Becker Replacement?? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300SD81 · #16 11-13-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I've got a couple becker radios out of our SD's (drop in replacement for you) if you want to buy one from me.

They both work fine, but I pulled them out and put in a couple kenwood/sirius head units.

Otherwise I'd recommend Kenwood....they seem to make good stuff.

how much you want for one of those? Are they the grand prix version? The stations I listen to are really weak out here, and its a real pain to tune on the becker europa...

patbob · #17 11-13-2008, 12:46 PM

I got a $100 ($150?) Dual brand one... CD (audio & MP3), radio, HD radio (built-in HD tuner), aux jack, USB jack, removeable faceplate. It't easy to hook the MP3 player up, and as soon as I can find myself a power-only USB cable, I can charge it while I drive and listen. Volume control is via a knob, which I require, and station search/seek is via buttons, but I just program the radio buttons for my favorite stations and choose from those when on the road anyway. It even supports an extra cost bluetooth accessory for integrating audio system with a cell phone (which I don't have).

Standard DIN mounting if I recall correctly that fit the console hole perfectly and made installation trivial. Plastic cowling doesn't fit with the console, but there's only a 1/8" gap around the radio to see the bracket through, so it's not too bad of an after market installation job.

Not tons of Watts, not high end, but great for listening to music, podcasts off my flash drive and the MP3 player. The HD radio's nice too since the car is quiet enough inside to tell the difference.

Gene Horr · #18 11-13-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

My fancy digital kenwood has two knobs.

Interesting as I just returned from "test fiddling" radios. I spend a lot of time on moderately long trips and want to be able to find stations without having to remove my eyes from the road. User interface was the primary factor I was comparing. The Kenwood line came out tops for my needs. I am now trying to decide between the KDCx792 and the KDCx692. The salesman was actually pushing the cheaper model since I wouldn't be adding an amp his claim was that the more advanced audio adjustments of the 792 would not be noticeable.

He probably has a valid point as a moving car is one of the worse conditions for listening to music there is. But I'll probably get the more expensive toy anyway.

For speakers I'll need to do research. In the recent past I worked solely with large commercial sound systems and am not familiar with current consumer speakers in general and car speakers specifically. The salesman was recommending a brand called db Drive in the Speed line for my needs (primarily classical music at moderate volumes using the head amplifier). I have no idea whether these are any good or not.

pawoSD · #19 11-13-2008, 05:28 PM

Mine is the KDC-X891.

I just wired it up to the stock speakers (eliminated fader switch) with the stock wiring and it sounds very good.

bbeardb · #20 02-05-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71inka02

In reference to radio's --- take a look at this one in my 83 300D...how many of us have seen a VDO radio? I think it flows nicely with the VDO 'theme' of these classic cars...

Where did you get the VDO?

::matthew · #21 02-05-2009, 12:37 PM

I think I might order one of these current becker grand prix this spring

mplafleur · #22 02-05-2009, 01:14 PM

I also like 2 knob radios. Here's mine, a Becker Mexico Pro 4627. I looked a long time for this one before I found it. I had someone ship it over from Germany.

Jeremy5848 · #23 02-05-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by showme

Anybody know of any Bose speakers that will fit an 81 300D? These speakers in the dash are pretty small.

MB-Quart makes some nice speakers. I have them in my '85 300D-T, 4 inch front and 5 inch rear.

bgkast · #24 02-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I just put this Sony in my SD. It was the best matching HD capable radio I could find.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT330/Sony-Xplod-CDX-GT330.html?search=Sony+VENDORID158&searchdisplay=Sony&tp=5684

MBNRA · #25 02-05-2009, 03:45 PM

I would go with the Pioneer! I have the similar unit in green without the remote and I find the controls are intuitive and easy to adjust without having to take your eyes off the road.

Kenwoods have great customer service and that is why I like them even though having 2 knobs means that everything is controlled through these two knobs and this can be distracting trying to make adjustments while driving. Not quite up to the Pioneer IMO.

JVC makes a nice deck that has 2 knobs controlling most features, BUT you have to push them harder to change or adjust tone controls for instance lessening the need to take your eyes off the road! The JVC takles a little getting used to, but like the Pioneer give yourself about 45 minutes to set it up and your a Pro!

One word of caution with all of these!! They tend to make the front/rear fader control in your centre console overheat with the volume turned up rather loudly, sometimes too hot to touch!

By pass the Console operated fader and wire up your speaker connections directly from the head unit and you will be fine!

Done a lot of these and my favourite is still my older 2000 model year Kenwood KDC-200 with a 10 disc changer in the trunk! These were not made in China and the controls were very intuitive and easy to find and use on the motorway without having to take your eyes off the road!

bbeardb · #26 02-05-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

I also like 2 knob radios. Here's mine, a Becker Mexico Pro 4627. I looked a long time for this one before I found it. I had someone ship it over from Germany.

Does it tune North America radio stations just fine? Usually there is an issue with AM.

AMH · #27 02-05-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::matthew

I think I might order one of these current becker grand prix this spring

I thought about one of these when they came out in late '99, early 2000. I'm still a hardcore old school type, knobs are best.

Why has nobody mentioned a receiver with satellite radio? In the work truck I use a Kenwood, with knobs and built in satellite tuner. Haven't listened to commercials for a coons age, except for the Blue Collar Comedy station. You will love it on road trips, not the same old playlist over and over and over.