How’s that head unit? – A Car Audio Journey

Hey folks, I’ve been reminiscing about my wild ride through the world of car audio, and I thought, why not share it? This little trip down memory lane was meant for a local publication, but life had other plans, so here it is—raw, unfinished, and ready for your feedback!

The Glorious 80s: When Apache Rims and Donna Summer Ruled the Roads

Ah, the 80s—when tricked-out Celicas, Corollas, Coronas, and Carinas roamed the streets with their swagger. These rides were often dropped low, not with fancy coils but with a cheeky little trick called “potong spring.” And let’s not forget those iconic 13- or 14-inch Apache rims that were the must-have accessory.

My introduction to the world of car audio came courtesy of my older cousins and friends. Picture this: cruising around with the windows down, basslines of Donna Summer and the electrifying riffs of Iron Maiden pumping through the speakers. Those were the days!

And what powered these rolling discos? None other than the legendary Pioneer KP-88G, affectionately dubbed the “Lapan-lapan.” Paired with a couple of 2 or 3-way speakers and a set of tweeters precariously perched on the A-pillars, this setup was the holy grail of 80s car audio. You’d drive around with Boney M or the Scorpions not just playing but hissing out of your ride—because, hey, that’s just how it was back then!

Fun Fact: The Pioneer KP-88G wasn’t just popular—it was the status symbol for car enthusiasts. The “Lapan-lapan” was one of the earliest in-dash cassette players that could deliver a whopping 8 watts of power per channel, which was quite the big deal back then. Paired with those tweeters, it was considered cutting-edge audio tech!

The 90s: Enter the Blaupunkt Era and the Rise of European Swag

As the 90s rolled in and I finally got behind the wheel, the Pioneer 88s began to fade into the sunset. Taking their place were sleek new European systems—hello, Blaupunkt! The iconic blue dot started appearing in everything from my parents’ Volvo 760 wagon to my sister’s BMW 320i. And of course, no Blaupunkt setup was complete without the futuristic “Cobra” neck equalizer, giving the whole thing a sci-fi vibe that was pure 90s cool.

Fun Fact: Blaupunkt, originally known as “Ideal,” started in 1923 and quickly became a benchmark in car audio systems. By the 90s, Blaupunkt’s reputation for high-quality, reliable audio systems had made it the go-to choice for luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche.

In those days, car audio wasn’t just about sound; it was about status. Having a Blaupunkt in your ride meant you had arrived, and the neck equalizer wasn’t just for show—it allowed for real-time adjustments of audio frequencies, which was revolutionary for its time.

Coming soon…

• Mitsubishi Pajero and the speaker tong story
• Nissan Patrol and the ultimate boombox
• My Mitsubishi Wagon and the Alpine setup

2000’s

• Closely followed but no longer interested
• Mazda and the Kenwood plus little sub
• Downhill from there…