**We are a Custom Autosound dealer.  We are NOT a RetroSound dealer.**

Custom Autosound and RetroSound are the two largest suppliers of direct fit, replacement radios for classic cars.  Both Custom Autosound and RetroSound allow you to install a modern radio, you don't have to cut your dash, and you maintain a classic appearance so it doesn't look like the Las Vegas strip in the dash of your classic car.  We are going to look at the different product offerings and key features to help you make an informed decision.

Custom Autosound Models

Custom Autosound Radios fit most classic vehicles between 1940-1987.  You can custom build a radio to fit virtually any dash opening.

Custom Autosound makes four different radio models for classic cars with the USA-230, the USA-630, the USA-740, and the Slidebar radio. Custom Autosound has been making direct-fit, replacement radios for classic cars for over 40 years and they have a great understanding of what classic car owners want and need.

Here's a General, Broad Overview of the Custom Autosound Radio Models:

• USA-230:AM/FM with Auxiliary Input
• USA-630: AM/FM with Auxiliary Input, USB, Option to Add Bluetooth, Option to add a CD Player
• USA-740: AM/FM with Auxiliary Input, Bluetooth Built-In, USB, Option to add a CD Player
• Slidebar: AM/FM with Auxiliary Input, USB, Option to add a CD Player, Option to Add Bluetooth, and a "Trap-Door" style, original dial that disappears to show a modern, digital display.
  • The Slidebar Radios offer vehicle-specific nose pieces for the following Models
    • 1955 Chevy
    • 1956 Chevy
    • 1957 Chevy
    • 1967-1972 Chevy Truck
    • 1962-1965 Chevy Nova
    • 1964-1966 Mustang
    • 1967-1973 Mustang
    • 1968-1972 Buick Skylark
    • 1966-1967 Buick Skylark
    • 1964-1965 Buick Skylark
    • 1962-1963 Buick Riviera
    • 1968-1976 Corvette
    • 1977-1982 Corvette
    • 1953-1957 Corvette
    • 1965 Impala
    • 1970-1974 Impala
    • 1975-1977 Impala
    • 1964-1965 Buick LeSabre
    • 1972-1979 Ford Torino

RetroSound Models

RetroSound Radios fit most classic vehicles between 1940-1994.  You can custom build a radio to fit virtually any dash opening.

RetroSound is a newer company than Custom Autosound, having started making radios in 2007. Like Custom Autosound, RetroSound offers direct-fit, replacement radios for classic cars.  At the 50,000 foot level, RetroSound radios and Custom Autosound radios are virtually the same.  For the longest time, customers didn't really have any other option besides Custom Autosound, and with RetroSound, now you do.

Here's a General, Broad Overview of the RetroSound Radio Models:

• Laguna - AM/FM with Auxiliary Input
• Hermosa - AM/FM with Auxiliary Input, USB, and Bluetooth Built-In
• Long Beach - AM/FM with Auxiliary Input, USB, Bluetooth Built-In, Sirius XM Ready (Tuner Sold Separately), Made for iPhone
• Apache - 1955-1959 GM 2nd Series GM truck-specific radio with AM/FM, Auxiliary Input, Bluetooth Built-In, and a USB Port
• Daytona - Radio that works with split dashes, but isn't necessarily split dash specific. It comes with the same features as either the Laguna, Hermosa or Long Beach Radios listed above. AM/FM, AUX, Bluetooth Built-In, USB, and you choose whether or not you want it to be SiriusXM ready or not.
• Detroit - The Detroit is like the Daytona.  It is a specific face to fit 1964-1966 Mustangs, Falcons, and Rancheros. You choose whether you want the Hermosa or Long Beach "Brain"
• Huntington - The Huntington Radio is also like the Daytona and Detroit.  You choose between the Hermosa or Long Beach radio and the faceplate is specific to 1966-1977 Ford Broncos and 1961-1966 Ford Trucks
• Monterey - The Monterey Radio is a Hermosa or Long Beach radio that is specific for 1949-1950 Ford Cars and 1951-1952 Ford Trucks
• New York - The RetroSound New York radio is a 1.5 DIN unit that is designed to fit the 1980's Dodge, Mopar, and GM vehicles. that have a 3" x 7" radio opening
• Redondo - The RetroSound Redondo radio is designed for Mopar vehicles and other vehicles with split dash openings.  The Redondo radio is available with standard or thumb roller shafts.  The Redondo comes with AM/FM, AUX, Bluetooth Built-In, USB, and it is SiriusXM ready.
• Santa Cruz - The RetroSound Santa Cruz radio is specifically designed for 1988-1994 GM trucks.  It will give you modern features while matching the original dash style.  The Santa Cruz allows you to choose between the Hermosa and Long Beach radio "Brains."
• Wonder Bar - The RetroSound Wonderbar radio is like many of the others listed above and specific to certain GM vehicles.  The Wonder Bar radio uses either the Hermosa or Long Beach radio circuit board.

Electronic Features

When comparing features, you can get virtually anything you would ever want in a radio from either company. Both Custom Autosound and RetroSound have AM/FM digital tuners, full-color displays, AUX, USB, and Bluetooth.  There are some differences though:

• Custom Autosound - Ability to add a CD Player.
• RetroSound - Built for iPod/iPhone.  SiriusXM Ready

Devils Advocate Against All

• CD Player - Why do you need a CD player?  You can load all of your CD's onto your computer in MP3 format, and load them onto a thumb drive.  You can plug that thumb drive into the USB port and have 100 CDs on a single thumb drive.  You never have to worry about taking the CD's in and out.  Also, with services like Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music, you can create playlists and listen to virtually any song you want, whenever you want, and you don't have to even pay for it.
• Built for iPod/iPhone - If I play my music via Bluetooth, why do you care that it is made for iPod or iPhone.  If you never plug your phone in, it doesn't really matter.  The USB port will charge the phone regardless of whether or not it is made for iPod or iPhone.  You can still play my music, you just play it via Bluetooth instead of the cord.  You can still change songs using the radio controls via Bluetooth.
• SiriusXM - If your radio is Bluetooth compatible, you can play SiriusXM via the app on your phone.  Also, with services like Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music, you can create your own playlists or play artist or song specific radio stations and hear your favorite songs all the time.

Mechanical Features

Custom Autosound

Custom Autosound radios come out of the box ready to install.  The tuner shafts are pre-set to fit your specific vehicle.  The nose piece of the radio is already installed and connected, the tuner shafts are plugged into the circuit board, and it is ready to install.

RetroSound

RetroSound radios come as separate components that you can have to put together yourself.  It is kind of a puzzle.  The main display is not connected, the shafts aren't set, and the shafts aren't plugged in.  You will have to put the radio together yourself.  This can be tricky.  You have to measure the knob height and knob width in order to make sure it aligns.  It is going to take you more time just to get the radio ready to install versus a Custom Autosound radio.  

Now, the modular design is part of the reason why RetroSound has so many different radio models.  They send you the brain, the nose piece, the shafts, the knobs, etc. and you put it together.  Custom Autosound sends you the radio, as complete as it needs to be for installation.

Custom Autosound Radios are like the furniture that is delivered and already put together, ready to put in place.  RetroSound radios are more like Ikea where you have to build the radio before you can put it in place.

Warranty

Custom Autosound

All Custom Autosound radios are backed by a 2 year warranty.

RetroSound

The warranty length for RetroSound radios depends on the radio and/or motor model. Some radios are warrantied for 1 year, others for 2 years.

Conclusion

When comparing Custom Autosound to RetroSound, it comes down to fitment, features, and whether or not you want to build the radio yourself, or have it arrive with the radio assembled and ready for installation. RetroSound offers more "Vehicle Specific" nose pieces and there are more applications available. Some RetroSound radios are SiriusXM ready and Made for iPod/iPhone. One downside with the RetroSound radios is that you have to put the thing together, set the knobs, and it is more work on your or your installer, just to get the radio, ready to go into the car. You can argue that with a Bluetooth radio, you can listen to SiriusXM via the app on your phone and you can still charge your phone via the USB port.

Custom Autosound radios come out of the box, ready to install. Custom Autosound does not offer any SiriusXM ready radios, but you can always use the app on your phone to play SiriusXM via Bluetooth or the auxiliary jack. Custom Autosound radios do not have the Apple "Made for iPhone" certification. You can still play music from your iPhone via Bluetooth or the Auxiliary jack and the radio will still charge your phone, but you can't plug your phone into the USB port and play music via USB. It has to be either AUX or Bluetooth. Custom Autosound radios allow you to add an external CD player. As we said above, you can load your CDs onto a thumb drive and have a "100 Disc CD Changer" on a device the size of your thumb.

From a technology standpoint, there are workarounds for the "Lack of Features" from both Custom Autosound and RetroSound

Pick Custom Autosound if...

• You want a direct fit radio for your classic car that is going to give you modern technology and fit in your original dash location.
• You want a radio that you can open up and install. You don't want to have to put it together.
• You primarily stream your music via Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, and/or you are willing to use the SiriusXM app on your phone
• You want an external CD player to play your CDs because you don't want to mess with a thumb drive

Pick RetroSound if...

• You want a direct fit radio for your classic car that is going to give you modern technology and fit in your original dash location.
• You don't mind building the radio and putting the pieces together once you get the radio.
• You want to control SiriusXM on your radio and you don't want to mess with a phone app, Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music.
• You insist that you plug your iPhone into the USB port and play music via the USB cable instead of Bluetooth.
• You have a split dash and Custom Autosound would require you to cut the bar, and an Antique Automobile Radio is out of your budget.