411 audio systems

[Sam410]

I think the Blenheims had rear speakers in the rear footwells, mounted under the rear seats in the kickboards. I've seen other Bristols with speakers so fitted as well.

[Philip]

The 603-series cars had them below the rear seat squab from the beginning.

[Richardmulcaster]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your messages, I've been watching them come in over the last couple of days via phone, but not had chance to properly get back to the computer and get replying. I love all the knowledge that's out there in our community, and everyone so helpful to share.

I will go back to each post now and reply.
thanks again, keep those ideas and comments flowing!

[Richardmulcaster]

Originally Posted by Sam410

I think the Blenheims had rear speakers in the rear footwells, mounted under the rear seats in the kickboards. I've seen other Bristols with speakers so fitted as well.

Thanks Sam,

yeah, I saw one advert of a 411 with speakers under the back seats, think it was listed on TheHairpinCompany.

Not sure what I think about that, the job was well done and looked professional enough, but maybe i was cautious simply as it was a new idea. I didn't know this was standard on the Blenheims, so thanks for sharing that.

Cheers
Richard

[RogerR]

Instead of having a radio, has anyone thought of using say, an iphone radio app and a bluetooth speaker like 'Ultimate Ears'? That way you can remove the radio from the dash completely and use the iphone as a radio, GPS etc. An iphone dock could be housed in an open/close panel in the dash and you can take the iphone from the car when you leave.

Just a thought.

[AndrewA]

For what it's worth I went through a similar mental process. I've got a 410 which from the factory has an overhead speaker between the driver and passenger and one speaker on RHS of parcel shelf. I considered putting speakers in the front door cards, in the kick panel under the rear seat squab and the parcel shelf. I also looked at the retro head units. In the end I went with getting the best sound I could from new speakers in the original locations and the most discreet modern head unit so I had all the connectivity for the rare occasions I might use it. My reasoning was I didn't really want to start cutting additional holes and if I'm honest with myself, most of the time I prefer listening to the car. If not that then Radio 4 and it's only on long motorway treks (remember them!) on my own that I'll use it to listen to music that the rest of the family can't stand!
I got the head unit sorted first (I went for a very plain modern Sony unit in the end) then spent quite a while trying different speakers in different price ranges until I got the sound that I was happy with. The dual voice option sounds a good place to start IMHO. In terms of the sound quality, it's now miles better than original but it's no concert hall. I also wondered about suppressors as the old radio would rev in time with the engine (!) but modern unit needed no suppressing and is crystal clear.
Good luck!
Andrew

[Richardmulcaster]

Originally Posted by AndrewA

For what it's worth I went through a similar mental process. I've got a 410 which from the factory has an overhead speaker between the driver and passenger and one speaker on RHS of parcel shelf. I considered putting speakers in the front door cards, in the kick panel under the rear seat squab and the parcel shelf. I also looked at the retro head units. In the end I went with getting the best sound I could from new speakers in the original locations and the most discreet modern head unit so I had all the connectivity for the rare occasions I might use it. My reasoning was I didn't really want to start cutting additional holes and if I'm honest with myself, most of the time I prefer listening to the car. If not that then Radio 4 and it's only on long motorway treks (remember them!) on my own that I'll use it to listen to music that the rest of the family can't stand!
I got the head unit sorted first (I went for a very plain modern Sony unit in the end) then spent quite a while trying different speakers in different price ranges until I got the sound that I was happy with. The dual voice option sounds a good place to start IMHO. In terms of the sound quality, it's now miles better than original but it's no concert hall. I also wondered about suppressors as the old radio would rev in time with the engine (!) but modern unit needed no suppressing and is crystal clear.
Good luck!
Andrew

Thanks Andrew,
very interesting, and thanks for contributing. Having slept on it, I am favouring the idea of the single DVC speaker in the front for simplicity, a new pair of recessed speakers in the parcel shelf, and a restoration of my original Motorola - I just can't get that idea out of my head, it looks so cool.

So I don't have wires running into the door, and don't need to cut the door cards.
On a slightly separate but related note - I have just sourced and paid for a pair of XJ6 s3 chrome wing mirrors - manual ones with the mini joystick for adjustment; originally only have 1 mirror on drivers side and want two mirrors for modern driving , but the manual option although rare as hens teeth to find again means I get to keep away from needing to put wires into the doors. I saw a 411 s2 for sale on TheHairPinCompany and it had been fitted with these same mirrors, and I think they suit the car really well, but I guess this is not for this thread!

[AndrewA]

Sounds like the perfect solution to me and you can get the more "period" chrome and mesh covers for the parcel shelf - if that's your thing.
Cheers
Andrew

[Richardmulcaster]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Instead of having a radio, has anyone thought of using say, an iphone radio app and a bluetooth speaker like 'Ultimate Ears'? That way you can remove the radio from the dash completely and use the iphone as a radio, GPS etc. An iphone dock could be housed in an open/close panel in the dash and you can take the iphone from the car when you leave.

Just a thought.

So true! I've been using the phone app to get DAB radio for a couple of years now in my own runabout.
I guess with a car as classic as the Bristol, I was thinking of trying to up the game a little. but actually maybe you are right and the whole audio system is something of an accessory anyway, hummmm.

Thanks for the advice!

[Sam410]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Instead of having a radio, has anyone thought of using say, an iphone radio app and a bluetooth speaker like 'Ultimate Ears'? That way you can remove the radio from the dash completely and use the iphone as a radio, GPS etc. An iphone dock could be housed in an open/close panel in the dash and you can take the iphone from the car when you leave.

Just a thought.

I do exactly that. My original radio was converted to FM years ago, but remained terrible. I found more recently that my little Bose Soundlink Mini sits on the dash top very well, or in the open glovebox for more bass, and connects easily over Bluetooth.