In Car Audio DAB+ or Spotify via Bluetooth

kalt · Postby **kalt** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:49 pm

Hi All

The car came with a perfectly adequate sony CD/Analog Tuner/MP3 USB single din unit however the goddess of temptation is pushing me to invest in a replacement unit with Bluetooth - so I can stream spotify or anything from my mobile phone and also answer calls 'handsfree'.

Saw this sony mechfree DSXA50BT unit that will be on sale tomorrow at Repco at around half RRP / half JBhifi pricing (I realise it's a 2013 model).

Reviews for this model seem ok, and I'm predicting the harness will be directly swappable with my existing sony headunit - so in theory it will be a 10 minute upgrade job

But I haven't listened to DAB+ audio, is it a worthwhile investment and should I save up for those models with DAB+? Can't it all be streamed via app through 3G/4G? I was considering a double din unit with integrated GPS maps but I am thinking this mechless BT unit might just be sufficient, and I use the mobile phone for navigation. The mechless unit is a shorty without CD mechanism (saves weight because race car) and probably consumes less power and less mechanical things to go wrong I'm assuming. The current sony has red instrumentation whereas this mechless unit is white & blue, my only gripe as it won't match the NB8B dash :S

Anyone have this unit or similar unit would like to comment? Thanks!

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:56 pm

I put a $300 (i think sony) cd / DAB unit in the gf yaris when dab was reasonably new.

Things to note.
Dab uses a different aerial to analogue. Mine came with a stick onto the glass long wire style.

The dab reception with said aerial is pretty poor on the channels I use so I only use it once every couple of months to see if it's got better.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Snowmotion · Postby **Snowmotion** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:00 pm

I have a similar unit I bought from repco a few months back without Bluetooth but has CD.
Really did not need the CD but had none like this at the time.
It does a good job for playing a bit of music.

Only thought is that the Bluetooth phone would be useless at any speed with the roof down.

I do like the look and the light weight of this unit. Tempting but must resist.

Only one thing would be better.... USB on the rear as the front USB gets a little messy.

cookie · Postby **cookie** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:08 pm

Snowmotion wrote:I have a similar unit I bought from repco a few months back without Bluetooth but has CD.
Really did not need the CD but had none like this at the time.
It does a good job for playing a bit of music.

Only thought is that the Bluetooth phone would be useless at any speed with the roof down.

I do like the look and the light weight of this unit. Tempting but must resist.

Only one thing would be better.... USB on the rear as the front USB gets a little messy.

about 3 years ago I bought a PURE highway and bought a $4 GPS antenna (garmin or something - had a 2.5mm jack) and that impoved reception greatly. I have a digital radio at home and I only really listen to novanation/switch (electronic music) probably got to cabulture and the gold coast with the reception. one thing i appreciated is that it was either there or not, no fuzzy/crackling music. havent put it into any car for 12+ months (been using for garage music). its a shame it hasn't got the reception it requires to be mainstream yet. watch out for anything from the UK. dab is not the same as DAB+.

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:57 pm

I put a DAB radio in my mx and I love it. It gets fantastic reception and the plus is that you can unplug your aerial so it never comes up again. The only negative is that Novanation has sold their slot to Coles Radio and is no longer broadcasting

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:11 pm

meanmx wrote:I put a DAB radio in my mx and I love it. It gets fantastic reception and the plus is that you can unplug your aerial so it never comes up again. The only negative is that Novanation has sold their slot to Coles Radio and is no longer broadcasting

What head unit model and what type of aerial are you using?

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:52 pm

meanmx wrote:I put a DAB radio in my mx and I love it. It gets fantastic reception and the plus is that you can unplug your aerial so it never comes up again. The only negative is that Novanation has sold their slot to Coles Radio and is no longer broadcasting

NovaNation is still cranking here in Syd

DAB+ rocks!

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:54 pm

MrRevhead wrote:What head unit model and what type of aerial are you using?

http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/products/25/109/281/AVH-X3500DAB/page.html

Just ran the standard aerial that came with it closely following the directions. I miss Novanation so much.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:32 pm

Thanks.

You can buy Pioneer for a steal (comparative to Aus) inc shipping from the US. That unit made my short list a few weeks back because if its pre outs and sub control.

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cookie · Postby **cookie** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:49 pm

That explains why it hasn't worked in a while. .Damn!

Novanation: Every time you click , someone starts being disappointed...

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:33 am

I bought a Kenwood CD/USB/DAB+ unit about 2 years ago for my MX. Paid $239 at JB when they had one of their 30% off car sound sales. I listen to DAB+ most of the time. mainly Koffee, Kool or SBSChill. When out of DAB+ range I tend to use a USB stick. I bought this DAB+/FM/AM antenna - http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Budget_Hir ... erial.html

from www.dabonwheels.co.uk

Improved reception/range over the windscreen mount aerial.

J/