Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler OT: Car receiver

OK, it's time for a new car radio... the current one won't play CDs most of the time and skips when it does. Anyone got any advice? Here's what I'm looking for:

1. AUX input (preferably a 1/8 inch jack on the front) for the iPod.

2. CD player (dur)

3. $200 or less.

4. Decent controls. I don't need any flashy, multicolored lights or little teensy all-alike buttons (anyone who's driven a early-mid 90s Ford knows what I'm talking about here...)

5. It's going in a Volvo with a double height radio area, so no worries about size.

6. Decent power. (22 watts RMS x 4 or better)

7. A removeable face. I don't exactly park it in low crime areas. I've had the stereo stolen from my other car (a Honda Civic) twice, both times resulting in broken consoles and/or windows and pain in the ass repairs.

The Volvo has its old stock speakers, except for the front where I put in some Alpines. That means it's got 5.25s on the front doors, 5.25s on the back doors, and little dinky speakers on the D pillars (wagon) for some strange reason. Since the radio that's in there right now is aftermarket, I assume that those back speakers don't pose a problem impedance or power wise.

Thanks, all!

This might do it http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2PcoGuPoReN/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=detailed_info&i=023MONTREA

This one has the pretty lights
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MxHlQDljMSU/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&id=detailed_info&i=023CASCD52

I prefer the first one. I was looking at Crutchfield and managed to miss it. I think I assumed that all the Blaupunkts had order it separately aux inputs. Thanks!

Now to find someone to install it... I'm sick of doing it myself.

I'm thinking about getting the first one too. My 10 year old Kenwood is good but I like the AUX inputs for my IPOD.
The price is good as well.

Yeah, my car's got the 10 year old Kenwood, too, but it's not exactly in good shape. One hopes the wiring isn't a rat's nest, but... (I got the car used)

Hopefully they used one of those wire harness kits. That would make life easy for you or the installer...

One hopes. I think I'll just install it myself. I've had to chase down the wires before...

Hmm... on second thought, it look just a little low on power: 14 watts x 4, peak 40 watts according to Blaupunkt. Any other suggestions?

Ken, two words - outboard amp. Head units with big power numbers are notorious for bragging. Within the space confines of a deck, there just isn't enough room for proper power supplies & adequate capacitors. Most don't come anywhere near their rated power. Blaupunkt should be applauded for giving both numbers.

On the upside, decent outboard amps can be found fairly inexpensively on e-bay and at local pawn shops. Even the lower power amps will sound better and give more punch than any built-in amp. The difference is night and day.