Ok so here's the deal, I want to be able to listen to music and charge my new phone (don't have yet, still deciding which phone to get) at the same time while limiting the number of required wires. My current stereo (Kenwood Excelon KDC-X396) is not bluetooth-compatible. I really would like to get the Galaxy S5 but I don't want to charge the phone with USB and listen to music via Aux (poorer quality + more cords). iPhones seem to be the only phone which can play music and charge simultaneously via USB (I do this with my iPod right now). So as I see it...

Option 1: Buy an iPhone.
Cons = poorer camera, smaller screen, more expensive, no expandable storage

Option 2: Install a bluetooth receiver into the current HU.
Cons = haven't found one people recommend, usually needs 12v power supply which is clunky, I have no idea how to install.

Option 3: Buy a new HU with built-in bluetooth capabilities. I would like to keep it a Kenwood model. I am looking at the KDC-BT555U (Kenwood KDC-BT555U CD receiver at Crutchfield.com) Would like to keep it around this price range (under $160).
Cons = 2.5V Preamp versus my current 6V.

I'm currently powering the speakers directly from the headunit as I do not have an amp and don't have plans to get one at this time. With this is mind, would the 2.5V preamp show a noticeable drop in sound quality? If this isn't a big deal I'm leaning towards Option 3 so I can charge the Galaxy S5 via USB and listen to music via Bluetooth.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Just found a couple other stereo's with 6V preamp and Bluetooth capable. Any thoughts on either of these:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...7.html?tp=5684

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...8.html?tp=5684

 

I would go option 3, the preamp voltage only matters if you are using an external amp and even then it really isn't going to be a huge difference unless you have signal noise issues.

 

That's what I was thinking, thanks. Do you know if it is possible to charge an Android phone (S5) via USB and listen to music at the same time (via USB or Bluetooth)?

 

I charge via a cigarette lighter with usb adapter and stream with bluetooth.

 

There are people in this World that still have to use flip phones and you have the nerve to share this first world problem? Think about those who are less fortunate before you post this kind of stuff Mr.Trump.

 

...sorry?

 

It was a joke. Sarcasm does not translate well on the webs.

 

That did not translate well at all lol. Funny now that you clarify it a joke, but it sounded really *****y at first lol

 

I guess I know you too well... I knew it was a joke.

 

Just buy a new head unit. There are many different ones available and you can get all you need for not much more than $100 (if even). They're stupid easy to install (make sure to get the dash kit and wiring harness) . Don't buy an iPhone unless you're already committed to Apple's iTunes scheme. With the Galaxy S5 and a decent headunit with USB, you can charge via USB as well as play from it simultaneously, or charge and stream to your head unit via Bluetooth. Works great and this is how I do it with my Galaxy S5 and Pioneer 6400BT. The app I use for music is Poweramp Pro. I love it!

 

I'm probably wrong about this, but I JUST got my S5 and I'm still trying to figure it all out . . . BUT, that being said, I'm not sure there's a way to play music through the USB port.

Granted, I think on my old S3 (or possibly the Epic 4G before that) it was supposed to be possible to play HD video through the USB port if you had the right cable. I'm not sure that's a use that ever really took off, so I don't know if they continued that feature in future phones. I know the S5 has a funky-assed USB port with an extra "chunk" of plug. Is that USB 3.0? Theoretically, that would carry a lot more information than the older version. I know it charges it pretty darned fast.

I've been using the headphone jack into the AUX plug with all of my old phones and haven't had any complaints. I just kind of "braid" thc cords together. (Not really braiding, but, since the charger cable is usually curly, I run the audio cable through the center of the charger.

I'm not sure if you're going to notice the difference in audio quality all that much though, especially if you're not running any kind of amplification. I don't know that the XJ has ever been considered much of an audiophile's vehicle of choice. There's some road noise to be contended with every now and again.

In any event, I doubt this has been much help. Sorry. But if I were going to vote, I'd probably vote for the new head unit. Preferably with, what? Bluetooth 4.0? I just bought a new heart rate monitor for when I use my phone to log my running/cycling miles, and supposedly this new 4.0 (if that's right) uses way less battery than the older version. That'll help the phone actually charge while you're streaming your music as opposed to just breaking even and not losing battery.


Hell, now that I think about it, I might just do that too. Nothing more irritating than getting a phone call with both cables attached and having to disconnect everything to get the phone up to your face.

 

The other port on the S5 is a mini HDMI port. The standard USB is indeed 3.0 though. The way audio is played through the USB cord is not via software on the phone itself, but the USB connection will mount the phone's SD card as mass storage, and then the head unit can read those files and play them that way.

I think Bluetooth is the best option for the least amount of cords.

 

i also vote bluetooth. that way if you dont charge it every time your in the car, you can still listen to music without charging it and without any wires at all (it can stay in your pocket)

 

One problem I see (from experience), I have the Kenwood KDC-BT755HD, it can play music via USB/bluetooth on my Galaxy S4, but the charger port is maybe 1amp, it feels like it maintains a charge but does not recharge the phone's battery. Ideally, the USB needs to be at least 2amp to actually charge the phone while using it.