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Bluetooth to car?

sx4dude2013

sx4dude2013

Android Expert
Hey yall. I plan on getting a new aftermarket headunit for my car. Its a JVC 6.1". It has full bluetooth support, from what ive read.

When i pair it with the unit, will i be able to stream ALL audio? Pandora, tune in radio, etc?

Also, is there a way to listen and respond to txts using the unit?

Thanks!
 
sx4dude2013 said:
Hey yall. I plan on getting a new aftermarket headunit for my car. Its a JVC 6.1". It has full bluetooth support, from what ive read.

When i pair it with the unit, will i be able to stream ALL audio? Pandora, tune in radio, etc?

Also, is there a way to listen and respond to txts using the unit?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I found 1 customer comment on Amazon for that unit (if I'm correct):
"I ordered this radio and i like it very much the only thing i didnt like it did not come wit bluetooth built in it u have to order it seperate but ne other way i like it its a AWESUM double din"
 
In general, any software audio source can be streamed from your phone to a BT-equipped head unit. There are caveats to this though. Car stereo stuff is so particular that it's really best to head to a store and try to use the unit the way you intend to.

Your specific unit is bluetooth optional. The adapter retails for $79.99. According to the manual this unit supports hands-free calling, but you cannot create or listen to texts using BT. The actual model number for the unit you were looking at is: KW-AVX640

Some general things to keep in mind for BT/headunit consdirations:

1. Make sure the head unit actually has the BT adapter, and not that it is just BT-capable (meaning it just has a plug for an adapter accessory).

2. You'll probably need to control playback from your phone if you'll be using more than one app to stream audio.

3. If the head unit has controls for playback on the phone, it won't always control the software you're listening to. For instance, if I stream Pandora, then hit Pause/Play on my head, it'll start streaming from the Music app simultaneously. There's a chance this may have been fixed in the newer versions of Android so that it will only operate currently streaming software.

4. BT audio sucks if you've got subs. My subs just sit there silently whenever I stream. No bass at all.
 
beallpatrick said:
In general, any software audio source can be streamed from your phone to a BT-equipped head unit. There are caveats to this though. Car stereo stuff is so particular that it's really best to head to a store and try to use the unit the way you intend to.

Your specific unit is bluetooth optional. The adapter retails for $79.99. According to the manual this unit supports hands-free calling, but you cannot create or listen to texts using BT. The actual model number for the unit you were looking at is: KW-AVX640

Some general things to keep in mind for BT/headunit consdirations:

1. Make sure the head unit actually has the BT adapter, and not that it is just BT-capable (meaning it just has a plug for an adapter accessory).

2. You'll probably need to control playback from your phone if you'll be using more than one app to stream audio.

3. If the head unit has controls for playback on the phone, it won't always control the software you're listening to. For instance, if I stream Pandora, then hit Pause/Play on my head, it'll start streaming from the Music app simultaneously. There's a chance this may have been fixed in the newer versions of Android so that it will only operate currently streaming software.

4. BT audio sucks if you've got subs. My subs just sit there silently whenever I stream. No bass at all.
Click to expand...

Ok. But thats not the unit im looking at. ...hold on. Ill post specs when i get home from dinner
 
That's the model number for the the BT addon, not the head unit itself.

Oops - or is it? my bad
 
Same advice applies. Yes that model will handle phone and audio streaming through BT without any accessories from any phone audio source.

It does not support reading or creation of text messages.

Just in case you aren't aware, you can read all about the specifics in the user manual linked below.

http://resources.jvc.com/Resources/00/01/50/LVT2219-001A.pdf

I can't recommend test driving one at a car audio store enough though, if for nothing else, just to see if you like the way it handles the things you want to do with it. Some heads are really great with certain features...others not so much.

Good luck though!
 
beallpatrick said:
In general, any software audio source can be streamed from your phone to a BT-equipped head unit. There are caveats to this though.
...
4. BT audio sucks if you've got subs. My subs just sit there silently whenever I stream. No bass at all.
Click to expand...
This makes no sense to me at all. This would mean that either the BT transport itself alters the stream removing the low end part of it (?), or the radio itself alters the incoming BT stream as it processes it.

But why in the world should this be the case? The radio is only getting a data stream- what does it "care" that the stream was from Aux, USB, or BT?

This can't possibly be a general rule for all BT equipped head units, perhaps just an (issue) with the head unit you experienced??

Can you (anyone?) elaborate a little this?
 
While it makes no sense, it happens. I'm not going to try and give you a scientific reason for it, but audio that is transmitted via bluetooth will sound tinny, and have a significant amount of high frequency artifacts in it. The low range is muted to some extent as well, although I've not experienced quite the level of attenuation that beallpatrick is describing.

You can speculate all you want, but physical testing will show that its happening.
 
alster said:
But why in the world should this be the case? The radio is only getting a data stream- what does it "care" that the stream was from Aux, USB, or BT?

This can't possibly be a general rule for all BT equipped head units, perhaps just an (issue) with the head unit you experienced??

Can you (anyone?) elaborate a little this?
Click to expand...

Remember that audio input from AUX is not a digital data stream, but analog voltage.

With CDs, USB, BT, etc, you are transmitting a digital stream which the headunit then processes with its onboard DAC (digital to analog converter). This is part of what separates the really good stereos from the cheap ones.
 
But our BIONICs are equipped with Stereo BT 2.1 meaning that there should not be a complete drop out...

Unless beaell has his subs cutting off at extremely low freqs that the phone does not use in the first place....I didn't think about that.
 
I actually decided to order the Pioneer Avic-X930BT and am having it installed this saturday :)
I also have a Blackberry 9930 now :)
 
Lars said:
Schoche bluefusion is good for people wanting to retrofit bt with aadp
Click to expand...

He means these: Bluetooth Accessories BlueFusion

sx4dude2013 said:
I actually decided to order the Pioneer Avic-X930BT and am having it installed this saturday :)
I also have a Blackberry 9930 now :)
Click to expand...

Enjoy the new head unit. Luckily my truck came with BT pre-installed, so I can answer calls, but the factory head unit has only a basic display, so no SMS, Nav, or Music.

I can do music via Aux, but since I have SiriusXM I don't bother. I use the phone for Nav and videos in the truck.

Still, it's good to know if I do decide to upgrade the head unit which way to go.
 
dnlwthrn said:
Remember that audio input from AUX is not a digital data stream, but analog voltage.

With CDs, USB, BT, etc, you are transmitting a digital stream which the headunit then processes with its onboard DAC (digital to analog converter). This is part of what separates the really good stereos from the cheap ones.
Click to expand...
Agreed, with everything you said.

So, if music over BT on a particular HU sounds shitty, then it should follow that via USB, (or CD etc) should sound equally lousy-

Assuming that the /same DA converter is being used to effect the data stream. I don't imagine that there would be more than one DA converter in any HU as that'd be wasteful and more costly.
 
Which goes to reiterate my point, I believe - How can the BT audio sound bad, and be clipping off entire ranges of frequencies while the CD plays normally?
 
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