Radio upgrade, which unit?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
Radio upgrade, which unit?
I am ordering a new radio and am wondering what one is any good.
1 I do not want to cut the center console and i dont want to spend more then a hundred bucks on a already cut one
2 In my opinion i think modern looking units with crazy graphics look tacky in C3s
I am looking at the KHE 300, but i cant tell if you have to cut the center counsel. What about
it just says "radio USA 5" what about custom audio sound
any others that wont require taking a dremel to the counsel
cheers,
Steve
1 I do not want to cut the center console and i dont want to spend more then a hundred bucks on a already cut one
2 In my opinion i think modern looking units with crazy graphics look tacky in C3s
I am looking at the KHE 300, but i cant tell if you have to cut the center counsel. What about
it just says "radio USA 5" what about custom audio sound
any others that wont require taking a dremel to the counsel
cheers,
Steve
Last edited by Bowerss2; Mar 8, 2010 at 01:57 AM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
1. It's a "console."
2. The Custom Auto Sound units are very tacky looking installed in the car.
Use your stock unit and send it off to be "modernized." They can gut it and replace it with new technology, add MP3, ipod, etc and it sounds and looks great. Have to change the speakers, too, though. I just got mine back for the '69 and I like how it looks.
No cutting the stock console and looks just right.
2. The Custom Auto Sound units are very tacky looking installed in the car.
Use your stock unit and send it off to be "modernized." They can gut it and replace it with new technology, add MP3, ipod, etc and it sounds and looks great. Have to change the speakers, too, though. I just got mine back for the '69 and I like how it looks.
No cutting the stock console and looks just right.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
I agree that the original radios look the best, and they sound terrible. Aftermarket versions of this stereo look bad and sound awful. Modern units sound good and look bad. You have to choose what you are willing to give up. I bought a console that will fit a modern head unit and am very happy with it. but I take my car on long drives (14 hours) where I don't really care how it looks. Weigh your own priorities and make the call. But realize that any shaft style radio is going to sound bad.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
In checking out corvette central i found a sony i could live with. i just dont like those things that looked like they were designed by a 16year old for his honda civic with nawz
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I can't compare one unit with another but I can say the KHE-300 fits without cutting. And it sounds fine to me. But sound quality is often a function of the speakers. The Polk 6 1/2" speakers shown in the pic are very good units. In my first go-around with the kick panels I used Pioneer 4 x 6"s and the sound was not as attractive.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 675
Likes: 95
From: North Mankato MN
I'm considering the Blaupunkt Velocity 2go. Hooks directly up to the Car Battery and would easily fit in behind the seats. Has Auto-turn on, and of course an MP3 hookup. Wouldn't have to deal with mounting a new head unit, speakers etc.....
Puts out a lot of sound, and it's a Blaupunkt.
Puts out a lot of sound, and it's a Blaupunkt.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
I agree a lot of them are too tacky for any of my cars.
An old radio really dates a car. Our Corvettes are modern enough that a CD player looks great & works better.
Kenwood eXcelon mask CD
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/K%20eXcelon.JPG
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
corvette america has several new radios that they claim fit the console without modification. one looks like an oem, the other more modern. try part #26388 or 46337. i saw them in their 2009 holiday catalogue on page 43.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
on almost all those new ones with the flashing lights and animations and crap, that can all be disabled. all i have on mine is a clock, whats playing, and a few other little things. no more flashing lights or any of that crap.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Limerick N/A
I am ordering a new radio and am wondering what one is any good.
1 I do not want to cut the center console and i dont want to spend more then a hundred bucks on a already cut one
2 In my opinion i think modern looking units with crazy graphics look tacky in C3s
I am looking at the KHE 300, but i cant tell if you have to cut the center counsel. What about
it just says "radio USA 5" what about custom audio sound
any others that wont require taking a dremel to the counsel
cheers,
Steve
1 I do not want to cut the center console and i dont want to spend more then a hundred bucks on a already cut one
2 In my opinion i think modern looking units with crazy graphics look tacky in C3s
I am looking at the KHE 300, but i cant tell if you have to cut the center counsel. What about
it just says "radio USA 5" what about custom audio sound
any others that wont require taking a dremel to the counsel
cheers,
Steve
I put a cuatom audio sound unit into my vette with an mp3 dock. i also have the original unit which hopefully I will recondition at a later date. custom audio sound unit looks good had to change speakers too nice sound. Put in what ever floats your boat it's your vette after all!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
I got a replacement, non GM bezel on ebay for 50.00. I like Kenwood and they now have several all black units that look pretty good. They sound great also. This is a KDC-MP238. There are several KDC-MP242 on ebay that are a more current version. They are about 87.00 including shipping. mds...
