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Carplay integration with AUX or MOST?

It’s a question that’s come up for more than one customer, so we’ll answer it for you!

Audi, BMW and Porsche drivers can find two types of Apple Carplay Android Auto integrations on Carplay.lt Integration with MOST fibre-optic cable and integration with AUX. We'll look at the differences, advantages and disadvantages of each in this article.

Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration are optional extras that do not interact directly with the car’s original multimedia. Carplay simply takes over the system’s display and controls and connects wirelessly to a mobile phone. In order for Carplay integration to be able to transmit audio signals to the car’s audio system, they need to be physically connected via in-car connectors, but there is one limitation – the original multimedia cannot play audio from two sources at the same time, just like you can’t listen to an FM radio and a CD simultaneously.

Integration with AUX

The first way to connect Carplay and audio systems is via the AUX-IN connector or its alternatives: AUDI AMI, USB-AUX etc. With this type of Carplay integration, the driver has to change the audio channel on the original multimedia menu to AUX in order to hear the Carplay sounds. It is also possible to independently activate another audio source, such as FM radio or the original Bluetooth of the car, but in this case the sound coming from Carplay will not be audible (as it comes from the AUX). Another important factor when choosing an integration is the sound quality. AUX is a 1980s technology that transmits the audio signal over a copper wire, an analogue medium, so the sound quality is inferior to the more efficient methods of audio transmission such as fibre optic cable or digital bluetooth. Therefore, the use of Carplay with AUX connectivity may result in different sound quality in different cars, subjectively estimated at around 30% lower MAX sound level, with lighter low frequencies compared to CD playback.

Integration with MOST

Carplay integrations with MOST optical audio connector have better or no sound quality compared to CD playback, thereby exploiting 100% of the potential of the car’s audio system, as MOST Carplay integrations are connected to the car’s optical ring, which carries a high volume of information, and the original multimedia is identified as a CD changer or a set-top box. However, this set-up loses the possibility for the driver to independently connect to the desired audio source. The Carplay MOST set-top box is activated and the CD changer channel is automatically selected in the multimedia. Switching it to FM radio also deactivates the Carplay display.

In summary, the AUX connector reduces the potential of the audio system by ±30%, but allows the use of Carplay on the screen and the independent selection of the audio source (CD, FM, BT…). It will also allow you to use Carplay at the same time when listening to FM radio. We recommend it for drivers who cannot imagine driving without FM radio.
We recommend the Carplay integration with MOST connector for drivers who mainly listen to music via phone apps such as Spotify or Youtube, or those whose cars have premium sound systems (Harman, Bose, Logic, Bang&Olufsen, etc.). We also remind you that you can listen to your favourite radio stations via Tune-In or other online applications.

 

 In Carplay.lt store, Apple Carplay Android Auto integration category you can find both types of integration modules, the truth is that not all cars have the option of installing Carplay with a MOST connection.

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