If not Blaupunkt, then what??
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 6
From: Bountiful, Utah
I currently have a Blau Tokyo after having a Blau Miami Beach CD148 (Not Miami CD127). The Miami Beach has more power and a couple of other spec changes over the Miami. The main reason I bought it was that it looked so factory. I have moved away from that thinking and gone for the bells and whistles. I never used the deck power as I run separate amps, so I could not tell you how well it performs on it's own. Used as a head unit, it worked great. I had no complaints with the sound or operation. I agree that speakers will modify the sound more than the deck specs. I still have the Miami Beach laying around if you are interested. I was keeping it to replace the Toyko if I sold my 928, but I doubt that will ever happen. Dave
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From: Seattle - it's not Hell, but you can see it from here!
Randy -
it plays CD-R's i've burned, but i don't know about RW's.
Brett -
the Toronto is a discontinued model, but you can find them on ebay...
it plays CD-R's i've burned, but i don't know about RW's.
Brett -
the Toronto is a discontinued model, but you can find them on ebay...
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Randy -
CDRWs are a different breed, and I am not sure about them in anything but the newest head units.
Usually it has to say that it will play it.
CDRs are no problem though.
if it goes boom, boom, with no SCHKKSKSK, then I am okay.
Brendan
89S4 toronto, but looking for something different that looks just as good.
CDRWs are a different breed, and I am not sure about them in anything but the newest head units.
Usually it has to say that it will play it.
CDRs are no problem though.
if it goes boom, boom, with no SCHKKSKSK, then I am okay.
Brendan
89S4 toronto, but looking for something different that looks just as good.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I think your local stero shop is a little out of date. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
The new blau head units are excellent, well built, and moderately priced for the features.
I recently installed a Casablanca CD51, and new blau PA 2100 amp. Sounds great, easy to install, more features than you can shake a stick at.
The new low heat amp fits in the orginal location on the passenger side with no issues. Look at E-bay for a good deal from a trusted seller. The head unit, amp, and thumber remote cost about $300.
Since a lot of head units for normal systems are near equal, save the cash for some great replacement speakers, MB Quartz, JL's, etc. The speakers are the difference for normal listening.
However, if you want to create a sound machine, which is what sound pro shops cater to, then the Blau may not be the answer... personally my sound machine has a V-8 attached to it
Chris W
PS Get a good Blau
The new blau head units are excellent, well built, and moderately priced for the features.
I recently installed a Casablanca CD51, and new blau PA 2100 amp. Sounds great, easy to install, more features than you can shake a stick at.
The new low heat amp fits in the orginal location on the passenger side with no issues. Look at E-bay for a good deal from a trusted seller. The head unit, amp, and thumber remote cost about $300.
Since a lot of head units for normal systems are near equal, save the cash for some great replacement speakers, MB Quartz, JL's, etc. The speakers are the difference for normal listening.
However, if you want to create a sound machine, which is what sound pro shops cater to, then the Blau may not be the answer... personally my sound machine has a V-8 attached to it
Chris W
PS Get a good Blau
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA.
This is a common topic it seems. Looking to replace or add a deck, and finding that the brand we are all familiar with has done a 360 in terms of keeping up with the quality and technology (Blaupunt).
There are a thousand headunits out there that make fine replacements to the Blaupunt- and although they are not "original equipment" they will perform great and look great if you just dig a little through the local shops and online. I run MP3 recievers in both my personal vehicles-
Im very happy with Kenwood and the new kid on the block- Rockford fosgate. The Kenwood has a D mask series that makes the stereo disappear behind a black faceplate- this one would look nice in our cars!! But Im also running 2 chrome colored decks that look very good, even though they standout a bit more. I would avoid the decks that have gaudy displays of moving LED graphics.
So far most people on this list are still talking Blaupunt and Alpine- which is showing your age. So be brave and break away from brands that used to be good in the 80's. When you find a deck that you like the looks of- do a search for consumer reviews, or subscribe to "car stereo installation" (it's free)and it rates equipment very well.
It's time to take off those gold chains, button up your shirt past the chest hair, cut off your mullet, and forget about has been namebrands.
Sincerely
"a mobile audio enthusiast".
There are a thousand headunits out there that make fine replacements to the Blaupunt- and although they are not "original equipment" they will perform great and look great if you just dig a little through the local shops and online. I run MP3 recievers in both my personal vehicles-
Im very happy with Kenwood and the new kid on the block- Rockford fosgate. The Kenwood has a D mask series that makes the stereo disappear behind a black faceplate- this one would look nice in our cars!! But Im also running 2 chrome colored decks that look very good, even though they standout a bit more. I would avoid the decks that have gaudy displays of moving LED graphics.
So far most people on this list are still talking Blaupunt and Alpine- which is showing your age. So be brave and break away from brands that used to be good in the 80's. When you find a deck that you like the looks of- do a search for consumer reviews, or subscribe to "car stereo installation" (it's free)and it rates equipment very well.
It's time to take off those gold chains, button up your shirt past the chest hair, cut off your mullet, and forget about has been namebrands.
Sincerely
"a mobile audio enthusiast".
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Seattle - it's not Hell, but you can see it from here!
[quote]
<strong>
This is a common topic it seems. Looking to replace or add a deck, and finding that the brand we are all familiar with has done a 360 in terms of keeping up with the quality and technology (Blaupunt).
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
um, wouldn't 360º be the same direction?
[quote]
<strong>
There are a thousand headunits out there that make fine replacements to the Blaupunt- and although they are not "original equipment" they will perform great and look great if you just dig a little through the local shops and online.
But Im also running 2 chrome colored decks that look very good, even though they standout a bit more. I would avoid the decks that have gaudy displays of moving LED graphics.
So far most people on this list are still talking Blaupunt and Alpine- which is showing your age. So be brave and break away from brands that used to be good in the 80's. When you find a deck that you like the looks of- do a search for consumer reviews, or subscribe to "car stereo installation" (it's free)and it rates equipment very well.
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
most decks out there now are to gaudy/fancy or have too much crap on them, or are crap. i don't need features. i do all my real listening at home, in the car it's just a distraction. so all i require is that a deck plays cd's, fm radio and abaove all else looks like it belongs in/could have come with the car. my Blaupunkt Toronto fills these requirement nicely. even a lot of the newer Blau's are too fancy for me...
a lot of BMW owners buy Toronto's too, for the same reason: they look right in the car.
[quote]
<strong>
It's time to take off those gold chains, button up your shirt past the chest hair, cut off your mullet,
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
i've never had any of those...
<strong>
This is a common topic it seems. Looking to replace or add a deck, and finding that the brand we are all familiar with has done a 360 in terms of keeping up with the quality and technology (Blaupunt).
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
um, wouldn't 360º be the same direction?
[quote]
<strong>
There are a thousand headunits out there that make fine replacements to the Blaupunt- and although they are not "original equipment" they will perform great and look great if you just dig a little through the local shops and online.
But Im also running 2 chrome colored decks that look very good, even though they standout a bit more. I would avoid the decks that have gaudy displays of moving LED graphics.
So far most people on this list are still talking Blaupunt and Alpine- which is showing your age. So be brave and break away from brands that used to be good in the 80's. When you find a deck that you like the looks of- do a search for consumer reviews, or subscribe to "car stereo installation" (it's free)and it rates equipment very well.
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
most decks out there now are to gaudy/fancy or have too much crap on them, or are crap. i don't need features. i do all my real listening at home, in the car it's just a distraction. so all i require is that a deck plays cd's, fm radio and abaove all else looks like it belongs in/could have come with the car. my Blaupunkt Toronto fills these requirement nicely. even a lot of the newer Blau's are too fancy for me...
a lot of BMW owners buy Toronto's too, for the same reason: they look right in the car.
[quote]
<strong>
It's time to take off those gold chains, button up your shirt past the chest hair, cut off your mullet,
</strong>
<hr></blockquote>
i've never had any of those...
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Michael S. Palmer
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,887
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From: LA, Calif., USA
i will agree with the majority here. While not the *only* stereo manufacturer in the world, Blaupunkt (Bluepoint) fits the bill, why not? who wants cheesy rice when we are all about FUNCTION- otherwise we'd be driving/talking about cadillacs and SUVs. Of course, "San Francisco" has a special ring to it, which I can clearly appreciate, aside from the fact that this "Sony" I presently use is mediocre at best (the PO was a cheap ***).
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Ball Ground, GA
A week or two ago there was a question on one of the lists concerning the six-channel Blaupunkt amp used on the later ten-speaker stereo systems. The poster asked if the amp included a frequency cross-over.
Today I finally took a couple of hours to do a little stereo work on the '90 GT, so now I have an answer to that question.
Yes, the six-channel amp includes frequency cross-overs.
The six output channels are LF, RF, LR, RR, LW and RW.
The "LW" and "RW" output channels are Left Woofer and Right Woofer. These two channels put out low frequencies only. The other four channels put out lower-midrange to treble, but no low bass.
The woofer channels are fully affected by the balance control on the head unit, but the fader control on the head unit (front-rear) has very little effect upon the woofers.
As has been mentioned before, the stock Blau woofers are two-Ohm coils. My car had a set of very nice Infinity speakers adapted to the stock housings - sounded like crap. Using the stock six-channel amp driven by a Kenwood KRC-801, I had to run the bass full up and the treble full down, and the music still was shrill, with no low-midrange and very little bass.
Today I installed a used set of original equipment 5 1/2" Blau two-Ohm speakers that one of our customers had cut out of his housings so he could install better speakers. I trimmed my housings out to fit the cut-down speakers, and epoxied them into place. With the stock speaker set-up back in place, the stereo sounds better than it did with the much-better Infinity speakers.
Bottom line appears to be:
Stock six-channel amp and stock Blaupunkt speakers are a matched set. Either use both of them, or neither of them. Don't change just the speakers and expect to get good sound.
Today I finally took a couple of hours to do a little stereo work on the '90 GT, so now I have an answer to that question.
Yes, the six-channel amp includes frequency cross-overs.
The six output channels are LF, RF, LR, RR, LW and RW.
The "LW" and "RW" output channels are Left Woofer and Right Woofer. These two channels put out low frequencies only. The other four channels put out lower-midrange to treble, but no low bass.
The woofer channels are fully affected by the balance control on the head unit, but the fader control on the head unit (front-rear) has very little effect upon the woofers.
As has been mentioned before, the stock Blau woofers are two-Ohm coils. My car had a set of very nice Infinity speakers adapted to the stock housings - sounded like crap. Using the stock six-channel amp driven by a Kenwood KRC-801, I had to run the bass full up and the treble full down, and the music still was shrill, with no low-midrange and very little bass.
Today I installed a used set of original equipment 5 1/2" Blau two-Ohm speakers that one of our customers had cut out of his housings so he could install better speakers. I trimmed my housings out to fit the cut-down speakers, and epoxied them into place. With the stock speaker set-up back in place, the stereo sounds better than it did with the much-better Infinity speakers.
Bottom line appears to be:
Stock six-channel amp and stock Blaupunkt speakers are a matched set. Either use both of them, or neither of them. Don't change just the speakers and expect to get good sound.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Bacliff Texas
my $0.02
I just got my Blaupunkt Tokyo in. I ordered it off e-bay and "won" it for a measley $227.50. New in box with everything included and a new set of 6 1/2 speakers. (not sure where to put those speakers yet) I will probably install it myself (unless someone on here lives on or near Glaveston and wants to help). I am also expecting my new devek radiator and hoses thursday. I'll provide the beer if anyone near here is bored on say...thursday afternoon.
Pretty straightforeward work and don't really need the help, I am really more interested in getting together with other shark owners in the are since I keep missing all the 928 events
anyway, I seem to be rambling now so .... <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />
I just got my Blaupunkt Tokyo in. I ordered it off e-bay and "won" it for a measley $227.50. New in box with everything included and a new set of 6 1/2 speakers. (not sure where to put those speakers yet) I will probably install it myself (unless someone on here lives on or near Glaveston and wants to help).
I am also expecting my new devek radiator and hoses thursday. I'll provide the beer if anyone near here is bored on say...thursday afternoon.Pretty straightforeward work and don't really need the help, I am really more interested in getting together with other shark owners in the are since I keep missing all the 928 events
anyway, I seem to be rambling now so .... <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
The main reason for me to choose the Blaupunkt Toronto was the look and feel - it fits into the 928 console as if it was designed for it. It's layout is easy to use, and does not take too much attention away from driving. I enjoy the lack of "light shows". The only thing I am not crazy about is the up/down push buttons for the volume - I prefer the buttons on the newer Blaupunkt head units, which you can turn to adjust the volume.
The Toronto has performed very well, even though nothing out of the ordinary. I wish for a better speaker setup in the car, but am worried to destroy the factory look.
A good stereo shop and installer is key. Every 928 I have owned (three so far) has had some screwed up "professional" stereo upgrade. The worst being a case where new speakers were screwed into the door panels, and everytime someone shut the door hard, the speakers came loose. Oh, and there were BIG holes cut into the sheetmetal of the doors, to make the speakers fit...
The peoole who installed the Toronto (SoundWave, San Carlos, CA) did an outstanding, clean job and have given me perfect service. They have worked on plenty of 928s over the years, and built a reputation to do things right, rather than hiring some high school kid to slap the systems into the cars.
At some point during the warranty, the plastic slot for the key card broke. I have no idea how this happened - whether I did it, a passenger, or someone working on the car. Initially, Blaupunkt refused warranty, saying it showed signs of abuse. However, my stereo shop worked it out with Blaupunkt, and everything was fixed under warranty.
I hear that the Toronto is still available in Europe, and that some company (in Florida?) even imports those into the US. I'm not sure, if this is up to date information, though. I'd try a google search for "Blaupunkt Toronto"...
The Toronto has performed very well, even though nothing out of the ordinary. I wish for a better speaker setup in the car, but am worried to destroy the factory look.
A good stereo shop and installer is key. Every 928 I have owned (three so far) has had some screwed up "professional" stereo upgrade. The worst being a case where new speakers were screwed into the door panels, and everytime someone shut the door hard, the speakers came loose. Oh, and there were BIG holes cut into the sheetmetal of the doors, to make the speakers fit...
The peoole who installed the Toronto (SoundWave, San Carlos, CA) did an outstanding, clean job and have given me perfect service. They have worked on plenty of 928s over the years, and built a reputation to do things right, rather than hiring some high school kid to slap the systems into the cars.
At some point during the warranty, the plastic slot for the key card broke. I have no idea how this happened - whether I did it, a passenger, or someone working on the car. Initially, Blaupunkt refused warranty, saying it showed signs of abuse. However, my stereo shop worked it out with Blaupunkt, and everything was fixed under warranty.
I hear that the Toronto is still available in Europe, and that some company (in Florida?) even imports those into the US. I'm not sure, if this is up to date information, though. I'd try a google search for "Blaupunkt Toronto"...
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 116
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From: Bacliff Texas
The Toronto was my second choice. I wanted to remain Blaupunkt just to kinda keep original eqiupment and the orangish display plus the clean efficient appearance were all key points. In the end the features and the black face and frame (as opposed to all that chrome nowadays)were complimentary to the original look. I have seen some pretty creative setups even with the brushed aluminum etc that looked pretty good. I just wanted to maintain a clean stock appearance. The Tokyo got my money after weighing it against the (very close 2nd place)Toronto.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 881
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From: Denmark
Nicole wrote:
I hear that the Toronto is still available in Europe, and that some company (in Florida?) even imports those into the US. I'm not sure, if this is up to date information, though. I'd try a google search for "Blaupunkt Toronto"...
I checked on <a href="http://www.blaupunkt.de" target="_blank">www.blaupunkt.de</a> - Yes, they have a Toronto model, but that's a newer (and less pretty) design
I hear that the Toronto is still available in Europe, and that some company (in Florida?) even imports those into the US. I'm not sure, if this is up to date information, though. I'd try a google search for "Blaupunkt Toronto"...
I checked on <a href="http://www.blaupunkt.de" target="_blank">www.blaupunkt.de</a> - Yes, they have a Toronto model, but that's a newer (and less pretty) design
