Becker Mexico Stereo...

[peterl]

I have a rebuilt Becker Mexico am/fm/cass. It says stereo on the front but there are no left/right channel controls. Does it indeed have wiring for 2 speakers?

Peter

[Mark DiSilvestro]

The older chrome face Becker stereo radios didn't have an external balance control. They may have an internal balance control (like the older German Blaupunkts) reached through an access hole in the case, to be preset before the unit goes in the dash. Your Becker Mexico should have a separate amplifier box with a pair of sockets for the left and right speakers. For 4 speaker installations, there was a separate factory fader control availible, to be connected into the speaker wiring to balance front and rear speakers.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[abe g]

Ihad my becker mexico rebuilt and wasted $139 ! Lousy radio! replaced with $90. pioneer cassette that outplays becker by plenty. (installed at Circuit City free). I anticipate that sooner than later you will do the same. PS Pionner fits to a T. God luck abe g

[peterl]

But it doesn't look like a Becker! Besides, I only have one speaker!

I do have an idea for a stealthy cd setup, though.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Over the years, I've had a variety of Becker and Blaupunkt radios. The best sounding factory stereo is the factory Blaupunkt in my '72 250 Coupe. With the single 3"x 7" speaker in the dash and a matching one in the rear shelf, it's not surround sound but still sounds decent after 30 years. The original 4 speaker stereo Becker in my "72 250 sedan sounded pretty awfull, mainly because of the crappy little 3" speakers in the footwells, so I added a pair of Sony 6 x 9 coax speakers in the under-dash cardboard covers for a big improvement. If you're not looking for state of the art stereo, the Becker should be OK. Concentrate on the speaker installation. A two speaker setup, like the one in my 250 Coupe might be the simplest way to get decent sound.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[psfred]

Without the amp, the Becker will be useless. You also need the cable that goes between the amp and the radio. There are "unified" units, but they are HUGE in comparison -- the amp is a linear transformer system, very heavy for what it does.

Remember, you are looking at a German luxury car radio, emphasis at Becker was sound quality NOT volume, and longevity. Most of them still work, amazingly enough. They are 5 watt per channel, usually, though, so if you want to rattle the windows of the houses you drive past, you are out of luck.

The mexico is auto-tune searching, by the way -- pretty spiff for 1968.

Peter

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Years ago, my Dad had the late '50s version, tube AM/FM Becker Mexico, with the auto-tune feature in his 220SE. Pretty spiff for 1960.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[peterl]

I agree--these radios are pretty spiffy for when they were made.

The amp just dropped out from behind the dash so I got a good look at it! I'll start looking into 2 small speakers to be mounted under the dash or somewhere unobtrusive. I'm not looking to go thumping around the block, so I think I'll stick with 4 or 5" rounds in enclosures. I'm still thinking about small computer speakers---CSW has some nice small cubes that I can hide easily, but I'll probably sacrifice some base. They do come with a small powered sub that I might mount under the rear seat. I'll have to look into the current draw and decide how to wire it.

Peter