Bluetooth streaming vs Plugging into glove box port
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Algonquin, IL
2011 E550
Bluetooth streaming vs Plugging into glove box port
Hi All,
I have a 2011 E550 and have the most recent updates to my Comand software, allowing me to stream music via bluetooth. I have an iPhone 6, and was consideriing getting a 30-pin to lightning adapter so I can plug it in to the glove box port for charging. Other than charging, are there additional benefits to having the iphone plugged in vs streaming via bluetooth? Do you get anything like album artwork? I primarily stream via Pandora or Spotify.
Thanks!
I have a 2011 E550 and have the most recent updates to my Comand software, allowing me to stream music via bluetooth. I have an iPhone 6, and was consideriing getting a 30-pin to lightning adapter so I can plug it in to the glove box port for charging. Other than charging, are there additional benefits to having the iphone plugged in vs streaming via bluetooth? Do you get anything like album artwork? I primarily stream via Pandora or Spotify.
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 3
From: California
i535
Not sure you can get artwork in command screen yet. In case of iPhone I would recommend direct plug for the following reasons:
1. BT limits quality to 16KHz and also less samples depth
2. MB uses average quality DACs when iPhone uses fine quality
So if your concern is quality then only wired connection
However if you'd like to navigate over music, skip songs and so on and not really care about quality since your collection is primary MP3 files then BT will give you lot convenience. For example I use BT and I never pull phone from my pocket, I sit in the car and music starts playing, I use steering wheels control to find song or album I want to listen to now. I have 4 64Gb memory card with music, so I do not need satellite subscription.
1. BT limits quality to 16KHz and also less samples depth
2. MB uses average quality DACs when iPhone uses fine quality
So if your concern is quality then only wired connection
However if you'd like to navigate over music, skip songs and so on and not really care about quality since your collection is primary MP3 files then BT will give you lot convenience. For example I use BT and I never pull phone from my pocket, I sit in the car and music starts playing, I use steering wheels control to find song or album I want to listen to now. I have 4 64Gb memory card with music, so I do not need satellite subscription.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Hi All,
I have a 2011 E550 and have the most recent updates to my Comand software, allowing me to stream music via bluetooth. I have an iPhone 6, and was consideriing getting a 30-pin to lightning adapter so I can plug it in to the glove box port for charging. Other than charging, are there additional benefits to having the iphone plugged in vs streaming via bluetooth? Do you get anything like album artwork? I primarily stream via Pandora or Spotify.
Thanks!
I have a 2011 E550 and have the most recent updates to my Comand software, allowing me to stream music via bluetooth. I have an iPhone 6, and was consideriing getting a 30-pin to lightning adapter so I can plug it in to the glove box port for charging. Other than charging, are there additional benefits to having the iphone plugged in vs streaming via bluetooth? Do you get anything like album artwork? I primarily stream via Pandora or Spotify.
Thanks!
With the cable connection you get the benefit of browsing thru your music using the Comand control knob but with Bluetooth you need to do it on the phone.
But there I one great benefit with Bluetooth connection- the volume BOOST that improves base a lot. This makes me use the Bluetooth connection over the cable.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: OH
w212
Sometimes I have issues with audio playback not resuming properly on Bluetooth. I have to get out my phone and restart. This is usually when first getting in the car. It doesn't usually get messed up once it's running. Also it doesn't seem to loop through albums, but maybe that's in my phone settings. I have the older ntg 4 system and it's slow connecting to the bluetooth. So it makes things a little annoying to get started. It connects a lot faster on ntg 4.5 and it gives you the album artwork. I don't see it on ntg 4
IPod hookup is much faster and a smoother experience. But there's drawbacks like not being able to stream and having to use iTunes to load music (and my iPod is pretty much full so I hate trying to add stuff and decide what to remove). Its a lot easier on my phone which has like 30 GB to spare. The audio quality is better from the direct line in. You can browse with the wheel and keys to make it faster. Picking up the phone to control the music isn't great but the Bluetooth allows track +/- control, just not browsing like with the iPod hookup.
IPod hookup is much faster and a smoother experience. But there's drawbacks like not being able to stream and having to use iTunes to load music (and my iPod is pretty much full so I hate trying to add stuff and decide what to remove). Its a lot easier on my phone which has like 30 GB to spare. The audio quality is better from the direct line in. You can browse with the wheel and keys to make it faster. Picking up the phone to control the music isn't great but the Bluetooth allows track +/- control, just not browsing like with the iPod hookup.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2017 C220d AMG Line
Newby here , in U.K., my 2017 c class plays Spotify fine over Bluetooth, no artwork though even through cable. iPod touch v4 plays with artwork through cable which is good...perhaps I need a Benz lightning cable for iPhone for the Spotify artwork ? If that makes sense?
Cheers Gys, Mark
Cheers Gys, Mark
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 47
From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
I have tried the Bluetooth streaming and was not happy with the audio quality and the occasional glitches/gaps. I use the Multimedia kit connected to a 256gb iPod in the center console.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Does Spotify work with the cable? Mine didn't come with one so I picked one up on eBay, but when I try to use Spotify on my iPod Touch, it won't let me. I don't use iTunes, just Spotify. Worked fine on the W211.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2017 C220d AMG Line
hi there I don't have Spotify on the iPod ( just iTunes music) but Spotify works with or without the cable via my iPhone 6 ( no album artwork either way though with Spotify just with the iPod /iTunes combo) so far ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 85
From: New Jersey
2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
I almost strictly stream my BT. I have Tidal by the way and love the service. You can choose a Hi-Fi quality version of the app if you like which is much better quality wise IMO then the other services like Spotify.
I have a Pebble smartwatch and use that to scroll in between the songs and I get the artist and song name on my watch. It's extremely convenient and I never have to look at my phone once I start the app/playlist. You can get a smartwatch for less then 60 bucks if you look around I'm sure.
I have a Pebble smartwatch and use that to scroll in between the songs and I get the artist and song name on my watch. It's extremely convenient and I never have to look at my phone once I start the app/playlist. You can get a smartwatch for less then 60 bucks if you look around I'm sure.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
bluetooth all day
poweramp + its bass/treble and equalizer settings fulfil my needs .... for now
ofcoarse better quality would be a miracle , but im happy atleast not have any issues.
poweramp + its bass/treble and equalizer settings fulfil my needs .... for now
ofcoarse better quality would be a miracle , but im happy atleast not have any issues.
Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 9
E350
