Integrating a Bluetooth hands free car kit with the Liberty's McIntosh headunit

[Mondie]

l would like to have a hands free car kit installed in my Liberty for a Sony Ericsson mobile. l was wondering if anybody knows if the McIntosh headunit has the ability to mute the sound and direct the phone call through the cars speakers?

My old Ford BA did this and it much better than having a seperate speaker behind the dash as l have in the WRX now. While we are at it, does anyone have any recommendations for a good hands free kit?

Thanks all,
Simon

[dmcgowan]

Simon,

I hope I'm wrong but I think you have bugger all chance - the McIntosh seems to be a one off that won't integrate with anything!!!

Good luck,



Darren

[elarbee]

the oem mcintosh head unit appears to have zero tolerance for upgrades or modding. i'll know for sure when my new whip finally arrives and i take it apart.

at the very least, you'd need to be able to tap the mute pin or wire of the head unit to install an integrated handsfree kit. if there's a mute button below the display you might be able to tap into that :confused:

[Mondie]

Problem solved l think.

Got onto this mob- www.asllogistics.com who are based in Melbourne. They quoted me $420 fitted for a Parrot CK3100 kit which seems much better featured than anything available from any of the phone makers. There is a link to it on their homepage.

l have drilled them and they assure me that they will fit a mute box that will mute the McIntosh's audio and redirect the calls through the cars speakers.

l will most likely get this done in the next month or two, ASL have a great reputation for good work on FordForums.

Cheers

[agctr]

Fantastic, that is great news Simon.
Curious now if they have a fix for the iPod direct plug in..... this could be good.
Ada///M.

[gead]

will be very interested to see how you go...good luck

[dmcgowan]

Simon,

Be interested to see any pics of one of their units fitted - it doesn't look that attractive on a stand alone basis - where were you thinking of fitting it???

Also, for the iPod users amongst us - the iTrip solution with the iPod sitting in the centre console works remarkably well for us...



Darren

[agctr]

Hmm just had a look.
I know in my Dad's AUDI he has a Nokia Bluetooth which is seemless, puts the radio on mute, the system actually displays PHONE and it has a little button that is near the dash to answer and hang up the phone. Unsure if this system will integrate into the McIntosh but the system looks a lot tider. Looks like that company really has a handle on the Ford parts bin though, some great features for resonable price.
Ada///M.

[agctr]

Re the iPod set up with iTrip Darren, I will have to see how it works on yr STi prior to me spending up.
Ada///M.

[dmcgowan]

I was all planned to spend about $300 on a permanent connection for the iPod but so far using an iTrip (we have a 40GB pre-photo iPod) with the iPod sitting on the sliding cover in the centre console works just fine... It's also pretty cheap to get an iTrip I think? Ours was bundled when we bought it.


I need to find someone who can fit a permanent external GPS aerial now though. Our Navman PIN isn't working so good so need to get a permanent jobbie put in.

[rc0032]

Moved to Interior/ Audio :rolleyes:

[Mondie]

Guys,

not sure about the Ipod thingy, over my head :lol: You could email Fadi from ASL on fadi@asllogistics.com and ask him, he seems very helpful and knowledgable. l emailed him again this arvo and re-iterated what l wanted and to confirm it will work with the McIntosh, he replied it was no worries.

Will get the car to him in the coming weeks and let you know how it goes.

Cheers

[agctr]

U the man Simon.... thanks, it could be worth atleast a call.
Ada///M.

[dmcgowan]

I'll email Fadi and ask him - worst he can say is no chance...

I'll post the answer.

[elarbee]

they've got a hardwired fm modulator listed there for $65

http://www.asllogistics.com/ford_upgrades.html

that might be an option to hardwire the ipod into the system. it's like an itrip but via cable.

[agctr]

Thanks for taking up the slack Darren and following that up for us, greatly appreciated. I just hope its a positive result for Chester and myself not to mention countless others.

elarbee, the option is there but unsure if its a plug and play with the McIntosh system. I know that Chester, myself and a few other members have spent countless hours researching and pulling the system apart to find all avenues so far...... a dead end. Hopefully this is the light at the end of the tunnel... everything crossed here.
Ada///M.

[suba_rus]

I had Parrot CK3100 installed in my LGT, but had to order harness from Scotland :eek:
Love it!

[boomshnka]

I had Parrot CK3100 installed in my LGT, but had to order harness from Scotland :eek:
Love it!

I did the exact same thing. I mounted my display unit next to the power button though. I put one in my wife's '06 Mazda3 too. It's an awesome unit. Make sure that you'll get full compatiblity with your phone though. Different phones will have different features supported. I've found that Sony/Ericson phones seem to have some of the best compatibility with the Parrott products. http://www.parrot.biz/guide_chm/CK3X00/ck_2.htm

You might also check out their webpage: www.driveblue.com (http://www.driveblue.com) They've got a color one now that can display pictures of your caller (if you upload them) when a call comes in.

No pic of my install though, sorry :icon_sad:

Chris

[agctr]

Thanks suba_rus and boomshnka for the product update, Im glad to hear that the system has worked fantastic for you both.
Ada///M.

[agctr]

Bump....

Any feedback on this as of yet Darren?
Ada///M.

[matters]

I have the motorola HF850 bluetooth in my 3RB. The installer swore blind the macintosh did not have the capacity to auto mute on incoming calls. Thank heavens for the mute button the steering wheel on the 3rb.

FWIW its an oval (faux) alloy unit that is stuck to the edge of the gearstick boot. It is a well designed piece of kit and you could be forgiven for thinking it is factory. Word of warning, make sure the installer places the mic over near the rear vision mirror and not on the door pillar. Should the airbag go off (lets hope it never does) the mic could well take out your eye and I suspect impact on insurance claims et al.

cheers,
matt

[dmcgowan]

Guys,

Fadi was pretty cluey about the iPod modulator - think it was $150 installed - email is at work? Could have been $120...

Still looking into GPS options...

[agctr]

Thanks Matt.

Good suggestion regarding the placement of the MIC. My Dad has his Nokia kit on the Audi in the middle near the sunroof controls so its well out of view and harms way.

Darren re Fadi, so yr saying its still an FM Modulator and not a direct IN for the iPod?
Ada///M.

[dmcgowan]

Yes Adam, haven't heard of any way of a direct "line in" apart from the rip apart job the US guys seem to be doing - which doesn't appeal to me

[boomshnka]

I have the motorola HF850 bluetooth in my 3RB. The installer swore blind the macintosh did not have the capacity to auto mute on incoming calls. Thank heavens for the mute button the steering wheel on the 3rb.

This is one thing that I was concerned about with my install (don't have the mcintosh stereo though). I was told by the install guys at a few local shops that the Subaru stereo had no mute line. I spoke with the Parrot people and they said that the Parrot will be able to mute the audio signal from the stereo and replace it with it's own as it is inbetween the head unit and the speakers. Apparently it does as I have no audio from the stereo while on the phone. HTH.

Chris

[Mondie]

Guys,

l think an installer who is on the ball uses a mute box to get around the lack of mute function in the McIntosh headunit. The price l quoted of $420 installed (in melbourne) for the Parrot includes this box.

[agctr]

The thing with that Darren is, Im still not 100% sure that the "RIP APART JOB" will still work on the McI. I spoke with JazzyMT the creator or the direct IN for the normal GT system and was unable to confirm or deny if it would work on the McI. For mine, regardless if it worked or not, Im with you, Im about as hand with electronics as Tim the toolman Taylor is........ not very.

Looks like the FM Mod is still the way to go and Im sure I will check yrs out soon enough.

Thanks boomshnka, sounds like a fantastic setup that for sure. If it works with the McIntosh system here, I think they are on a real winner. Im sure we will find out soon enough.
Ada///M.

[agctr]

Simon, Im sure if they can install a MUTE box into the McI, Im positive there should be a DIRECT IN for the iPod as well, it makes sense on paper atleast.
Ada///M.

[elarbee]

Simon, Im sure if they can install a MUTE box into the McI, Im positive there should be a DIRECT IN for the iPod as well, it makes sense on paper atleast.
Ada///M.

doesn't the mute box sit between the speaker wire and the head unit?

head unit > speaker wire out > mute box > speaker wire out > speaker

i hope we can find a direct in, but i don't think the two are related :( hope i'm wrong.

ps - getting delivery this coming thursday, but i'm already resigning myself to think about an aftermarket head unit sigh...

[agctr]

Gish.... lets the mods begin.
Ada///M.

[dmcgowan]

Yeah, I also think the mute box would just be a signal interrupt so no go for iPod connection...

[agctr]

Darren, was this confirmed by Fadi that it would be a NO GO ?
TIA
Ada///M.

[dmcgowan]

Fadi's response was that he could do the FM Modulator for the iPod and he didn't offer any direct connect options. Given the McIntosh doesn't have an Aux connection, then that's the path I'm going to take...

Apart from the hack in + silent CD thing I haven't heard of anything else. I think the inline modulator will be much easier and at least I know it can be done. Either Fadi or e.g. Freeway Car Audio could do it. Leaning to Freeway a bit as they can also fit the Navman antenna I want installed as well...

[elarbee]

finally picked up my ride, took it for a quick drive then straight to a friends audio shop. we'll be pulling it apart tomorrow. ya never know, a fresh pair of eyeballs might see some other way...

[agctr]

Thanks for the detail Darren, greatly appreciated.

elarbee, let us know how you go, Im sure we will once again be disappointed but then again U just never never go.....

Who was it that said... Never Say Never..... ?
Ada///M.

[elarbee]

Thanks for the detail Darren, greatly appreciated.

elarbee, let us know how you go, Im sure we will once again be disappointed but then again U just never never go.....

Who was it that said... Never Say Never..... ?
Ada///M.

yeah i've got a feeling you're right :( didn't get a full squizz today, ran out of time but maybe tomorrow...

[agctr]

THIS IS GREAT....
Chester will be a happy camper aswell.
Ada///M.

[Mondie]

l tried and failed :icon_sad:

Took my car to ASL in Braeside (Melbourne) yesterday and watched as they removed the centre stack from my car. The McIntosh head unit has 4 (yep!) plugs coming out of it and deciphering what was going on was tricky to say the least. The system runs an external amp under the front passenger seat so to run a mute box you would need to cut into the wires exiting the amp, probably nesecitating the removal of the front seat etc.

Anyhow, l lost me nerve and bought a Blueant Supertooth instead. So far l am extremely impressed with it, only cost me $169 and l can swap vehicles when needed too. All in all it was an excellent solution. l am of the opinion that installing a bluetooth handsfree in a GT Sti (without steering wheel controls) is a major job that requires a lot of cutting into the factory wiring.

Bugger that :icon_bigg

Cheers Simon

[agctr]

LOL Thanks Simon.

Yeah I think i would be in the same boat..... putting and splicing into wires certainly sounds expensive if it goes wrong. Sounds like you picked the much better solution.

And thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Ada///M.

[redrobin]

Hey Guys,

You do know you can buy a double din facia replacement from Japanparts.com which will let you pull out and throw away the McIntosh and replace it with whatever unit with whatever features you want.

The double din kit comes with all the fitting hardware including an antenna lead converter (the McIntosh unit has a non standard antenna plug) and everything just fits.

If you don't want to use a double din unit, you can still use this panel and fit a single din CD holder below your single din audio unit.

The funny thing we found was that with the Subaru, the standard speakers in the car are actually better than the head unit. When we removed the McIntosh and installed the Kenwood, the sound quality improved 100% straight away.

We mounted a CD stacker under the seat where the old subaru amp was, as the suby amp was exactly the same size as the Kenwood stacker and the mountings bolted straight up.

we also added a Kenwood amp to the boot to get the standard sub woofer on the parcel shelf going again and even with all the speakers being standard the sound is now really great.


Darryl