2020 86 Stereo Info

[saltywetman]

Originally Posted by Bobharp

Updatied the original post in this thread with some notes.
In summary - Toyota posted the manual for this head unit.
- Trying Android Auto after an app update.

Originally Posted by Bobharp

Yeah. FLAC is the best. It's what I use for audio at home LMS (https://forums.slimdevices.com/forum...h-Media-Server).

I don't mind mp3 for the car.
Android Auto's requirement for playback via Bluetooth is just plain crazy.
I'll will probably just go back to just Bluetooth.



I really wish the OEM unit had RCA input.


Still looking for the specifications of the unit.

Turns out FLAC does work with AA. As long as you have an AA compatible flac player app on your phone. I use poweramp on my phone so it seemed to have been able to add poweramp onto the AA on the head unit (got the poweramp icon)

Running under poweramp on AA you are able to display album art with the phone. Not too sure if you are able to access the music directory and select playlist etc. but you can definitely play your current play list, skip songs etc.

When you use the bt connection as audio out only and play the songs through your phone, the skip and volume functions on steering still work, but no album art.

[Bobharp]

Originally Posted by saltywetman

Turns out FLAC does work with AA. As long as you have an AA compatible flac player app on your phone. I use poweramp on my phone so it seemed to have been able to add poweramp onto the AA on the head unit (got the poweramp icon)

Running under poweramp on AA you are able to display album art with the phone. Not too sure if you are able to access the music directory and select playlist etc. but you can definitely play your current play list, skip songs etc.

I've been using PlayerPro for a number of years on my android phones.
The app supports AA and you get the artwork.
I just picked up the PlayerPro DSP pack (free). I give it a try. I believe it gives me flac support.

I generally I trans-code audio when I pick up CDs to both flac and mp3. The mp3s are played on my phone and flac at home.

I'll copy over a few flac albums to see it works.

From the AA forums I'm still not clear on what passes over the bluetooth connection.
Is it just phone calls? The AA forum post I linked in the original thread post is still active. Those Nissan folks are still pissed.

Audio generally sucks over bluetooth it won't even go over my phone's quad DAC.
According to my AA settings, I have the 'Use Bluetooth' as off.

I really wish the head unit had an RCA in. I would not use AA at all!
https://www.androidauthority.com/lg-...jacks-1075325/

Really interested in hi-res flac after reading Neil Young's book (To Feel the Music).
- in summary the book has a decent point, lossy compression is bad for music & storage is cheap. Why should we settle. It seems that most CDs are made from hi-res master recordings.

[korhun]

Originally Posted by Bobharp

Hi,


There seems to be an extreme lack of info on the stock stereo head unit that came with my 2020 86.


The system appears to be a JBL/Harman unit.

• PN: pt296-18190-20
• Update - I found a link to the head unit's manual
  • https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/docu...f/OM2086da.pdf
  • It's light on specifications sadly.
• The only link I can find is on JBL's EU site
  • https://eu.jbl.com/toyota.html?ged=off
• It's MSRP is 880 on the Toyota parts site

Let me caveat this post with a few points.

• I did not buy my 86 to listen to music or pay particular attention to the screen.
  • I'm here for the rich engine sounds and connection to the 86/FRS/BRZ experience.
• I have a android phone
  • I'm currently testing Android Auto
    • I don't the the requirement for USB + Bluetooth
    • Audio seems less decent than it should be
    • I don't like voice enabled anything
      • No 'google voice'
      • No Alexa
      • No Siri
      • That said, I do want to take hands free calls
      • I'm searching for a happy medium

Today I tested the USB Media with a couple of USB flash drives.

• Here is what I tested and the results
  • File system format
    • exFAT - did not work
    • FAT32 - works
  • Audio File
    • FLAC - did not work
    • MP3 - works
    • M4a
    • WMA
      
  • MP3 TAG Format
    • Both ID3v2.3 and ID3v2.4 - works
      • Did not test version 1 TAGs.
  • No album art was displayed
    
• I was disappointed that exFAT file system was not recognized.
  • The FAT 32 drive was 250Gb
  • The exFAT drive was 128Gb

Also I had a H.264 video on both USB flash drives.

• It was not recognized.

I've attached some (not really good) photos from the quick trial.

• Sadly I don't think the 1/8 3.5mm plug is functional.

####

I thought I'd update this original post with my experiences with Android Auto

• As noted above, I'm not really happy with having Google (or any assistant) in my life.
• I've experience Android Auto app disconnects.
  • I blame this on pulling some serious 'Gs'
    • They all can't be explained by this & sadly is not the worst issue.
• Significant cut outs and interruptions during song/audio playback.
  • A quick Internet search turned this up.
  • https://support.google.com/androidau.../3280169?hl=en
    • It's very clear that I'm not the only one experiencing this issues.
    • Likely to be fixed in an upcoming 'Android Auto' update.
    • I don't believe it is related to our JBL/Harman head unit.
• The touch screen input on the JBL/Harman head unit stinks.
  • It is ok for selecting features but interactive features (e.g. zooming) have issues.
  • Serious input lag
  • Poor contrast ratio.
    • It is too difficult to discern roads and traffic issues while driving.
      • Hell! I wound up on a gravel road yesterday whilst seeking the curved roads I now crave.
    • I find myself pulling over to disconnect my phone (USB) and look at Google Maps directly on my phone.
• Voice assistant/commands works.
  • I'm able to reply to messages.
  • Voice assistant audio clarity is fine.
• Phone interaction (taking calls) works well.
• Update - listened for call clarity and Google Maps directions
  • Both were clear and crisp (Did not experience what Tcoat has been experiencing)
  • I've posted a (bad) photo of my phone audio settings.

So for the moment I'm planning on ditching Android Auto in favor of a USB or plain Bluetooth solution. I find it easier and less distracting to interact with my phone to manage audio and maps.

Are you a software developer? (Sorry for trolling, I liked your writing style )

[Bobharp]

Originally Posted by korhun

Are you a software developer? (Sorry for trolling, I liked your writing style )

Thanks. No. I am an IT guy though. Primarily networking.

Lots of technical documentation (guides).

[saltywetman]

Mp3 quality music in the car should be fine since the audio quality sux anyways but I just don't want to bother coverting my phone library over just for that

[reh8388]

Originally Posted by Bobharp

Hi,


There seems to be an extreme lack of info on the stock stereo head unit that came with my 2020 86.


The system appears to be a JBL/Harman unit.

• PN: pt296-18190-20
• Update - I found a link to the head unit's manual
  • https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/docu...f/OM2086da.pdf
  • It's light on specifications sadly.
• The only link I can find is on JBL's EU site
  • https://eu.jbl.com/toyota.html?ged=off
• It's MSRP is 880 on the Toyota parts site

Let me caveat this post with a few points.

• I did not buy my 86 to listen to music or pay particular attention to the screen.
  • I'm here for the rich engine sounds and connection to the 86/FRS/BRZ experience.
• I have a android phone
  • I'm currently testing Android Auto
    • I don't the the requirement for USB + Bluetooth
    • Audio seems less decent than it should be
    • I don't like voice enabled anything
      • No 'google voice'
      • No Alexa
      • No Siri
      • That said, I do want to take hands free calls
      • I'm searching for a happy medium

Today I tested the USB Media with a couple of USB flash drives.

• Here is what I tested and the results
  • File system format
    • exFAT - did not work
    • FAT32 - works
  • Audio File
    • FLAC - did not work
    • MP3 - works
    • M4a
    • WMA
      
  • MP3 TAG Format
    • Both ID3v2.3 and ID3v2.4 - works
      • Did not test version 1 TAGs.
  • No album art was displayed
    
• I was disappointed that exFAT file system was not recognized.
  • The FAT 32 drive was 250Gb
  • The exFAT drive was 128Gb

Also I had a H.264 video on both USB flash drives.

• It was not recognized.

I've attached some (not really good) photos from the quick trial.

• Sadly I don't think the 1/8 3.5mm plug is functional.

####

I thought I'd update this original post with my experiences with Android Auto

• As noted above, I'm not really happy with having Google (or any assistant) in my life.
• I've experience Android Auto app disconnects.
  • I blame this on pulling some serious 'Gs'
    • They all can't be explained by this & sadly is not the worst issue.
• Significant cut outs and interruptions during song/audio playback.
  • A quick Internet search turned this up.
  • https://support.google.com/androidau.../3280169?hl=en
    • It's very clear that I'm not the only one experiencing this issues.
    • Likely to be fixed in an upcoming 'Android Auto' update.
    • I don't believe it is related to our JBL/Harman head unit.
• The touch screen input on the JBL/Harman head unit stinks.
  • It is ok for selecting features but interactive features (e.g. zooming) have issues.
  • Serious input lag
  • Poor contrast ratio.
    • It is too difficult to discern roads and traffic issues while driving.
      • Hell! I wound up on a gravel road yesterday whilst seeking the curved roads I now crave.
    • I find myself pulling over to disconnect my phone (USB) and look at Google Maps directly on my phone.
• Voice assistant/commands works.
  • I'm able to reply to messages.
  • Voice assistant audio clarity is fine.
• Phone interaction (taking calls) works well.
• Update - listened for call clarity and Google Maps directions
  • Both were clear and crisp (Did not experience what Tcoat has been experiencing)
  • I've posted a (bad) photo of my phone audio settings.

So for the moment I'm planning on ditching Android Auto in favor of a USB or plain Bluetooth solution. I find it easier and less distracting to interact with my phone to manage audio and maps.

It may be worth adding that this head unit does support reverse camera inputs through the 24 pin connector. The pinout for that connector is the same as the 2016 FRS. I have the unit in my 2016 and the reverse camera looks great on the large screen

[Bobharp]

Originally Posted by reh8388

It may be worth adding that this head unit does support reverse camera inputs through the 24 pin connector. The pinout for that connector is the same as the 2016 FRS. I have the unit in my 2016 and the reverse camera looks great on the large screen

Interesting. I have to say, I like the option of having the camera on the mirror.


I really wish I could find some definitive specs on the OEM unit.

[Bobharp]

FYI.


Seems the latest Android OS 11 update & Android Auto seem to extra glitchy.


https://www.engadget.com/android-aut...211241058.html



FWIW - I'm on Android 9 and my Android Auto is at 5.5.6.

• Mostly glitch free
• I've mostly been listening to podcasts via the DoggCatcher app

[dragoontwo]

I've got Android 11 and haven't noticed any issues on my end. If I stream music, it's usually through amazon music.

[ExnihiloMori]

Hi everyone,

Considering upgrading headunit to this one on my 2019 toyota 86. Just wondering, do you need to change the usb connector or would the one installed work just as well? I don't want to have to pay nearly $100 for a plug...Any replies would be appreciated.

[wolffbite]

Originally Posted by ExnihiloMori

Hi everyone,

Considering upgrading headunit to this one on my 2019 toyota 86. Just wondering, do you need to change the usb connector or would the one installed work just as well? I don't want to have to pay nearly $100 for a plug...Any replies would be appreciated.

There are adapters available to retain the stock USB, but it will render the 3.5mm AUX unusable. Usually not an issue for most people.

It is vehicle dependant. I believe for the Toyota you need a PAC USB-TY1 adapter, but I would check a few other sources to confirm. For some reason the Subaru USB port requires a different adapter.

Oddly enough though, my Canadian BRZ required the Toyota adapter noted above... so really your best bet is to get a look at the connecter first and compare photos online to make sure you order the right one.

[ExnihiloMori]

Thanks for the feedback. I can confirm that the usb/auxillary adapter in 2019 model works fine with 2020 updated head unit. The usb-auxillary part number in my 86 is: 86527CA000. That amp bypass using that $5 wiring harness adapter provided by another member also worked just fine.

[warhawk03]

I don't have much experience with car audio, but since it's an OEM part, i feel like the amount of effort required to make this work should be somewhat less than something aftermarket.

I have a 2018 BRZ Premium and it seems like this head unit would be a decent option to get Apple CarPlay.

A few questions though, that I don't think I found an answer for earlier in the post:

This looks to be a 200mm wide unit, is that accurate? I believe I'd need to switch to one of the one piece dash options that are available for the 86 (Granlux w/ 86 logo) or BRZ (Leatherette w/ Red Stitching) and get away from the plastic pieces that surround my current head unit on the Premium model.

Would it be possible to retain the backup camera functionality that is viewed on the head unit screen? It looks like the 86 models have the backup camera displayed on the rear-view mirror instead of the head unit.

I'll keep digging around, but would appreciate any input anyone has!

[vitriumGTS]

I just acquired a 2020 Toyota 86 android auto head unit at a great price from a wrecking yard parting one out.


I installed it in my AE86 and everything plugged in as expected. The only minor thing is that my old chassis doesn't have an ebrake switch ecu provision besides a light in the cluster. I just repined a single wire (parking brake) on the 28 pin connector and grounded it during Android Auto set up since it needs to see you aren't moving while setting up.



I still have the USB and factory microphone assemblies+ harnesses connected and they work as expected. Its a smaller package overall too since there isn't an additional navigation unit required.



Here are some comparisons between the Toyota 2017+ head unit and the 2020 head unit:







Android Auto working on my Xperia One:





I like that you can choose a few UI colors too:






Yes, I know it isn't a ZN6 chassis but I'm a sucker for factory retrofits.