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Stereo install notes for those curious...
I just finished installing a Blaupunkt Toronto CD headunit in my Audi this
past week. Thanks to all who responded to my questions and concerns.
In regard to the rear speaker thread: The self-amplified rear speakers in
my '88 90 are ITT of Germany. Don't know a thing about them, but they don't
sound too bad.
Couple of post-install tidbits for others who might be wondering:
1) As Mark McCulley noted, running powered high-level outputs to the
factory amped rear speakers will result a volume bias to the rear channels,
but the fader solution worked for me as well (fade forward a tad to equalize
the volume).
2) The wiring for the rear amped speakers was a tad bizarre. The rear
speakers each have an independent positive wire, but share a common ground.
The solution on my system was to connect positive wires normally - one to
the RR and LR, but to omit the left rear negative wire since the factory
harness only supplies 1 negative wire but 2 positives. Both rear channels
are putting out sound, but the negative off the right rear is the only one
connected. Wiring both negatives together into one is the other option, but
I wouldn't recommend it.
3) The factory amped rear speakers also need a power lead to continue to
function. I found that the remote (aka REM) lead (usually a blue wire on an
aftermarket headunit) supplies the proper signal to the rear amps.
4) The Blaupunkt Toronto is a very nice unit for anyone in the market.
It's one of the last units on the market available with orange/amber
illumination to match Audi interiors, and it is a feature packed unit.
Sound quality is excellent, and the unit looks great in the car. The
Blaupunkt interface and controls are very subdued and clean compared to
other units I considered. Looks "at home" in the Audi dash/console. Fit
and finish are excellent - no cutting or filing was necessary.
5) To get around the "diversity" antenna system - 2 FM leads, front and
rear, I bought a Y-jack from a local stereo store as recommended by a fellow
lister. I cut off the OEM german plugs, soldered in new Motorola type FM
plugs that I picked up from Radioshack ($1.50 for two) and plugged those
into the Y jack, then plugged that into the back of the headunit. The FM
reception is great. I'm picking up stations I've never heard before!?!? I
think this can be attributed to the Blaupunkt's FM tuner - it's clearly a
step up from the OEM FM tuner.
If anyone would like more info on the Blaupunkt unit - opinions or
otherwise - drop me a note. Thanks again to all those who responded. Once
again, this list has proven to be a great resource!
-Dan
Dan Sinclair
1988 Audi 90, 70,000mi.
Pic and details at:
http://131.107.68.50/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=761
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-quattro@audifans.com [mailto:owner-quattro@audifans.com]On
> Behalf Of Jim Hopkins
> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 1999 1:53 PM
> To: Daniel Hussey
> Cc: AUDI QUA
> Subject: Re: Looking for Audi/Bose rear speakers
>
>
> I just recently had an Alpine CD deck (w/ 35 watts per 4
> channels) installed in
> my 89 100Q ...... no problems with the rear speakers. the dealer
> (Circuit City)
> recognized the amplified rear speakers and said he hooked up
> everything with no
> difficulty.
>
> As far as "free" installation goes ..... hmmmmmmmmm The Alpine
> price comes with
> installation included, but they still charged me about 25 bucks
> for an adapter
> and wiring harness.
>
> Jim H.
> Quincy MA
>
>
> Daniel Hussey wrote:
>
> > No, they are not Bose unless you have the optional Bose system
> (You'll know
> > as you'll see a lot of Bose scriptures). The '89-'91 100/200 non-Bose
> > systems also had rather large amplified rear speakers as well.
> Not sure of
> > the manufature, but they are defenately not Bose (thank goodness!).
> >
> > Anyone know if they are any trouble when installing a different
> head unit.
> > Went window shopping today and found a Kenwood eXcilion head
> unit that the
> > guy said installation would be free. Somehow I doubt it
> because of all the
> > special Audi crap, but that's what he says.
> >
> > Just making sure I don't need any sort of special low-to-high
> pass adapter
> > or anything.
> >
> > Later,
> > Dan
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Frank Stadmeyer <stadmef@connix.com>
> > To: Mark McCulley <audicar99@hotmail.com>
> > Cc: 200q20v@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net <200q20v@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>;
> > quattro@audifans.com <quattro@audifans.com>
> > Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 7:59 PM
> > Subject: Re: Looking for Audi/Bose rear speakers
> >
> > >Geez, I don't know. I thought the Bose systems were the only ones with
> > >amps. Mine say Bose on them.
> > >
> > >Anybody else know? I'm still tring to learn to drive the etka
> and haven't
> > >found the speakers yet.
> > >
> > >Thanks
> > >
> > >At 10:42 PM 6/2/99 -0700, you wrote:
> > >>I just pulled the factory amplified rear speakers from my 91
> 100. Don't
> > >>think they are Bose though, at least they don't say Bose anywhere. Are
> > these
> > >>what you're looking for?
> > >>
> > >>MM
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>>From: Frank Stadmeyer <stadmef@connix.com>
> > >>>To: 200q20v@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net, quattro@audifans.com
> > >>>Subject: Looking for Audi/Bose rear speakers
> > >>>Date: Wed, 02 Jun 1999 21:34:51 -0400
> > >>>
> > >>>I presume that SCREECH!! SQUAWK!!!! BRAAAAP!!!! emmanating
> from my rear
> > >>>speaker with the attendant release of the all important
> smoke and odor
> > >>>component means that my speaker has expired.
> > >>>
> > >>>Do any of you who have upgrded to better stereo systems
> happen to have a
> > >>>pair of these they'd like to get rid of (for a suitable fee
> of course)?
> > >>>
> > >>>I apparently need at least the left but I suspect I ought to
> get one of
> > >>>each if they are different.
> > >>>
> > >>>Has anyone sucessfully opened one of these speaker/amps up? Any
> > BTDT's?
> > >>>
> > >>>Thanks
> > >>>
> > >>>Frank Stadmeyer
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>_______________________________________________________________
> > >>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
> > >
>