Stereos in Cobras

[Merv and Sharon]

I know that the sound of a Cobra is better than a stereo but I am interested in the experiences of those with stereos, particularly on audio streaming systems and on speakers with low profiles/depth.Any experiences to share?

[boxhead]

Ipod and ear plugs.

[Beastly]

ditto !! ipod and earplugs

[fordracing65]

I rode in a Cobra this weekend with 2 speakers behind the seats, it was nice to hear some tunes as we cruised, he had the satallite radio in the trunk.

[henrik]

I suggest you use earplug type speakers...

1) No installation and can not be seen (the engine will provide the Subwoofer )
2) If you use the new "Closed" type with silicon they also funktion as ear protection (needed on my car ) - but then you can not hear sirenes ect.
3) I suggest to not install a fixed system - use a portable (smartphone...), and if you need a stereo when parked... buy a B&W Zeppelin Air or Harman Kardon Go+Play II and put it in the trunk - among the best sound you can get...

Just my 2 cent.

Have fun

[Modena]

I am planning on an amp/head-unit totally hidden with just a 3.5mm jack hanging out somewhere in a console to plug in a phone or ipod. With speakers, some tunes would be nice, even when cruising with a passenger.

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks so far guys. No solution is ever perfect.

I have used an iPod and ear pieces for while and find that a little uncomfortable. Audio streaming appeals, but is never as good as an USB input I am told. However, newer cars seem to almost universally fit these systems. Jury is out on that I guess.

Speakers are another issue and ones behind the seats are least invasive but depth is an issue. What kinds of speakers have been used successfully?

With smaller audio systems that can be hidden (I am not thinking about an in-dash setup) is an amp needed? Are there suitable small amps?

Last, radio is useful at times so that is another factor.

Has anyone used these? Goes under seat and in glove box: Secret Audio SST iPod/USB/MP3 Classic/Collector/Muscle Car Stereo AM FM Radio | eBay

[Rog246]

Merv what about getting some put in your headrests ?
I believe that's a bit of a GO these days. I'd check with your local car stereo place. I'm sure they'd have an idea or two and would be more than happy to make your wallet a tad lighter !

[kyleb]

Merv,
I used an Alpine CDA-9886M head unit mounted in the boot and an Alpine MC20 controller which fits in a 2" guage hole and it only needs about 2" in depth if you have no room behind your dash.
It sort of matches your speedo and tacho. I painted the face on mine black.
Also fitted a 3.5mm jack between the seats for earphones.
Put a couple of three way speakers behind the seats.
Also look up tune trapper aerial. www.tunetrapper.com
Works a treat..

[Rob. Smith]

Merv,
Have a look at www.custom-autosound.com. They have some nice stuff.

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Rob. Yes, I found those guys today. They have really nice stuff and so many models. Except Cobras of course, which never seemed to have radios ...
Kyle, the Alpine setup with the MC20 controller looks a very nice set up. I have an in boot aerial already to go. Will check that one out. The Secret Audio unit above has a wireless remote.

Rog, the headrests ...not so sure, in my case. I am thinking that behind the seats and removable maybe the best. I have the space.

Does satellite radio work here?

SIRIUS Stratus 4 Plug-and-Play Satellite Radio Receiver

[CHANMADD]

I have a single din stereo in dash, a 400 watt amp behind the dash, 6x9 between the seats behind the carpet and speakers in each kick panel. I can listen to the radio at freeway speeds without too much problem.

[ERA 778]

I installed the SecretAudio unit from CustomAutosound. I put it in the space between the trunk panel and the rear bulkhead. It has a small control panel that can go inside the glovebox if you have one, or can just go in the trunk (boot) if you like. Either will work because the unit has an RF remote that can control the basic functions. I installed an amplified antenna from Advance Auto in the trunk as well; it works pretty well since the body is fiberglass. For speakers I installed four 5.25 inch two-ways from Image Dynamics in the bulkhead behind the seats.

By the way, CustomAudio now has a unit that controls everything by the remote, so there's no control panel to mount anywhere! Wish they'd had that when I did mine since most of the work was in locating and wiring the control panel.

By the way, this unit sounds very good for the price and works with my Ipod just fine!

[SunDude]

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks ERA778. The Secret Audio looks the go so far but will check out the CustomAudio one as well. SunDude - that may still happen if I don't find the right unit. Like your gallery, especially the one with Angelina Jollie on the Cobra ...

This is the newer one where the whole set up is in the trunk:

Secretaudio SST

[Dar73]

Here is what I did. Can't tell you how good it works yet..... I am only 5 years into the build......

I dont recomend the secret audio stuff... I had one in mind for another project and **** canned it. It was junk. Especially if you have an Iphone or Ipod, you can run everything from that.

AudioXpertsVacaville's Channel - YouTube

[Rob. Smith]

Originally Posted by kyleb

Merv,
I used an Alpine CDA-9886M head unit mounted in the boot and an Alpine MC20 controller which fits in a 2" guage hole and it only needs about 2" in depth if you have no room behind your dash.
It sort of matches your speedo and tacho. I painted the face on mine black.
Also fitted a 3.5mm jack between the seats for earphones.
Put a couple of three way speakers behind the seats.
Also look up tune trapper aerial. www.tunetrapper.com
Works a treat..

Kyleb does the 'tunetrapper' pick up AM frequencies ?
I just read about 30 "reviews" and they all seemed to be written by the tune trapper company. Only one bloke bagged it and he had it on a motorbike. Another MP3 forum were still waiting for some bloke to buy and test it.

[letsboogie351]

Merv
I love music and never dreamed of not having a stereo in the cobra. I mounted an Alpine in dash unit with speakers in the doors. As for the antenna a "B" pillar mount was bent into an arc to follow the hoop section behind the dash and then fixed to it. Works fine and the antenna is invisible to anyone looking for it.


Doug

[kyleb]

Originally Posted by Rob. Smith

Kyleb does the 'tunetrapper' pick up AM frequencies ?
I just read about 30 "reviews" and they all seemed to be written by the tune trapper company. Only one bloke bagged it and he had it on a motorbike. Another MP3 forum were still waiting for some bloke to buy and test it.

Hi Rob,
I went out today and tried the AM band and it picked it up no problem.
To be honest I cannot fault the aerial at this stage.
Cheers...

[Merv and Sharon]

Originally Posted by ERA 778

I installed the SecretAudio unit from CustomAutosound. I put it in the space between the trunk panel and the rear bulkhead. It has a small control panel that can go inside the glovebox if you have one, or can just go in the trunk (boot) if you like. Either will work because the unit has an RF remote that can control the basic functions. I installed an amplified antenna from Advance Auto in the trunk as well; it works pretty well since the body is fiberglass. For speakers I installed four 5.25 inch two-ways from Image Dynamics in the bulkhead behind the seats.

By the way, CustomAudio now has a unit that controls everything by the remote, so there's no control panel to mount anywhere! Wish they'd had that when I did mine since most of the work was in locating and wiring the control panel.

By the way, this unit sounds very good for the price and works with my Ipod just fine!

ERA 778 what kind/s of inputs are you using? USB or CD changer? I have been reading a lot of the reviews of the SecretAudio and many are not too complimentary on the sound quality.

I was thinking that any decent head unit with USB and iPod input could be under the seat or in the trunk and have a remote to control it. However, must a remote have a line of sight connection?