After Market Stereo (Becker) Replacement

I was just looking into this for my 360. A past owner had an aftermarket stereo installed, so there is no originality there anyway. The unit's volume control is worn out, so it's probably better and cheaper to just replace the whole thing. That way, I can get Bluetooth and iPod integration. And a USB port or two. I like the Kenwood KDC-BT858U for only $162.51 on Amazon. It has all the features I need, enough power, and is one of few that have a USB port in the rear, so you don't need to have a cord hanging out the front or the need to constantly unplug it. It's hardly an audiophile unit, but good enough to drive the (better than stock) aftermarket speakers in the car. BTW, Alpine also has a rear USB model, the Alpine CDE-HD149BT. Costs more, if you can even find one.

 

Try a search on Clarion which should give you threads with the Ferrari upgrade and lots of other similar options

 

Ive put a couple of radios in thus far. I had Pioneer then Kenwood now Sony. They all mary with Apple product seamlessly plus you can control your Sony with your phone. Also thus far my new Sony has produced the best sound.


any radio will work ...as a matter of fact, a friend just had one installed at Best Buy.

 

If it were cheaper, the Porsche classic radio would be my choice. Very conservative OEM styling, navigation, iPhone, etc. Just at over $1000 bucks it's spensive'!

 

Yeah, but I wouldn't like having to rub off the lettering and replace it with "Ferrari"!

 

Yes, so long as it fits a single DIN slot. Does your Sony have rear USB port? Which model? I didn't bother looking at any of the flip up screen models and even having CD playing capability isn't that important to me since I find that music in the car is more easily played via iPhone, iPod or USB stick. Yeah, not exactly high audio quality, but in a noisy Ferrari it doesn't matter that much.

 

I have both Kenwood and Pioneer units in other cars and wouldn't buy another Kenwood. Bluetooth connection is seemless with the Pioneer and the user interface is intuitive and simple. The Kenwood is absolutely stupid, and it's a 2015 unit... and not inexpensive, but it is cheap.

For example, in order to change bluetooth connection between phones, you need to scroll thru two menus to put the unit in standby, and then back thru five more for phone selection, back three times to select bluetooth audio or an app such as Pandora. Then, on a good day, you get rewarded with a minute of "connecting" and then the first song is ALWAYS very low in volume. Most times I'm at my destination before the second song even starts. Getting back in the car and it starts "connecting" right away, the first song is, od course, low volume.... exasperated by this I switch to radio only to find obnoxious commercials on every station except the one playing "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the 38,756th time... today... I turn the f'n thing off. Oh yeah, and the sound is thin and harsh.

The Pioneer is one from their NEX series and connects and sounds like something designed in this century.

 

I also have Sony and I agree about sound. I too tried pioneer, JVC/Kenwood and in general Sony has better sound.

Can I ask why do you like the rear usb? I like the front because it is easy for me to plug and unplug. When I had the rear it is dangling on the foot and a pain to get it plugged and unplugged.

 

Sony-MEX-GS810BH and it has USB on front plus Bluetooth streaming. Also it's has cool app for your music. There are aftermarkets units that are similar to Porsche unit but better.

 

I have a Blaupunkt San Francisco. Sleek and doesn't look out of place.

 

is it easy to install the radio?

I am taking a long road trip and dont want to listen to static haha

or is it possible to add USB/AUX cord for the stock system?

 

Very ... Believe or not Best Buy can do it . A friend with 360 had his installed there

 

I like a rear USB because I can plug in an iPod and leave it there tucked away without someone seeing it and breaking in. But ideally, the unit will have a front USB also, so that you can easily plug in a thumb drive or other storage device. The Pioneer DEH-X8800BHS has front and rear USBs but based on what you say about their sound, maybe not the best choice. The Kenwood KDC-BT858U also has a rear USB.

But! As DonJuan348 mentioned, there is the Sony MEX-GS810BH. And it not only has front but also rear USB, and BT streaming!

As for installation, it's pretty easy, since all you really need is a DIN stereo removal tool and some basic wiring skills.
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I like that Sony pictured above. Can you change the color of the lights in it? To me that is a bid deal so that it more or less matches the other gauges in the car. Some of the Pioneers let you do this.

 

Can you name some examples please?

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

 

Yes. In fact, I recall reading that you have a palette rather than just a few set choices, so you should be able to match colors.

 

I run this for over a year now. Really happy with it.

https://www.google.com/amp/foraudiogeeks.com/sony-mex-xb100bt-review/amp/?client=safari

 

I replaced my OEM Becker POS radio head unit about 3 years ago with a unit by Alpine. At the time, there were various criteria I used to compare units, but one was I wanted a rear USB port. I have an USB dongle run inside the glove box where I keep a thumb drive connected with my tunes.

If the Sony were available that was referenced in an earlier post, I would have definitely considered it as it has two USB ports. Having one on the front is very handy to keep your phone charged.

Steve

 

I have run Alpine in my past two F-Cars and bought the same one for the boat. Alpine has been good to me, seemless bluetooth integration, hands free options and they are super easy to install. Pick up the install kit and wiring harness from Crutchfield. It was R & R'd in about 30 minutes in the garage.

 

which one, Crutchfield does not list Ferrari as a manu. to select a wire harness.

 

Criutchfield may not have and may not provide info for wiring harness adapters to change out the Becker radio unit for, say an Alpine unit. I got my adapter here ...
Radio Specific Wire Harness :: Installation :: Car Stereos and components

Steve

 

Here is the Harness from Crutchfield

Metra 70-1784 Receiver Wiring Harness Connect a new car stereo in select 1992-up vehicles at Crutchfield.com

metra part # 70-1784 radio harness just need to reverse the yellow and red wires as vw does it backwards... Then I use the metra vw / audi antenna adapter pt # 40-vm10

Just follow the pinout readily available online if it has been peeled off the top of the head unit... and it works flawlessley
Dont forget you will also need that antenna plug adapter... they are different then the US version that just plugs into the deck

Rock On \m/

 

I replaced the Alpine unit with the Porsche Classic Radio w/nav. Has two hookups, one for charging phone and one for iPod/phone connection, installed in glove box. Really nice unit without the "disco lights" found in many other brands. Downside is the price.
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That doesn't look half bad, and I do agree that the disco lights of some other models is a bit too much...

I don't listen to the radio/CD's all too much as the aftermarket exhaust is fairly loud and I drive with the windows down in summer to enjoy them even more. Having said that, I miss the GPS from my Merc AMG and so I discreetly added a TomTom just below the aircon dials for when I need it.