Custom Autosound or Retrosound stereo?

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Community Discussion
1

Would like to install a new stereo in my '68 XR-7.

I’m sure some folks here have installed one or the other.

Pros/cons of each? Any problems with installing either in the console?

Thanks!

Pics would be greatly appreciated.

2

Dave

I installed a Custom Autosound usa-630 http://www.classiccarstereos.com/custom-autosound-usa-630-classic-car-radio.html in my 67 with a console. Note if you order this stereo, you must tell them it is for a console car as the shafts are longer than the standard in dash installation. Installation was rather straight forward, however I did run an extra fuse tap for the stereo memory. When I first installed the system, I ran the speaker wires back to the rear deck, but I finally changed the setup to run the rear rca preouts to an amp mounted under the rear deck.

Pros of the 630 -

  1. Very clean sound with an amp driving my Kenwood Excelon 6x9 speakers
  2. I love the USB stick, (I don’t own nor will I ever own an Apple product)
  3. Easy to install.

Cons of the 630 -

  1. No dedicated RCA jack for a sub.
  2. The face does not dim with the lights. Although I do not drive the Cat at night that often, the lights are quite bright. It’s odd especially since the stock radios had a separate wire for the radio lights that dim with the headlight dimmer.
  3. Only Treble and Bass control, no mid or equalizer bands.

Coach Jack

3

I put the Retrosound 2 in mine. It has been extremely nice to have. Bluetooth to my phone with an external mic run up the A pillar to adhesive mount near the sun visor. (Needs a wind screen on the mic with the top down)
Has RCA jacks for an amp/ sub woofer and I got a self contained 8" woofer / amp combo that it controls very well.
Also has headphone jack input and USB inputs.
Install was a little time consuming because you have to move the control posts exactly where you need them. Very easy to do, just a little tedious.
Has Treble, Bass, and Mid adjustments in the EQ.

Only negative thing I can say about it is the control posts are a little finicky sometimes. You turn the volume knob clockwise to get louder and it drops 3 levels of volume. It eventually works correctly. I really think I just have a little trash in the control and I need to clean it. The control shafts plug into the radio unit with a telephone headset type jack and they are replaceable so if mine aren’t really dirty and they are worn out I can just replace them.

Bottom line is I love this radio!

4

I used this unit in my 70.
http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/secretaudio.html?attribs=79

I hid the main box in the trunk and mounted the control head in the console where the ash tray is.

My only complaint is the remote control is round and the buttons are symmetrical making it hard to tell what way you have it in your hand after dark. I mounted it with Velcro to the front of the box on my console and that way it is not a problem.

5

Now that is a beatiful set up, looks like the ash tray compartment was designed to house the head unit :slight_smile:

6

I installed the retrosound model 2 and their 4 channel amp. As stated above adjusting the knobs during installation can be a bit finicky but once it’s done everything lines up perfectly. I’ve been super happy with the sound quality, Bluetooth and hands free phone.