Stream Audio from iphone to Clarion CMD6

[actman]

There is an optional bluetooth device (BLT370) that can plug into the Clarion CMD6 receiver
to enable bluetooth. Has anyone tried to stream MP3 from there iphone to the CMD6?
That would be real cool if it works not having to run a usb cable to my iphone.

[jr49erfan1]

First off I have a Clarion XMD3, and Bluetooth isnt an option for me. But even if it was, I probably wouldn't use it as I'm not sure the sound quality would be as good VS wired, and unless you have your ipod/iphone plugged in power wise, you're gonna chew up your devices battery quickly in BT mode.

Currently I have a 3.5mm cable, run from the rear of the head unit, to the cubby next to the drivers seat (all the way around the bow under the seats out of sight). Plugs into the headphone out of my ipod, but sound quality isn't great.

I'm looking to a 15' of STEREO 3.5mm cable w/gold connections, male on one end to plug into the head unit, and female on the other end to accept a 6' Apple sync cable to 3.5mm male plug(also stereo/gold plated). I still wont have iPod controllability from the stereo remote (will have to use my device for that), and this also won't charge my device. But I'm hoping this will give me better sound quality VS my existing setup.

I have priced the items the items described above, from monprice.com (I HAVE ZERO AFFILIATION WITH THEM), and for $11.74 including overnight shipping and CA tax, feel like its worth a look. I have ordered HDMI cables, component cables and flat panel wall mounts from them in the past and everything has been top quality. I don't buy cables from anywhere else. Again no affiliation, just a consumer who likes to shop around.

iPod sync to 3.5mm
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

15' 3.5mm male to female
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[actman]

yes not sure how good the sound would be running bluetooth. Thanks for your input!!!

[CradGen2]

49er

I looked at the cables you have listed. Being you are not going USB and just using the "ipod" connector and 3.5mm jack at the other end, I don't think you are going to get better sound quality. In fact I'm wondering if you will be able to control the volume (or voltage output) with that cable setup.

I have your current set up and have a couple friend with the USB setup and I can't tell any sound different. I have to turn down the volume some from MAX reducing the voltage from the IPOD to the headunit.

The good news is you won't have a lot invested in trying it.

Oh thanks for the tips on that website, they have good prices. I've been using sonix electronics.

[jr49erfan1]

I can't be positive about the improvement in sound quality with the Clarion head unit (HU), but I'm fairly certain it will sound better coming out of the bottom of the iPod/iPhone VS the headphone jack. Maybe somebody with some definitive experience can chime in. I do have an entry level Pioneer HU in my F150, with USB in and a 3.5mm in, and the USB in offers better audio, controllabitity through the HU, and charges my device as well.

Yeah I dont think USB is an option for me on the boat, with the XMD3. If it was, I'd just run a 15' USB around the bow and play/charge through that. If it's an option on the OP's CMD6, then I would suggest that. I can't think of an application that a wireless solution is better than a wired one. Wireless is good when you absolutley can't run wires, but I can ALMOST always find a way to discreetly run that wire.

If my $11.74 option through monopice leaves me wanting, I might give this a shot (link below), looks to connect via the docking connection on my iPod/iPhone to the RCA's in my glove box AND charges. Downside for me would be that it still won't afford me any controllability through the HU or dash mounted remote, and would isolate my device at the glove box VS the cubby by my seat. Maybe I could just extend this cable to the drivers cubby...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

As for monoprice, the gear there really is top notch, and if you can find a better spot price wise let me know, I got this new money pit sitting in my driveay, LOL!!!

Jason

[actman]

update

There is an optional bluetooth device (BLT370) that can plug into the Clarion CMD6 receiver
to enable bluetooth. Has anyone tried to stream MP3 from there iphone to the CMD6?
That would be real cool if it works not having to run a usb cable to my iphone.

So far I have found out that it will be possible to send my music wireless via bluetooth. However the sound has to be
somewhat compressed so it most likely will not sound as good as hard wired. The BLT370 adapter is around $80 so I would
hate to buy it and find out the sound is so poor I would only use hardwired all the time. I will keep looking on the net
for more stuff on this.

[actman]

update on BLUETOOTH

Alright so far guess it looks like its just me interested in this bluetooth stuff. This past weekend I bought some Sony bluetooth ear buds to
test sound quality from my iphone 3gs. They work great!!! So now I decided to get the adapter for the clarion cmd6.
Found a used one on ebay. Now I just have to wait for my boat to come from CC sometime in May!!!
I will still have a usb wire attached for ultimate sound (if i can hear the difference) and for charging the unit.
Now I can relax in the back of the boat or on the dock in my fav deck chair, while my boat is parked. I can control
the music on my stereo while having a cold beer and relaxing!!! Hey I might even think about skiing!!!!

[xrichard]

BT wouild be cool...it'll be interesting to hear your impression of sound quality.

3.5mm headphone jack v. dock on the bottom of the iPod: the dock sounds better because it bypasses the crappy headphone amp in the iPod.

[actman]

Im sure the dock still has the best sound being hard wired. The quality of sound on the Sony bluetooth headphones (DR-BT100CX)
is excellent. Thats why I decided to go ahead and get the Clarion adapter. All the cars coming out with bluetooth now seem to support music not just voice.

[louismblais]

I use the bluetooth connection all the time to stream music from my iPhone and iPod touch and the quality is impeccable. Bluetooth either works or it doesn't meaning that when the connection is established the quality is always even. The only place I can think of where you could lose quality is in the hard connection from your bluetooth device to your head unit.

Note that if you are near the limit of the bluetooth's capacity distance wise you are likely to experience an intermittent connection. You iPhone gets disconnected from the other device and keeps trying to reconnect. It goes on and off like that. That happens as long as you stand right at the edge of connectivity and won't happen on your boat... unless CC makes much bigger boats than I'm aware of or you have the phone on you at the end of the 80' line!

[SuperSquirt]

I would like to know everyone's definition of quality music?? I can't imagine Bluetooth transmitting good quality compressed music into a 2000+ watt system in your boat at full volume. It might make you happy, but its not for everyone.

[actman]

I would like to know everyone's definition of quality music?? I can't imagine Bluetooth transmitting good quality compressed music into a 2000+ watt system in your boat at full volume. It might make you happy, but its not for everyone.

While I can tell you my sony ear buds sound very good. I now have the clarion adapter so once I get my boat in May i will post
what i find. mp3 or mp4 is compressed to begin with so if you like listening to that its already not as good as a CD.
If I really like a band and I want to listen very intense to there music I buy there CD. But when it comes to cruiseing around in the boat
relaxing or partying Im not that picky.

[Mikeski]

I have read lots of guys saying this way or that way is the best way to connect your IPOD/IPHONE to the boat stereo. I have lots of options for connecting mine to my boat and use many different setups for different situations. I like the idea of having bluetooth as one of the options but don't currently have that option available.

When cranking my system linked to other boats I will go direct into the EQ if I plan to be inside the boat or direct into the Clarion if I plan to be near the boat. Direct in to EQ means that I need to be sitting in the drivers seat to control the volume level but this is the most pure option from a SQ standpoint. Direct in to Clarion via my CCAIPOD means that I can use my rf remote to control volume as well as advance or pause music tracks on my device. Headphone jack in to my aux Clarion or aux EQ means I can use my ipod/iphone to control music, volume, and otherwise. This works well if you are using an automatic speed compensating volume application on the iphone (yes, it works well on a boat).

The downside of having so many options is that most of my friends look at my system, scratch their heads and say WTF??? How do I make this thing play music. On the positive side I can change a few settings and prevent others from making my system play at all.

[Mikeski]

Just checked out the Clarion bluetooth unit to see if it was compatible with my CMD5. It appears that the BLT370 Clarion bluetooth unit referenced in the CMD6 manual is not even unit specific. Looks like a standalone user interface that would work with any aux-in? The good news is that anybody wanting bluetooth interface could get it as long as they have aux in options. The bad news is that you won't be able to control it with your wired dash remote of the CMD6 etc.

If I am missing something or wrong about this please provide input...

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/MungoBl...BLT370_ENG.pdf

[actman]

The clarion unit has to support bluetooth via the BLT370. Bluetooth is a feature of the Cmd6 so I would not think any unit
including the cmd5 can work with that even if it has an aux input. But then again maybe it will !!! Im not sure if there is special
software the cmd6 designed to support this option. Anyways it will be a fun option to play with.