Speedraca

I have the Symphony 2 head unit with the 6-disc in dash CD changer with XM Satellite radio (which I don't use). I also have the stock (I think) bluetooth interface that allows me to make/receive calls through the stereo.

I'd like to be able to connect my android phone and iPod to my stereo, and still be able to use the steering wheel volume/song selection buttons. What are my options?

I've been doing some digging, and so far I've found these options:
Dension Gateway Lite BT - GBL3xxx: http://www.dension.com/product/gateway-lite-bt-gbl3xxx
Dension Gateway Pro BT: http://www.dension.com/product/gateway-pro-bt
or
GROM-USB2P-AUD: http://gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/audi_98-10_usb_bluetooth_android_ipod_adapter_digital_inte rface.html

Are there any other methods/adapters out there I should be considering?

Does anyone have any opinions on which of the above is better?

If I connect my phone via bluetooth to play music, is that going to cause a problem with the existing bluetooth phone interface? Is this an either/or scenario, or does the bluetooth offered in the adapter duplicate what I already have?

Will I have to disable any functionality on my stereo in order to connect one of these adapters?

Are there any other parts I'd need to get to make this thing work?

Thanks for reading!

patrickb

Did you ever figure this out? I just got a 2007 A3 with a Symphony 2 changer and am also looking at the Dension BT pro to add bluetooth and media links.

My understanding thus far is that the difference between the two is whether or not it will display text but I don't have confirmation of this.

If you went forward with a solution please share your experience.

Thanks

Speedraca

No I haven't done anything with this yet, it's looking more like a winter project at the moment. If I do get around to it I'll try to take good notes and photos, and maybe post a 'how to' up here.

Which one supposedly displays text?

patrickb

My understanding (from reading the compatibility chart on the site (sorry can't post the URL as a new user)) is that the Dension Gateway Pro BT has text capabilities but the Gateway Light BT does not (text vs. non-text in the row below the product names).

I will also let you know if I go ahead.

patrickb

So I bit the bullet and went with the Dension Gateway Pro BT. I ended up doing more research and found that Enfig Car Stereo sells a an additional cable that allows the satellite receiver to continue to work with the kit.

Now that I am writing this I wish I had taken some pictures of the installation. I am a novice at car installs but I did a lot of online research ahead of time and it took me about 3 hours to get everything installed yesterday. This includes running the Sat Pass cable from the received to the back of the car.

I can tell you that everything now works. I can now play my ipod as a second CD, stream Bluetooth audio and speak on the phone while maintaining my ability to use my satellite receiver.

The Dension communicates through the in dash display and is controlled through the steering wheel controls. The only functionality that I had not considered and which does not appear to be available is voice dialing, which I am disappointed not to have. Otherwise, it integrates very nicely with my Galaxy Nexus and syncs my call log and phone numbers and makes them accessible through the display.

patrickb

Well, I had my first real drive on the highway with the Dension Gateway Pro BT and I have identified another problem. There does not seem to be any way to adjust the phone volume. This is really problematic on the highway. I can barely hear anything. The volume controls do not respond while in a call and I also tried to adjust the volume setting and that did not seem to have any effect.

I have submitted a ticket and I am waiting to hear what comes back.

patrickb

So, I did get a reply from Dension in under a day but their reply was that they are aware of the problem and that they are working on a patch that they hope to release in about a month. At this pace I hope to have this problem resolved before 2013 but I am not confident that it will be.

I have to say that I find it amazing that it can take this long to resolve such a fundamental issue.

I am checking the support a couple of times a week in the hope that the update will be released sooner.

headcase99

I'm seriously thinking of getting the same Gateway Pro BT for my 2004 Audi A6, which has the Symphony II head unit. Some quick questions...

So have you tried adjusting the volume right from your phone while on a call to see if that helps?

Also, what's the sound quality for the person on the other end -- specifically, how well does the mic perform in blocking out background noise, and is the voice come through clear for the other person?

Also, I assume that when you are in a call, the music that is playing from either the phone or other source temporarily pauses -- correct?

I'm already experimenting with a Jabra TOUR Bluetooth speakerphone which is simple plug-n-play, and the telephone audio inbound & outbound is excellent, but its obviously not integrated into the car's audio.

Regards.

patrickb

Yes, I tried and no effect... I tried both adjusting the volume on the phone during the call as well as before.

I have been told that the sound quality is good on the other end, I have received no complaints on that end.


Yes, that works perfectly, the display switches to "Phone" and any source that is playing is paused or bypassed depending on the source (e.g. radio and sat are bypassed), the other source resumes when the call is ended.

I hope this helps.

headcase99

That helps clarify a few things for me - thanks. I think I'll wait until I hear how things go for you with the bug fix -- hopefully they tackle it in a timely fashion.