Custom Auto Sound

[chevyhed53]

After putting up with an inferior Ken Harrison radio in my '67 Chevelle, I decided to take the "classic radio" plunge again with my '56 stepside. I bought a Custom Autosound unit, with their CD changer, their matched kick panel speakers, and I put a couple of little tweeters in the dash cutouts where the ashtray and heater controls once were. I wired everything through a relay and heat-shrink-wrapped all the connections. With the engine off, and on ACC power the system sounds great. Once the engine is running, though, it cuts in and out. I made sure the grounds were good, and tried again with same results. The Custom Autosound manual (which is not good) suggest that for the problem of "elimination," which is I suppose their term for what I'm experiencing, I should install an "LC filter network in the power lead."
Huh? Try googling "LC filter network" or try putting it into the search field at Crutchfield, Parts Express, Del City or even Amazon, and you get ... nothing. Anybody know what they're talking about? I know there was a thread on this topic a few years ago, but the mystery apparently was not solved. Appreciate any and all suggestions--including returning the whole mess to Custom Autosound!

[cdowns]

custom autosound has had poor quality for high prices for many years

pisspoor customer relations second to none

the best day I had with my piece of crap custom autosound was when I took the BFH to it and smashed it into a thousand or so pieces

i'll let you borrow that BFH if you need it

[chevyhed53]

Yeah, I'm starting to wonder if any of these "don't-cut-up-your-dash" units are any good. Their tech support is a joke, as I have already learned.

[_Ogre]

you only need to cut your dash once
the single din head unit will be around for a long time

[chevyhed53]

Yeah, I'm learning that lesson

[chevyhed53]

Well, a surprisingly easy fix, suggested by a very helpful customer service guy at Parts Express: As I am not using an amp, he suggested taping over the unused RCA inputs on the back of the radio, and running a second ground from the radio to the firewall (I already have one ground that is clean, and of course the relay is grounded). The "pulsing" with the engine running has stopped! I actually was calling Parts Express to order their ground noise filter, but the guy said I didn't need it. He was right, and cost his company about $8, but earned a lot of future business!

[TexasJeff]

I purchased a RetroSound radio and absolutely love it. I got the Zuma option for my 1980 C/K truck, it has the USB port, but I did not option for the Bluetooth. I highly recommend the RetroSound radio's

[sbrban]

I heard nothing positive about the custom autosound systems. I dont think a single din is really the way to go because it seems the stereo companies are starting to make more head units without cd players.
I decided to try a retrosound system in my '71 suburban.
I have to say, I was impressed with the overall build and sound quality of it!
I bought the loaded unit with bluetooth and 2 usb connections.
I used kickpanel speaker pods and for now, i have rear 6x9's in boxes behind the rear seat and a thin line JL sub behind the rear seat as well.
The sound more than exceeded my expectations and i wouldnt be afraid to buy another one.
The directions are a little weak, but honestly if you take your time it will all fit and look great!
The best part was not having to cut my dash or doors all up.

[sbrban]

I do need to say my xm works great with the retrosound...until I have the engine running-then it has a little static. The bluetooth works flawlessly with my samsung galaxy s5 so I used my XM app on my samsung phone for the road trip and it sounded great! I bought a "shorty" antenna and i was suprised how well the radio sounded and the distance that it kept the radio channels tuned in.

[chevyhed53]

Yeah, I wish I'd gone with the Retrosound. Custom unit picks up pulsing through the antenna (hidden antenna) and the unused jacks. But the sound is surprisingly good. I have the kick panel speakers, and put in a couple of 3" JBLs in the dash where the ashtray and heater controls used to be.

[king-918]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

you only need to cut your dash once
the single din head unit will be around for a long time

Agreed, then buy an 80prs