Is an Airplay system the best route for iPhone music now?

SkinnyGeek1010 · 03-07-2016, 09:10 PM

I'm trying to figure out the best way for me to play iPhone music with my setup.

I recently purchased my first BMW (2011 – 335i msport) and I didn't realize that the hands free button was really just a dead button and that it didn't have bluetooth or USB support. It has the professional radio and no i-drive system.

So I would like to be able to play music with my iPhone using Pandora or Spotify. I've tried an 1/8" cable and that works but I was underwhelmed as the FM radio seems to have better quality and it needs a extra volume on the headunit to match the FM radio (iphone is maxed out).

So after researching the first thing that came up was the line out connector/dock to 30-pin, lightning adapter and possibly a cheap portable headphone amp to boost the signal.

Today i've stumbled across airplay AirEnabler which looks like the best bet... lossless and can accept a USB amp if needed.

To add better pause/skip i've found this Bluetooth button that kind of looks like idrive if you squint.

I still don't have a solid handsfree solution yet (that works with the steering wheel) but I think that would be a separate unit and thread.

Any advice/tips would be very much appreciated!

Nelson@BimmerTech · 03-07-2016, 09:46 PM

Oem option

http://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw-...a-pnp-retrofit

ctuna · 03-07-2016, 10:50 PM

From what I understand a combox won't do A2DP with a non idrive system
which is what the OP mentioned he had.

Some say a Headphone Dac will help the fidelity of the aux Input.

Somebody has already gone down the first route.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1002984

If you have USB you can use a WMA 3000

There is also the Dension gateway 500s BT

The last two do a2dp and have steering wheel controls
but I don't know how they work with Internet radio.

NightStalker · 03-07-2016, 11:37 PM

Yes I'm using AirPlay with a nice upgraded fiio DAC.

It's great setup

SkinnyGeek1010 · 03-10-2016, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

There is also the Dension gateway 500s BT

The last two do a2dp and have steering wheel controls
but I don't know how they work with Internet radio.

This is great, I didn't realize the last two were an option. The gateway 500 looks like it might be tricky to install without a cd changer prep (couldn't find any in the glove fusebox).

It's looking like i'll be leaning towards the Airplay + a Fiio Amp/DAC but i'm going to try and asses how difficult it will be to install a gateway 500 as that would give me handsfree BT as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVS 8

Yes I'm using AirPlay with a nice upgraded fiio DAC.

It's great setup

I was looking at using the new(er) FiiO K1 Portable Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC Have you tried it with an amp yet? Or is that overkill?

Thanks guys!

ctuna · 03-10-2016, 05:58 PM

Doesn't matter if you have CD Prep on Dension
they supply all the cables but you do have to turn on
the cdc option through coding or there coding dongle.
There is an installation DIY on ytube.
You do have to remove the radio to install the cables to.
Cd Prep is just the wiring and most bus running to the trunk.

No programming required with the Airplay the only downside
is no steering wheel controls and you have to go through the
stock AUX input. Also the setup with Wi Fi on your phone could
be and issue. Also no display on idrive if you have one.

NightStalker · 03-11-2016, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyGeek1010

This is great, I didn't realize the last two were an option. The gateway 500 looks like it might be tricky to install without a cd changer prep (couldn't find any in the glove fusebox).

It's looking like i'll be leaning towards the Airplay + a Fiio Amp/DAC but i'm going to try and asses how difficult it will be to install a gateway 500 as that would give me handsfree BT as well

I was looking at using the new(er) FiiO K1 Portable Headphone Amplifier and USB DAC Have you tried it with an amp yet? Or is that overkill?

Thanks guys!

get the Fiio e10 latest one if you can. thats what i have

i have to update my airplay thread.

nope not an overkill.

the only problem is iOS 9.2.1 made playing airplay music really buggy

streaming from soundcloud and etc works great though

taibanl · 03-11-2016, 08:00 AM

I have looked at all the dacs on the market pretty much, I think the fiios ones are a very strong product. However, for this application I think the JDS labs dac is better

nik89 · 03-11-2016, 11:19 AM

I'm using AirPlay too with an Airport Express, the only disadvantage is that you have to select the airplay device every time.

Sample · 03-12-2016, 10:38 AM

AirPlay is better quality than Bluetooth, but Bluetooth is much more convenient. I was using a modded airport express but I've taken that out and switched to a kinivo Bluetooth adapter.
The only issue I had with AirPlay was it took too long to boot for my liking. Sometimes I would have to select the AirPlay speaker multiple times because it would list it as a choice, but it wasn't fully booted. I like to just hop in the car and go. With AirPlay i'd have to sit there a little bit. Bluetooth is practically instant once I turn the car on.

There is also a slight delay with AirPlay. Not that big a delay but navigation and track switching are delayed a tiny bit.

I have Spotify premium, but I also listen to podcasts and audiobooks. I guess that doesn't require the greater fidelity that AirPlay offers over Bluetooth.

NightStalker · 03-12-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

I have looked at all the dacs on the market pretty much, I think the fiios ones are a very strong product. However, for this application I think the JDS labs dac is better

out of my price range lol, do you have it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik89

I'm using AirPlay too with an Airport Express, the only disadvantage is that you have to select the airplay device every time.

not really a big deal but you're right

taibanl · 03-12-2016, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVS 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

I have looked at all the dacs on the market pretty much, I think the fiios ones are a very strong product. However, for this application I think the JDS labs dac is better

out of my price range lol, do you have it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik89

I'm using AirPlay too with an Airport Express, the only disadvantage is that you have to select the airplay device every time.

not really a big deal but you're right

Yes. Its pretty cheap compared to its competition which is the $300-2k range

NightStalker · 03-12-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sample

AirPlay is better quality than Bluetooth, but Bluetooth is much more convenient. I was using a modded airport express but I've taken that out and switched to a kinivo Bluetooth adapter.
The only issue I had with AirPlay was it took too long to boot for my liking. Sometimes I would have to select the AirPlay speaker multiple times because it would list it as a choice, but it wasn't fully booted. I like to just hop in the car and go. With AirPlay i'd have to sit there a little bit. Bluetooth is practically instant once I turn the car on.

There is also a slight delay with AirPlay. Not that big a delay but navigation and track switching are delayed a tiny bit.

I have Spotify premium, but I also listen to podcasts and audiobooks. I guess that doesn't require the greater fidelity that AirPlay offers over Bluetooth.

I switched to the air enabler booted up in 30 seconds. But I have a external battery hooked up to it via USB and it is very low consuming. So it's on pretty much all the time.

Once I'm in the car it automatically connects to my air enabler wifi

03-07-2016, 09:10 PM	#1
SkinnyGeek1010 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2011 335i - M Sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Is an Airplay system the best route for iPhone music now? I'm trying to figure out the best way for me to play iPhone music with my setup. I recently purchased my first BMW (2011 – 335i msport) and I didn't realize that the hands free button was really just a dead button and that it didn't have bluetooth or USB support. It has the professional radio and no i-drive system. So I would like to be able to play music with my iPhone using Pandora or Spotify. I've tried an 1/8" cable and that works but I was underwhelmed as the FM radio seems to have better quality and it needs a extra volume on the headunit to match the FM radio (iphone is maxed out). So after researching the first thing that came up was the line out connector/dock to 30-pin, lightning adapter and possibly a cheap portable headphone amp to boost the signal. Today i've stumbled across airplay AirEnabler which looks like the best bet... lossless and can accept a USB amp if needed. To add better pause/skip i've found this Bluetooth button that kind of looks like idrive if you squint. I still don't have a solid handsfree solution yet (that works with the steering wheel) but I think that would be a separate unit and thread. Any advice/tips would be very much appreciated!
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03-07-2016, 09:46 PM	#2
Nelson@BimmerTech Banned 271 Rep 832 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 GC Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Oem option http://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw-...a-pnp-retrofit
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03-07-2016, 10:50 PM	#3
ctuna Lieutenant General 1920 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	From what I understand a combox From what I understand a combox won't do A2DP with a non idrive system which is what the OP mentioned he had. Some say a Headphone Dac will help the fidelity of the aux Input. Somebody has already gone down the first route. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1002984 If you have USB you can use a WMA 3000 There is also the Dension gateway 500s BT The last two do a2dp and have steering wheel controls but I don't know how they work with Internet radio. Last edited by ctuna; 03-07-2016 at 11:28 PM..
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03-07-2016, 11:37 PM	#4
NightStalker ✰ 267 Rep 2,741 Posts Drives: Audi Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York City iTrader: (12)	Yes I'm using AirPlay with a nice upgraded fiio DAC. It's great setup
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03-10-2016, 05:58 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 1920 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Doesn't matter if you have CD Prep on Dension Doesn't matter if you have CD Prep on Dension they supply all the cables but you do have to turn on the cdc option through coding or there coding dongle. There is an installation DIY on ytube. You do have to remove the radio to install the cables to. Cd Prep is just the wiring and most bus running to the trunk. No programming required with the Airplay the only downside is no steering wheel controls and you have to go through the stock AUX input. Also the setup with Wi Fi on your phone could be and issue. Also no display on idrive if you have one. Last edited by ctuna; 03-10-2016 at 09:55 PM..
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03-11-2016, 08:00 AM	#8
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	I have looked at all the dacs on the market pretty much, I think the fiios ones are a very strong product. However, for this application I think the JDS labs dac is better
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03-11-2016, 11:19 AM	#9
nik89 New Member 6 Rep 14 Posts Drives: E92 330d xDrive Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	I'm using AirPlay too with an Airport Express, the only disadvantage is that you have to select the airplay device every time.
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03-12-2016, 10:38 AM	#10
Sample Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 224 Posts Drives: E90 335i/G05 X5 xDrive40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (6)	AirPlay is better quality than Bluetooth, but Bluetooth is much more convenient. I was using a modded airport express but I've taken that out and switched to a kinivo Bluetooth adapter. The only issue I had with AirPlay was it took too long to boot for my liking. Sometimes I would have to select the AirPlay speaker multiple times because it would list it as a choice, but it wasn't fully booted. I like to just hop in the car and go. With AirPlay i'd have to sit there a little bit. Bluetooth is practically instant once I turn the car on. There is also a slight delay with AirPlay. Not that big a delay but navigation and track switching are delayed a tiny bit. I have Spotify premium, but I also listen to podcasts and audiobooks. I guess that doesn't require the greater fidelity that AirPlay offers over Bluetooth. Last edited by Sample; 03-12-2016 at 10:44 AM..
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