Best option for Bluetooth audio

[Shadbolt83]

I have a few routes to go down to connect my phone for audio and calls. But would prefer to keep the standard head unit and digital where possible to ensure good audio quality.

My zed has a few factory options added which leaves me with a few possibilities. Just trying to pick the right one.

Options

Headunit

PXL_20230524_090248624.jpg (180.02 KiB) Viewed 656 times

Aux in

PXL_20230524_090316430.jpg (135.21 KiB) Viewed 656 times

Sat nav and phone prep

PXL_20230524_090255662.jpg (151.13 KiB) Viewed 656 times

Screenshot_20230523-124129.png (171.31 KiB) Viewed 656 times

I see a how to guide on here to use the s692 cd changer I bus prep I have on here to install the following:



Would that be the best option, or is there a simpler solution with the phone prep option I have?.

Thanks in advance.

Screenshot_20230524-101303~2.png (246.76 KiB) Viewed 654 times

[skelters]

There's Bluetooth receivers on the Amazon for under £15.

Plug it into the AUX socket and that's it.

[.adam.]

You can get the Bluemusic adaptor with hands free phone as well, I got one a few months ago.

[Shadbolt83]

There's Bluetooth receivers on the Amazon for under £15.

Plug it into the AUX socket and that's it.

Does plugging it via aux not make it analog and sound shite?

[Shadbolt83]

You can get the Bluemusic adaptor with hands free phone as well, I got one a few months ago.

Thanks buddy. Any chance of a link?.

[spielnicht]

AUX is always going to deteriorate sound quality. Don't ask by how much, because you're only going to get highly subjective answers. I tried it, and it wasn't for me.

The best supposed solution is either from Grom Audio or Bluebus. I went with the latter but still waiting on receiving it mid-June. I'm so psyched though based on the reviews and capabilities noted. But those two options will get you 100% pure digital signal.

[.adam.]

This is the one I got:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254073161800 ... 6028096627
It came from Germany, but I didn't have to pay any extra import charges. Streaming works fine, but I haven't actually tried the phone through it yet as I haven't got around to routing the microphone into the cabin. It plugs into the CD autochanger plug, which I got to through the boot, under the carpet panels. My car just has the basic 6 speaker system, but i would have thought it would work with the fancier systems as it just basically replaces the autochanger, but it would be worth checking before ordering.

[Shadbolt83]

This is the one I got:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254073161800 ... 6028096627
It came from Germany, but I didn't have to pay any extra import charges. Streaming works fine, but I haven't actually tried the phone through it yet as I haven't got around to routing the microphone into the cabin. It plugs into the CD autochanger plug, which I got to through the boot, under the carpet panels.

Thanks bud. Will take a look.


Thanks all.

[Calps]

Your VIN spec, and the photo of the phone cradle, suggest that you should be able to pair your phone to the car for calls (the speech button on the cubby hole door is used to enter bluetooth pairing mode). It is a frustrating process to get right , and you also need to have the bluetooth access code available to you (if you have the original docs that came with the car, it should be on a sticker on one of the booklets), but it's worth setting up in my view. If you search for bluetooth pairing, you should find some posts showing how to set it up.

For audio/media - the Bluemusic adapter is your best option for audio quality (versus a solution that utilises the aux socket), and will also allow you to use your steering controls to skip tracks.

The above is the combo that I have in my coupe, and am happy with both. I don't have any experience with the Bluemusic adapter that has an integrated mic, but my view would be that if you can get the above working, then it's less wires for you to plumb around the car, and less to go wrong.

[Calps]

Your VIN spec, and the photo of the phone cradle, suggest that you should be able to pair your phone to the car for calls (the speech button on the cubby hole door is used to enter bluetooth pairing mode). It is a frustrating process to get right , and you also need to have the bluetooth access code available to you (if you have the original docs that came with the car, it should be on a sticker on one of the booklets), but it's worth setting up in my view. If you search for bluetooth pairing, you should find some posts showing how to set it up.

For audio/media - the Bluemusic adapter is your best option for audio quality (versus a solution that utilises the aux socket), and will also allow you to use your steering controls to skip tracks.

The above is the combo that I have in my coupe, and am happy with both. I don't have any experience with the Bluemusic adapter that has an integrated mic, but my view would be that if you can get the above working, then it's less wires for you to plumb around the car, and less to go wrong.

Found the guide to enter pairing mode: viewtopic.php?t=99347&hilit=bluetooth

[tomoz4white]

I bought this. Works perfectly...can even make calls with voice commands via google...

[The Latest Version]LENCENT Car FM Transmitter, Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Radio Adapter Car Kit, PD3.0 Type C 20W+QC3.0 Car Fast Charger, Hands Free Calling, Bass Lossless Hi-Fi Sound Support U Disk. https://amzn.eu/d/baTWtVh

[Shadbolt83]

Your VIN spec, and the photo of the phone cradle, suggest that you should be able to pair your phone to the car for calls (the speech button on the cubby hole door is used to enter bluetooth pairing mode). It is a frustrating process to get right , and you also need to have the bluetooth access code available to you (if you have the original docs that came with the car, it should be on a sticker on one of the booklets), but it's worth setting up in my view. If you search for bluetooth pairing, you should find some posts showing how to set it up.

For audio/media - the Bluemusic adapter is your best option for audio quality (versus a solution that utilises the aux socket), and will also allow you to use your steering controls to skip tracks.

The above is the combo that I have in my coupe, and am happy with both. I don't have any experience with the Bluemusic adapter that has an integrated mic, but my view would be that if you can get the above working, then it's less wires for you to plumb around the car, and less to go wrong.

Found the guide to enter pairing mode: viewtopic.php?t=99347&hilit=bluetooth

Ah perfect thank so much. Yes was confused by the pairing process and gave up, assumed it had to be plugged in with some old method. Will give that a go. For music, I ordered an iPod Bluetooth transmitter, as I believe I can plug in to the iPod 30 pin and get decent digital audio that way. If I can use the standard equipment for calls than that resolves that problem.

[smorris_12]

AUX is always going to deteriorate sound quality. Don't ask by how much, because you're only going to get highly subjective answers.

At the end of the day the signal has to become analogue at some point to flap the speakers back and forth. Saying the aux-in degrades the signal is nonsense, particularly in the environs of a motor car!

[Shadbolt83]

AUX is always going to deteriorate sound quality. Don't ask by how much, because you're only going to get highly subjective answers.

At the end of the day the signal has to become analogue at some point to flap the speakers back and forth. Saying the aux-in degrades the signal is nonsense, particularly in the environs of a motor car!

I think it makes a major difference of the quality of audio that reaches the head unit to be amplified. A poor analogue signal in, will sound worse than a digital signal, even if the end result is an analogue output to speakers.

[spielnicht]

Exactly. Degradation if the signal through AUX is real, and it becomes even worse when you go Bluetooth>AUX. I think anyone that appreciates sound quality will pick up on that, regardless of being a car stereo or not. I'm not saying everyone will (or should) care, but it's not nonsense.

I endured about 5 mins of playback through the AUX before I switched over to MP3 CDs. Oh, the difference is noticeable. Counting the days for my Bluetooth solution to arrive in the mail.

AUX is always going to deteriorate sound quality. Don't ask by how much, because you're only going to get highly subjective answers.

At the end of the day the signal has to become analogue at some point to flap the speakers back and forth. Saying the aux-in degrades the signal is nonsense, particularly in the environs of a motor car!

I think it makes a major difference of the quality of audio that reaches the head unit to be amplified. A poor analogue signal in, will sound worse than a digital signal, even if the end result is an analogue output to speakers.