Anyone using Retrosound?

I was just curious if anyone has a Retrosound radio in their car.

Even though there's a 100 other things I need to do to the '68, a stereo is always on my mind.

I don't want to go through the hassle of what a lot of people have done and cut out the radio hole to fit a single DIN unit. So, the Retrosound unit looks like my best bet.

I also like that some of their units are Bluetooth and iOS compatible.

Pros? Cons?

I've had a couple customer's cars come through with a retrosound stereo in them. The quality is less than great.

Sounds like you're pissing in a tin can.

Honestly, we've been hiding an amp under a seat or in the trunk and running an audio cable so you can plug your mp3 player into it with much better results.

I think Kenwood even makes an Ipod dock to do exactly this.

Shawn

In reply to Trans_Maro:

Do you think they sound tinny because they aren't running an amp or upgraded speakers?

I want an actual radio. I've dealt with hidden head units and such before, so I would like something that I don't have to pull over to screw around with.

Interesting.

Are there any other similar radios to this? I want to move back to a 1st gen Saturn Wagon soon, but you can't mount a normal depth radio in there or it sticks out to far. I'd like to find something that can handle digital media that is shallow, or just the face-plate mounts there with the actual unit elsewhere.

Edit: Woah, this is direct fit.

ProDarwin wrote: Interesting. I'd like to find something that can handle digital media that is shallow,

Isn't all digital media shallow? Listen to good vinyl with a tube type preamp and amp sometime. Of course, it'd probably skip a lot in a Saturn.

They're newer head units dont suck nearly as badly as the old ones. Zuma pretty decent actually.

They're speakers blow goats, and all are under powered. Use an amp and good speakers.

ProDarwin wrote: Interesting. Are there any other similar radios to this? I want to move back to a 1st gen Saturn Wagon soon, but you can't mount a normal depth radio in there or it sticks out to far. I'd like to find something that can handle digital media that is shallow, or just the face-plate mounts there with the actual unit elsewhere. Edit: Woah, this is direct fit.

I posted about this unit a while ago in the off topic forum. I thought it was pretty cool, but everyone thought it was too expensive. It is, but if you want a modern radio that looks stock and is way more of a theft deterrent, because it looks like a 80s OEM radio, I think it's probably worth it.

Dusterbd13 wrote: They're newer head units dont suck nearly as badly as the old ones. Zuma pretty decent actually. They're speakers blow goats, and all are under powered. Use an amp and good speakers.

I found some other reviews after doing some research. The newer units are supposedly way better than the original.

I would use a more name brand of speakers and an amp. just because someone's makes speakers, doesn't mean they are good. Plus, you're not the first I've heard say that.

I may use their dash speaker replacement though. That's a special speaker.

If it's the standard gm 4x10, a pair of 4 inch jbl speakers on a shop made lexan plate is better and cheaper.

Pretty sure I can even do a how to for you if you want.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Yeah that's what it is. I want something under there to get some good sound

Is lexan a better idea than a metal bracket?

For those that have used these head units, how well does the iPod/Phone control work? How about accessing media on a USB stick? Is the Bluetooth for streaming audio, hands-free calling, or both?

Looks like the interface could be either awesome, or total crap due to the limited controls available.

In reply to ProDarwin:

I found this earlier. Shows how the interface works later in the video.

http://youtu.be/P8DniNpXhQg

Lexan is easier to work with and don't resonate too much.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to ProDarwin: I found this earlier. Shows how the interface works later in the video. http://youtu.be/P8DniNpXhQg

Interesting. Very good interface from looking at the video. I like it a lot. Almost makes me want to search harder for a 1st gen interior just so I can use it :)

In reply to ProDarwin:

It looks like it would take some getting used to, but not all that difficult.