Finally got a CD player for my car - opinions?

[Jand3rson]

Before reading ahead, keep in mind that I'm not a car audio guy. I'm not into spending shitloads of money on ice, I just like to have enough for decent sound. I'm not out to blow the neighborhood's doors off, I just want it to sound good in the car for me. :D

The deck I got is a Blaupunkt Montreal CD34. Here are the specs:



Playback of audio CDs/CDR/CDRWs
23 Watts RMS x 4ch/40 Watts Peak x 4ch
Fully Detachable Faceplate
Night design blue+red
Remote control
1 set of preamp outputs

Like I said, it's not the top of the line CD player. But it looks good, I like the basic black, and very stock look of it, and I got a great deal on it. $115 at a pawn shop, brand new and never opened. It will play CD's and CD-R's, and has decent power, that's about all I care about. I'll only be running front speakers, probably 6". I'll also be getting a 10" sub for the trunk and a small amp to run it. What do you guys think of it? Most of the reviews I've read online are very favorable.

[Jordan]

I can't stand Blaupunkt.

[Jand3rson]

I can't stand Blaupunkt.

The brand wasn't REALLY so much important as the appearance of it, which I really like. I can't stand bright flashy headunits, and it's getting harder nowadays to find just basic, stock looking decks. All those expensive decks with cool 3D displays are cool looking and all, but just don't do it for me. This one is really attractive to me, and should provide plenty of power for the relatively small system I'll be running. And call me anal, but the fact that Blaupunkt is a German brand has always appealed to me, I guess I'm just an OCD German purist. :D

I'm just so excited that I'm not going to have to listen to the fucking radio anymore. We have 5 kinds of radio stations here. Country, Easy Listening, Classic Rock, Top 40 (mostly R&B and Rap), and a basic 80's/90's/Present hits station. The Top 40 station used to be a metal station. I can't stand the radio. The antenna isn't even going to be plugged into the deck.

[E30 Wagen]

so, is this a newer model, or an older one (since you got it a pawn shop)? I suppose i could have looked it up but meh..

[Jand3rson]

so, is this a newer model, or an older one (since you got it a pawn shop)? I suppose i could have looked it up but meh..

I think it's a discontinued one, he said they'd had it for a while. They stock new unopened CD players all the time, they get them from car audio places when they discontinue them, and they have leftover stock.

[dwforum]

I have the same deck. I'm pretty happy with it, it was cheap and I don't need perfect sound quality in my car. I got mine on ebay for around the same price, I think a little less than a year ago if memory serves correct. I mostly got it for the same reason, I can't stand all the crazy lights on most cd players.

[Jand3rson]

I have the same deck. I'm pretty happy with it, it was cheap and I don't need perfect sound quality in my car. I got mine on ebay for around the same price, I think a little less than a year ago if memory serves correct. I mostly got it for the same reason, I can't stand all the crazy lights on most cd players.

Awesome! Glad to see someone else that has the same one. You mentioned you are happy with it, that's good. Can you tell me anything else about it? How is the power? I'm going to be (hopefully) running two 6.5" speakers up front, with a small 10" sub in the back and a small amp.

[Digitalwave]

Josh, 23 watts to a 6.5" component set is dismal, I'd run at least 75 watts. Get a 3 or 4 channel amp and use the front channels for the components, and bridge the rear channels for the sub.

[Jand3rson]

Josh, 23 watts to a 6.5" component set is dismal, I'd run at least 75 watts. Get a 3 or 4 channel amp and use the front channels for the components, and bridge the rear channels for the sub.

Fear not TJ, I plan to also run an amp and a 10" sub in the trunk. What you reccomended is probably exactly what we'll do.

[Habla]

Why are you only running fronts and a sub?

[KenC]

Why are you only running fronts and a sub?

because rears sound like shit.

Josh, you should check out Becker decks on eBay if you decide not to keep them. They're the OEM manufacturer for MB and Porsche. Very simplistic... and German LOL.

[BMW BMXER]

My biggest regret ever when getting a deck was not getting an mp3 deck. Keep that in mind.

Also yes rear speakers suck.

[AdironRider]

When I installed my panasonic unit in my car over Thanksgiving I wired up a 1/8" stereo input jack into one of those spaces next to the hazard flash and defrost switches. The jack runs to the aux input on my deck and allows me to run an ipod or anything else that I want to plug in. Looks real clean and simple and makes for easy connections. Something to think about.

[marakka]

Not a bad deck. Its a cheapy, but definitely an upgrade. The price was.... ehh.... so so considering the place you got it from. Crutchfield has a deal on a deck right now with all the freebies for 139 from Blau that comes with free 6.5's Shipping and installation kit are also free. You shouldn't have any problem running a pair of 6.5's off this unless you plan on doing components. A pair of coax's will suffice just fine for front fill. If you plan on doing a sub, just remember that your fronts are only deck powered. Putting in a 400w Alpine amp and JL sub will do nothing but make you buy an amp to put on your 6.5's.

I'm with Jordan on this one though..... bleh on da blau

[Tvan]

I inherited a blaupunkt head unit when my cousin sold me the e30. Still in there, it's not one of their best models, doesn't deal with changing input too well, esp. when inserting/ejecting a cd.