[DaveA]

Maybe one of the more tech-minded amongst you can help explain something that has always bugged me... and that is why is it that audio over bluetooth is so much quieter than using other sources.?

I used to think this was an iDrive thing, but it is the same in most any car I have tried...

I appreciate that bluetooth standards mean that there is a limit as to how much data can be transmitted, and this impacts if you are streaming hi-res, but this should not affect volume.. should it..?

Thoughts..?

[JD6]

Have you tried turning up the volume on your phone while it is playing via Bluetooth?

With a USB connection the volume is at a present level on mine and unaffected by the phone's volume buttons, but when playing via Bluetooth the phone's volume buttons do work.

[xenon]

Yes the Bluetooth connection is like headphones / external speaker so the both the volume of the phone and the volume of the playback device have an effect.

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by JD6

Have you tried turning up the volume on your phone while it is playing via Bluetooth?

With a USB connection the volume is at a present level on mine and unaffected by the phone's volume buttons, but when playing via Bluetooth the phone's volume buttons do work.

Exactly this. Phone volume once paired & connected needs turning to maximum. Next time it connects, it will remember this setting. Software updates usually reset it, so you'll probably have to do it again in this case. Until the next time.

[Broncho]

Just remember if you crank it right up in the car to lower it down ready for the next time you get in to listen to the radio

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Broncho

Just remember if you crank it right up in the car to lower it down ready for the next time you get in to listen to the radio

Sorry, I can't hear you, something made me deaf recently...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by JD6

Have you tried turning up the volume on your phone while it is playing via Bluetooth?

With a USB connection the volume is at a present level on mine and unaffected by the phone's volume buttons, but when playing via Bluetooth the phone's volume buttons do work.

I will try this but, err, I cannot help thinking that this requirement is somewhat contrary to having a handsfree connection...

I was playing about with using CarPlay over bluetooth, as opposed to a USB connection... I shall try establishing the bluetooth connection again...

[machman767]

You shouldn't have any such issues using CarPlay because, if I remember correctly, it utilises both Bluetooth and WiFi so the volume on the head unit controls everything (waits expectingly for someone to point out where I've gone wrong......😳!)

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by machman767

You shouldn't have any such issues using CarPlay because, if I remember correctly, it utilises both Bluetooth and WiFi so the volume on the head unit controls everything (waits expectingly for someone to point out where I've gone wrong......��!)

Bearing in mind I am in a VW these days...

But, as far as I can see, CarPlay connects either over USB or Bluetooth... Not every car has a live wifi link...

Edit - I am talking rubbish... I obviously did not try it with CarPlay as, as far as I can see, my VW does not support wireless CarPlay (bluetooth) so my problems are simply when using the bluetooth audio source... sorry for the confusion...

[ZedsRedBaby]

I think it's deliberate, because as you'll discover, when you crank up the volume on both phone and car it is SERIOUSLY loud. The bluetooth device defaults to a low volume in case your car (or whatever else it connects to) is already at max.

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Bearing in mind I am in a VW these days...

But, as far as I can see, CarPlay connects either over USB or Bluetooth... Not every car has a live wifi link...

Edit - I am talking rubbish... I obviously did not try it with CarPlay as, as far as I can see, my VW does not support wireless CarPlay (bluetooth) so my problems are simply when using the bluetooth audio source... sorry for the confusion...

CarPlay is either wired or WiFi. For the Wi-fi connection, it uses the bluetooth handshake and then uses Wi-fi. So for wireless CarPlay, the car does need Wi-fi comparability.

Anyway, to your point, if I get in the car and choose not to use CarPlay and connect my phone via Bluetooth I have the same issue as you...volume is determined as much by the head unit as the volume on the phone. Just treat bluetooth audio to the car in the same was as you would to a set of Bluetooth headphones.