Good interesting feedback. That's sucks about the deterioration of the ML sound quality. I would not be happy with that either.

Does anyone using the Carlinkit have any comments about this issue? Does the Carlinkit do the same with the sound quality?

 

Carlinkit taps the aux input from the back of the head unit using an adapter. From my hearing(not an audiofile) no degradation in sound quality. I mainly use Youtube Music and Spotify. Also zero noise/interference (crackles/pops).

 

These negative reviews about the GROM sound quality are worrying me. Anyone have experience with BeatSonic units as far as ease of use and sound quality?

 

From my audio experience/knowledge I can say that anything that taps into the Aux is going to loose the ML DAC. Unless whatever 3rd party unit you purchase has a comparable DAC (which I’d say is highly unlikely) it’s just not going to sound as good. If you don’t know what a DAC is or does check this out: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digi...alog_converter
if you want crisp, full fidelity sound a good DAC is the key with digital audio sources.

 

Are there not apps that can be installed directly onto the Carplay unit? Then run the music directly off of the Carplay unit itself? Or am I missing something here? Also can you use one of the Dongle DAC's (like the Headphone jack interfaces) to aid in the quality?

 

That is what I’m doing. the first thing I did was install an app on the Grom to play FLAC files directly from USB (high quality losses files- that can sound as good or better than CD if you have a good DAC). Unfortunately, there is no software can take the place of a DAC.
The Grom’s output is already converted to analog so I do not see any way you be able to use a dongle DAC as those require a digital signal input.
I’ve tested various streaming services, playing mp3 and FLAC files from USB and radio.
To me, there is a noticeable difference with anything going through the Grom vs directly to the ML system (USB -iPod connection to phone or Bluetooth). I’ve compared the exact same song side-by-side. The audio isn’t horrible by any means- there isn’t static, interference, or anything anything like it. It simply isn’t as full. It just sounds compressed. I’ve had the same experience with home audio- having a different DAC with the same amplifier and speakers can yield very different auido quality/ listening experience.
Again, this is coming from an audiophile and this is my opinion. I understand that some people will simply NOT hear a difference. I just wanted to share my experience in case there are others out there who value audio fidelity above all else…
if you want CarPlay/ Android Auto (and all the other cool stuff that these things can do) I’m afraid there is a trade off in this regard and people will have to decide what is best for them.

 

@aloof I'm not much of an audiophile, but I'm sure you're right. I also have a short static noise upon first startup.

If I could do it all over again, I don't think I would have purchased Grom. I'm a month in and it's just been constant tinkering with the system. I fix one issue and another appears.

There is just too many issues for $659.

 

I researched both GROM and BeatSonic, and ended up going with BeatSonic. The reviews I read about amazing customer service were true. Completely amazing.

Very easy to use and CarPlay is actually supported with BS. For sound quality, I'm not an audiophile, but have a great ear from years of using high end equipment. It sounds pretty good to be honest. Someone that critiques SQ, looking for flat signals, etc., may think differently. But, for an average listener, you won't be able to tell.

 

I have a GROM VL2 and teh biggest issue with audio quality is if you install other apps, it can affect the android audio stack; I know this from experience , I have had my VL2 for several years, and have had to reset several times after a an app I installed killed stereo or made the audio come out from only the left channel. Audio quality wise, with the latest firmware, it is good, not nearly as good as using iPod mode with the ML system. Granted all these CarPlay units use the AUX input, and I am pretty sure they all come from China, so I bet they all use the same chips, and probably come from 1-3 factories ( I know they all use the rock chip RK3333 as a main processor) The is not to defend the VL2, but just to say I dont think your gonna heard that dramatic a difference between the GROM and Beatsonic if you were to A/B them. If someone knows of a CarPlay unit that does not use the AUX input, let me know

 

also to add, I think I have the same year GS (2015), as the car GROM used to test the VL2 with, and have some issues but the unit generally works good after all the FW updates. I know quite a few people with years other '15 , newer and older, or different cars, such as at the ISF, had have problems, varying from annoying to making the unit unusable.

 

Update: After a week of tweaking and tinkering I have been able to get much better audio quality out of the Grom now - I would say there is still a small difference, but nothing like it was before. Still not sure I'll be keeping this unit though. I've had screen glitches, audio glitches, and system hang ups. Its gotten stuck several times when reading my audio files off a USB drive and I've had to reset the unit a few times in just a week. Really nice to have Carplay, but do not think it's worth the extra headache..

 

What that car do you have? Sorry about the issues

 

Hey all, anybody here use YouTube Music as their primary source of audio through the Grom interface? I recently noticed that the sound quality using this specific application is very, very poor. I initially thought that I had a blown tweeter and blown sunwoofer, in an effort to troubleshoot I ended up doing a factory reset (ty bob256k for the recommendation). Afterward I installed two apps, Spotify and YouTube Music. Played the same song across the factory Bluetooth input, YouTube app and Spotify and it's very clear that the factory Bluetooth and Spotify sound much better. I have a 18 Fsport with Mark Levinson.

 

Do you have an iPhone? If so try using the YouTube Music app inside CarPlay and see if that’s any better.

Also, don’t forget the obvious, like making sure the quality is set to “Always High” in Settings for both cellular and WiFi.

 

Appreciate the response, definitely have the settings to always high which now makes me think the sound quality is possibly being impacted by low cell service, I use a verizon mifi for internet. Will do a couple of bandwidth tests to make sure that's not the issue. I have a Galaxy note 10, have not looked much into getting android auto set up so will do some digging and set that up to see if it makes a difference.