View Full Version : Symphony I/Bose addition/upgrade options
troyguitar
11-04-2013, 11:35 AM
So I just got my 01 allroad with Symphony I and Bose option and am trying to figure out the best way to augment/upgrade it. The only things I really need are bluetooth phone audio and an 1/8" aux input for the stereo. Is there anything on the market that does both of these things?
It looks like I can add bluetooth OR an aux input but not both easily, bluetooth:
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GBL3AU2.html
Aux:
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GW1LAU2.html
I also have some sort of phone prep in the car, a phone button on the steering wheel and an RJ11 jack in the center armrest. Is there already a mic integrated somewhere that could be used for this?
I've been doing some searching but it's difficult to sort through posts about Symphony II or posts from 2005 that are no longer relevant, etc.
Is swapping the Symphony unit out for a more modern head unit the best option? I'm guessing that would need some kind of special harness to connect with the Bose stuff.
blmlozz
11-04-2013, 11:43 AM
I'm in the same boat, although those options you cite are plug and play, so it's really not going to get much easier. IIRC you loose the CD changer, but with bluetooth you gain (presumably) access to your phone's music inventory, so it's a gain imo.
I also have some sort of phone prep in the car, a phone button on the steering wheel and an RJ11 jack in the center armrest. Is there already a mic integrated somewhere that could be used for this?
No. Two words; Car. Phone.
Is swapping the Symphony unit out for a more modern head unit the best option? I'm guessing that would need some kind of special harness to connect with the Bose stuff.
It's certainly the most expensive option.
troyguitar
11-04-2013, 11:51 AM
I'm in the same boat, although those options you cite are plug and play, so it's really not going to get much easier. IIRC you loose the CD changer, but with bluetooth you gain (presumably) access to your phone's music inventory, so it's a gain imo.
It looks like the 2 options are mutually exclusive though, each using the CD changer connection. I want to add both bluetooth AND an aux input.
blmlozz
11-04-2013, 11:55 AM
It looks like the 2 options are mutually exclusive though, each using the CD changer connection. I want to add both bluetooth AND an aux input.
You can stream audio through Bluetooth, negating the purpose of the AUX. Unless you're 'one of those people' that has a separate MP3 player. If so, I'm positive they make AUX add-ons that then stream through Bluetooth as well.
troyguitar
11-04-2013, 01:19 PM
It's largely an audio quality issue, bluetooth streaming is terrible with most devices unless they can run on aptx codecs - something very few receivers are capable of doing. I guess there's an outside chance that the dension unit can do it but the probability is nearly zero.
Write an audio CD from an mp3 file and play it on your stereo, then play the same mp3 streamed over regular A2DP bluetooth. It's like night and day difference.
blmlozz
11-04-2013, 01:24 PM
It's largely an audio quality issue, bluetooth streaming is terrible with most devices unless they can run on aptx codecs - something very few receivers are capable of doing. I guess there's an outside chance that the dension unit can do it but the probability is nearly zero.
Write an audio CD from an mp3 file and play it on your stereo, then play the same mp3 streamed over regular A2DP bluetooth. It's like night and day difference.
I can't say I'm qualified as an audiophile, I can't tell a difference between pluged-in and BT in the Cadillac, and we're not exactly talking about state-of-the art equipment in a 01 with speakers made by a brand generally most people say suck anyway.
Sounds like you might have a bad experience to draw from however.
I will say I've looked into this before, and there's not an OTS solution here besides going to a new head unit. The Bose speakers of this generation of VAG cars are 2 ohm resistance, which may limit your options heavily. Possibly enough such that you'll not only need a new HU but also all new speakers and a new amp to run them at a higher resistance.
So there's that to think about.
troyguitar
11-04-2013, 01:41 PM
bleh. Sounds like a pain in the ass as usual. Guess I'll be looking up the factory amp and speaker details tonight. I don't really want to replace everything (yet), just get all of the basic stuff working. The stock system doesn't sound any worse than my B7 did, which is to say good enough for a car IF you have a halfway decent source.
Christian@enfig
11-06-2013, 04:32 AM
You can add an aux to the dension GBL3AU2. I just uploaded this video last night.
I also have everything you need to make a radio install in that car a breeze.
http://youtu.be/G99k__WbPWk
troyguitar
11-06-2013, 10:43 AM
You can add an aux to the dension GBL3AU2. I just uploaded this video last night.
Awesome. I didn't realize that there was a 9-pin to 1/8" cable for that. Do I only need these 2 items then and some sort of keys to remove the radio?
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GBL3AU2.html
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_CABL_AUX.html
blmlozz
11-07-2013, 04:29 AM
You can add an aux to the dension GBL3AU2. I just uploaded this video last night.
I also have everything you need to make a radio install in that car a breeze.
http://youtu.be/G99k__WbPWk
Awwwweesome!
Christian@enfig
11-07-2013, 05:02 AM
Awesome. I didn't realize that there was a 9-pin to 1/8" cable for that. Do I only need these 2 items then and some sort of keys to remove the radio?
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GBL3AU2.html
http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_CABL_AUX.html
Yup here's an install in a A4 but its pretty much the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsAiKp0QMIk
Ancient history....Anywhooo....I just installed the gbl3au2 in my A3 with Symphony 2 so I could use a usb stick. Not really seeing any method to access the usb stick: if I choose CD, it tells me there is no CD's loaded. What do I do?
Ancient history....Anywhooo....I just installed the gbl3au2 in my A3 with Symphony 2 so I could use a usb stick. Not really seeing any method to access the usb stick: if I choose CD, it tells me there is no CD's loaded. What do I do?
Note: I did not pull the lower plug on the head unit, thus did not have to enter the code. Does this have anything to do with the Dension being recognized?
Found a manual with instructions on the Dension web....Good to go!