Bluetooth alternatives

[Johnny Atomic]

My truck is pretty much all original. And I like it that way. But I want bluetooth streaming. I built a bluetooth speaker from a plastic case and car door speaker. But I want something better sounding. I've tried small bluetooth speakers and they suck, no bass, not loud enough, or too distorted when loud enough.

I guess my question is, any recommendations for a moderately sized bluetooth speaker that SOUNDS GOOD. I was thinking I could just plug it in the cigarette lighter, and stick it to the bottom of the dash with a magnet. Has anyone tried a Bose, or JBL Flip, or SONOS or any of the NICER bluetooth speakers??? You know something bigger than a cell phone but smaller than a carry on suitcase.

I'm sure someone else has done this and has some insight into which ones to check out.

 

[legopnuematic]

I have my 76 setup with an FM modulator and Bluetooth receiver, I turn them on, tune to the appropriate station and my music is piped into the head unit. Turn them off and the radio works as normal. The only visible part of this setup is a toggle switch at the bottom of the dash, everything else is hidden away.

There are ones that plug into the cigarette lighter as well, I had one in my ram when I got it and before I changed the head unit out. It worked fine too.

 

[Sad Sack]

My truck is pretty much all original. And I like it that way. But I want bluetooth streaming. I built a bluetooth speaker from a plastic case and car door speaker. But I want something better sounding. I've tried small bluetooth speakers and they suck, no bass, not loud enough, or too distorted when loud enough.

I guess my question is, any recommendations for a moderately sized bluetooth speaker that SOUNDS GOOD. I was thinking I could just plug it in the cigarette lighter, and stick it to the bottom of the dash with a magnet. Has anyone tried a Bose, or JBL Flip, or SONOS or any of the NICER bluetooth speakers??? You know something bigger than a cell phone but smaller than a carry on suitcase.

I'm sure someone else has done this and has some insight into which ones to check out.

Go to your nearest BestBuy and test drive. The JBL Xtreme 4 is a good one.

 

[bucket]

It might be what Spencer just described, but if you have an FM radio you can just use one of those Bluetooth/aux converters that plug into the cigarette lighter.

I've got a fairly basic Bluetooth speaker that I put up on the dash of my camo truck. It cost 40-50 bucks. It goes loud enough and still sounds decent, over the noises of mud tires, 5.13 gears, no overdrive and no insulation.

A kid at work has a JBL Bluetooth speaker of some kind, the same size as my cheap one. It has incredible volume and sound quality for what it is. He blasts his sh!t music all across our shop and warehouse with it.

 

[Johnny Atomic]

Go to your nearest BestBuy and test drive. The JBL Xtreme 4 is a good one.

good idea, I was looking at the JBL Charge and JBL Flip, hadn't considered the Xtreme

 

[Blue Ox]

It might be what Spencer just described, but if you have an FM radio you can just use one of those Bluetooth/aux converters that plug into the cigarette lighter.

Same here. It doesn't even involve a switch. I just pull it out of the lighter socket if I'm going to park for more than a day. It has a USB charger included and will put your phone calls on your speakers too. The mic isn't spectacular, but it's adequate.

Plus, they're dirt cheap. Usually less than $25.

 

[Sad Sack]

good idea, I was looking at the JBL Charge and JBL Flip, hadn't considered the Xtreme

Portable little powerhouse and pricey.

 

[Finkaire]

The FM transmitter works perfectly. I have a little Bose speaker that sounds terrific. It has a strap, it’s waterproof and I absolutely love it!
It appears to be on sale at an incredible price

 

[Sad Sack]

Or go big with a Bluetooth amplifier and add-on speakers / subwoofer!

...sorry, I always get carried away when it comes to vehicle sound stuff...

 

[legopnuematic]

@Sad Sack
“Six twelves in the trunk, four screens in the deck”

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[CountKrunk]

Your best sound option is to use something that will tie into the trucks audio system. Unless your trucks audio system sucks.

Then your best option is to make it not suck and tie into that!

 

[Finkaire]

Retrosound in both my squarebody and the Elcamino. Plug and play! Crutchfield comes with harness adapter, no cutting, no splicing. Im using and happy with the original speakers and later added a underseat subwoofer. Box up your original unit and tuck it away

 

[Johnny Atomic]

Or go big with a Bluetooth amplifier and add-on speakers / subwoofer!

...sorry, I always get carried away when it comes to vehicle sound stuff...

carried away is standard procedure for me and audio.

 

[Sad Sack]

carried away is standard procedure for me and audio.

Indeed, I'm 65yo and still love going crazy with car audio. If I had to do a Bluetooth system this would power it:

JL Audio VX1000/5i Class D VXi Series 5 Channel Car Amplifier

JL Audio VX1000/5i • 1000W RMS Class D VXi Series 5 Channel Car Amplifier • 75 watts x 4 channel + 400 watts x 1 channel @ 4 ohm • 100 watts x 4 channel + 600 watts x 1 channel @ 2 ohm • Bridged: 200 watts x 2 channel @ 4 ohm + 600 watts x 1 channel @ 2 ohm • Total RMS Power: 1000 watts...

www.sonicelectronix.com

5ch!

 

[CalSgt]

Indeed, I'm 65yo and still love going crazy with car audio. If I had to do a Bluetooth system this would power it:

JL Audio VX1000/5i Class D VXi Series 5 Channel Car Amplifier

JL Audio VX1000/5i • 1000W RMS Class D VXi Series 5 Channel Car Amplifier • 75 watts x 4 channel + 400 watts x 1 channel @ 4 ohm • 100 watts x 4 channel + 600 watts x 1 channel @ 2 ohm • Bridged: 200 watts x 2 channel @ 4 ohm + 600 watts x 1 channel @ 2 ohm • Total RMS Power: 1000 watts...

www.sonicelectronix.com

5ch!

I love JL Audio but the price tag on those amps with DSP is stooopid

I went with the next step down from DSP and still spent way too much money

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