Tuning & Modifications => Aftermarket ICE, in car camera monitoring and go-pro installations => Topic started by: Dave Hedgehog on April 02, 2016, 10:58:53 pm
Title: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: Dave Hedgehog on April 02, 2016, 10:58:53 pm
Hi all. A couple of weeks ago I took delivery of a new Abarth 595 with the fancy TFT dash and everything. When I got it home and found out that Blue&Me doesn't do bluetooth media I felt pretty mugged off, especially after trying to use USB and finding it was so slow and I could only see about half a track title even with that massive LCD screen. Luckily the car has a 3.5mm AUX in next to a USB port, so I bought one of these: (http://i.imgur.com/bGlezkFh.jpg)
While fitting a Focal underseat sub (iBus 2.1 which also amplifies the front speakers) I was looking for a place to fit it, and the best I came up with was this: (http://i.imgur.com/PvoLSeHh.jpg)
Which worked OK - I started the car, pressed the dot on the Anker device and it connected to my phone. Another press and it would play whatever I had left my phone playing - Spotify works great.
The sound was awful. Since I fitted it at the same time as the Focal sub, I put the blame on the sub seeing as there was little bass and a general "strange" sound. Turns out the Anker bluetooth receiver just had an awful DAC.
At the same time as I ordered the Anker one, I also ordered a generic ebay cheapo one too. I tried it and it sounded much better, and it also automatically connected on powerup so it took one less press to start music. Rather than just stick the other one on top of the ashtray, I designed and 3d printed a holder for it to sit flush in the cupholder - the ashtray made it hard to get a coffee in the next cupholder.
I vapour smoothed it but it could do with a coat of paint ideally to give it a matt finish. Anyhow, it sits in the cupholder and play music off my phone and it works pretty well.
I can't post external links yet, but both the bluetooth receivers were about £10. It'll do for now. Depending upon if the promised B&M AD2P update ever comes, I'll probably try and build a new unit which interfaces with the CANbus to pick up the steering wheel controls, to save me reaching down. If I can get hold of a cheap enough dash to modify on the bench I'll try and work out how to get track data displayed too, but it's a long way off.
Title: Re: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: fpan on April 02, 2016, 11:29:32 pm
Well done, I like your approach and what you have achieved!
You must be an engineer I guess!
Title: Re: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: flutes on April 03, 2016, 04:51:53 am
Depending upon if the promised B&M AD2P update ever comes
I was under the impression the B&M system we have doesn't have the hardware capability for AD2P. Can't remember where I read that though.
Title: Re: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: Dave Hedgehog on April 03, 2016, 10:01:43 am
As far as I know the hardware is capable, but the software hasn't been released yet. The salesman at Abarth told me there is an update due this year to enable music streaming. I'm not going to hold my breath, because most of what he told me was rubbish, EG: The Monza exhaust sounds "just the same as the normal one, the only difference is the tailpipe" The stock speakers "are pretty good anyway" after they weren't able to order me a car with interscope fitted And best of all that they had definitely done the dealer 160hp remap on my car when they fitted the Yamaha kit.
Title: Re: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: flutes on April 03, 2016, 10:34:08 am
Not sure I believe that about the update, especially given your other experiences!!
Title: Re: My solution to Bluetooth AD2P streaming
Post by: fpan on May 17, 2016, 09:33:25 pm
I've rented an Aygo while my 500 is on axle stands on the driveway having its suspension refurbished and I have really enjoyed the bluetooth streaming capability the Aygo offers, I've now run out of data in my phone within 2 days lol!