Best option for Bluetooth audio

[Jasco]

Update on this. Got the phone pairing to work though my standard equipment. So thanks to Calps for the set up info on that

As for Bluetooth, I used an iPod adapter for Bluetooth as I wasn't sure if the cable in was just a iPod analog aux... It just about works, but it is indeed just an aux cable, it's a bit quiet and sounds shite.

Will return the adaptor and go down the bluemusic cd changer route as this seems to be the better quality way to go.

Hey, have you got any updates on this? I am in the exact same situation as you.

I can't really determine what is better and what does and doesn't work-

1) Bluemusic with the microphone- do the wheel controls work for answering/declining calls as well as track skipping? Can I use Google's voice assistant to make calls with this option?
2) Bluemusic without the mic and try to use the Bluetooth that came with the car for calls.

To me I feel like the first option is better but struggling to get clarity in previous posts, any experience would be fantastic!

Additionally I have seen some people say that the Bluemusic connects in the cd changer in the boot and others talk about connecting to the back of the factory headunit, any clarity on this would be really appreciated too.

 

[skelters]

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?

Spotify sounds fine.

 

[NaweedMustafa]

Additionally I have seen some people say that the Bluemusic connects in the cd changer in the boot and others talk about connecting to the back of the factory headunit, any clarity on this would be really appreciated too.

Hey Jasco, if you see my posts above, you can Indeed accept/decline calls with the steering wheel. Super useful. Unfortunately I never found a way to activate Google Assistant with the steering wheel or head unit buttons.

As for the different types of bluemusic adapters. The 6CD changer piggyback solution is for those that have the hifi amp (10 speaker setup). The headunit piggyback solution didn't work for me.

Additional note: pre-LCi's need an additional dsp converter for the 6CD changer solution. Because pre-LCI, the amp uses coax as it's audio input. LCI uses the 6pin digital signal. You can only find out if you see that your changer is connected with a tiny coax cable or not

 

[Jasco]

Additionally I have seen some people say that the Bluemusic connects in the cd changer in the boot and others talk about connecting to the back of the factory headunit, any clarity on this would be really appreciated too.

Hey Jasco, if you see my posts above, you can Indeed accept/decline calls with the steering wheel. Super useful. Unfortunately I never found a way to activate Google Assistant with the steering wheel or head unit buttons.

As for the different types of bluemusic adapters. The 6CD changer piggyback solution is for those that have the hifi amp (10 speaker setup). The headunit piggyback solution didn't work for me.

Additional note: pre-LCi's need an additional dsp converter for the 6CD changer solution. Because pre-LCI, the amp uses coax as it's audio input. LCI uses the 6pin digital signal. You can only find out if you see that your changer is connected with a tiny coax cable or not

Thanks Naweed, I actually have an interesting update to this, it may (but probably won't) be useful to others. I have a 2007 coupe with satnav and the basic speakers, a previous owner installed an intravee at the disc changer end (in the boot).

This week I have installed the Bluemusic device that connects to the back of the radio (I picked the version with the microphone), not only does it work flawlessly but the intravee also works!

So now I have Bluetooth, steering wheel control and intravee- I'm absolutely over the moon that this is working together, I have also found a really good app that allows me to run android auto directly on my phone.

 

[NaweedMustafa]

I was always curious, what's the added benefit of intravee? Thought it was an alternative to bluemusic, didn't think it works together. I don't have satnav so I'm curious if it is a benefit only for satnav owners

 

[Jasco]

I was always curious, what's the added benefit of intravee? Thought it was an alternative to bluemusic, didn't think it works together. I don't have satnav so I'm curious if it is a benefit only for satnav owners

Intravee allows you to plug an iPod in and play music off it, you get steering wheel controls and track information etc. it is a bit of a "product of it's time" now as I doubt many people are uploading songs to their iPod nano any more.

The other advantages is that it opens up a selection of "extras" that ultimately are like coding some (limited) options without the need of a laptop and software- I'm yet to understand exactly everything it offers. It's nice that the car came with it and wanted to retain the functions as they are already there but I probably wouldn't rush to get one if it didn't.

It's easier to use with a satnav due to the bigger screen and menus but I believe most of the benefits are there for non-satnav cars too.

 

[tonyz4c]

thanks for the information :wink:
i will have bet that i have to remove the intravee in order to plug the bluemusic
as i had to unplug my factory iphone option to make the intravee work

 

[TomK]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but it's supposed to be great and fully integrates with the oe kit..
https://www.bluebus.dev/