Retro vs Custom

mustangmutt · Jun 29, 2011

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Retro Sound radio's to the Custom Auto Sound radio's. I have installed a few CAS units and although they function well and sound okay, I have not been impressed with the quality of sound they produce. Someone suggested installing amps, but all they do is amplify what they are fed, they don't add any quality to the sound. I have no experience with the Retro Sound products.
Any imput will be greatly appreciated.

robbz28 · Jun 29, 2011

I just purchased a retro unit for my 67 and the overall look, fit and features are great....however....the tuner is quite powerful, i can pick up a lot of radio stations. It has decent sound quality too...I have not amplified it, i have it ran to kenwood 3 way 6x9's and kenwood 6.5" component kick panel speakers. The MP3 interface is complete crap on mine...it has one for the front and rear, which is handy, but it buzzez no mater which one i put it in, and whatever mp3 player I use. Overall im happy with it, until i plug in my ipod....im going to try some new plug wires...but i doubt that helps me out.

65ShelbyClone · Jun 29, 2011

Does it buzz when the engine is off?

mustangmutt · Jun 29, 2011

The CAS unit in my 72' just doesn't have a very rich sound quality. I am running a dual voice coil in the dash with two 4X10's in back along with two 8" woofers and an amp behind the rear seat. It sounds kinda droany. I have installed a CAS in a 66' with two 6x9's in the back and two 5" kick panel speakers and it sounded tinny (not tiny) and another one in a 66' with the same speaker set up that actually sounded good. And one in a 57 Cadillac with only one front and one rear speaker and it sounded decent, but cheep. The one in my 72' has reception problems in the city, but 80 miles away I can still pick up local stations good. I worked on a 67' Camaro with their hidden stereo that sounded like crap. He had 4 speakers all powered by an amp. I want to sell a customer a Retro Sound Radio for their 67' vert, but I hate to use them as a guinea pig. Right now he has an old Kenwood Casette player and a CD changer in the trunk. It's all old outdated stuff that sounds crappy even with good Pioneer Speakers. I think he would be happy with something that he can plug an ipod into.

It just seems that with CAS you are rolling the dice.

iskwezm · Jun 29, 2011

I do everything i can to NOT sell Custom AUto Sound radios, but some people like the idea of the old look and vintage sound.

mustangmutt · Jun 29, 2011

iskwezm said:
I do everything i can to NOT sell Custom AUto Sound radios, but some people like the idea of the old look and vintage sound.

I like the old look, but not the vintage sound. I have a cheepo $100 Sony in my 90GT and it sounds great. I just figure if you're going to spend $250 + for the old look you should also get good rich sound.

robbz28 · Jun 29, 2011

The ONLY reason I got the retro was because I have a factory console and I wanted to keep it...some people suggested put another radio in the glove box...nah, just one radio is fine for me, dont like the thought of hidden radios, etc. if I drove the car everyday then I might want something different, but for the occasional cruise I am satisfied.

steveh326 · Jun 30, 2011

dang I am a ways away from interior but was planning on a CAS 630 radio for ipod control. with a convertible I need all the sound i can get. how bad are these really? hell I can't half hear anyway so maybe it's a non-issue, and I'll just get louder mufflers... lol. maybe a boom box on the back seat.

mustangmutt · Jul 1, 2011

robbz28 said:
The ONLY reason I got the retro was because I have a factory console and I wanted to keep it...some people suggested put another radio in the glove box...nah, just one radio is fine for me, dont like the thought of hidden radios, etc. if I drove the car everyday then I might want something different, but for the occasional cruise I am satisfied.

Thats the thing with this car, it has the factory console and the owner doesn't want to cut it up, or go hidden. Have you had the chance to listen to a CAS with a similar speaker set up to make a comparison? You did say the quality of sound is good with your Retro unit. Is it better than a CAS?

robbz28 · Jul 1, 2011

I have not had a chance to listen to CAS sorry. I was really attracted to the features and the flexability of the unit (the tuning shafts are infinitely adjustable). Also the compact size of the radio itself (the whole unit is about the size of an 8 track...a little thicker). It has plenty of power too, drives all my speakers really well, I even fixed my buzzing mp3 problem (bad wire from my ipod to radio) so im very pleased with my purchase.

mustangmutt · Jul 1, 2011

Thanks for the feedback Robbz. I think I'll see if I can sell my Customer on the Retro.

robbz28 · Jul 1, 2011

No problem...I know it sounds better than my stock radio in my Tundra....I like some good ol hard rock and it has no problems blasting out some ac/dc louder than your ears care to stand.

mustangmutt · Jul 2, 2011

robbz28 said:
No problem...I know it sounds better than my stock radio in my Tundra....I like some good ol hard rock and it has no problems blasting out some ac/dc louder than your ears care to stand.

Oh, my ears can stand a lot of AC/DC cranked up to ludicrous levels!

tx65coupe · Jul 7, 2011

I like the idea of having a vintage looking radio with modern features, but I'm probably not ever going to bother with either of them. They are all over priced for what you get and don't sound as good as a decent deck does.

The CAS looks better, but the Retro sounds better and is a better unit from what I understand.

robbz28 · Jul 7, 2011

mustangmutt said:
Oh, my ears can stand a lot of AC/DC cranked up to ludicrous levels!

Everytime I hear the word ludicrous I think of spaceballs...

robbz28 · Jul 12, 2011

Any feedback on that radio? Ever get it ordered installed?? Im just curious to see if my advice was worth anything, lol.

tx65coupe · Jul 19, 2011

Ludicrous Speed... Go!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebAkXuOk9rg&feature=related

steveh326 · Jul 19, 2011

Would the Mustang police come arrest me if I contemplated cutting the dash in my 66 for a DIN radio? This is one of the options I am considering. The rest of my car will be restomod not original. I've got a box coming that installs under the dash and holds a DIN radio, but not sure how it will look until I get it mocked into place.

robbz28 · Jul 19, 2011

Its your car...do what you want to with it, they make patch panels in case you change your mind one day. One option to consider, If you don't have a console, or underdash a/c, I have seen guys do radio installs under the dash with universal under dash kits and they actually look really good.
Here is the kit they use...you can paint it to match your interior color, anyway, just a suggestion:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Metra+-...lack/1244585.p?id=1218019667409&skuId=1244585

steveh326 · Jul 19, 2011

robbz28 said:
Its your car...do what you want to with it, they make patch panels in case you change your mind one day. One option to consider, If you don't have a console, or underdash a/c, I have seen guys do radio installs under the dash with universal under dash kits and they actually look really good.
Here is the kit they use...you can paint it to match your interior color, anyway, just a suggestion:

Metra - Universal Under-Dash Mounting Kit for DIN Radios - Black - 99-9000

yep that is the exact kit I have coming to try. I pulled out the A/C from the car because I just never liked the look of it hanging under there and the added clutter in the engine bay, and it never worked anyway. and it's a convertible anyway so the top will always be down. no console either, so that space is available. if this underdash housing looks OK when it's mocked up, I'll mount a sony unit there, and use a radio block off plate on the dash itself and maybe install some toggle switches there to fill the space.

another option I am toying with is to try to build some kind of console like the 67-68's have that runs down from the dash and build a DIN radio pocket in there. This would be the most work but I actually like the idea of it better than anything else, if I can make it work.

if all else fails, then will most likely get out the cutting wheel and whack a hole in the dash, assuming there is enough depth behind the dash for the DIN unit.

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