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rrankin Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2004 Posts: 287 Location: Austin Texas
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:33 pm Post subject: Radios.... What do you have? How well does it work? |
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Ok I've owned my Thing for 20 years... When I got it there was a sapphire AM radio installed in what I think it a Type III radio mount and a speaker that was blown. It was under the middle of the glove box so it made it hard to use and well I couldn't hear anything when the car was running (speaker). I removed that radio and put it in the garage. I found a cheap cassette AM/FM Panasonic that didn't have knobs or a face plate I just sat in the glove box. I figured it it looked toasted and just sitting there it wouldn't get stolen. I stuck some speakers in the car and didn't mount them... (What they are magnets!) I could barely hear anything if I was running at more than an idle... It finally got to wet and died one day.
Ok so here I am now ... it's 2015 and I'd like a radio in my Thing. It's my daily driver. Ideally I'd like something that looks stock.
Note: I think the RetroSound digital display is.... not my style and screams I'm expensive steal me but if it's the best option I'm open.
Questions for y'all:
Amplification?
Speaker mounts? Location make a difference?
Security?
Dry? (This is my daily driver and well it gets damp in the car sometimes.)
Features (cassette? 8-Track? bluetooth?)? What do you have and how well does it work?
Thanks to all for the input!
-Robert _________________ '74 Thing [Fritz]
Austin, TX |
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CraigInPA Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2011 Posts: 212 Location: Norristown, PA
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:21 am Post subject: |
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I put "marine grade" speakers in mine. You can buy them online at boating places like Overton's or stereo places like Crutchfield. They're available as bare speakers to put in your own enclosures, or with enclosures. I bought small speakers with enclosures, and put them in the foot wells, and a larger version behind the rear seat on the parcel shelf.
I have the original Motorola Sapphire IV radio in mine. Without a bijillion watts of power, it's unlikely I've hear anything while on the road anyway, and the original radio actually does have pretty good sound when the car is parked. Only problem is there is little worth listening to on AM radio.
20 years ago, in my bug, I left the original Motorola Sapphire in the dash, but hooked up a separate Sony in the glove box. The model I had included the ability to use a wired remote control. The remote control was a pyramidal thing that you pushed or twisted to make it do things. Very nice in that the car looked completely stock, except for the little pyramid poking out under the dash on a bracket. I built a rear deck cover, which was covered in speaker fabric (black, to match the interior) and had, hidden underneath, an 200w amplifier, 2 coax speakers, and a subwoofer. At the highest volume, it could make your ears bleed. |
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OG67westy Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2008 Posts: 286 Location: San Marcos Texas 78666
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Well, since you asked, I have the original radio and speaker, and it doesn't work for crap...but my ears don't bleed!.. _________________ '67 Westy pearl white "Greta"
'67 Westy velvet green "Ken's bus"
'74 Thing blizzard white "Schatze"
'61 Panel dove blue"Rche"
'65 Bug rusty"Tina"
'83 Porsche 944 |
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63ziggy Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2005 Posts: 1100 Location: The Woodlands, Texas
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:00 am Post subject: |
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My Thing is that weekend cruiser. I do watch where I prk and length of time. I guess I may be naive. This day and time, thugs are looking for laptops, ipods, iPhones etc.
not stock look here. thought would share.
I bought equipment from Sonic Electronics. Great prices. Nothing fancy. JVC head unit under dash in front of shifter, pair of 6 1/2 3-ways in front and pair of 6 x 9 3-ways in rear with a mono amp under back seat. Yes, I would hate anyone to steal all or part.
I have installed a Retrosound in a buddy's beetle vert. It was not the fancy ivory button model. was nice for basic and did look good in dash. sound quality OK in my opinion but can do better with other name brands. My JVC was less than Retrosound unit and better specs.
Here are some pics of my install but no where near stock look.
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Jzsquared Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2014 Posts: 218 Location: West of Chicago, IL
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:25 am Post subject: |
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Since 99% of my music is on my IPhone I just use http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/boom
It's amazing loud and clear and no need to connect at all. I know it's not the same as a radio but always an option |
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rrankin Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2004 Posts: 287 Location: Austin Texas
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Jzsquared wrote: |
Since 99% of my music is on my IPhone I just use http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/boom
It's amazing loud and clear and no need to connect at all. I know it's not the same as a radio but always an option |
Can you hear it when you are driving? _________________ '74 Thing [Fritz]
Austin, TX |
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Shoyrtt Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2010 Posts: 1007 Location: Redlands, CA
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:45 am Post subject: |
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Jzsquared wrote: |
Since 99% of my music is on my IPhone I just use http://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/boom
It's amazing loud and clear and no need to connect at all. I know it's not the same as a radio but always an option |
I have the Beats Pill XL that use with my iPhone. It fits perfectly in the Thing glove box and it is loud and clear even when driving. The battery life is also really good.
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citroen Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2010 Posts: 1578 Location: louisville ky
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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Mine is a old AM FM TV Cassette radio it is good enough for my Grandkid but he is only 11 not real good but you can here it around 30 or 40 not very good on the highway.
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Captain Spalding Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 2519 Location: . . . in denial.
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:09 am Post subject: |
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Yep. Nothing works on the highway. Not even ear buds. |
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Banker Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010 Posts: 124 Location: OHio
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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63ziggy : I love your speaker enclosures. _________________ Brian
07 Charger Sublime
03 Goldwing
74 Thing |
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oasis Samba Member
Joined: December 12, 2002 Posts: 2168
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Banker wrote: |
63ziggy : I love your speaker enclosures. |
Agreed. I spent so much time looking at the radios themselves, I didn't take notice at first. _________________ Now: 2003 New Beetle Turbo S / 1990 Single Cab Transporter / 2014 Tiguan R-Line 4motion / 2013 Tiguan S / 2002 Golf GLS TDI
Past: 1974 Thing Acapulco / 2009 Eos Komfort / 1997 Jetta GT / 2002 Cabrio GLX / 2002 Passat GLS / 1971 Super Beetle / 1993 EuroVan MV Westfalia / 1981 Pickup LX / 1985 Vanagon / 1986 Jetta GLI |
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63ziggy Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2005 Posts: 1100 Location: The Woodlands, Texas
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:03 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for compliments
first experience with MDF, fleece and fiberglass. learned a lot |
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surfarii Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2006 Posts: 307 Location: Hawaii
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:23 am Post subject: |
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Captain Spalding wrote: |
Yep. Nothing works on the highway. Not even ear buds. |
I respectfully disagree. My set up is loud and clear at any speed.
The operative word being loud =) |
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Jzsquared Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2014 Posts: 218 Location: West of Chicago, IL
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:09 am Post subject: |
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I can hear my UEboom at speed it's amazing the kind of sound coming out of small units these days. |
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Captain Spalding Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 2519 Location: . . . in denial.
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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surfarii wrote: |
I respectfully disagree. My set up is loud and clear at any speed.
The operative word being loud =) |
Anything above 80 dB contributes to hearing loss. |
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surfarii Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2006 Posts: 307 Location: Hawaii
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Captain Spalding wrote: |
surfarii wrote: |
I respectfully disagree. My set up is loud and clear at any speed.
The operative word being loud =) |
Anything above 80 dB contributes to hearing loss. |
Touch'e Captn. That was gone long ago. I have always enjoyed a great sounding stereo much more than just a loud one. I have a Bose wireless as well as JBL and it is no comparison to my system in the Thing.
I think this whole wireless thing is making people forget what audio can actually sound like. |
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strelnik Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2010 Posts: 352 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:00 am Post subject: |
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surfarii wrote: |
Captain Spalding wrote: |
surfarii wrote: |
I respectfully disagree. My set up is loud and clear at any speed.
The operative word being loud =) |
Anything above 80 dB contributes to hearing loss. |
I think this whole wireless thing is making people forget what audio can actually sound like. |
I agree. Everyone is so " busy " and has to be connected to music 24/7. I think it cheapens the pleasure of the music in your home, sitting down on the couch and listening.
Expecting symphony quality in a Thing on the road is like expecting symphony quality in a moving tank during the Battle of the Bulge. _________________ L'audace! L'audace! Toujours l'audace! |
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NOVA Airhead Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2005 Posts: 5221 Location: Richmond, VA
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:14 am Post subject: |
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I have an inexpensive AM/FM Cassette/iPod jack unit I bought at Pep Boys a few years ago. Used TTS under dash mount and kick panels for the speakers.
It works great. 30 watts per channel I can hear the music fine. _________________ Ghia Owner Emeritus |
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rrankin Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2004 Posts: 287 Location: Austin Texas
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:33 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info guys.... Please keep the setups coming in, I like options!
Thanks! _________________ '74 Thing [Fritz]
Austin, TX |
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mondshine Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006 Posts: 2765 Location: The World's Motor Capital
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:54 am Post subject: |
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Here's one that's a little unusual:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=596821&highlight=
My speakers are Bose 151 outdoor "deck speakers".
The enclosures are bolted vertically in the "kick" panel area.
They're out of the way, and don't interfere with my legs. Sorry, no photos readily available; my car is still in storage far away.
The sound is pretty good up to about 75, but I don't normally drive faster than that; at least not sustained.
4 speakers would probably improve things, but I've never bothered. I have an amplifier in the trunk which is mounted on a semi-round steel plate which fits neatly inside the spare wheel. See it in person this July in Dayton!
I'm over 60; people say I am partially (or selectively) deaf. I understand that they make Bluetooth hearing aids, so you can hear your phone...
Who knows what the future holds?
Good luck, Mondshine |
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