MP3's on the Alpine
 

Hey guys,

After investing a chunk of money into the suede headliner, I'd like to hold off just a little for the ACM.

Can the Alpine system (07) play a burned MP3 cd? Meaning a CD that's loaded with 60+ songs? I tried a basic data burn with about 60 songs (600mb) and loaded it.. It said there was an error. The explanation said it needs a wma or MP3 file.

Or does it have to be a homemade standard cd-r burn.. (12 or so songs... Like my '94 Taurus SHO would play lol).

Thanks for any help. I've read through the forums and found some conflicting info.


Thanks!
Joe

I would like to know the same for the Bowers Wilkins system. I suppose I COULD walk out and try it....

My '07 (with premium sound system) is able to play mp3 files. I just used a CD-R and created a directory structure with each album in its own directory. The touch screen then lists the directories which can be selected to show the tracks in the directories.

I do find the head unit incredibly slow to build the directory structure first though before it can display it.

u102768 - That's great news! Huge help. Anything special you did? What program did you use? I used Window media player and it didn't work (I didn't do the directory setup though).


I would imagine it would be slow as the screen is a weak point of the car :(. I am just going to try to make a directory and throw everything in it.


Cee Jay - I'm sure the B&W is good to go. If our old school unit can do it, I bet you're all set.

I've had no issues with MP3 burned discs but primarily use the ACM and Apple Music.

By the way for those of you with B&W it is still the same head unit and electronics, the only difference is the drivers are made by B&W. In fact the price difference between the Alpine drivers and B&W drivers is negligible and plug and play swap, for those who want to upgrade.

B&W drivers are superior . Alpine doesn't even make high fidelity speakers nor drivers.

Mp3 is truly garbage. It should be the last resort. There is a ton of information omitted from it to make more fit on less.

Absolutely agree on MP3s and so is Bluetooth which is why I only plug my iPhone directly to the ACM.

For reference, the B&W door & rear quarter speakers are only around $100 each, the dash speaker & tweeters $60 each.

The Alpine DD drivers have been highly praised in their day for what they are and while I like the B&W 802 series and Nautilus (but not enough to own them - my preference and personal system from the UK is monitor audio Platinum series), there are car speakers that are far superior, such as Focal. It is really only marketing hype on Jaguar's part, what can you expect from a $600 B&W speaker system v. $6000 for the Focal Utopia?

Some great info here guys! I didn't know the speaker swap was so inexpensive.. Is the subwoofer the same?

Also I know MP3 sound isn't great, but it's got to be better than the FM modulator ��.

I may do the full ACM install next month, but I keep hearing conflicting reports on what works and what doesn't. I know the head unit needs to be programmed at dealer. In addition to that this is the kit I was going to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/161934574900

I will use my iPhone exclusively to stream music. Do I need a bunch of weird lighting adapters? Or do I just use a 3.5mm cord.

Thanks for all the help!

Subwoofer is the same. The ACM kit is available from the Jag dealer for $300. My iPhone 6s works flawlessly. I am using the genuine Apple Lightning adapter so I get full integration with the Jaguar system.

By the way installation was very easy and took about 30 minutes but you do need SDD to add it to the car. If you need help if be happy to help.

Great! I'll go see the dealer in a couple of weeks. I should expect 1hr labor too for install and programming.. right?

I just want to make sure I hold my ground and not get overcharged. They always act like everything is "a huge deal".

I came across a new Bluetooth reciever, the Kinivio BTC450, which claimed to stream CD quality via aptX technology. Having bought several different BT streamers in the hopes of locating one that did not degrade the music quality I decided to give this one a try. All the others had been disappointing, the compression would kill the fidelity so I would always use the hardwire.

I have been very pleased with the results, I can't tell the difference between direct wired and streaming for my Samsung S5 in my company car.

Same goes with the Tune2Air WMA1000 that we use for my Wife's Iphone in the Jag.

It's takes about 20 minutes to boot up SDD, login to the car, scan for the ACM and activate it. But they will probably charge you a 1 hour minimum. If you go to Crown Jaguar in St Pete it should be around $110, they can also sell you the kit and get it next day if the order is placed before noon.

Who's your dealer?

Good info. I normally go to Jaguar of Tampa. They had a crazy crazy mark up on a few basic parts I ordered.

I appreciate the help!

Btw- I got the MP3 CD working. Lots of songs.. Decent quality. I was using iTunes and had to convert from MP4a to MP3. Car only reads MP3's and Wav on a burnt disc.

Sorry, I can't recommend that dealer. Worth the trip over to St Pete for Crown or Jaguar Orlando.

After 3.5 years, 2 Windows version upgrades and one PC replacement I am struggling to remember but I think I used a Roxio product to do it.

I have a feeling that I have used the tools built in to Windows to do it as well though more recently.

I will be interested to hear how you get on if you do buy an ACM because I found that it reduced the FM reception and made my favourite radio station crackly. It was already a low powered broadcast but the ACM seemed to tip it over the edge so I have removed the ACM for now.

Hey guys. MP3's are working fine in the XK, but I am ready to do the audio upgrade.


I will go see the dealer about the ACM and have that installed.


In addition, I'd like to upgrade the speakers to the B&W. I looked online at OEM jag parts and the cost is more than I thought. Does anyone know if any other models share the B&W speakers?


I know I need the Front L&R door woofers, and the Rear L&R speakers. I cant seem to find the B&W tweeter part numbers. Does anyone have the speaker part numbers? I also "think" I found the B&W surround grills for the front doors. Anything else I need? Plug and play correct? I am not disappointed in the Alpine sound, but I am assuming this is worth the upgrade cost?


Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe

C2P10197 TWEETER, RIGHT W/PREMIUM SOUND, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P10198 TWEETER, LEFT W/PREMIUM SOUND, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P24545 DOOR SPEAKER, RIGHT W/PREMIUM SOUND, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P24545 DOOR SPEAKER, LEFT W/PREMIUM SOUND, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P24545 QTR PNL SPEAKER, RIGHT W/PREMIUM SOUND TO VIN B50090, WBOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P24545 QTR PNL SPEAKER, RIGHT W/PREMIUM SOUND TO VIN B50090, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND

C2P10199 INST PNL SPEAKER W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND, W/BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND


Go to Crown Jaguar and speak with Mike in Jag parts for pricing (ACM & speakers) and Karen for ACM install or if you need a hand arranging it, let me know and I would be happy to help.

Awesome info! Thanks! Do the B&W Grill covers just snap into the front doors to replace the Alpine covers?


I'll go see Crown next week!

Joe

Yes the grills can be removed from the panels but I did not notice part numbers for them. I know they are included when you order new panels so not certain if they are available separately or not. For the tweeters, if you want the chrome ring version, you need the whole cover assembly for around $80 each.

I think Id loke to find a brushed metal grill as opposed to the plastic ones. Has anyone done this?