Bluetooth stereo that works like Bluetooth headphones?
I'd really like to get a Bluetooth stereo for my little Accord 2006, but I've had a couple disappointing experiences with other cars and Bluetooth and wanted to ask around first.
I'm looking for a stereo that works basically like a pair of Bluetooth headphones. I.e. It connects to my phone and plays whatever my phone streams to it (whether that's music or audio from random apps).
In the past, I've seen Bluetooth stereos that connect to your phone and then allow you to browse the media stored on your phone. All the reviews I'm seeing about Bluetooth stereos highlight how you can browse your phone media and control your phone from the stereo. When I've tried this before, it's been awful and clunky and it didn't support audio from my other apps (e.g. podcasts).
Is there a stereo that doesn't try to do anything smart and just accepts audio over Bluetooth? Or do the smart stereos (e.g. MCH-X390BT) at least allow for a dumb mode?
Edit: Thanks so much for the help everyone!
Posted Nov 30, 2016, 4:22 AM UTC · edited
That's a feature of USB if I'm not mistaken. Bluetooth works just about the same as you'd describe.
My stock 2011 mustang does what OP is describing the screen "displays "Bluetooth Media Stream" and I can play whatever I want from my phone. I can skip songs and pause them with the car stereo but that's it.
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2013 Subaru XV (Crosstrek in the US, I think) driver here. The BT audio works like the aux port- I can play anything. Same way things worked in my dad's Caravan with an aftermarket Alpine head unit. So yeah, there are Bluetooth audio systems that work in the way OP described.