OEM radio question

[RollingThunder]

Heres one to test the gurus

Does anyone have a list of OEM Volvo radios that have the DIN equaliser output socket? Not the AMP one, there is a separate EQ output on some radios.

Many thanks

[bob12]

Years ago there must have been some method of directly connecting an equaliser to some Volvo badged headunits (oem Alpine).

In the 1990's you could have a separate Volvo badged graphic equaliser EQ-6117 fitted in the space below a Volvo headunit on several Volvo car models inc.700/900.

Got a few old units in the garage somewhere but, I am not going rummaging in this heat!!

Bob

[RollingThunder]

Thanks Bob.

I was thinking of fitting a period radio/cassette and Pure DAB/bluetooth add-on unit, along with the period Volvo mini equaliser that fits into the tray alongside the cigar lighter ...



...but I'm probably going down a different route now

I'll be getting a new but period looking DAB/bluetooth radio. I'm trying to decide between two, one is a brand unknown to most in the UK (but highly regarded by '90s Mercedes owners) called Keinzle, and the other is a Blaupunkt - not the Bremen SQR46, but the Stockholm 400DAB
https://blaupunkt.com/product/stockholm-400-dab/ This looks quite drab, but is feature packed and I know from experience with other Blaupunkt head units that the DAB and telephony will be excellent.

Just got to make a decision either way - which may be decided for me, as I'm finding it difficult to find the Blaupunkt for sale anywhere in Europe!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

Thanks Bob.

I was thinking of fitting a period radio/cassette and Pure DAB/bluetooth add-on unit, along with the period Volvo mini equaliser that fits into the tray alongside the cigar lighter ...



...but I'm probably going down a different route now

I'll be getting a new but period looking DAB/bluetooth radio. I'm trying to decide between two, one is a brand unknown to most in the UK (but highly regarded by '90s Mercedes owners) called Keinzle, and the other is a Blaupunkt - not the Bremen SQR46, but the Stockholm 400DAB
https://blaupunkt.com/product/stockholm-400-dab/ This looks quite drab, but is feature packed and I know from experience with other Blaupunkt head units that the DAB and telephony will be excellent.

Just got to make a decision either way - which may be decided for me, as I'm finding it difficult to find the Blaupunkt for sale anywhere in Europe!

Have you tried here https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/BLAU...5?ref_=ast_bln

They list the Bremen.

[RollingThunder]

Thanks Griston, yes, tried them and many UK and German suppliers. Not sure if the model is too new, or an outgoing one! So I decided to stop procrastinating (I've been mulling this over since I got the 940) and just go for it - so I've bought the Kienzle one.



Its a clean, uncluttered design without all the nasty flashy disco lighting that so many new head units have, but its still fully featured with FM, DAB, CD, built in mic and an external mic, the DAB has an auto fallback to FM if the reception is degraded, and it has USB, aux 3.5mm line in and bluetooth, including music streaming from an iPhone. So all in all, its an impressive unit without all the bling.

Kienzle used to make the clocks for Rolls Royce, Bentley, etc so the quality should be decent... fingers crossed that the W126 community has it right !

[tofufi]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

fingers crossed that the W126 community has it right !

I fitted a Bleupunkt Bremen in my W126 560SEL...





Tempted to get one for my 740 too!

[griston64]

I'm thinking about the Bremen for my 940 as well. Along with a speaker upgrade

[Steve 940]

Hi Mark,

I've had the Bremen in my 940 for around 7-8 months now, and it's way better than the original very crackly Volvo unit.

Very good, appearance wise, I feel it fits the overall 90's dashboard look, no flashing lights etc. Colour of display can be adjusted to match the main dashboard display.

Functionality is great, I mainly listen to radio, but have got 10 or so albums on a USB drive, only problem is finding the stick again after a period of brisk driving😀😀

I have linked phone to head unit if for any reason I want to stream from my phone, but I don't use hands free capability, bit annoying when you get a call, but I just ignore and it reverts back to original source after 3 rings.

Downsides - DAB lead supplied I routed behind glovebox and up inside the near side A pillar trim, then stuck it vertically on the screen, rather fiddly to get straight as I was trying to position whilst bending trim cover away. DAB here in East Anglia is pretty C**p so I get a station from home, but it drops out normally after 3-4 miles, so Radio 5 has to go back onto AM, ok, just. FM is absolutely fine.

I was in too much of a hurry and bought 4 new speakers as near as possible to original diameter, but only around £80 for all 4. I should have done more research to find a good slim speaker, as central tweeters touch the original grill covers, and it has worn away the crumbly sponge type of fabric that is behind the plastic grill, also probably not good for sound. Limited on depth also, without cutting the metal door frame, didn't really want to do that.

Good luck, and happy listening.

Cheers
Steve

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Steve 940

Hi Mark,

I've had the Bremen in my 940 for around 7-8 months now, and it's way better than the original very crackly Volvo unit.

Very good, appearance wise, I feel it fits the overall 90's dashboard look, no flashing lights etc. Colour of display can be adjusted to match the main dashboard display.

Functionality is great, I mainly listen to radio, but have got 10 or so albums on a USB drive, only problem is finding the stick again after a period of brisk driving😀😀

I have linked phone to head unit if for any reason I want to stream from my phone, but I don't use hands free capability, bit annoying when you get a call, but I just ignore and it reverts back to original source after 3 rings.

Downsides - DAB lead supplied I routed behind glovebox and up inside the near side A pillar trim, then stuck it vertically on the screen, rather fiddly to get straight as I was trying to position whilst bending trim cover away. DAB here in East Anglia is pretty C**p so I get a station from home, but it drops out normally after 3-4 miles, so Radio 5 has to go back onto AM, ok, just. FM is absolutely fine.

I was in too much of a hurry and bought 4 new speakers as near as possible to original diameter, but only around £80 for all 4. I should have done more research to find a good slim speaker, as central tweeters touch the original grill covers, and it has worn away the crumbly sponge type of fabric that is behind the plastic grill, also probably not good for sound. Limited on depth also, without cutting the metal door frame, didn't really want to do that.

Good luck, and happy listening.

Cheers
Steve

You can buy the foam and refurbish the speaker covers Steve. I did my rear ones and they turned out great

I'll see if i can find the pics

[griston64]

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showp...&postcount=262

Not sure if this will work Steve