Radio with bluetooth
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 155
Likes: 32
Radio with bluetooth
Hey guys, I am looking to get a look alike radio for my '69. I took the original radio out, and am looking to install a radio with bluetooth capabilities. Does anyone have any good reviews on some radios? Thanks in advance!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 48
From: Lafayette IN
I recently installed the Custom Autosound Slidebar radio with the Bluetooth kit. While, not exactly matching the OEM radio, it is similar. I prefer digital when I use it, so this radio works for me: slide it the bar for digital readouts when I'm using it, slide to the standard needle (which is fake) for car shows. The radio appears to work well. I like the Ipod connector, but the blue tooth works well. The only problems I've found is the controls are a bit confusing (since most controls use the *****) and when I call someone while driving with the windows down, they can't hear me (of course, I have side exhaust which may be a better explanation).
Here's the radio I bought: http://customautosoundmfg.com/produc...adios/slidebar
Here's the radio I bought: http://customautosoundmfg.com/produc...adios/slidebar
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
leave to original radio in place and buy a standalone bluetooth amp.
i gave up on those look-a-like radios, poor performance, crap sound etc.... many threads on here about them recently.
i bought a "Kenwood KAC-M1824BT Compact Bluetooth 4-Channel Digital Amplifier", mounted up under the dash,
not connected to radio at all, plays from my samsung phone and tablet great.
i had already changed out the speakers to Polk units in the kick panels and dash before hand.
a club member even has one of those small portable cylindrical bluetooth units that fits in between the seats above the armrest.
orig in dash for looks, boom box between them, removes when he leaves the car parked.
i gave up on those look-a-like radios, poor performance, crap sound etc.... many threads on here about them recently.
i bought a "Kenwood KAC-M1824BT Compact Bluetooth 4-Channel Digital Amplifier", mounted up under the dash,
not connected to radio at all, plays from my samsung phone and tablet great.
i had already changed out the speakers to Polk units in the kick panels and dash before hand.
a club member even has one of those small portable cylindrical bluetooth units that fits in between the seats above the armrest.
orig in dash for looks, boom box between them, removes when he leaves the car parked.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I'd do either what riverracer said, or I'd get an aftermarket center cluster panel that's already cut for a retangular DIN opening for a modern radio, then your possibilities are endless. I have a Kenwood Excleon radio in my 79 and am very happy with it. It has bluetooth, CD, and Aux inputs, and a hand held remote that I find myself using all the time.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/ Installed one of these in my 70. perfect fit. Undetectable from original. Sounds great. Bluetooth functions perefect. Not as deep as original radioso its easier to install. Little pricey and takes awhile to get
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 287
From: Louisville KY
I have this.... Exact replica with bluetooth....12 week wait.
http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/whoF.htm
http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/whoF.htm
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 474
Likes: 25
From: Springfield MO
It depends a little on what you plan to do for the rest of the system. For me, a Retrosound was the best option. It looks "vintage" and keeps the stock surround and *****, but has bluetooth, a couple USB inputs (which I just use to charge my phone), aux inputs, and both RCA out (which I use to feed a 5-channel amp) and high level outputs. It also has decent active built-in crossover capabilities. The quality is much better than the Custom Autosound unit the car came with, too. The pros are flexibility and lower cost than the radiosforoldcars site. The con is that it only looks approximately right.
If you want dead-stock looking, the radiosforoldcars looks really cool. It has bluetooth and aux inputs and looks pretty slick. The downsides (for me, at least) were only three channels RCA out, no USB, higher cost, and longer lead time. I'm also not sure why it says it can't be used with stock speakers. Were the stock speakers an oddball impedance or something?
Depends on what your priorities are.
If you want dead-stock looking, the radiosforoldcars looks really cool. It has bluetooth and aux inputs and looks pretty slick. The downsides (for me, at least) were only three channels RCA out, no USB, higher cost, and longer lead time. I'm also not sure why it says it can't be used with stock speakers. Were the stock speakers an oddball impedance or something?
Depends on what your priorities are.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
I’ll triple recommend the radiosforoldcars.com site. The company is also know as Antique Automobile Radio, Inc (AAR). They are pricey and have a long lead time - but I am very happy with it. Tony’s Corvette Shop usually keeps a few radios in stock if you don’t want to wait.
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