Radio-custom audiosound

5186 Views 35 Replies 27 Participants Last post by Chebystomp, Nov 19, 2021

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · Nov 15, 2021

Been looking at radios for my 68 mustang. Original radio I believe. Was going to buy a custom Audiosound 740. I’ve seen a couple of post saying they are a bad brand. But not alot of info on that. Anybody know what radio brand is good that has Bluetooth and will fit in factory location, and has mostly a factory look. Or any experiences with custom audiosound. Thanks

21 - 36 of 36 Posts

Banks

· #21 · Nov 16, 2021

Ok...finally done with work!

I am not a huge audiophile so I am basically happy with the classic rock that comes out of my rear speakers. I might add a dash speaker to fill the void (don't want to add to kick panels as I want factory look).

Here are some of my observations over the last two months:

Installation was a piece of cake. If you have center console, the knobs will need adjusting.
Display is a little "too digital" to me. Thin lines but hey, no big deal.
Can't find a way to manually tune the radio. There are steps to select that option but it seems to be stuck on 'scan.' I emailed the Support line but they just gave me the same instructions in the manual. I'll live with it as all my stations are now pre-set.
Both AM and FM reception is good (I live in NYC area).
USB and Bluetooth work as advertised -- no problems at all. Bluetooth automatically connects.
Phone mic is average. Ran it up the pillar and have it clipped to visor.
Steps to use the radio can be confusing (especially at my age!), but after a while I got used to them. I give them a pass as there are a lot of things it can do so the "rub your belly/pat your head" is something that I will live with.

In the end: Happy: yes. Thrilled: no. Pissed: no. Would I buy it again? Before seeing the other comments here, yes. Now that I read the other comments, I might have went for the retrosound. Again, my hearing is shot and Toys in the Attic at full volume would sound good to me on a transistor radio.

Good luck and rock on my friend!

Nick

See less See more

Reactions: 1

BigKoppa

· #22 · Nov 16, 2021

+ 1 for the Retrosound.

Reactions: 2

68 Cali. Special

Discussion Starter · #23 · Nov 16, 2021

Banks said:
Ok...finally done with work!

I am not a huge audiophile so I am basically happy with the classic rock that comes out of my rear speakers. I might add a dash speaker to fill the void (don't want to add to kick panels as I want factory look).

Here are some of my observations over the last two months:

Installation was a piece of cake. If you have center console, the knobs will need adjusting.

Display is a little "too digital" to me. Thin lines but hey, no big deal.

Can't find a way to manually tune the radio. There are steps to select that option but it seems to be stuck on 'scan.' I emailed the Support line but they just gave me the same instructions in the manual. I'll live with it as all my stations are now pre-set.

Both AM and FM reception is good (I live in NYC area).

USB and Bluetooth work as advertised -- no problems at all. Bluetooth automatically connects.

Phone mic is average. Ran it up the pillar and have it clipped to visor.

Steps to use the radio can be confusing (especially at my age!), but after a while I got used to them. I give them a pass as there are a lot of things it can do so the "rub your belly/pat your head" is something that I will live with.

In the end: Happy: yes. Thrilled: no. Pissed: no. Would I buy it again? Before seeing the other comments here, yes. Now that I read the other comments, I might have went for the retrosound. Again, my hearing is shot and Toys in the Attic at full volume would sound good to me on a transistor radio.

Good luck and rock on my friend!

Nick

tx65coupe said:
The Retrosound stuff is far superior for a vintage looking radio with modern functions.Their dual voice coil dash speaker is probably also the best one as well. But since you have a 68, you can easily get a reproduction bezel to cut up and use any radio you like.

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/
[/QU-
-thanks for all the info and the response. Really do appreciate it. Now I just have to ask what people think of retro sound, they seem like the more popular brand.

Lizer

· #24 · Nov 16, 2021

I would go for the Retrosound over CAS. I have a CAS unit in one of my cars and it's all cheap plastic. At least Retrosound is metal. My CAS did not fail but I have anecdotally heard of a high failure rate.

Reactions: 1

cj428mach

· #25 · Nov 17, 2021

I have a slide bar radio in my 69 and it's ok. It sounds stupid but I hate that it doesn't have a clock.

I have a retrosound in my 64 falcon and I like it a whole lot more, plus I like knowing the time.

victor

· #26 · Nov 18, 2021

After two CAS top end of the line units which were awful. I went with a RetroSound Model One in about 2009. Though obsolete, It’s still in there and sounds great, even at speed in my ‘vert. I highly recommend them. CAS? Nope.

GrayRaceCat

· #27 · Nov 18, 2021

GT289 said:
I've got one of their secret audio things in my wife's '68. Four speakers.... Triax in the back and coaxials in the front. Plenty of deafening volume.
Has something going on internally though, if connected up the drain when parked is close to .08 volt per day. Hasn't been connected in years.

How many milli-amps draw is there? If it has a memory function and/or clock then 20-50 milli-amps is considered normal.

uibalnme

· #28 · Nov 18, 2021

I installed a retrosound with Bluetooth in my 65. The dash was hacked by PO, so needed a faceplate. A big plus is they have metal control knobs that match the dash knobs, so it blends nicely.

Vehicle Light Car Automotive design Automotive lighting

See less See more

myfirstcar66

· #29 · Nov 18, 2021

I have a Custom Autosound USA-66 that still works but its analog tuner is a little off and needs adjustment as well as the volume "sticks" for the front speakers when first turned on until I turn it up louder for a moment then adjust to desired level.
However, it is a better-looking and more faithful replica of the OE style slide bar AM FM for 66. It looks like the real deal, and it sounds pretty good.
My son has a Retrosound in his 66. We got it for him last Christmas and he has used it almost every day. He loves the built-in Bluetooth feature, and with the good speakers we got for the front and rear, it rocks.

corbins

· #30 · Nov 18, 2021

G

68Cail_Special said:
Been looking at radios for my 68 mustang. Original radio I believe. Was going to buy a custom Audiosound 740. I’ve seen a couple of post saying they are a bad brand. But not alot of info on that. Anybody know what radio brand is good that has Bluetooth and will fit in factory location, and has mostly a factory look. Or any experiences with custom audiosound. Thanks

corbins

· #31 · Nov 18, 2021

68Cail_Special said:
Been looking at radios for my 68 mustang. Original radio I believe. Was going to buy a custom Audiosound 740. I’ve seen a couple of post saying they are a bad brand. But not alot of info on that. Anybody know what radio brand is good that has Bluetooth and will fit in factory location, and has mostly a factory look. Or any experiences with custom audiosound. Thanks

Custom Auto Sound is junk. I’ve had 3 in 6 years. Ship them back, they tell they bench tested fine, reinstalled, worked again for 2 months then just quit.

BarryS

· #32 · Nov 18, 2021

Just installed the Custom Auto sound 740. Audio quality is JUNK!

Mach1Dan

· #33 · Nov 19, 2021 (Edited)

I have the Custom Autosound USA-740 and have no problems at all. Bluetooth and phone work flawlessly and sounds great when calibrated properly. Last week I exchanged my Flowmaster 40 series with Dynomax's Super Turbo mufflers and the sound system sounds even better!

Reactions: 1

Mach1Dan

· #34 · Nov 19, 2021

Banks said:
Ok...finally done with work!

I am not a huge audiophile so I am basically happy with the classic rock that comes out of my rear speakers. I might add a dash speaker to fill the void (don't want to add to kick panels as I want factory look).

Here are some of my observations over the last two months:

Installation was a piece of cake. If you have center console, the knobs will need adjusting.

Display is a little "too digital" to me. Thin lines but hey, no big deal.

Can't find a way to manually tune the radio. There are steps to select that option but it seems to be stuck on 'scan.' I emailed the Support line but they just gave me the same instructions in the manual. I'll live with it as all my stations are now pre-set.

Both AM and FM reception is good (I live in NYC area).

USB and Bluetooth work as advertised -- no problems at all. Bluetooth automatically connects.

Phone mic is average. Ran it up the pillar and have it clipped to visor.

Steps to use the radio can be confusing (especially at my age!), but after a while I got used to them. I give them a pass as there are a lot of things it can do so the "rub your belly/pat your head" is something that I will live with.

In the end: Happy: yes. Thrilled: no. Pissed: no. Would I buy it again? Before seeing the other comments here, yes. Now that I read the other comments, I might have went for the retrosound. Again, my hearing is shot and Toys in the Attic at full volume would sound good to me on a transistor radio.

Good luck and rock on my friend!

Nick

To manually tune the radio you need to turn the "AUTO SEEK" off and manually tune to the station. It automatically goes back to "AUTO SEEK" in about 30 seconds or so. I think the function is so you can preset a station that does not have a very strong signal. With my antenna in the rear fender, it's really all my channels, so that does get frustrating. I would also like to see a built in battery back up so you don't lose your stations or settings. I finally reduced my manual and made notes on it and keep it in my center console. Other than that I really like the USA-740.

Banks

· #35 · Nov 19, 2021

Mach1Dan said:
To manually tune the radio you need to turn the "AUTO SEEK" off and manually tune to the station. It automatically goes back to "AUTO SEEK" in about 30 seconds or so. I think the function is so you can preset a station that does not have a very strong signal. With my antenna in the rear fender, it's really all my channels, so that does get frustrating. I would also like to see a built in battery back up so you don't lose your stations or settings. I finally reduced my manual and made notes on it and keep it in my center console. Other than that I really like the USA-740.

That is exactly what I have done a few times. Are you saying that after I do that, I have to manually tune a station and then it will go back to Auto-seek? Yikes -- that definitely doesn't make sense but I guess it is what it is. Like I said in my original post, I live in NYC area so all of my stations can be found via Seek.

As for a cheat sheet, I was going to do the same but I think I have the major ones down -- basically the settings for USB.

Thanks for the reply.

Chebystomp

· #36 · Nov 19, 2021

68Cail_Special said:
Been looking at radios for my 68 mustang. Original radio I believe. Was going to buy a custom Audiosound 740. I’ve seen a couple of post saying they are a bad brand. But not alot of info on that. Anybody know what radio brand is good that has Bluetooth and will fit in factory location, and has mostly a factory look. Or any experiences with custom audiosound. Thanks

Suggestion: leave existing radio in dash, then purchase a "portable blue tooth speaker" that uses songs from your smart phone via blue tooth. #1 son bought and is very happy with the JBL Flip 4 or 5 ( the latest version), and #2 son said the Bose unit is better. There other bands out there. #1 son said he places speaker in back seat or passenger seat and plays songs from his phone and can carry the speaker any where he wants. He can hear the music in his loud header equipped Mustang. Some of these speakers are waterproof.

21 - 36 of 36 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.