TheSamba.com :: View topic - Blaupunkt set-up question

Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:41 am

Hi,

I have a 65 beetle. I'm new to restoring of any kind and I am now working out the radio/stereo issues...

I am considering buying a blaupunkt radio and mp3 adapter from a guy in germany (matthias of old time radio -- found him on ebay)... He says that the stereo is made for mono, but I can get it to work with 2 speakers -- he didn't say how...

My concerns:
1) I was actually hoping to put 2 speakers up behind the back seat, and also use the dash speaker... Is this possible?

2)Will I need an amp to make it sound ok? Also, If I do use an amp, will it take up the port/plug meant for the mp3 adapter...

Thanks!

Julie

Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:02 am

you run the speaker cables to the amp so wont affect your mp3 player.
They are mono but you can move the speaker connectors to run two speakers in parralel. Its still mono though.
But when was the last time you sat in your can really appreciating the fantastic stereo imaging :lol:
It just dont happen in reality.
dont know about 3 speakers, with an amp i guess so.
Use a mono amp then run the speakers in parallel i guess.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:18 am

I don't know what Blaupunkt (type/year) you're gonna buy. Most vintage Blaupunkt deliver about 4 Watt output power. It's loud enough but don't expect HiFi. You can always connect an after market amp to the speaker output of the Blaupunkt, but it's still mono and not period correct. To most vintage Blaupunkts you can connect two speakers in parallel. There's a "three hole female plug" at the back of the radio. Ground + the hole marked with 'I' to connect a single speaker or ground + the hole marked 'II' to connect two speakers in parallel.

P.S. Matthias Klassen is a good guy.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:31 am

I'd rather not buy an amp unless I have to. What would be the main advantage to buying an amp -- would it make the blaupunkt sound better?
Would it give me more options for connecting more speakers?

Thanks,

julie

Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:57 am

jburleigh13 wrote: I'd rather not buy an amp unless I have to. What would be the main advantage to buying an amp -- would it make the blaupunkt sound better?
Would it give me more options for connecting more speakers?

Thanks,

julie
You gave the answers yourself. 4 watt output from the Blaupunkt built in amp will give a lot more distortion than 4 watt from a modern amp, not to mention the difference with 2 times or even 4 times 4 watt or more . Most modern amps allow you to connect 4 speakers. But as a purist I'd stay with the Blaupunkt solo. But it's your car and your radio.
greetings from Holland,
Wim (=Bill in English)

Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:03 pm

wimkever wrote: jburleigh13 wrote: I'd rather not buy an amp unless I have to. What would be the main advantage to buying an amp -- would it make the blaupunkt sound better?
Would it give me more options for connecting more speakers?

Thanks,

julie
You gave the answers yourself. 4 watt output from the Blaupunkt built in amp will give a lot more distortion than 4 watt from a modern amp, not to mention the difference with 2 times or even 4 times 4 watt or more . Most modern amps allow you to connect 4 speakers. But as a purist I'd stay with the Blaupunkt solo. But it's your car and your radio.
greetings from Holland,
Wim (=Bill in English)

It isn't so much about power that will give you the best sound.......it's about speakers. Invest in some good speakers and enjoy that vintage radio. :wink: If your tuner cannot drive two speakers then go with the single...........an amp and two speakers still won't give you stereo or improve the quality of your sound. Your radio is the weak link.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:37 pm

[/quote]
4 watt output from the Blaupunkt built in amp will give a lot more distortion than 4 watt from a modern amp, not to mention the difference with 2 times or even 4 times 4 watt or more . Most modern amps allow you to connect 4 speakers. [/quote]

Wim/Bill,
Are you saying that if I want to connect more (than 1 or 2) speakers, I should use a modern amp (which I could hide somewhere easily I imagine)? Would 2 speakers connected to the Blaupunkt give me a distorted sound (as compared to the sound of 2 speakers connected to the amp, connected to the blaupunkt)?

ps -- are all of these differences of blaupunk & amps pretty miniscule? I know I have the option of just putting modern equipment in the glove compartment (for optimum sound and ipod-hook-up capability), and having a cheaper little saphhire am in the radio hole, but I sort of don't want to be bogged down with lots of stereo equipment in my little bug! I want the best sound I can get for the least money and equipment (a rare request I'm sure)... I need to find someone who can let me hear me a sound comparison test!

julie

Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:29 pm

jburleigh13 wrote: Quote:
4 watt output from the Blaupunkt built in amp will give a lot more distortion than 4 watt from a modern amp, not to mention the difference with 2 times or even 4 times 4 watt or more . Most modern amps allow you to connect 4 speakers.

Wim/Bill,
Are you saying that if I want to connect more (than 1 or 2) speakers, I should use a modern amp (which I could hide somewhere easily I imagine)? Would 2 speakers connected to the Blaupunkt give me a distorted sound (as compared to the sound of 2 speakers connected to the amp, connected to the blaupunkt)?
Yes that's what I'm saying and I disagree a little bit with oval 53. The built in Blaupunkt amp begins to distort at over 3 watt and gives 10% distorsion at 4 watt. A modern amp is almost distortion free at 4 watt because it's far off its max power (mostly 20 watt or more). But if you're happy with 3 watt the Blaupunkt sound is very fine, and that's loud enough to enjoy music.
jburleigh13 wrote: [
ps -- are all of these differences of blaupunk & amps pretty miniscule? I know I have the option of just putting modern equipment in the glove compartment (for optimum sound and ipod-hook-up capability), and having a cheaper little saphhire am in the radio hole, but I sort of don't want to be bogged down with lots of stereo equipment in my little bug! I want the best sound I can get for the least money and equipment (a rare request I'm sure)... I need to find someone who can let me hear me a sound comparison test!

julie
Go for a vintage Blaupunkt If you don't need a "sound car" it is good enough, although I must admit the differences are not miniscule. Bass boxes are not possible and more than 2 speakers is possible (e.g. two times two * ohm speakers parallel) it won't bring you more output power in terms of sound. It only spreads the sound.
A sound comparision test. At the moment I don't see how. Maybe I can create a MP3 file with a microphone and one of my radios.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:23 pm

Thanks -- that helps!

I guess I should first install the blaupunkt and mp3 adapter I get from Matthias, and try it out in the car, attached to the 1 dash speaker... Then, if the sound is too isolated and small, I can look into getting a modern amp so I can connect it to more speakers and spread the sound around.

How about recommendations on this one speaker that I will start with -- what will fit in the dash-speaker-area, and sound really good?

Also, if I eventually decide to get an amp, can anyone recommend one that is cheap and will work well with the blaupunkt?

Thanks so much!

Julie

Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:33 am

I' m not familiair with shops in the US, as I live in Holland, but I've read a while ago that Radio Shack sells a speaker that fits. I think it's wise to measure in advance the space behind the dash, so you won't come home with something that's too big. Furthermore it should be a 4 Ohm (impedance) type and a good trebble response is more important than a good bass response.
Talking about (modern) amps I'm off. I was never interested in that kind of stuff, I'm a vintage freak. But maybe someone else can help you in that matter.
greetings,
Wim

Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:39 am

I went with the Blaupunkt in the dash and the new head unit in the glove compartment/ kick panel speakers. Them most immediate difference is the reception. Big difference between vintage and new in reception of the radio. Maybe depends on where you live city vs country but the older radios don't compare. I would say if your car is a daily driver you will want to look into a newer model

Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:58 am

BUGGED11111 wrote: I went with the Blaupunkt in the dash and the new head unit in the glove compartment/ kick panel speakers. Them most immediate difference is the reception. Big difference between vintage and new in reception of the radio. Maybe depends on where you live city vs country but the older radios don't compare. I would say if your car is a daily driver you will want to look into a newer model
You're right that there'll be a (big) difference. But there is something like "taste". I have a Blaupunkt in the dash too and that's all. I'd never install some aftermarket equipment, because I want to keep it original and period correct. For the same reason I'd never install digital gauges in my car and I can come up with more examples. But as I stated before , It's a personal choice.

Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:20 pm

wimkever wrote: BUGGED11111 wrote: I went with the Blaupunkt in the dash and the new head unit in the glove compartment/ kick panel speakers. Them most immediate difference is the reception. Big difference between vintage and new in reception of the radio. Maybe depends on where you live city vs country but the older radios don't compare. I would say if your car is a daily driver you will want to look into a newer model
You're right that there'll be a (big) difference. But there is something like "taste". I have a Blaupunkt in the dash too and that's all. I'd never install some aftermarket equipment, because I want to keep it original and period correct. For the same reason I'd never install digital gauges in my car and I can come up with more examples. But as I stated before , It's a personal choice.

Taste is always subjective and I wouldn't put a reproduction Rolls Royce hood or a rear spoiler on mine but I was responding to jburleigh13. Seems to me if you want to play an MP3 player, have speakers in the back and possibly an amp, the period correct question has already been decided and their looking for a good quality sound system they can enjoy without sacrificing the look of the dash. A vintage radio isn't capable of doing the job other than looking nice in the dash and to power the in-dash speaker only. Adding an amp will probably give you amplified static.

New head unit in the glove box is a good way to go and I think kick panels give superior sound to speakers behind the back seat at least if your in the front seat. If your in the back seat, rear speakers can be a bit annoying. If nicely carpeted the kick panels also look nice.

That said, my other bug (aka "my baby")will never see a head unit in the glove box or kick panels, but it gets driven only on sunny days, when the wind isn't blowing, the moons are in alignment and I'm certain my sister isn't also on the road. It's a pretty bug but doesn't get many dates( she does get quality dates though) Such can be the life for a pretty woman :roll:

If you are looking for someone in the states to talk to about radios here's your guy. He'lives radios and also has a nice web-site :

http://homepage.mac.com/stokester/dub_tunes/PhotoAlbum5.html