Becker Grand Prix vs. Something Newer

[Mölyapina]

So, I just found out from sleepstar that my car originally came with a Becker Grand Prix (there is nothing there now). I've heard some say that the sound quality from these players is terrible, and that even a base model from Target or Best Buy can sound better. However, I hate the look of an aftermarket player in these cars. This prompts me to ask two questions:

1) Do the complainers just have bad sound because the player is 30 years old? Would a Grand Prix in good shape sound fine?

2) The sound system in the Corolla is more than adequate for me. Would a Grand Prix sound significantly worse than that?

[haromaster87]

There's going to be a lot more factors than just the head unit that determines the sound quality of the stereo. The other major limiting factor in these cars is the speakers. The dash spots only allow for like a 3 1/2 or 4 in speakers, and then the rear deck allows for maybe 5 1/4.

Car audio technology has come way far since these cars were built. The 2004 Corolla probably has a fairly decent speaker system in it and a much more modern head unit.

In short, a newer head unit may sound much better than an old Becker, will probably be much cheaper, and have many more features. However, unless you try to do some speaker upgrades, you may not get much more out of one head unit than the other, although the newer one would still have more potential. That's not to say you can't upgrade the speakers as well. If you pick your speakers wisely, even in the small sizes the stock locations allow for, you can get decent sound from there.

However, I can appreciate your concern with the look of newer head units in these cars. They have such a classic look on the inside, and it seems most of the entry level modern head units look like something out of The Last Starfighter or something. When I did my custom stereo install, I found an early 90's Alpine, from the old school days of custom car audio. Well made, good quality sound with a simple classic look.

[KarTek]

I was looking at upgrading but had the same concerns as you regarding an appropriate "look" to a new stereo unit. I came across this one at Crutchfield that looks decent and understated:

Jensen Heavy Duty JHD1120B AM/FM/WB receiver at Crutchfield.com

[vstech]

the BIGGEST limiting factor on the OE stereo is the speakers for sure.
dash speakers are 4.5" nearly impossible to purchase in the US...

most cars had no tweeter, or center channel, and no low front speakers at all.

a well designed balanced set of quality speakers will make the OE becker unit sound like a symphony.

[haromaster87]

Originally Posted by vstech

the BIGGEST limiting factor on the OE stereo is the speakers for sure.
dash speakers are 4.5" nearly impossible to purchase in the US...

most cars had no tweeter, or center channel, and no low front speakers at all.

a well designed balanced set of quality speakers will make the OE becker unit sound like a symphony.

I was hoping someone had more experience with the Becker on some good speakers.

Since the stereo is a major factor to me, I went as far as to install some 6 1/2 components into my doors. More invasive than most want to get, and not for the purist, but I busted my a$$ making sure it was done right and looked good, and most people think they were there from the factory.

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by haromaster87

There's going to be a lot more factors than just the head unit that determines the sound quality of the stereo. The other major limiting factor in these cars is the speakers. The dash spots only allow for like a 3 1/2 or 4 in speakers, and then the rear deck allows for maybe 5 1/4.

Car audio technology has come way far since these cars were built. The 2004 Corolla probably has a fairly decent speaker system in it and a much more modern head unit.

In short, a newer head unit may sound much better than an old Becker, will probably be much cheaper, and have many more features. However, unless you try to do some speaker upgrades, you may not get much more out of one head unit than the other, although the newer one would still have more potential. That's not to say you can't upgrade the speakers as well. If you pick your speakers wisely, even in the small sizes the stock locations allow for, you can get decent sound from there.

However, I can appreciate your concern with the look of newer head units in these cars. They have such a classic look on the inside, and it seems most of the entry level modern head units look like something out of The Last Starfighter or something. When I did my custom stereo install, I found an early 90's Alpine, from the old school days of custom car audio. Well made, good quality sound with a simple classic look.

Originally Posted by KarTek

I was looking at upgrading but had the same concerns as you regarding an appropriate "look" to a new stereo unit. I came across this one at Crutchfield that looks decent and understated:

Jensen Heavy Duty JHD1120B AM/FM/WB receiver at Crutchfield.com

Originally Posted by vstech

the BIGGEST limiting factor on the OE stereo is the speakers for sure.
dash speakers are 4.5" nearly impossible to purchase in the US...

most cars had no tweeter, or center channel, and no low front speakers at all.

a well designed balanced set of quality speakers will make the OE becker unit sound like a symphony.

...so, in other words, the speakers make much more of a difference than the head unit? I don't play a lot of music that is dependent on bass -- does this make a difference? Does the Grand Prix pick up shortwave? I seem to remember someone saying they do, but I'm not sure.

Also, my car audio terminology doesn't extend much past "volume knob". What is a "tweeter"? A "center channel"?

The Crutchfield one doesn't look like it can play tapes or CDs, but there probably is one that does... at this point, I'm leaning towards buying a Grand Prix (Crutchfield looks pricey) and maybe (but probably not) upgrading the speakers someday.

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by KarTek

I was looking at upgrading but had the same concerns as you regarding an appropriate "look" to a new stereo unit. I came across this one at Crutchfield that looks decent and understated:

Jensen Heavy Duty JHD1120B AM/FM/WB receiver at Crutchfield.com

Ooh, I almost forgot to ask: have you ordered this? If so, is it an improvement over the OE head unit?

[KarTek]

No, I haven't ordered it yet. It's not a priority now and I'm just waiting to see if something that looks even better comes on the market.

Jensen does make a version that plays CD's (forget tapes) but if you think $150 is pricey, you can give up on the other one, it's $300!

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by KarTek

No, I haven't ordered it yet. It's not a priority now and I'm just waiting to see if something that looks even better comes on the market.

Jensen does make a version that plays CD's (forget tapes) but if you think $150 is pricey, you can give up on the other one, it's $300!

[Randy]

I had my Becker Grand Prix rebuilt by Becker for about $275 and it worked less than two years; since it's 26 years old, I decided to buy some sort of radio, so I bought an inexpensive Kenwood from Crutchfield, and it came with harness adaptors which fit my '86 420SEL. There are some instructions specific to my car included, and I got everything figured out but the car's two female spade terminals: brown with blue stripe, and solid blue. Soon as I figure out what they do I will be ready to try it. If anyone knows this, please share!
UPDATE: I got the replacement radio working and it's nice, esp. for the cost approx $100 so far.
Still working on the antenna up-down thing.

[G-Benz]

I didn't have any real issues with the OE drivers...it was the lack of POWER that kept the system from sounding as good as it should.

My Becker gave up the ghost, so I went aftermarket. I spliced into the harness that sent the signal from the trunk amps to the speakers.

I went for a Blaupunkt unit and the backlighting could be tailored to match the dash illumination.









The car was totaled several years ago, but some of the salvaged gear will find a home in my Bimmer. My daughter's Mustang has the 4-channel unit.

[ATATEXAN]

Check out my post last night about my 350SE. It may give you an idea for your car.