TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:34 pm

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.

Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:54 pm

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

Tue Apr 03, 2018 1:02 pm

thomas. wrote: 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

Oh, I wasn't aware that these weren't 6 volt. I guess when they said '1958 - 1967' they mean they fit in the dash.

If I get the converter, I hope that opens up the choices beyond these two companies. Because when I went to two local car stereo places they had nothing that would fit in my dash.

Tue Apr 03, 2018 1:09 pm

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

https://www.ebay.com/i/122024560353?chn=ps&dispItem=1

Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:19 pm

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.

Tue Apr 03, 2018 4:38 pm

René R. wrote: 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.

I've not worked with any of the Custom Autosound radios, but installed a Retrosound in a Bay this past Summer, and it worked flawlessly.

Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:04 pm

Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:16 pm

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.

Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:26 am

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.

Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:13 am

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?

Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:17 am

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.

Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:39 am

Meiang wrote: There are quite a few sellers out there for car radios from the 1960's.
Some examples are: . . .

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. . .

Thanks for the leads. I have some research to do, and decisions to make.

Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:01 pm

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.

Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:18 pm

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

Fri Apr 06, 2018 10:13 pm

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.

Fri Apr 06, 2018 10:17 pm

Wayne S. Johnson wrote: 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

Utterly shameless. 8)

Sat Apr 07, 2018 6:16 am

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.

Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:49 am

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.

Sat Apr 07, 2018 5:13 pm

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

Wonder if I got lucky then. Mine was in my car when I bought it 2 years ago and it still works fine.

Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:22 am

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