Stereo Upgrade Suggestions
08-06-2012, 06:57 PM
#61
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Colorado Springs, CO USA
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Just a heads up that you still may miss the Bluetooth capability. It's pretty nice with the Sony that it will pause/mute whatever I'm listening to when the phone rings, then switch back when I hang up. Even shows the charge level for the phone's battery on the receiver's display.
08-06-2012, 08:28 PM
#62
Nordschleife Master
I think to stay consistent with the digital dash of the GTS....you'll need to find a unit that has the amber backlighting... Some of the blank face units look good...until you turn them on...and then there's bright blue neon or bright white which detracts (IHMO) from the "Look" of the 928 console/dash...
Funnily enough I was looking at head units yesterday lunchtime.. to check out this year's ranges, and this one stood out as a good choice:
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?mo...hId=139&page=1
Notably, you can change the lighting colours of both the buttons, and the text display, independently of each other. So you could choose amber buttons and red text for example (or just go amber/amber).
Importantly for me too, it doesn't have masses of shiny silver bling on the faceplate.
Once I get my 87 through its current emissions-test issue (hopefully next week - need to change back to stock injectors), I'm back on the prowl to replace its very old CD player with something that has usb,bluetooth with external mic, and ipod control built-in, and this JVC one stood out.
08-29-2012, 08:12 AM
#66
Racer
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
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Here's some more info on the Clarion CZ702,
Clarion CZ702A Bluetooth CD USB MP3 Car Stereo
We Think YOU Should Know
'Parrot' BLUETOOTH built in
USB Input (Front)
Made for iPod & iPhone
Digital Time Alignment Built In
Digital Cross Over Built In
728 Varaible Colour Display
WMA / MP3 Compatible
3.5mm Auxiliary Input
50w x 4 High Powered
3 Pre Out's at 5 Volts
Subwoofer Volume Control
Built In low Pass Filter
Beat EQ for Sound Adjustment
Editorial Note: The key differences between the CZ302A and this unit is the CZ702A is the inclusion of digital time alignment, 3 5 volt pre outs, 728 variable colour display and a 50 watt x 4 channel amplifier. This is the ideal head unit to build a competition sound system around.
Clarion is a world wide recognised brand in car audio and has always created and developed cutting edge technologies in their products. With features like Magna Bass Boost and Beat EQ in their car stereo head units other brands have difficulty in keeping up with their innovations.
Clarion CZ702A - Parrot Bluetooth Built In
The Clarion CZ702A has a built in Parrot Bluetooth module which not only allows to you have safe mobile handsfree phone calls but Audio Streaming from compatabile phones and devices is also supported.
Clarion CZ702A - Plays all your Music
The Clarion CZ702A supports USB, MP3 and WMA music files with the support of ID3 Tagging built in. Have your music stored on a portable music player no problems, the Clarion CZ702A has a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack on the front of the unit which allows you to plug directly in.
Clarion CZ702A - High Power and Sound Adjustment
The Clarion CZ702A has a 50 watt x 4 channel amplifier built in and a 2 pre-outs for external amplifiers, you have everything you need to build a great sound system. With Clarion's newest technologies including Magna Bass EX boost, Beat EQ equalization and a low pass filter, adjusting the sound to the way you want to hear it could not be easier.
Clarion CZ702A - Simplistic Design
Fundamental to Clarion's design, is ensuring that their head units are simple and straight forward to use and the new range of Clarion CZ car stereos are just that. Button layout is simple and uncluttered and the display is large and bold.
Clarion CZ702A Bluetooth CD USB MP3 Car Stereo
We Think YOU Should Know
'Parrot' BLUETOOTH built in
USB Input (Front)
Made for iPod & iPhone
Digital Time Alignment Built In
Digital Cross Over Built In
728 Varaible Colour Display
WMA / MP3 Compatible
3.5mm Auxiliary Input
50w x 4 High Powered
3 Pre Out's at 5 Volts
Subwoofer Volume Control
Built In low Pass Filter
Beat EQ for Sound Adjustment
Editorial Note: The key differences between the CZ302A and this unit is the CZ702A is the inclusion of digital time alignment, 3 5 volt pre outs, 728 variable colour display and a 50 watt x 4 channel amplifier. This is the ideal head unit to build a competition sound system around.
Clarion is a world wide recognised brand in car audio and has always created and developed cutting edge technologies in their products. With features like Magna Bass Boost and Beat EQ in their car stereo head units other brands have difficulty in keeping up with their innovations.
Clarion CZ702A - Parrot Bluetooth Built In
The Clarion CZ702A has a built in Parrot Bluetooth module which not only allows to you have safe mobile handsfree phone calls but Audio Streaming from compatabile phones and devices is also supported.
Clarion CZ702A - Plays all your Music
The Clarion CZ702A supports USB, MP3 and WMA music files with the support of ID3 Tagging built in. Have your music stored on a portable music player no problems, the Clarion CZ702A has a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack on the front of the unit which allows you to plug directly in.
Clarion CZ702A - High Power and Sound Adjustment
The Clarion CZ702A has a 50 watt x 4 channel amplifier built in and a 2 pre-outs for external amplifiers, you have everything you need to build a great sound system. With Clarion's newest technologies including Magna Bass EX boost, Beat EQ equalization and a low pass filter, adjusting the sound to the way you want to hear it could not be easier.
Clarion CZ702A - Simplistic Design
Fundamental to Clarion's design, is ensuring that their head units are simple and straight forward to use and the new range of Clarion CZ car stereos are just that. Button layout is simple and uncluttered and the display is large and bold.
08-29-2012, 02:08 PM
#68
Burning Brakes
An alternative view...
Hi all
So I know the title of this post is "stereo upgrade suggestions." The purpose of my post is to put some perspective here. After evaluating what to do with my stereo and while waiting for parts during the topend refresh, I finally decided to:
1.) Install an older Blaupunkt
2.) Refoam the rear speakers
3.) Install Hans' door speakers
That's it! I wanted to keep the car stock looking, and here are the additional reasons:
1.) For the head unit, I only wanted an iPod connection and shortwave. To do this, I found this place to get an iPod connector:
http://www.oldtimer-radio.com/detail...adio=Universal
2.) Regarding bass, yes, I wanted more bass. But the reality is that it is impossible to find thin 6" speakers to put in the limited space. So, I decided to refoam. (My only remark here is that if Hans would make a 928 compaitble 2 ohm speaker for us, he could make a mint...) The best 2 ohm speakers I could find, albeit too thick, were:
http://www.german-maestro.de/DE/cs6508iv2.htm
I was fortunate because although my (low mileage) car had had already 2 previous stereo installs, they had left most of the stock wiring and factory amp. Feet and feet of wiring were therefore pulled out of the car, and I found a new cables to replace the awful splices from the last stereo install that in fact had constituted a fire hazard...
I learned from this experience that stereo installs cost a lot of time to do, maybe 10 hours plus, if the new components are relatively close to the stock components... There is almost no way anybody can have a professional upgrade done for under a USD 800 in labor. If not done professionally, the complicated electrical system in the 928 may well be affected... I now view stereo installs as a "high risk" item when evaluating 928s. Could be good, but most likely corners will have been cut.
I was happy with the final "stock look" and was happy that I could really return the wiring to almost completely stock as well. I admit that this approach is not for everybody, but with my RMB and high flow cats, the big gain of an expensive stereo would be marginal anyway. Also, if too many components are gone from the original stereo system, it is virtually not feasible to return to stock due to the high cost of the original 6 channel amp. A bonus for me was the good match for the amber dash lights. :-) Picture below:
So I know the title of this post is "stereo upgrade suggestions." The purpose of my post is to put some perspective here. After evaluating what to do with my stereo and while waiting for parts during the topend refresh, I finally decided to:
1.) Install an older Blaupunkt
2.) Refoam the rear speakers
3.) Install Hans' door speakers
That's it! I wanted to keep the car stock looking, and here are the additional reasons:
1.) For the head unit, I only wanted an iPod connection and shortwave. To do this, I found this place to get an iPod connector:
http://www.oldtimer-radio.com/detail...adio=Universal
2.) Regarding bass, yes, I wanted more bass. But the reality is that it is impossible to find thin 6" speakers to put in the limited space. So, I decided to refoam. (My only remark here is that if Hans would make a 928 compaitble 2 ohm speaker for us, he could make a mint...) The best 2 ohm speakers I could find, albeit too thick, were:
http://www.german-maestro.de/DE/cs6508iv2.htm
I was fortunate because although my (low mileage) car had had already 2 previous stereo installs, they had left most of the stock wiring and factory amp. Feet and feet of wiring were therefore pulled out of the car, and I found a new cables to replace the awful splices from the last stereo install that in fact had constituted a fire hazard...
I learned from this experience that stereo installs cost a lot of time to do, maybe 10 hours plus, if the new components are relatively close to the stock components... There is almost no way anybody can have a professional upgrade done for under a USD 800 in labor. If not done professionally, the complicated electrical system in the 928 may well be affected... I now view stereo installs as a "high risk" item when evaluating 928s. Could be good, but most likely corners will have been cut.
I was happy with the final "stock look" and was happy that I could really return the wiring to almost completely stock as well. I admit that this approach is not for everybody, but with my RMB and high flow cats, the big gain of an expensive stereo would be marginal anyway. Also, if too many components are gone from the original stereo system, it is virtually not feasible to return to stock due to the high cost of the original 6 channel amp. A bonus for me was the good match for the amber dash lights. :-) Picture below:
Last edited by Red Flash; 08-29-2012 at 06:39 PM.
08-29-2012, 04:28 PM
#69
Drifting
I put an Alpine IDA-X something in mind and wouldn't recommend it.
like this:
At first glace, having full iPod operation sounds interesting. In reality, this unit has a quirky user interface and the display is difficult to read during the day (given our consoles sit at a slight angle).
If I where to do it over, I'd look for something with a more retro look that has one ****, not a button, dedicated to volume.
I really like the looks of the Becker, also a few of the Nakamishi's don;t look bad.
like this:
At first glace, having full iPod operation sounds interesting. In reality, this unit has a quirky user interface and the display is difficult to read during the day (given our consoles sit at a slight angle).
If I where to do it over, I'd look for something with a more retro look that has one ****, not a button, dedicated to volume.
I really like the looks of the Becker, also a few of the Nakamishi's don;t look bad.
08-29-2012, 05:21 PM
#71
Racer
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Can someone explain "refoaming the rear 6" speakers". I am not entirely clear on what this means and how to do it. Is it s DIY job?? I lkike Red Flashes comments and also Karl's commentary regarding the use of Siri for music selection. I will have to investigate this a little further. I too want something that is a better head unit than already installed a CDR-20 (?) but would like it to look more stock and also to get similar/same colour lighting at dash. The Clarion I referred to earlier has a vbery good iPod interface, bluetooth handsfree for phone, 4V pre-outs and an almost infinite combination of illumination colours.
Cheers
Cheers
08-31-2012, 02:26 AM
#72
Burning Brakes
Yes, the refoaming is a DIY job. I did it myself with no prior experience following the advice of Shock! here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...speaker+repair
The place where I bought the foams, which by the way had to be slightly trimmed on the outside (Part: SWK6 6" Speaker Repair Kit Angled or Flat Attach with 1 Foam Surround), was:
www.speakerworks.com
For the cables (headunit to stock amplifier) that I mentioned in the above post I did not use an OEM cable but used Blaupunkt cables that plugged right in with no splicing (1 piece of 8 Pin Din (Male Socket) to 8 Pin(Male Socket) 8PIN1 and 1 piece of Blaupunkt 8 Pin Plug (IEC) to 8 Pin Socket (IEC) Adapter 8PIN2) from:
www.shimstech.com
@ Tony: I see we have similar problems! We both have guards red 928s and 2 SAABs... Very funny!
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...speaker+repair
The place where I bought the foams, which by the way had to be slightly trimmed on the outside (Part: SWK6 6" Speaker Repair Kit Angled or Flat Attach with 1 Foam Surround), was:
www.speakerworks.com
For the cables (headunit to stock amplifier) that I mentioned in the above post I did not use an OEM cable but used Blaupunkt cables that plugged right in with no splicing (1 piece of 8 Pin Din (Male Socket) to 8 Pin(Male Socket) 8PIN1 and 1 piece of Blaupunkt 8 Pin Plug (IEC) to 8 Pin Socket (IEC) Adapter 8PIN2) from:
www.shimstech.com
@ Tony: I see we have similar problems! We both have guards red 928s and 2 SAABs... Very funny!
Thanks for the advice.
08-31-2012, 09:20 AM
#74
7th Gear
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Thank you very much, now on to find a way of replacing the headunit and removing the OEM amp that is sitting there dead...
Jim
07-20-2013, 10:26 PM
#75
Intermediate
Join Date: Feb 2009
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I just installed the new SPH-DA110 App Radio from Pioneer. Its a double din so it took some cutting and relocating to make it fit.I had to remove the fasten seat belt panel and extended the wires and placed the AC switch under the radio so I can get a flush fit. Bazooka amplified sub and 6in MB Quart coax in the doors. Great sound. Big improvement over the old Pioneer head unit.