Blaupunkt reissuing Bremen head unit w/modern features

[stuartinmn]

Just saw this one posted in a similar discussion on the Grassroots Motorsports hard: A Dual head unit that's round and fits in a 3" diameter hole, similar to an aftermarket gauge. It is a marine radio but it does run on 12 volts, not 24 volts like many other marine units. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-k6ctRaCpu ... MGH20.html The reviews aren't all the greatest, though, and the specs indicate it's not the highest of hi-fi. Still, an interesting concept.

[tig]

Just saw this one posted in a similar discussion on the Grassroots Motorsports hard: A Dual head unit that's round and fits in a 3" diameter hole, similar to an aftermarket gauge. It is a marine radio but it does run on 12 volts, not 24 volts like many other marine units. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-k6ctRaCpu ... MGH20.html The reviews aren't all the greatest, though, and the specs indicate it's not the highest of hi-fi. Still, an interesting concept.

No bluetooth. Lame.

[SlickDizzy]

I really like the concept of that Dual stereo but god the execution is hideous.

[jca]

Sad, just sad, the demise of Blaupunkt. I always enjoyed pronouncing the name.

[rlfletch]

Really, Blaupunkt's demise shouldn't be surprising given the complete collapses of the aftermarket car audio market. I am surprised they are making this model, even at that price. It may not be Audiophile quality but really, who needs that in our old, noisy cars? Since I spent way too much on authentic BBS wheels I will be spending too much on this to complete the picture. I'm sure it will be the very last "upgrade" for my car.

[SlickDizzy]

Really, Blaupunkt's demise shouldn't be surprising given the complete collapses of the aftermarket car audio market. I am surprised they are making this model, even at that price.

Agreed 100%. In 10-15 years' time we will be lucky if there is an aftermarket car audio market at all, bar none.

Auto manufacturers seem committed to getting as far away from the classic DIN standards as possible, and with the level of vehicle integration in the typical head unit these days the only "audio upgrade" possible may be to swap out the speakers. A few car audio companies are playing around with solutions that keep the OEM screens but run new back-end hardware & software to provide new functionality, but time will tell if that's accepted by the marketplace (or if they even work well).

[tn535i]

The Blaupunkt looks like it could be a good choice has anyone actually been able to purchased one?

I keep an eye out on these discussions trying to decide what if anything I ever put in my M6 where the old unit won't even accept the code anymore. I'd chose USB+BT over CD and care less about keeping original with tape. I thought tape was something 30 years ago and still have a higher end Alpine lurking somewhere in the basement that I kept to eventually go in my 2002. The 2002 that is still in pieces after 30 years There was a time Nakamichi had some near period correct choices with CD but just as soon as they added BT+USB to their stuff it looks like rebranded Kenwood or JVC or whatever so who cares. There were also some Jensen 'Heavy Duty' radios that looked like they might fit the aesthetic at one point.

If I had to choose today it would probably be one of the Continental units.

[tig]

BTW, if someone wants one of the Continental units but doesn't care about bluetooth, I've got one for sail, cheap. I screwed up and accidentally ordered the sans-Bluetooth version on ebay and can't return it. It's identical to the other one except it doesn't come with a remote mic, has no built-in mic, and doesn't support BT.

[SlickDizzy]

The Blaupunkt looks like it could be a good choice has anyone actually been able to purchased one?

According to this site they are shipping Sept. 1: https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/clas ... 46-dab-bt/

[brickwhite]

the PDF..

http://www.navca.nl/files/products/exPr ... _EN_v3.pdf

[tig]

the PDF..

http://www.navca.nl/files/products/exPr ... _EN_v3.pdf

Can't tell if it supports any of the lossless BT protocols (eg aptx). If not, I will be disappoint.

But I will still buy

[rlfletch]

Double posting for people who may not be on the other thread. Installed today:

[tn535i]

Nice and as period correct as possible ! Are you bypassing the old BMW amplifier and just running off the head unit?

[rlfletch]

The previous owner had created quite the rats nest of wiring+scotch locks behind the previous head unit and installed a small Blaupunkt subwooofer box under the rear deck. Myself and the installer went through testing wires and cutting out those that didn't seem to make a difference. All this to say I really don't know although I think so. At some point I will replace the speakers and redo the wiring all together. At that time I will run them off the head unit and put a new, powered subwoofer box in. For now I am just enjoying the sublime look of it.

[tn535i]

Are you happy with the function of everything? There are USB and SD card slots under the stealth tape slot, right ? and my wife would find the bass and treble cleft symbols for tone control very musical.

I put a newer unit in a 91 e30 we had with premium audio for my daughter. It was a mess of wires but at least it had ground wires for each channel IIRC instead of the older cars with shared grounds. The schematics are out there and I simply followed wire colors at the head unit then at the amplifier undoing the connector there and patched all the speaker wires straight through, eliminating the amp. Purists would insist on all new wires and say that's not good enough but it actually sounded just fine with the stock speakers, which are OK for the average listener. I would certainly upgrade everything including the power to the head unit if replacing it all. The radio in my 5 still sometimes restarts when I apply the brakes, another little quirk of the e28.

I think I need to order one for the M6.

Thanks for sharing

[rlfletch]

Yes, under the door there are SD, USB, and auxiliary ports. There is also a USB connection on the back to run a remote connection. The function is all good so far if a bit byzantine due to the complexity of the programmable options. I didn't intend to do much more now but can hear the current speakers are woefully inadequate, even for my limited needs. I'm ordering a set of low end Focals to replace front and back components. Eventually a new self powered sub box will fit under the rear tray as well.

[wkohler]

I saw what the box looked like today. I guess I have to order one now.

[tig]

Just found this today: A potential software update for the BREMEN SQR 46.

https://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/service ... %5D=single

As soon as I get Minerva back I plan on trying to update this. Hopefully it fixes what I think is a near fatal flaw in this head unit: You have to reenable BT as the source every time it powers on. Other than that, I think I dig it.

[tig]

Just found this today: A potential software update for the BREMEN SQR 46.

https://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/service ... %5D=single

As soon as I get Minerva back I plan on trying to update this. Hopefully it fixes what I think is a near fatal flaw in this head unit: You have to reenable BT as the source every time it powers on. Other than that, I think I dig it.

VICTORY!!!!!

I followed the instructions found in the ZIP file linked above and upgraded the firmware on my SQR 46. Now it REMEMBERS BLUETOOTH!!!!

The update also gave the RGB color settings 16 per RG and B instead of 8. Big deal.

Very Nice!

[Shawn D.]

Thanks for the update, cek! What's your overall evaluation of the unit so far?

[tig]

Thanks for the update, cek! What's your overall evaluation of the unit so far?

Now that they've fixed the bluetooth problem: overall I like it and plan on keeping it. The look is great, although close inspection shows poor quality (eg the usb socket when door is opened). The display can be tuned to match our bmw interiors ok. Sound wise it's solid, but I don't think it supports lossless bt profiles, which is disappoint given price. Nothing else out there is period correct, has half-depth profile, bluetooth, and line-level outs.

[wkohler]

I'm pretty sure the only thing you're paying for on that unit is the retro look. It's really disappointing as the head unit it emulates was one of the highest quality units of the era.

[Philo]

Dam, I just put in the PRS80 which I love. Would putting in the SQR 46 DAB be a downgrade ?

[tig]

Dam, I just put in the PRS80 which I love. Would putting in the SQR 46 DAB be a downgrade ?

I assume you mean Pioneer DEH-80PRS


I know nothing about that unit's capabilities, but the SQR 46 is an absolute upgrade w.r.t. looks. That Pioneer unit exemplifies what I hate about modern "Tokyo at Night" head units. The only good thing it has going for it is a real volume knob.

[rlfletch]

Just found this today: A potential software update for the BREMEN SQR 46.

https://www.blaupunkt.com/en/nc/service ... %5D=single

As soon as I get Minerva back I plan on trying to update this. Hopefully it fixes what I think is a near fatal flaw in this head unit: You have to reenable BT as the source every time it powers on. Other than that, I think I dig it.

VICTORY!!!!!

I followed the instructions found in the ZIP file linked above and upgraded the firmware on my SQR 46. Now it REMEMBERS BLUETOOTH!!!!

The update also gave the RGB color settings 16 per RG and B instead of 8. Big deal.

Very Nice!

I can not get my head unit to read the usb. When I turn it on its says "Reading" and then eventually goes to "USB Error" I have reformatted and reloaded the correct, non X, files twice from two different computers. Any advice?

My unit has taken to automatically going to a seek mode a minute or so after turning on. Was hoping update would fix that.

[Fedaykin528e]

Just picked one of these up, very happy so far. It's an upgrade from the early 90s Sony unit that came with the car. It's a little chintzy in construction, but it has the look and it has the features. We're buying this for bragging rights anyway who cares what it sounds like

Blaupunkt seems to have scrubbed the firmware update files that used to live here: https://blaupunkt.com/en/nc/servicesupp ... %5D=single

Does anyone have a copy of the .zip you were previously able to download, and is willing to share? Thanks!

[stuartinmn]

I just looked up the new Bremen - it's nice, but pricey. Amazon suggested a different Blaupunkt, the Irvine which is only $32.00: https://www.amazon.com/BLAUPUNKT-Irvine ... 6WPLT&th=1 For that price I wouldn't expect much, but it may be worth a gamble.

[Shawn D.]

Amazon suggested a different Blaupunkt, the Irvine which is only $32.00: https://www.amazon.com/BLAUPUNKT-Irvine ... 6WPLT&th=1 For that price I wouldn't expect much, but it may be worth a gamble.

That faceplate looks to be badge-engineered version of the Pioneer MVH-S720BHS, one of which I have in my Camry and another I which have on the shelf waiting to go into my 535i. The button/knob/port placement/configuration looks to be exactly the same. The specs look quite different (e.g. the Blaupunkt has one pair of RCA outputs, but the Pioneer has three).

[irl-mn]

I recently bought two of the new Bremen headunits. I waited too long and ended up having to buy from an eBay seller in Germany. As others have mentioned, the quality is not great, but I can live with it for the expected functionality and retro looks. Looking forward to getting them installed and seeing how they perform in my E24 and E28.

[e24mpwr]

I recently bought two of the new Bremen headunits. I waited too long and ended up having to buy from an eBay seller in Germany. As others have mentioned, the quality is not great, but I can live with it for the expected functionality and retro looks. Looking forward to getting them installed and seeing how they perform in my E24 and E28.

What do you mean by "waited too long"? (I'm asking because I see it in stock at Crutchfield: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_423BREMEN ... 6-DAB.html - or maybe I'm looking at the wrong one)

I'm thinking about replacing the arcane Nakamichi tape deck in my Shark, and would definitely want something with more modern features, but do want the heritage look. No interested at all in a shiny/silver/modern/glowy setup.