Retrosound vs Custom Autosound? (radio)

[scottyrocks]

Retrosound vs Custom Autosound?

I want to install a 6v radio in the dash of my '63 without altering the dash in any way. It has to be 6 volt. I don't want to have to step up the power for a 12v radio, but I will if I have to.

These two companies claim to make these radios for '58 to '67 Beetles.

https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/RetroSound/...lsrc=aw.ds

https://www.classiccarstereos.com/1958-1967-vw-bug-radio-usa-230.html

What I want to know, primarily, is about quality – sound and longevity.

I plan on using the best speaker I can fit in the stock spot behind the dash. I'm not looking to blow out any eardrums, and I figure with the speaker that close I should be able to hear it.

The car has an antenna which will be used, and a radio delete plate which will be, um, deleted.

As far a options go, in my modern car I have a flash drive plugged into a USB socket that my sound system's 'IMID' can read, and play the music from. I'm not sure if either of these units, or the 'up' models, will have that capability. I do not want or need bluetooth. I do not keep music on my phone. I will, however, settle for an AM-FM radio-only unit. Plenty to listen to here in NY.

And can anyone suggest any other radio options?

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated.
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“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'

[thomas.]

Those radios are 12 volt. I don't think you can even purchase a modern 6 volt radio. I had pretty good luck with this 10 amp rated 6-12 volt converter. I haven't tried it on a radio but 12 volt fog lights it worked good.

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Converter-Regulator...+converter

[scottyrocks]

[scottyrocks]

I'd prefer something with an analog faceplate, like this:

https://www.ebay.com/i/122024560353?chn=ps&dispItem=1
_________________
“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'

[René R.]

Retrosound offers a variety of 'screen protector' options that adhere to the screen by static cling and give it an authentic analog look. Their radios look a lot better than the Custom Autosound ones, IMHO.

I love my Retrosound, but I have 12V. Great sound and I can keep two flash drives loaded with different types of music to fit my mood. With the screen protector and push buttons, most people assume it's original to the era.
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Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996)

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[René R.]

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Gone but not forgotten: 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1966) - another 1950 Hoffman split (restored in 1996)

[herbie1200]

If not interested into RDS and MP3 playing why do not consider a REAL vintage radio, i.e. a blaupunkt frankfurt or koln or anything capable to work with 6V?

They are MONO and low power (~5W) so a speaker in the original fit works at its best.

[Meiang]

I agree with herbie1200 a radio such as the Blaupunkt Koln can be used on both 6V and 12V. They look good and you can plug a modern media player or DAB unit into them.

[scottyrocks]

Thanks for the suggestion of an original radio.

I just looked on ebay. Prices are all over the place, depending on condition and maybe perceived rarity, I guess.

Anyone have a source for a known working radio?
_________________
“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'

[Meiang]

There are quite a few sellers out there for car radios from the 1960's.
Some examples are:
http://www.youngtimerradio-shop.de
https://www.oldtimerautoradio.nl/
https://www.chromelondon.com/
https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de
http://www.oldautoradio.com/

You need to work out what your budget is. If you only want to spent $200 you are not going to get much of a real 1960's radio in good condition. You occasionally get a seller who does not know what they are selling but most do and if its cheap be aware.

I have purchased many hundreds of car radios over the last few years mostly NOS units. I recently made contact with a good German seller and bought a 100 NOS Becker units from the 1960's and early 1970's. There are stashes of good units out there, but you have to spend time and energy finding them.

[scottyrocks]

[Bob Loblaw]

It's been about 5 years, but I bought a Frankfurt for my '57 from "maxman".

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563958&highlight=maxman

It's 6v/12v and has an aux in port. It sounds as good as it ever did back in the day, I guess. I'm into it for about $800 Cdn all in. Sure, for that money I could've gotten some big bangin' fancy LED colour changing amplified unit, but this one fits just right in Coral.
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[Wayne S. Johnson]

A guy on the Samba offers an upgrade to your radio using a Bluetooth receiver and 30 Watt stereo amplifier, 6V or 12V.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2097231

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[Cali_Army_Guy]

I have a custom autosound radio in my bug. It works good and has the aux jack for playing music from your phone. I would like to get a retro looking one with Bluetooth though so I don’t have to mess with wires.

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2015 VW Passat Wolfsburg Edition
1966 VW Beetle - Sold

[hitest]

[andk5591]

Had the cheaper Retrosound in my wifes 61 for about 6 years... She used the hell out of it and it finally crapped out...Not 100% sure its didnt have some sort of issue from day one. Anyway, replaced it with their Hemosa unit about 2 years ago and it sounded 1000% better, so really thinking the old one had a problem from the start. Getting ready to install one in a customer car this week and had installed one or 2 others several years ago. No complaints.
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D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[SDBob]

Stay away from the Custom Autosound brand - complete shit. I've owned two - they are junk. Channels cut out, occasional buzzing, zero customer service.

I will happily sell you mine for $50 if you want a cheap piece of shit to fill the hole in your dash.

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65 Beetle
64 Turkis Deluxe Walk-thru

[Cali_Army_Guy]

[Murt]

I was sold on, and had set my heart on a Retrosound, and then read this thread.
I found a site in London called strangely enough Chromelondon
I eventually went for the Mannheim over the Frankfurt or the Dortmund as it was more simplistic and not too overpowering for a bug. Mike the owner was extremely helpful, and the radio came with the original fixing clips as well, so once the radio delete plate was removed, I just bent the lugs back down and fitted the radio.
It has an access cable for MP3 fitted, and I can play the music on my iPhone , as well as good old fashioned air waves. The sound is awesome, I just finished fitting it about an hour or so ago
In terms of cost, a Retrosounds Hermosa with Ivory Buttons is GBP £284.00p
and you need to buy a Plastic front for it for another £34.00p, making it £318.00p, whereas I got a real chrome metal fascia, and a period radio for £350.00p
I have added some photos

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1966 VW Beetle ‘Jules’
1967 Kombi Splitscreen ‘Barney’
2018 VW Caddy Maxi R Line
2017 Golf GTD saloon
2008 VW EOS 2.0 TFSi