Car stereo

[rjkoop]

Considering getting a car stereo. I'm thinking a no CD player with radio and IPod/IPhone/Bluetooth connectivity. I'm looking at this one.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Stati ... 060614.pdf

Dimensions (W × H × D):
Chassis: 178 mm × 50 mm × 97 mm
(7 in. × 2 in. × 3-7/8 in.)
Nose: 188 mm × 58 mm × 17 mm
(7-3/8 in.× 2-1/4 in.× 5/8 in.)


Do you guys think this would be a good choice? I want a unit that I can put in the dash (using the existing wiring). I only have the front pocket speakers for now but would eventually get rears. And maybe an amp in the trunk. Any suggestions?

[4uall]

Richard I have a very similar stereo (sadly in my other car ) and they are awesome, can listen to anyone's playlist and it charges my cell, gps etc. I strongly recommend them.

PS no cd's to store

[rjkoop]

And with no CD player it's 1/2 the depth which should help out with installation.

[TX82FIAT]

I have a similar set up in my car. The Mechless system is great with multiple inputs. I do not have the blue tooth option as it drove the price up a few years ago when I was looking. Not sure how effective the microphone and blue tooth interface will be in our cars with the noise. I have a slightly modified exhaust and have accepted the fact that phone conversations in my loud car with my poor hearing do not mix well.

As far as the speakers, the foot panels are poorly located unless you angle out the speakers for better sound projection. I would recommend a small amp in the trunk with a couple additional speakers placed in the back.

[wizard124]

I went CD less also. The stereo is Kenwood KMM-BT312U. Speakers are 5+1/4 inch JBL GX502. I installed the speakers in XTC 51/4 speaker baffles for protection.

My thread including my custom radio console: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29923

I only have the 2 front speakers. IMO, there is so much ambient noise at freeway speeds with the top either up or down, I don't see the point of an amplifier and rear speakers

[rjkoop]

I went CD less also. The stereo is Kenwood KMM-BT312U. Speakers are 5+1/4 inch JBL GX502. I installed the speakers in XTC 51/4 speaker baffles for protection.

My thread including my custom radio console: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29923

I only have the 2 front speakers. IMO, there is so much ambient noise at freeway speeds with the top either up or down, I don't see the point of an amplifier and rear speakers

Cool. I'll check it out.

Richard

[njoconnor]

... I do not have the blue tooth option as it drove the price up a few years ago when I was looking. Not sure how effective the microphone and blue tooth interface will be in our cars with the noise.

As far as the speakers, the foot panels are poorly located unless you angle out the speakers for better sound projection. I would recommend a small amp in the trunk with a couple additional speakers placed in the back.

I agree about the rear speakers. I only have rears in my 72 (6 inch Sony 3 ways), and they work fine. Haven't had them on much until recently, with the car finally back on the road. With the windblocker, the sound is fine but needs volume cranked a bit at speed.

Had an interesting experience with the Bluetooth in my Retrosound head yesterday. Had the car idling in the drive, waiting for Pat to finish a couple of things before we headed out. Turned the radio on to begin resetting the clock/stations/etc after a long period of disconnected battery this past spring. I'm still not familiar with all the button settings, and punched "something", and the screen said "TALK"....and I heard a phone ringing. Suddenly Pat's voice comes out of the rear speakers: "Hello, I'll be right out". Phone's in my cargo pocket, Bluetooth mike is buried in the glove box, so I say "Can you hear me?" (yeah. Real original.). "Of course I can, be right out....bye". So, if you had any questions about how well the Bluetooth works, I can give it at least 2 ++'s. Sometime next week or so, I'll try it at speed......

Neil

[rjkoop]

Narrowed it down to 2 bluetooth enabled mechless (no CD player) car stereos (each $109 CDN).

JVC
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/jvc ... 5b4f0een02

Kenwood
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/ken ... d13a40en02

Nice with the mechless ones because they aren't very deep.

[rjkoop]

Installed the Kenwood mechless unit. Wiring was easy. Sounds 1/2 decent. Bluetooth is really nice! Only thing is that I didn't use the correct switched power wire. So it doesn't run in 'accessory' key position. What's a good wire to tap into for this? Looks like my spider has original wiring so a wire color would be great to know.

[Ptoneill]

Here is a picture of the harness I pulled from my 79. The brown wire is the only one coming from the red connector in the radio harness. Let me know if you need more pictures or if you want the entire harness...it also has the power window switches.

[Ptoneill]

Here is a picture of the whole harness, hope it helps!

[rjkoop]

Thanks. I'll checkout the image when home (can't see images from some sites at work). I definitely used the brown wire for switched +12V power. And I think the PO tapped into a red wire for continuous +12V power. But I'll have to confirm/trace when I get home.

[mrspeed]

Sorry, I know I'm a bit late to the thread and it looks like you already chose a different radio, but I happen to have installed the exact model you originally asked about. I figured I'd reply for anyone else coming to this thread later looking for info.

Here's what it looks like:



I have it running to an amplifier in the trunk, which in turn powers two 6.5" component speakers up front just above the map pockets, and two 6x9" rear speakers installed in interior side trim in the back seat. The system sounds great (well, as much as you'd be able to tell driving a convertible anyway; there's so much wind noise, you wouldn't be able to hear static even if there was any), and I can turn it up loud enough to hear clearly while doing 70mph on the highway with the top down and no wind deflector, without even approaching the max volume of the system.

And the bluetooth connection is great. It auto-connects to my phone in my pocket and starts playing Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc. from wherever it paused when I turned the car off.

It also came with a remote, which really isn't needed. I'm thinking maybe this winter, if I find time, I may try to disassemble the remote and mount the buttons/battery directly to the back of the original Fiat wooden steering wheel, so I no longer have to look down to change tracks or volume.

[BellaMachina604]

Becker distributes a classic look CD/MP3/iPod stereo that is beautiful and reasonably priced. http://beckerautosound.com/upgrade-radios/3126974

Here's mine.

[divace73]

Thanks. I'll checkout the image when home (can't see images from some sites at work). I definitely used the brown wire for switched +12V power. And I think the PO tapped into a red wire for continuous +12V power. But I'll have to confirm/trace when I get home.

I used the door chime wiring in the ignition switch to power my radio