In car DAB, addon or new install?

F

Froogler

Member
Hi, this is by no doubt covered in some section, but I've tried to source an answer with no true success to a noob like me!!,

Just got my z4 08 roadster, is had the business system installed (that's all I currently know!)

I miss dab radio and would love to get it installed, either with an aftermarket (but decent) add on, or by simply buying a new dab head unit.

If I went for the head unit option, I will want to use the steering wheel controls for the radio at least.

Can someone shed some light on my options please?

Stock sound is quite poor I'm my opinion, and would want to upgrade speakers in the rear at least, but that's for another time.
 
Been looking for a solution myself. How about one of these?
http://www.carhifiservices.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=203
http://www.finsburycaraudio.co.uk/index.php/alpine-ezi-dab-add-on-dab-receiver-in-car-digital-radio-and-audio-adapter.html
 
inkey$ said:
Been looking for a solution myself. How about one of these?
http://www.carhifiservices.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=203
http://www.finsburycaraudio.co.uk/index.php/alpine-ezi-dab-add-on-dab-receiver-in-car-digital-radio-and-audio-adapter.html
Click to expand...

Quite like the look of that, I guess the BMW Radio would still work, volume control etc, and simply set the station on the Alpines panel.

Im assuming the sound would be best if the system was hardwired into the back of the headunit? - if so, would I need extra harness or cable?

Slightly cheaper on Ebay it seems..........
 
Froogler said:
inkey$ said:
Been looking for a solution myself. How about one of these?
http://www.carhifiservices.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=203
http://www.finsburycaraudio.co.uk/index.php/alpine-ezi-dab-add-on-dab-receiver-in-car-digital-radio-and-audio-adapter.html
Click to expand...

Quite like the look of that, I guess the BMW Radio would still work, volume control etc, and simply set the station on the Alpines panel.

Im assuming the sound would be best if the system was hardwired into the back of the headunit? - if so, would I need extra harness or cable?

Slightly cheaper on Ebay it seems..........
Click to expand...

Some on Ebay say DAB antenna included, others say optional extra.

As always, read the small print...
eg with antenna http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpine-EZi-DAB-Add-on-DAB-Receiver-with-iPod-Interface-Aerial-Antenna-Combo-/170887920074?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item27c9b6b9ca

without http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alpine-EZi-DAB-Digital-Radio-Receiver-with-MP3-iPhone-iPod-USB-Connectivity-/251073790067?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item3a752a0073
 
So I assume none of us have one on here?

Found a couple of German youtube videos about it.

My mine concern would be audio quality through the aux cable Vs the hardwired method into the back of the radio. Im totally forgetting the FM route, purely down to expected quality.

Looks like it would work though, DAB reception is good in my area. Tempted.
 
Froogler said:
Im totally forgetting the FM route, purely down to expected quality.
Click to expand...

FM quality is generally superior to DAB, whether or not you get a good DAB signal. This is because most DAB signals are highly compressed ... basically they are crappy mp3. In the best of possible worlds, a clean stong DAB signal will yield a constant signal without interference or crackle, ... but the quality of what you are receiving without crackle is just really bad low-res mp3. I try to avoid it.
 
Personally I wouldnt worry about the quality of the aux cable vs hard wired in. If I could tell any potential minor audio difference in quality then I'd probably need to rethink what I do for a living and go work for B&W.

Aux works fine and am sure the biggest problem would be drop in signal with DAB.
 
inkey$ said:
Personally I wouldnt worry about the quality of the aux cable vs hard wired in. If I could tell any potential minor audio difference in quality then I'd probably need to rethink what I do for a living and go work for B&W.

Aux works fine and am sure the biggest problem would be drop in signal with DAB.
Click to expand...

In fairness, Im yet to try the aux on in this car, my comments where based on previous cars connecting to an ipod and it was fairly rough, almost AM quality to say the least.

Ive emailed a couple of reputable online audio stores for further info as Id want "everything" i would need to install the kit, as the 12v cabling is what I would need clarification on as to where to hook in to.

Think I will go for this Alpine Ezi-Dab, or the (same) Pure 300di if I can get it to come with the windscreen interior mount aerial.
 
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