kickers were selected because of the hole alignment and that fact it has as separate mounting plate that allows the stock grill to fit it perfectly. Like the rears speakers, the mounting plate is on top of the speaker to give the needed clearance for the tweeter.
Parts list:
- Blaupunkt Toronto 400BT $199, http://www.midwestelectronics.com/
- Head unit adapter plug VW/Audi 120701758 $19.99, Crutchfield
- Alpine 4"x6" SPS-406 rear speakers $79.99, Crutchfield
- Speaker adapter harnesses VW 1207107 two sets $9.99, Crutchfield
- Kicker KS5250 5.25" front speakers $89.99, Best Buy
- Total $400
Conclusion:
The sound is 50x better than the stock. The power output is sufficient for me although it could use a sub-woofer. The head unit has the glare issue in the daylight as many of the fancy units do. I tried to solve this by cutting a piece of anti-glare film found at the Apple store used on iphones. It helped a bit. The bluetooth works very well even though the mic is in located on the faceplate, however WOT and with stage IIs, forget about making a call.
Cheers,
Greg
#6
Looks good. I bought an HU from Crutchfield and had to reverse the constant and switched power as well. Still haven't done the speakers - good time for a side-by-side comparison. I'll give you a call.
Scott
Scott
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Hi Rich, yeah been working my **** off! Anytime you guys want to hook up for few brews, let me know.
Trending Topics
#8
Pro
Thanks for sharing this info with us, very usefull.
~ The Eagle ~
---------------------
'96 Polar Silver/Black C4S, manual, litronics, LED's in the positioning lights, alu/leather shifter & handbrake,
silver face gauges with alu rings, sport seats, full leather interior, motor sound airbox, stainless door sills,
valve caps Porsche crested brushed alloy, front protection bar, with split rear grill and layered with Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax
__________________
'92 Carrera 2 (Sold)
'89 Carrera 3.2 (Sold)
~ The Eagle ~
---------------------
'96 Polar Silver/Black C4S, manual, litronics, LED's in the positioning lights, alu/leather shifter & handbrake,
silver face gauges with alu rings, sport seats, full leather interior, motor sound airbox, stainless door sills,
valve caps Porsche crested brushed alloy, front protection bar, with split rear grill and layered with Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax
__________________
'92 Carrera 2 (Sold)
'89 Carrera 3.2 (Sold)
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Blaupunkt states an Ipod interface, but it really does not. I connect my ipod via the front aux connection. There are front and rear aux. I just find that controlling any HU in the 993 is a chore. I set it and forget it.
Last edited by flyingchappy; 07-29-2010 at 05:09 PM.
#11
Rennlist Member
Greg, Thanks for posting this...it's very helpful as I decide what I want to do to upgrade my head unit. Still "waffling" on the Sony and Kenwood.
If I have the 993 up here one weekend I'll ping you to see if we can meet up.
If I have the 993 up here one weekend I'll ping you to see if we can meet up.
#12
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Hi Chappy,
Thanks for a very detailed, useful post. I have a satisfactory head unit, and wanted to replace the speakers (original to the car) on my 993, but like you, I don't want to make modifications, and I don't need audiophile quality. Your recommendations were spot on--the speakers were a perfect drop-in fit, and sound great!
Thanks for a very detailed, useful post. I have a satisfactory head unit, and wanted to replace the speakers (original to the car) on my 993, but like you, I don't want to make modifications, and I don't need audiophile quality. Your recommendations were spot on--the speakers were a perfect drop-in fit, and sound great!
#14
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Join Date: Jan 1997
Location: ^^ Werk 1 pictured Yr '00 .. Vail, Colorado
Posts: 2,518
Received 72 Likes
on
59 Posts
I recognize this is an older thread, not a bad looking 993 radio alternative.
Looks like Blaupunkt has moved onto a newer unit modl/number. Here's a link to the BT 420.
Looks like Blaupunkt has moved onto a newer unit modl/number. Here's a link to the BT 420.
#15
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: I should be in TNT for Carnival!
Posts: 10,056
Received 249 Likes
on
210 Posts
I recognize this is an older thread, not a bad looking 993 radio alternative.
Looks like Blaupunkt has moved onto a newer unit modl/number. Here's a link to the BT 420.
Amazon.com: Blaupunkt Toronto 420 BT World AM/FM/MW/RDS CD Receiver with iPod/iPhone Direct Control and Built-in Bluetooth: Car Electronics
Looks like Blaupunkt has moved onto a newer unit modl/number. Here's a link to the BT 420.
Amazon.com: Blaupunkt Toronto 420 BT World AM/FM/MW/RDS CD Receiver with iPod/iPhone Direct Control and Built-in Bluetooth: Car Electronics
BTW, C'field has it for $149 with free shipping, just placed order.
Last edited by TRINITONY; 12-11-2013 at 05:37 PM.