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| Cool Sounds [message #94769] |
Thu, 05 August 2010 19:39  |
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JShot
Messages: 485
Registered: October 2006
Location: NW Ohio
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OK, how many of you have traded in that old clunky dash radio for something that works?
Any particular brand? Wattage?
Does it actually put out sound that you can hear while going down the road?
Can you plug in your IPod?
What speakers are you using? How many do you have? Where are they placed?
Any more info would be appreciated - -
John
John Shotwell
Ridgeville Corners, OH
78 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94773 is a reply to message #94772] |
Thu, 05 August 2010 20:12  |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
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I have something similar. It's a Kenwood.
Gene, you never say what yours is...
The USB input is fantastic. I re-ripped all of my CDs, OK a bunch, as WMA files with no compression. filled an 8 gig stick.
I also use Sirius radio, practically CD quality, and tons of variety. about $7 a month and commercial free, tho the Djs still think we want to hear them...
The sound is awesome.
Well Then again I do have a dual 10 sub under the couch with a 300 watt amp:-D
I'll get some pics
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94778 is a reply to message #94773] |
Thu, 05 August 2010 20:48 |
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I have a compleate Audiobahn system in my mustang, with a pair of their 12" Aluminum coned drivers wired into a 1.5kw amp at 1ohm. with the right music it sets off car alarms  was thinking about something similar for the coach (AKA the party bus) though I think I'd go with a pair of 15s in a sealed box instead of a bandpass like I have in the stang. the larger internal volume of the coach means I could set up a really gnarly system, though I'd probably have to upgrade my alternator yet again lol
| Keith V wrote on Thu, 05 August 2010 20:12 |
I have something similar. It's a Kenwood.
Gene, you never say what yours is...
The USB input is fantastic. I re-ripped all of my CDs, OK a bunch, as WMA files with no compression. filled an 8 gig stick.
I also use Sirius radio, practically CD quality, and tons of variety. about $7 a month and commercial free, tho the Djs still think we want to hear them...
The sound is awesome.
Well Then again I do have a dual 10 sub under the couch with a 300 watt amp:-D
I'll get some pics
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73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: Cool Sounds [message #94793 is a reply to message #94769] |
Thu, 05 August 2010 22:42 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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If you check with Crutchfield.com you'll see a lot of different choices, almost all of them fit a standard DIN mount. This fits easily in the GMC dash.
I chose an Alpine unit with iPod connector for under $200 that sounds great. The iPod on shuffle gives me tons of songs that I like and fit my mood at the time. Plenty of choices out there, just depending what you like.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Cool Sounds [message #94796 is a reply to message #94769] |
Thu, 05 August 2010 23:35 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
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John,
Most any radio that has the features you want can be found at internet vendors like Crutchfield. Google car stereo or car audio, there are a bunch of them out there. If you want to play with the buttons first (and I strongly suggest this) visit any local car audio store, they'll have a variety set up to demonstrate. And yes, many have connections for your iPod. Some of the top brands are Sony. Pioneer, Panasonic and Kenwood.
You will have to perform some surgery on the dash as new radios use a mounting very different from the original.
You can connect the two small speakers in the cockpit but you may need to add a wire to each as most new radios do NOT allow either speaker wire to be grounded and the GMC's ran a single wire to those two and used ground for the return. There is a gadget available that cures that problem without running a second wire, ask your local car stereo guys about it. The speaker over your left ear will be the best to hear while underway just 'cause it's close but its quality certainly won't be dazzling.
Speaker size, location, and mounting can be debated for hours. If you want really high end sound you'll probably be looking at a subwoofer under a seat and smaller satellite speakers on, in, under the dash. Plan on an outboard or external amp as well. One advantage of an external amp is clean power. 15 watts from an amp will certainly be cleaner than from an integrated receiver/player/amp unit. 15 watts (per channel) is more than enough. Wattage is a rubbery number. Some manufacturers claim hundreds of watts in their little box. Yeah, right. At what distortion.
I put one 2 way (woofer and tweeter) unit in the end of the kitchen overhead cabinet, the other over the vacuum cleaner cabinet. It's not the best location for good sound while under way but background noise will compromise most any system unless you play it LOUD.
Most car radio manufacturers seem to be giving short shrift to the tuner section, putting their money into iPod, CD and MP3 circuitry. Both AM and FM sensitivity have suffered so reception in the country may be a problem.
Hope this helps.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94804 is a reply to message #94769] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 00:20 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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My head unit is similar to Gene's. I bought it from Crutchfield too - it's a JVC. The iPod and aux input are on the front and on the back is a bus that will accept modules from the mfgr. I have the XM radio and aux RCA input (for the TV) but we really only use the iPod input.
I like the HD radio with the song titles, when they are right, and satellite radio is cool too, but I currently only have 2 speakers attached - one near the door on the underside of the overhead cabinet, and one across the hall on the underside of the galley cabinet. It can be heard throughout the coach, just like the engine, the rattly cooktop, and my louvered cabinet doors! Running 16.5" firestone's shakes thing up a bit. In time I'll add an amp, subwoofer and speakers front and rear. (unless I put a separate rig in the rear.)
I'm playing with the idea of making new speaker grille / lamp base panels for the front cockpit from aluminum or stainless with a gmc motif for the speaker grille. My buddy owns a precision machine shop and can do damned near anything with his mills and lasers to metal.
I forgot to mention that the radio does not work any longer. I think something happened to the antenna and I just haven't had a chance to fix it yet. The space of the GMC seems like. It's well suited to some really sweet sounds. Heck, some guys have used the driver's side speaker for CB's, shortwave, or cellphones.
Larry Davick
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 5, 2010, at 5:39 PM, John Shotwell <jshot@rtecexpress.net> wrote:
>
>
> OK, how many of you have traded in that old clunky dash radio for something that works?
>
> Any particular brand? Wattage?
>
> Does it actually put out sound that you can hear while going down the road?
>
> Can you plug in your IPod?
>
> What speakers are you using? How many do you have? Where are they placed?
>
> Any more info would be appreciated - -
>
> John
> --
> John Shotwell
> Archbold, OH
> 78 Royale Center Kitchen
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: Cool Sounds [message #94809 is a reply to message #94796] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 03:16 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Glenn Giere wrote on Thu, 05 August 2010 21:35 |
...
You can connect the two small speakers in the cockpit but you may need to add a wire to each as most new radios do NOT allow either speaker wire to be grounded and the GMC's ran a single wire to those two and used ground for the return. ...
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The early GMC's came with the single wire speaker set ups. The "newer" GMC's came with two wires to each speaker. I do not know when the change was made.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Cool Sounds [message #94812 is a reply to message #94769] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 04:35 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
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OK, how many of you have traded in that old clunky dash radio for something that works?
My PO, or one of them, tore out the GM Radio a long time ago. It is a head unit that slides in a sleeve and the face can be taken off for security. It also has a remote, plays CD and can add a changer. I seldom touch the radio itself because the remote does everything but insert a CD or MD for play.
Any particular brand? Wattage?
Mine is a SONY High Wattage, I think it is 70 watt, 35 per chann.
Does it actually put out sound that you can hear while going down the road?
Oh yes. This radio is clear and has search functions which is fabulous when traveling through strange towns. Sound is loud and clear.
Can you plug in your IPod?
I prefer the Mini Disc and I have a MiniDisc Changer, there is no additional plug in but I have a device that you plug the MD / CD player into and it will send a signal to the radio. Never had a problem with sound and works well.
What speakers are you using? How many do you have? Where are they placed?
This was a problem. The PO added some cheap speakers front and rear and not only did they sound like road kill, they crackled and the one next to my head was too friggin loud. I could never hear STEREO from the other side.. I bought 4 outside box type speakers, they are about 4x5x9". I have the front speakers on the floor, facing up next to the panel in front of the Driver / Passenger seat. The two rear speakers are next to the panel behind the Driver / Passenger seats. The speakers have very good sound quality, being in their own box eliminates tuning the speaker enclosure and I have no trouble hearing them, IN STEREO while traveling.
Be careful about a sub woofer if you are going that way. THE GMC HAS LIMITED INSULATION and you will boom your neighbors out of the park, just like the cars with the BoomBoxes do to you on the road.
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
[Updated on: Fri, 06 August 2010 11:57] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Cool Sounds [message #94817 is a reply to message #94812] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 07:06 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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As far as other speakers, besides the subwoofer I mentioned above, the coach has 4 6" round pioneers.
2 are mounted on the end of the cabinets. 1 right behind the drivers head, the other behind the copilots head.
the other two are mounted in the house, one on the wall by the door facing forward, the other in the kitchen.
al in all it sounds pretty good. the kenwood has the ability to correct timing based upon speaker placement and it really helps.
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94818 is a reply to message #94812] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 07:07 |
pete lyons
Messages: 81
Registered: June 2010
Karma: 0
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I installed a Jensen unit that has a flat panel touch screen display. It allowed me to hook up a color rear camera, and it has an iPod interface. I installed two flat panel tv's (one front, on rear) that are all controlled by the dash unit.
We carry 60 movies and tons of music on the iPod which beats packing a bunch of movies with us.
I did wireless headphones in the rear with auxiliary inputs so the kids can play video games without us having to listen to their games.
The unit is 200 watt, 50 per channel. I installed light up speakers in the cabinets front and rear.
I'm getting ready to install a sub woofer in the couple of weeks. Things sound good, but could be better.
Pete Lyons
New Albany IN
76 eleganza ii
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 6, 2010, at 5:35 AM, Larry <slawrence111@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> OK, how many of you have traded in that old clunky dash radio for something that works?
>
> My PO, or one of them, tore out the GM Radio a long time ago. It is a head unit that slides in a sleeve and the face can be taken off for security. It also has a remote, plays CD and can add a changer. I seldom touch the radio itself because the remote does everything but insert a CD or MD for play.
>
> Any particular brand? Wattage?
> Mine is a SONY High Wattage, I think it is 70 watt, 35 per chann.
>
> Does it actually put out sound that you can hear while going down the road?
>
> Oh yes. This radio is clear and has search functions which is fabulous when traveling through strange towns. Sound is loud and clear.
>
> Can you plug in your IPod?
>
> I prefer the Mini Disc and I have a MiniDisc Changer
>
> What speakers are you using? How many do you have? Where are they placed?
>
> This was a problem. The PO added some cheap speakers front and rear and not only did they sound like road kill, they crackled and the one next to my head was too friggin loud. I coulc never hear STEREO from the other side.. I bought 4 outside box type speakers, they are about 4x5x9". I have the front speakers on the floor, facing up next to the panel in front of the Driver / Passenger seat. The two rear speakers are next to the panel behind the Driver / Passenger seats. The speakers have very good sound quality, being in their own box eliminates tuning the speaker enclosure and I have no trouble hearing them, IN STEREO while traveling.
>
> --
> Gatsbys' CRUISER :d
> 74 GLACIER X, 260
> 455/APC/4 bagg'r(ver3)
> Remflex Manifold gaskets
> _______________________________________________
> Purchased 08-18-04
>
> _
>
>
>
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> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94823 is a reply to message #94818] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 08:01 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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The GMC radio cutout will easily accept a 1 Din sized radio. You just have to remove the "ears" the the OEM radio tied into. You also have to trim the dash for the new opening. Measure twice and cut once. Plenty of room behind the dash for almost any radio. I installed a JVC brand radio that does it all. AM/FM and Sirius. Has auxillary input for iPod, MP3 player or what have you. The radio also takes DVD's with audio and video output to a monitor. The DVD/CD player accepts almost anything. One function that I like, you can use DVD's that are encoded in MP3 format. Lots on music on a small format.
Remember a good ground for the radio. Also, consider all modern radios have a separate ground for each speaker, and they cannot be combined with the chassis or any common ground. Early GMC's tied the speaker grounds back to the chassis. This will destroy a new radio, unless you install a ground isolater, or just run two wires to each speaker.
Hearing the radio in the noisy GMC cockpit is a problem. Needs better insulation and noise control.
Tom Phipps,
P.S. operating your Ham Radio (2 mtr) on high power may cause radio problems.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94844 is a reply to message #94836] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 11:52 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Does anyone remember the stereo speakers in the headrest? I wonder if anything like this is still available.
________________________________________________________
A few years back I had found a speaker set that used stretchy rubber, like a big fat rubberband covered with cloth, that went around the head rest, or seat top, to the sides it had speakers, a neat shaped little speaker box. They offered interesting options over the years.
LarC ( Was nice quick way to add speakers but the wires have to be hid )
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Cool Sounds [message #94852 is a reply to message #94844] |
Fri, 06 August 2010 13:04 |
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Installed a Sony with aux/in (don't need USB per se). The radio helps. The
next help is better speakers. Today's speakers hook up a bit differently.
One thing that will help the sound is a sub-woofer. The Sony comes ready for
that.
You can hear while driving down the road if everything else is fixed.
Byron
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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