Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Retrosound Newport Radio?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-09-2015, 11:31 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Klutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Retrosound Newport Radio?

I did a search and saw only one post about this radio designed to fit a Cherokee and look factory:

http://www.retrosoundusa.com.au/inde...t_detail&p=757

I know the price is steep, but I found it somewhat cheaper at SummitRacing. I like the fact it has an auxiliary input, a USB input and BlueTooth.

I can't stand the "Bling-Bling" aftermarket radios I see everywhere. I don't need or want a video screen.

Has anyone installed this radio? Any technical reason I should NOT install this radio? I was thinking of connecting it to some nice speakers in the front doors and rear area with a "cubby" sub-woofer. The Sub would have its own amp.

Thanks.
Old 03-09-2015, 02:12 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
Kris smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ramona ca
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

It's not my taste. I just have a plain Jane alpine without a tape of cd just a usb and blue tooth single din in my jeep its flush mounted. Running to stock speakers cost me all of 150$ Comes with three pre outs and mic for Bluetooth calling.
Old 03-09-2015, 02:24 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Kris smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ramona ca
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I know I have the older interior but they make a cubbie kit to for a 1 din into a 1.5-2 din hole
Name:  88C3462D-1AE9-40D8-B2A5-51E2CE5D6964.jpg
Views: 1285
Size:  118.6 KB
Old 03-09-2015, 07:02 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Klutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Kris smith
I know I have the older interior but they make a cubbie kit to for a 1 din into a 1.5-2 din hole

Thanks, but I have that now and I don't like it all.
Old 03-09-2015, 08:37 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
cbs_24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Eagle River, Alaska
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Somebody on here made a post about it a few weeks ago. I really like it, but the price is way too steep for the options. Having said that, I would be very tempted to buy it anyway if it had satellite radio built in.
Old 03-10-2015, 04:08 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

I have played with retrosounds head units at a car show they do sound real good,If i had a older car and didn't want to cut up the dash i would use one of their radios.
Old 03-10-2015, 05:50 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
mschi772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

That's a LOT of money to pay for something that isn't as feature-rich as some units 1/4 the price just so that it can look "plain." I love the idea of having a nice receiver in a stock-looking package, but that receiver just isn't that nice, and there is no justification for such an insane price tag.

I'll stick with my much more feature rich unit that cost me less than $180. (Think it's too "blingy?" The backlighting is almost infinitely customizable including turning it off.)

Old 03-10-2015, 07:42 AM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Klutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at my local sound shops to see what they offer.
Old 03-10-2015, 08:56 AM
  #9  
Banned
 
extrashaky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Default

For less money you could stick with the OEM Ltd head unit and just add in aftermarket USB and Bluetooth units. You would have more features since you would still have a CD player, and it would actually match the style of the interior rather than being slightly off like that Retro-Sound thing.
Old 03-10-2015, 11:10 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Tsaani97xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Klutch
Thanks for the feedback. I'll take a look at my local sound shops to see what they offer.
I think you can find something to meet your tastes for a lot less.

25 years ago I liked the lights and colors but agree the flashy stuff isn't appealing anymore. I have an aftermarket Sony thats has completely adjustable colors and set it to a nice plain white during the day and a dim green that matches the 97s lighting almost perfectly.
Old 03-10-2015, 02:33 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
mschi772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I've been a loyal Crutchfield customer for my car audio needs for years.

My unit at night is set to a greenish and orange color scheme identical to my gauges at night. During the day it is bluish white to jive with the blue/gray coloration of the vehicle.
Old 03-10-2015, 08:00 PM
  #12  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Klutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I stopped by Best Buy today to see what's on the market these days. As I expected, lots of bling. Although, the prices are pretty reasonable.

The things I like about the Retrosound unit are:

- It appears factory. I like this look and it makes it less likely some moron will smash my window to steal the radio.

- It has actual ***** instead of switches I have to push up and down, which I don't like

- Four channels with 25 watts RMS, Blue Tooth, auxiliary and USB inputs

Yeah, I can get more features for less money. But I don't need or want those extra features and I still don't know if I can look at some chrome thing flashing lights at me all the time.

Thanks again.
Old 03-10-2015, 08:04 PM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Klutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

That one looks OK and it has an actual volume ****. It is still available?


Originally Posted by mschi772
That's a LOT of money to pay for something that isn't as feature-rich as some units 1/4 the price just so that it can look "plain." I love the idea of having a nice receiver in a stock-looking package, but that receiver just isn't that nice, and there is no justification for such an insane price tag.

I'll stick with my much more feature rich unit that cost me less than $180. (Think it's too "blingy?" The backlighting is almost infinitely customizable including turning it off.)

Old 03-11-2015, 06:01 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
mschi772's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Klutch
That one looks OK and it has an actual volume ****. It is still available?
No, but very similar ones are. Frankly, I think you've been mislead into believing all aftermarket receivers are "blingy" because that's just how they get set-up for display. Almost every receiver out there has customizable colors/backlighting.

This is a link to the store page for my receiver. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ODE5Wj8...-KD-AHD79.html

I highly recommend Crutchfield for shopping. Not only do they sort items into what fits your car, what fits with a little modding, and what doesn't fit, but they will also give you a lot of installation gear specific to your car for free (if you tell them what your car is of course). They also have lots of great learning material to help you understand what everything is and how it works.

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_300/All...7cFFSingle-DIN
Old 03-11-2015, 10:44 AM
  #15  
Banned
 
extrashaky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Default

Originally Posted by Klutch
The things I like about the Retrosound unit are:

- It appears factory.
You think so? I don't see it. The button and lighting style doesn't really match the rest of the Jeep. Maybe it's just because I'm accustomed to looking at the stock head unit, but that one looks aftermarket to me, and cheap generic aftermarket at that. It's kind of ironic how cheap it looks, considering how much you end up paying for it.


Quick Reply: Retrosound Newport Radio?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:06 PM.