[Isaiah5411]

http://www.cnet.com/news/can-aptx-gi...ver-bluetooth/

Doesn't sound like its quite ready for prime time, unless a lot has changed since May 2014.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Will be picking up the X-Fi Go DAC, thanks to your review Isaiah5411.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Got the X-Fi Go! DAC at Micro Center last night. Threw it in there nicely tucked in. Went Office Space on the DAC that came with the kit. It was already deteriorating badly.

Adjusted the AirEnabler volume up to about 90 via Telnet App. Bam, much better sound. I will follow the previous posts and bring it up to 95-99 and then play with the EQ settings, as it is a bit quiet.

[Isaiah5411]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Got the X-Fi Go! DAC at Micro Center last night. Threw it in there nicely tucked in. Went Office Space on the DAC that came with the kit. It was already deteriorating badly.

Adjusted the AirEnabler volume up to about 90 via Telnet App. Bam, much better sound. I will follow the previous posts and bring it up to 95-99 and then play with the EQ settings, as it is a bit quiet.

I was able to use the X-Fi Go! at 95% volume on the AE without any trouble...never pressed it beyond that....and the levels of the other music sources seemed to match pretty well.

Enjoy. The sound is much improved over stock. But, next time the upgrade bug bites you (which we know is inevitable)...before you do anything else more involved and expensive...grab the Fiio E17.

And if you're not doing it already, download your favorite CDs onto iTunes using the Apple Lossless Encoding and notice the difference in the sound stage. Impressive.

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by Isaiah5411

http://www.cnet.com/news/can-aptx-gi...ver-bluetooth/

Doesn't sound like its quite ready for prime time, unless a lot has changed since May 2014.

I did not know that Apple products do not support Apt-X. I'll revise my previous post as to not be misleading here.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by Isaiah5411

I was able to use the X-Fi Go! at 95% volume on the AE without any trouble...never pressed it beyond that....and the levels of the other music sources seemed to match pretty well.

Enjoy. The sound is much improved over stock. But, next time the upgrade bug bites you (which we know is inevitable)...before you do anything else more involved and expensive...grab the Fiio E17.

And if you're not doing it already, download your favorite CDs onto iTunes using the Apple Lossless Encoding and notice the difference in the sound stage. Impressive.

Thanks!

I can't justify the $200 for the Fiio, but maybe at some point. For now, that money will be going to power and suspension.

[ssshake]

Is there a compelling reason to use air play over bluetooth?

I haven't done much research and didn't read all 5 pages of this thread but immediate here are some benefits that bluetooth sounds like it has over airplay

-Bluetooth dongle boots fast, basically immediately.
-Not proprietary, you can pair any phone or even things other than phones.
-Easy to switch who's connected. Different people can play DJ on a road trip
-Cheap, you can get these pretty cheap.

To install a bluetooth adapter it's the same process. USB power via car charger and aux cable for sound.

I used a blackberry music gateway, which is really nice and small but also had NFC support. So if you want to change who's connected you just have to get them to tap their phone too it. No manual pairing needed. I leave mine loose in the arm rest rather than hidden for that reason.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=black...=1600&bih=1080

[Isaiah5411]

Originally Posted by ssshake

Is there a compelling reason to use air play over bluetooth?

I haven't done much research and didn't read all 5 pages of this thread but immediate here are some benefits that bluetooth sounds like it has over airplay

The main benefits of going AirPlay over Bluetooth (as discussed above) are 1)Airplay is lossless audio (Bluetooth is not, although it is getting better) and 2)You can incorporate a DAC, which can greatly improve sound quality while offering other benefits (e.g. the Fiio E17 can help equalize treble and bass while balancing the left and right channels BEFORE the signal reaches the head unit, which I have found does NOT destroy the soundstaging like using the balance of L7 does.)

[ssshake]

Originally Posted by Isaiah5411

The main benefits of going AirPlay over Bluetooth (as discussed above) are 1)Airplay is lossless audio (Bluetooth is not, although it is getting better) and 2)You can incorporate a DAC, which can greatly improve sound quality while offering other benefits (e.g. the Fiio E17 can help equalize treble and bass while balancing the left and right channels BEFORE the signal reaches the head unit, which I have found does NOT destroy the soundstaging like using the balance of L7 does.)

Ah ok I saw a lot of mention about soundblasters and filo but it was all fragmented, thanks for the concise explanation.

I'm pretty happy with bluetooth. I'm no audiophile and it sounds fine to me. Especially considering all of my music data is not lossless to begin with.

I don't think bluetooth audio quality is as bad as some people would like to suggest (I think it would pass the pepsi challenge). But I do understand it's not the highest quality transport method.

[Isaiah5411]

Originally Posted by ssshake

I don't think bluetooth audio quality is as bad as some people would like to suggest (I think it would pass the pepsi challenge). But I do understand it's not the highest quality transport method.

You're right...it all depends on what you want or are used to. I had a major system in my other car and was spoiled...very high SQ and accurate bass. When I bought the convertible, music became less important. It was all about cruising around with the top down, happy with the SAT radio and iPhone through the AUX input.

But then...I started looking at all of that stereo stuff from my E46 in my garage and the bug bit me. Thankfully I started with the Airplay and the Soundblaster...before jumping into the amps and stuff. It did make a BIG difference. Now I'm on that upgrade treadmill again.

[dbjb]

Awesome DIY! Finally got rid of my wires and everything looks and sounds great!

Got the AirEnabler unit, Sound Blaster and used Telnet adjusting sound to 95%. Absolute perfection for $100. Thanks OP!

[neoexodus]

Awesome job on this Ken (even though it is a few years later )! I am thinking about doing something like this, but had a couple of questions that I am hoping someone might be able to help me with. Apologies if the answers are self-evident, I am new to my e93 and don't know all the quirks yet.

1- Why plug the USB into a cigarette lighter port as opposed to the USB connection next to the AUX?
2- Per reviews on Amazon, a number of people have had issues with the input/output connections on the AE, causing dropped power/etc; has anyone in here had any real issues? With the unit possibly being out of sight, that seems like a bit of a drag if it happens periodically.
3- Any reason, other than cost, to go with the AE over an Airport Express unit? Seems like the built in DAC in the APE is better regarded than the one here, and may prevent the need for the low cost third party DAC such as Creative Go (I don't suspect it will match the Dragonfly or Fiio that is mentioned, but with an E93, I am not looking to approximate audiophile quality, only better than average)?

Thanks!!!

[Agentphish]

I have my air enabler plugged into the cig lighter in the armrest. I think I have a ground loop issue between that and my aux port as I get car interference noise if i turn the car volume up. I have a FiiO E10 and it helped to eliminate some of the noise vs the stock air enabler DAC, but overall i'm not super pleased after having had this setup since May.

I tried an in-line aux port ground loop isolator from here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-SNI-1-3-...E:L:OC:US:3160
but it didn't help at all.

Anyone know what else to try?

[dragonsi]

I just installed the airenabler and Creative xi-fi go- when I am connected but not playing a song, I get a ringing noise, does anyone have this issue? I'm using a high quality aux cable and have set the AE to 95.

[iljao]

Hi!
Getting the device in a couple od days.
What is the best way to open pry up the center trim? Scared to break something apart :/

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by iljao

Hi!
Getting the device in a couple od days.
What is the best way to open pry up the center trim? Scared to break something apart :/

Grab the pocket behind the shifter, assuming you don't have iDrive, and pull up, then pull back.

[neoexodus]

Any advice for those of us with iDrive? I believe I saw that the buttons will all lift along with center, but would appreciate it if someone could confirm

Thanks!

[iljao]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

Grab the pocket behind the shifter, assuming you don't have iDrive, and pull up, then pull back.

The thing is that I do have a idrive :/

[col127]

quick question about this system. do you have to change the source to airplay on your iPhone every single time you drive? or does it automatically connect when you enter the car and start up? thanks all.

about this DAC upgrade - what is that exactly and is it really necessary? if you just use the kit as is, is that a better system than playing over a BT connector like http://www.amazon.com/iClever-Blueto...V0ZKDGWQWNA53F ?

thanks all

[Isaiah5411]

Originally Posted by col127

quick question about this system. do you have to change the source to airplay on your iPhone every single time you drive? or does it automatically connect when you enter the car and start up? thanks all.

about this DAC upgrade - what is that exactly and is it really necessary? if you just use the kit as is, is that a better system than playing over a BT connector like http://www.amazon.com/iClever-Blueto...V0ZKDGWQWNA53F ?

thanks all

Yes...you do have to choose the Airplay option each time your phone disconnects from the AirEnabler's WiFi. I found this to be no problem with the iPhone's Music app but occasionally my other apps - FLAC Player+ and Onkyo HF Player, which I have used to play FLAC/ALAC (lossless/Apple Lossless Audio Codec) encoded music - will not connect properly, requiring a phone restart....which is a hassle of course. The Onkyo HF app is great (costs $9.99 if you want to play ALAC/HD music) but it has crashed on me a few times.

The DAC upgrade is not required to have the system sound better than the typical Bluetooth. (Apparently, the newest form of BT sounds better than the older, as discussed above). It is required to make it sound better than USB connection, at least in the newer cars. I A-B'd a friend's USB (in a 2014 X1) and the AirEnabler equipped with the SoundBlaster and they sounded very similar. I did not use the Fiio in this testing, however, but believe that it would have sounded better as the Fiio made such a major difference in my car.

Again, the use of FLAC/ALAC encoded music is key here for the best SQ. The AirEnabler/Airplay clearly handles this encoding well. I've never heard Bluetooth transmitted FLAC/ALAC (if that's possible).

[MB07]

Bought one, absolutely love it! Only thing that drives me nuts is the 1/2 second lag when skipping songs. (I have song a.d.d.)

[rackhacker9275]

So this is a great thing youve done.. I did a similar mod in my 540i.... but using an Actual Apple Extreme, hardwired, without a power inverter.

Very cool.