Bluetooth Music Streaming & Phone for pennies!!

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Sjag1

Member
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
47
Location
In a cold dark and miserable part of the UK
Car
CLS 320
Hi Guys / Girls, been away for a few years lol, lurking forever!!
Anyway feeling very happy with myself as have been told by Mercedes Main Dealers, and Online Sites that is was not possible to stream Music to my 2009 CLS Head unit without the proper Blue tooth modules.

Also adding a phone module too is expensive, so this post is designed to help everyone out and address this for less than £20 (if you don't need then AUX in cable fitting)
If you have that cable already then your laughing!



Been lurking here forever since i had a 320CLK, have recently picked up a 2009 320 CLS but would not stream blue tooth music to the head unit.

I have found a solution which has sorted this all out for virtually no money at all.

I am no affiliated to any of these products, I'm just happy that I found a solution after being told by specialist mercedes online places that I would have to fork out Hundreds of pounds to be able to listen to my spotify music.

Ok lets get the basics here and my issues.

My 2009 320CLS has the Comand Head unit version NTG 2.5 with SD Card Slot.

I have an AUX In port in my glove box (female connector)
Right hand side speakers not working.
LOW LOW Volume, was rubbish.


Spoke to all the usual suspects about retro fitting the converters, MP3 Boxes, expensive Mercedes compatible units, all of them were getting expensive, some of them were £400!!
Another company told me there was no way around this situation, either buy the expensive box or upgrade to an android head unit...
Spoke to Mercedes, some local Audio Specialists, and a well known Mercedes online website who by the way were very helpful but said it was not possible.

Also it seems lots of people were annoyed with the lack of volume to on the standard head unit AUX input.



Anyway after LOADS of research it's sorted.

1.

I bought a compatible AUX Input to replace my original one that was damaged or worn (was only playing left hand side speakers) now the important thing here is it is a MALE ended one that is now in the glove box.
It plugs into the same port at the back of the standard head unit but for whatever reason I am getting normal volume, ie loud volume like the radio and CD player, why this is I have no idea but its twice as loud now
(£35)

2.

A two way female AUX connector for the AUX IN and ANKER to connect.

(£1)

3.

Bought a blue tooth Receiver, it's called an "ANKER SOUNDSYNC" it's awesome and I don't say that lightly.
Google it!!! so my phone sends it the music, and phone calls and it plugs into the aux input via a small adapter plug that is female at both ends, the other cable has a USB port for power which i have hidden away in the glove box, so not visible.
This little disk can change tracks, answer calls, pause music and looks nice and clean, its the only visible bit of kit you see.
(£20)

4.

A Cig Lighter with extension, this is plugged into the usual place, with two USB Ports on the face, it then has a 1.5m extension lead with a twin usb port that can be threaded down the back of the ashtray and dash then through the glove box light hole on the left of the glove box, remove the plastic lens, thread the extension through and Voila !! power to the ANKER inside the glove box all nice and neat.

(£9)


The Anker sits on the facia now with just 1cm of wire showing.
Works brilliant!!

You have to remove the Headunit to install the new AUX cable but it is very straight forward.

Now have bluetooth Music Streaming from my phone, and the volume is LOUND as it was with Radio and CD, also have clearer Bluetooth functions when making calls as the ANKER does that too, again, Merc charge £250 for the bluetooth car kit, (mine has it installed in the arm rest which i now never use)
By the way, this works for EVERYONE who has an AUX in port in the glove box, if you have an Ipod Adapter it still works because the AUX cable is usually left in the back of the unit, even if it isn't then just purchase the cable i mentioned and plug it in.


This solution above will enable you to have:

Blue tooth phone calls it is like fitting a Mercedes Phone Kit
Blue tooth Music Streaming
Normal Volume Levels (by the way, you can boost your volume in the sound settings on the head unit too)


I'm still annoyed that I nearly parted with £400+ for the music interface bus even the guys online (i won't mention their website) who sell all the Merc Audio stuff said it wasn't possible, it's a bit naughty really when the solution for it all can work out at under £65 if you install it yourself from scratch (and believe me it's not hard)

I am seeing loads of posts about people wanting to add hands free blue tooth to their cars, costing hundreds, and others wanting to add music streaming as lets face it, loads of us now have MP3's these days, again costing hundreds and hundreds, or even changing head units, it's mental!!!

The Anker Soundsync is really good sound quality, some car chargers may create a slight buzz (its hard to hear) but easily sorted with a simple ground loop unit that plugs in, those are 8 quid off a well known auction site and I ordered one and it works awesome, plugs between the anker and the AUX input, now its crystal clear, but seriously, this works REALLY REALLY well.

I can give you a simple wiring diagram ie, draw it up and post it on here if that helps.

Dead simple and costs less than a tank of fuel.

Some of you won't want the USB charger, or may not need the cable or Ground Loop so in theory you could have the total solution for less that 20 quid.:rock:


:bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana:
 
Nice write up sjag1. Can you share a picture or two of your setup? Might be helpful to readers

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
 
The man's diagram

mikeinwimbledon-albums-notes-picture10531-bluetooth.jpg
 
Belkin Aircast may be an easier Out of the Box solution

I used to use this in my wife's ancient, much-loved Mx 5.

Pretty much does the same thing for £30 off eBay:


Belkin-AirCast-02-321x450.jpg



AirCast Auto HandsFree
 
Yea works a treat too mike, if you feed the extension for the charger through the back of the dash you can pot the whole unit in the glove box too, then the ground loop takes out any static its perfect mate for music

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 
Budget Bluetooth but if streaming is all you want etc.

Obviously these things will never be as beautiful as integrated Bluetooth on a lovely Comand unit,

but if you just want Bluetooth hands free calls, hands free SIRI and music streaming from your Iphone,

it's a good cheap solution - that you can keep when you sell the car, and

which won't cost a fortune to update when the next Tech gizmo comes out.
 
I have something in the middle. My command has bluetooth phone only, no Bluetooth audio streaming capability. I do have a spare USB connection in the glovebox which connects to the head unit. I bagged this dongle on ebay and I can stream audio via the aux channel in command. thh only issue I have is I have to un plug and re connect to sync when i first get in the car and the track info doesnt translate onto the TV display. I can change tracks using the steering wheel buttons or toggle wheel on the centre console. Its not perfect but it does allow me to use spotify in my car.
Car USB Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Audio Music Speaker Receiver Adapter Dongle | eBay
 
Absolutely but what really annoyed the was the point blank "its not possible" and the only solution for getting music to the HU without a cable was only via the 400 quid route!

Bit naughty really.

Still seeing posts asking about the integrated bluetooth phone kit that sells for £250 and plugs into the car, its crazy that this receiver does both for £20 and with a small amount off effort can be hidden away

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 
This solution above will enable you to have:

Blue tooth phone calls it is like fitting a Mercedes Phone Kit
Blue tooth Music Streaming
Normal Volume Levels (by the way, you can boost your volume in the sound settings on the head unit too)


I'm still annoyed that I nearly parted with £400+ for the music interface bus even the guys online (i won't mention their website) who sell all the Merc Audio stuff said it wasn't possible, it's a bit naughty really when the solution for it all can work out at under £65 if you install it yourself from scratch (and believe me it's not hard)

Hang on a second. Its not like fitting a Mercedes phone kit. first off it wont work with the steering wheel controls, instrument cluster or display the caller etc on the Audio screen.

The Bluetooth streaming is essentially via AUX so its not true streaming into the Head unit. It wont display tracks/artists/playlists etc on the audio screen.

If you are listening to the radio and a call comes in via the anker how do you answer the call and hear the caller/speak to them?

The AUX volume level issue is fixed on NTG 2.5 cars with a firmware update.

The Mercedes kit integrates fully with the car and does not use AUX.

If your car is a 2009 model then bluetooth phone is built into the head unit already.

Bluetooth to AUX converters have been around for a while and yes they will give you a very basic method of getting music into the car from a bluetooth device but its certainly not like a Mercedes system nor anywhere near as integrated.
 
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lets not forget the OP's solution can move from car to car too with minimum effort
 
Hi Alfie,

Obviously it's not as integrated or as substantial but the big difference is the cost, that's what I'm trying to help people with.

My car has bluetooth but i still needed the unit in the arm rest for phone to work which would have cost me £250 odd quid.

With regards to viewing the screen when selecting tracks i can see all that and who is calling from my phone as it sits by the air vent next to the headunit, so its 2" away, so effectively it is all displayed.

That anker unit has buttons on it so moving from track to track or answering the phone is a case of simply pressing a button which is no more inconvenience than using the steering wheel control's so essentially I'm pretty much getting what you have but can also use siri and all the other phone functions.
I can also stream music radio and have thousands of songs on tap streaming and not have to rely on the mercedes media unit for a limited amount of tracks and the expense of it all.

Basically my phone is now part of my car.

Ok so it doesn't display on the screen in the dash or main radio but that doesn't bother me at all as I can see all that on the phone and still use the volume on the steering.
The sound quality is also superb, for the price.

I'm just trying to save others a massive amount of money on a way that works.

If people are willing to press buttons on their headunit or steering wheel then this solution is just fine, especially at this cost.

Others will want to go down the belt and braces mercedes route, that's cool but the cost for seeing caller id and track id on the dash or head unit isnt worth the cost when i have my phone on the vent showing me that plus more.





Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 
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Hi Alfie,

Obviously it's not as integrated or as substantial but the big difference is the cost, that's what I'm trying to help people with.

My car has bluetooth but i still needed the unit in the arm rest for that to work which would have cost me £250 odd quid.

With regards to viewing the screen when selecting tracks i can see all that and who is calling from my phone as it sits by the aor vent next to the headunit, so its 2" away, so effectively it is all displayed.

That anker unit has buttons on it so moving from track to track or answering the phone is a case of simply pressing a button which is no more inconvenience than using the steering wheel control's so essentially I'm pretty much getting what you have but can also use siri and all the other phone functions.
I can also stream music radio and have thousands of songs on tap streaming and not habe to rely on the mercedes media unit for a limited amount of tracks.

Basically my phone is now part of my car.

Ok so it doesn't display on the screen in the dash or main radio but that doesn't bother me at all as I can see all that on the phone and still use the volume on the steering.
The sound quality is also superb, for the price.

I'm just trying to save others a massive amount of money on a way that works.

Others will want to go down the belt and braces mercedes route, that's cool





Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Yes I perfectly understand the cost effectiveness of it.

However as soon as you touch the phone you are breaking the law and liable to prosecution.

You do not have the same as me at all. Mine is fully integrated with the steering wheel controls, instrument cluster and audio unit. When a phone call comes in whilst im listening to any music source, the sound mutes and I can speak freely. I also have linguatronic so can skip/select tracks via speaking to the system.

What microphone does the Anker use? how do you select different playlist? how do you switch to radio?

Your car has NTg 2.5 Comand. You do not need a module in the armrest for fully integrated phone to work.

Its great that there is a cheap solution for very basic integration but please lets not pretend its the same as a Mercedes system or offers anything like the integration.
 
Yes I perfectly understand the cost effectiveness of it.

However as soon as you touch the phone you are breaking the law and liable to prosecution.

You do not have the same as me at all. Mine is fully integrated with the steering wheel controls, instrument cluster and audio unit. When a phone call comes in whilst im listening to any music source, the sound mutes and I can speak freely. I also have linguatronic so can skip/select tracks via speaking to the system.

What microphone does the Anker use? how do you select different playlist? how do you switch to radio?

Your car has NTg 2.5 Comand. You do not need a module in the armrest for fully integrated phone to work.

Its great that there is a cheap solution for very basic integration but please lets not pretend its the same as a Mercedes system or offers anything like the integration.

Alfie, I'm not pretending or peddling anything buddy, I'm just telling you what I did and what can be done for a tiny fraction of the cost you paid for your install.

No offence intended!!

I am telling you my phone did not work on my unit until I put in the blue tooth module from my old CLK into the arm rest, it slipped in and clicked in, then it worked.
That unit alone is 250 quid.

Then when asking about blue tooth streaming to this headunit I was told it was not possible.......unless I went down the route you went.

Again I found out this is in fact not true, and so went and did it my way.

It works, so not sure why we are having this conversation, I never said it was better than your system, I'm sure yours is lovely and I'm very happy for you, I also admit that your system no doubt weighs more, looks better and cost a bomb and allows you to keep more glove box space than mine but what I'm saying is you can do this for 20 quid.

£20!!!

That is the purpose of this post, it is not to challenge people or their installs or to make them feel bad for spending 800 on a fully integrated system, I can't afford to buy a new Merc, and I can't afford to spend that on a retro fit system, what I was surprised to find out was the effectiveness of what I did and how it works, and am simply trying to save others a lot of money on a system that does work, and that is pretty much invisible ie no wires hanging out or looking untidy.

Also I don't have to actually touch anything on my phone.

I press the button on the Anker and siri wakes up.

I then ask it to map to london, or play my fav play list, or call my wife, or text my daughter, or route me to the nearest petrol station, and it does whatever i want.

So in that respect is is better than my command!!

I just noticed why you may have a bee in your bonnet about my post..............do you run Command online?

I spoke to you or one of your guys when i was asking about how I was going to get this sorted without buying the Media Interface Unit and was told that it was
not possible to do this.
As I mentioned in my first post, you guys were very polite and helpful but could not advise me of any other way around it.

Obviously there was another way, and it works great.

I can now see why you jumped on me a few posts ago, as I said before, no offence intended, I never slated you or your guys, and maybe the person I spoke to
didn't know about the other option I ended up using but whatever the case, I'm happy with the result.




Anyways.........Nice Ducati........I'm jealous of THAT LOL


:thumb::thumb:
 
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Also, my apologies, forgot to answer your questions.

When a call comes through I just press the Anker module, it answers automatically and pauses the music.

The Microphone is built into the Anker and is crystal clear both ends from all accounts.

To forward tracks I just press the anker again either left or right.

To ask it to do anything and wake up google/siri to command it to do anything is just 1 upwards press and it does it all.

And how do I use the radio?..................I press Radio on the head unit, or use the steering wheel controls.

I admit your set up is slick.


Again this is an almost free alternative that is cheap and sounds clear, its another option for those who don't want to spend more than they have to.

It's not for me and you to get into a hair splitting debate about, it's not about us, it's about sharing info that may or may not be useful to other members.

It's like me saying I can map my 320 CLS to 300bhp if I wanted to, and someone else saying just buy a CLS 500 and be done with it, because that was built for the job of 300bhp+


That may be the point but if I can map my CLS and get great MPG AND get good power all for £250 they why pay out the expense for the CLS 500?

Neither way is wrong, some will prefer the factory setup, others will be happy with getting it another way.
 

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