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Radios.... What do you have? How well does it work?
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rrankin
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:33 pm    Post subject: Radios.... What do you have? How well does it work? Reply with quote

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
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CraigInPA
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, since you asked, I have the original radio and speaker, and it doesn't work for crap...but my ears don't bleed!.. Laughing
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63ziggy
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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Shoyrtt
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep. Nothing works on the highway. Not even ear buds.
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Banker
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 12:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

63ziggy : I love your speaker enclosures.
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oasis
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Applause
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63ziggy
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for compliments

first experience with MDF, fleece and fiberglass. learned a lot
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surfarii
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 5:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink
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surfarii
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink


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
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink



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.
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NOVA Airhead
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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rrankin
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info guys.... Please keep the setups coming in, I like options!

Thanks!
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mondshine
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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".
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


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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