Hi guys

I have installed the VLine 2 on my 2018 GS350. Everything works great apart from the limitations you guys have pointed out. Comparing usb audio and GROM's audio (Be it via carplay or through GROM's homepage) the audio is not as crisp and the base is very heavy.

I have the ML sound system. Its kinda annoying as music gets more muffled especially on noisy roads

Does anyone have the same problem? Is this a software or hardware issue?

Thanks

 

No problems here. Audio is identical. The Grom is simply using the AUX settings. As described above, modify them to be the same as your other sounds settings as a first step.

 

Have you updated the VL firmware and GROM firmware?


If that does not work, try this : I had a similar issue with audio being muddy after updating the VL2. I factory reset it , including wiping the Google apps I had have installed. You can nuke it from the settings. Some Google app I had install messed with the VL2's internal audio settings or something , and CarPlay audio sounded muddy, plus one time audio only came out of the left side speakers. Unfortunately I have had to do that twice to the VL2 since I have owned it, I think some of the updates before the latest version and some Play store apps don't play well.

But the good thing is now I have no issues with CarPlay audio, and have not had to nuke the VL2 in months and have applied the last 3-4 updates without issue. The last two VL2 updates I applied actually made CarPlay audio much better, I thunk they updated the streaming codec their CarPlay App uses.

 

Thanks Husker and Bob

I have tried going through the factory UI via grom itself to match the audio settings on carplay to what it is on the native usb connection. That fixed the heavy bass issue, however it still isnt as crisp as the USB connection.

The iphone cable is the same cable I use to connect to the factory usb and also to the grom unit

The VL line and GROM firmware are up to date. I have also tried factory reset as you have suggest bob. (By going through settings and selecting factory reset). Still hasnt really matched to the clarity of the usb audio.

Am I missing something or havent tried another troubleshooting step?

Thanks!

 

Have you looked in the Carplay settings on the Grom? There are a few tweaks like audio volume.

 

Oh, i just realized you are comparing the USB audio input and the Carplay audio input. Yeahhh sorry nothing sounds as good or as LOUD as the USB input in the GS350. It's because the car is deconing and playing the audio file or iDevice input natively, your basically turning the car into a giant AAC/Mp3 player. using that input skips a couple of A/D - D/A conversions and probably a couple of other audio signal processing functions, i'm guessing also a limiter and possibly a compressor.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can change that will make the aux, or any other input in the car sound as good as the iPod/USB input in the GS350. I was a little disappointed as well when i put 2 and 2 together about the sound quality.

But to be fair, the GS350's USB/iPod input and sound system are unique, and only 2nd to the LS, and maybe the LX. I have driven the new ES, RX and NX, and literally none of those cars, even new sound as good as the GS's sound system when using the USB. And I used the same phone, and tried both the native Carplay integration , AND the USB input in the cars; there is literally no comparison to the GS.


I use carplay mainly when i'm going on a drive and need a "digital assistant", when im driving for fun it's ipod input for sure!!!

 

I have contacted GROM about the issue above and they recommend disconnecting the orignal 16 pin connector from the Y harness. ? because the factory aux port interferes with the VLine unit.

I think I hear some improvement but now I am not sure anymore. Maybe I am going crazy

Can anyone verify else this?

Thanks!

 

I think he is talking about more than CarPlay, because he said it is the same issue on the GROM interface also. That should be the same quality sound as the stock USB input, no?

 

No, the OEM usb input is pure digital, the GROM input uses the analog path of the AUX 1/8th input. The OEM usb either makes the car a audio file player, or woks with your iPhone to receive digital audio from your device.

 

This is great news! I tried it today and got disconnected always minutes after connection... After two hours trying I realized that to avoid the disconnection I had to keep disconnected the bluetooth between the iphone and the Lexus. But doing that I can no longer receive calls using the steering wheel buttons! With the bluetooth connection iPhone-car when a call is coming the screen changes to the car system and I can use the buttons. Are you able to keep the internet access with a bluetooth connection iPhone-car or you rely only in the CarPlay for calling / answering calls? Are you able to use the steering wheel buttons in that case?

 

yeah sorry :/ .. in this case what I would do is forgo wireless CarPlay and use wired CarPlay, connect the phone to the car's to bluetooth and then use your phone to hotspot to the VL2. I used to do this all the time and it was perfect to be honest, other than having to connect the iPhone using usb..


You could also try going to the bluetooth settings of the VLS, and disabling "media access" under the settings of the bluetooth profile of you phone on the VL2.

 

Yes, I already disabled "media access" on the VL2 bluetooth settings. Just shared internet option selected. So annoying the steering wheel phone buttons don't work in CarPlay!
I'll give it a try with the wired CarPlay tomorrow! Thanks.

 

Hi Bob. Could you please elaborate a bit more this nuke thing? Where is this factory reset option in the VL2? I'm now experiencing volume problems. Just in CarPlay, in VL2 volume is great, so it must be some software issue and I'm going to try to reset everything. Everything started this weekend while using Waze: the voice came in to indicate a speed control, it decreased the volume of the music, but it kept like that....!

 

Same thing with the wired CarPlay. If the bluetooth iPhone-Car is connected the access point for VL2 keeps disconnecting... I don't know why. They should be compatible

 

Having issues with when plug-in my Note 20 Ultra and Android Auto running. If I unlock the phone, volume is normal, loud and clear. If I lock phone, volume decreases significantly and lots of static. Any of you using Android Auto can confirm this? I will test with my OnePlus 7 Pro to see if I can reproduce issue. Don't remember having this issue previously. Must be a new bug.

Edit: can't replicate any issues with both my phones now. Weird. Latest AA update must have fixed the issue.