APT-X Car Deck? The future of car audio

[pastuch]

I'm a novice audiophile and I'm picking up my FR-S in a couple of weeks. In researching the FR-S/BRZ and Genesis Coupe I was disappointed to find that the car audio market hasn't embraced high definition, lossless bluetooth audio yet (APT-X).

For those of you not familiar with APT-X, it utilizes the same A2DP protocol used for bluetooth communication but features a lossless audio codec called APT-X instead of the piece of shit SBC codec (Sub-band Codec). The difference between lossless audio and heavily compressed SBC is definitely noticeable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apt-X

There are quite a few phones on the market that support APT-X now (Most HTCs, some Samsungs), the most impressive is the Wolfson DAC equipped Galaxy S III. I foam at the mouth in anticipation for Voodoo Sound Enabled SGS3 with Wolfson and an APT-X connection to my car.

The problem is that to my knowledge there isn't a single APT-X compatible car stereo on the market. It looks like HTC is addressing that issue for us with their APT-X 3.5mm adapter (link below). I would prefer a standalone deck that can do GPS/NAV and APT-X enabled BT Audio. Instead of buying a deck now I'll have to wait for the APT-X BT decks of 2013 and use HTCs adapter in the interum. It looks like it will fit nicely in the 3.5mm port next to the USB port.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403708,00.asp

[Lonewolf]

Sounds like you might be a little ahead of the curve with this one. Manufacturers are usually several years behind with incorporating new technology into their vehicles because of packaging and cost considerations. Not too mention develpoment schedules encompass anywhere from 2-4 years, so even if they start developing a vehicle with all of this integrated now, it will be sometime before you actually see it.

[pastuch]

Yeah, I'm just surprised that Pioneer hasn't put it in their 2012 models. APT-X has been building steam for 2 years. Apple has it built into their OS but not in their phones or ipods (Too bad). I'm an Android guy anyway so having the adapter above for my car/personal stereo will be great.

aptX enabled products available April 2012

HTC Products
HTC One X
HTC One S
HTC One V Smartphone
HTC Car StereoClip (Aux) Bluetooth Adaptor

Creative Products
Creative Inspire S2 Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Speaker
Creative ZiiSound D5 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker

Creative Products
Creative T12 Wireless 2.0 Wireless PC Speakers
Creative D200 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Creative T6 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
WP-300 Stereo Bluetooth Headphones
Creative ZiiO 10” Android Tablet
Creative ZiiO 7” Android Tablet
Creative BT-D5 iPhone/iPod/iPad transmitter
Creative BT-D1 USB transmitter I think this one may work in the FR-S Too.
Creative WP-450 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Creative WP-350 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Creative ZiiSound D5x Bluetooth Modular Speaker
Creative ZiiSound D3x Bluetooth Modular Speaker
Creative Zen XFi-3 Bluetooth MP3 Player

Sennheiser Products
Sennheiser PX 210 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Sennheiser PX 310 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Sennheiser PXC 360 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Sennheiser PX 360 BT Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Sennheiser BTD300i Wireless stereo transmitter for iPhone/iPod
Sennheiser BTD 300 Audio Wireless stereo transmitter for portable audio devices
Sennheiser BTD 300 USB Wireless stereo transmitter for PC and laptop
BTD 500 USB Dongle
MM 400 X Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
MM 450 X Travel Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Products from Apple
Apple Mac Mini Desktop computer
Apple Macbook Air Laptop computer
Apple Macbook Laptop computer
Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard Operating System
Apple Mac OS X Lion Operating System

Products from Jaybird
Jaybird Sportsband SB2 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
Jaybird iSport Bluetooth adaptor for iPhone/iPod
Jaybird Sportsband SB2 Universal Bluetooth adaptor

Products from Altec Lansing
Altec Lansing inMotion Air Bluetooth Stereo Speaker

Products from Chord Electronics
Chordette Gem Bluetooth Audio Receiver
Chordette Peach DAC with Bluetooth
Chordette Maxx Amplifier

Products from QED
QED Uplay Bluetooth Audio Receiver

Products from Conran
Conran iPod Dock iPod Dock with Bluetooth

Products from Samsung
Samsung Galaxy 7.0 Plus Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy 7.7 Plus Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Android Tablet
HS6000 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
HS3700 Bluetooth Stereo Headset
Samsung DAE-570 Audio Dock
Samsung DAE-550 Audio Dock

Products from Motorola
Motorola Razr Smartphone
Motorola SF600
Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Products from Logitec
LBT-MPSP100 Bluetooth Speaker
LBT-TVOH02A Bluetooth Headphones and dongle
LBT-AVAR300 Bluetooth Headset

Products from iTech
LBT-MPSP100
Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

Products from Nokia
Nokia Play 360 Bluetooth Speaker
Nokia Wireless Music Receiver Bluetooth Speaker
Nokia Essence Bluetooth Headset Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Products from Soundmatters
foxL v2 Plantinum Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Products from NuForce
BT-860 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones
NAD VISO 1 iPod Dock

Sharp
DC50 (DoCoMo) & JA07 Softbank Mobile Smartphone
Gear4
Houseparty Rise iPod Dock
Houseparty iPod Dock

Monster
StreamCast Module USB Dongle

Burmester
113 DAC

Cambridge Audio
BT-100 Audio Receiver Bluetooth receiver

Braven
Braven 650 portable speaker

[Draco-REX]

Hmm.. I'll give bluetooth streaming (non aptX) a try, but if it really sucks in the car I guess I'll go back to plugging in a wire.. I was kind of hoping I could just sit down and drive with the BRZ.

[amram]

thanks for posting. here's a review of the HTC StereoClip, can see it in use...

http://htcpedia.com/HTC-StereoClip-A...martphone.html

Yea i hope car stereos start supporting APTX natively soon, because while this works you need to keep charging it via microUSB.

Scion likes to say they fancy new technology early (like the Bespoke has facebook and twitter integration) so maybe a 2014 FR-S or whenever its stereo gets updated hopefully it will have it.

Originally Posted by pastuch

aptX enabled products available April 2012

Creative BT-D1 USB transmitter I think this one may work in the FR-S Too.

will it work? because that's a transmitter, what is needed is a receiver, right? like the Stereoclip is.

[Daemione]

When it comes to improving car audio from the factory, lossless format compatibility isn't going to make a bit of difference without a LOT of improvement in other areas.

[jflogerzi]

I agree. While its a nice feature, most people use lossey codecs for their music. Whats the max bitrate for BT audio streaming atm? If its at or above 320Kb or 512kb should be good for 95% of the population

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by Daemione

When it comes to improving car audio from the factory, lossless format compatibility isn't going to make a bit of difference without a LOT of improvement in other areas.

The issue isn't Lossless audio or not, the problem is the SBC codec used by A2DP for bluetooth audio. Utilizing APT-X codec will benefit all audio communication, from low def MP3 to Flac to Phone communication.

[ali]

Thought I might throw this out there, here's a small solution that seems to offer the best specs, Bayan Audio's StreamPort Audio Adapter, it powers itself using a USB port, pairs over Smart Bluetooth 4.0 (possibly low-power usage on source devices) and delivers the apt-x streamed audio through a 3.5mm pin.

http://www.bayanaudio.com/Products/StreamPort

If you're willing to go with this solution then I've got some good news and bad news, bad news is you're going to need female-to-male cables for the USB and 3.5mm since the alignment on those ends won't plug-in directly to the FR-S design ( = o ) vs ( II o ). Good news is, the same company is coming out with a universal one -in early 2013- that should work with any application (not sure how they're going to implement this, but i'm guessing cables coming out of the adapter instead of fixed plugs?) and they're calling it StreamPort™ Universal.

Hope this helps you audiophiles out there.

-Ali

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by ali

Thought I might throw this out there, here's a small solution that seems to offer the best specs, Bayan Audio's StreamPort Audio Adapter, it powers itself using a USB port, pairs over Smart Bluetooth 4.0 (possibly low-power usage on source devices) and delivers the apt-x streamed audio through a 3.5mm pin.

http://www.bayanaudio.com/Products/StreamPort

If you're willing to go with this solution then I've got some good news and bad news, bad news is you're going to need female-to-male cables for the USB and 3.5mm since the alignment on those ends won't plug-in directly to the FR-S design ( = o ) vs ( II o ). Good news is, the same company is coming out with a universal one -in early 2013- that should work with any application (not sure how they're going to implement this, but i'm guessing cables coming out of the adapter instead of fixed plugs?) and they're calling it StreamPort™ Universal.

Hope this helps you audiophiles out there.

-Ali

Awesome, thanks. I bought a BRZ instead of an FRS so I could hide all the cables in the glove box. The BRZ has the USB & aux in the Glovebox.

[Anorax]

Originally Posted by pastuch

Awesome, thanks. I bought a BRZ instead of an FRS so I could hide all the cables in the glove box. The BRZ has the USB & aux in the Glovebox.

HUH? I know of only a power adapter in there... My USB and AUX are bottom right of center console..

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by Anorax

HUH? I know of only a power adapter in there... My USB and AUX are bottom right of center console..

They are on the center console on the FRS. On the BRZ they are in the glovebox. (Canada)

[Anorax]

Mine are definitely in center console (BRZ Limited, USA) I wonder why they moved them..

[ali]

Here's that universal version I was talking about:
http://www.bayanaudio.com/Products/Streamport_Universal