Anybody use Spotify?


V

V1rowT8

Active member
You guys probably have never heard about this, but I'm a musician. That said, the tunes on the boat are high on the list for me. In saying this, I recently was turned on to the music service "Spotify", and I absolutely LOVE it. I figure that it, and services like it, will make the CD akin to 8-track tapes before too terribly long.

What does this have to do with boating, you say? For anyone out there with Spotify, have you ever tried plugging your Iphone or Ipad into the Apple jack on your Formula's Kenwood radio head? I've only tried it with my Ipod Nano, but I wonder if that jack would allow the Kenwood to control other Apple devices and allow for the control of multiple music apps...in particular "Spotify" .

Comments, experiences??

TIA
 
V1,
I use all my Apple devices on the boat. When i upgraded my stereo, I installed a Kenwood KCA ip500 Ipod adapter near the radio, and ran a wire from it to the dash area. I installed a 3.5mm jack made by Jensen. I have my devices available at the helm. I also ran a wire to the cup holder inside the clothes closet, and plug ipod in there for charging.
Never heard of Spotify, but going to look into it. Thanks for the tip.
Do you subscribe or go with the free version?
 
Gsent,

The service has a free 30 day trial for the premium version. After that, I think I remember it being 7 or 8 dollars a month. You basically are leasing the music, anything you want to hear, with no adds, and no unrequested songs in-between your choices. Once an account is established, it is accessible on any computer/tablet. You don't need internet access to play your playlists either, so you can carry your music selections anywhere. You just can't save the music to your hard drive, or burn CD's. With where the technology is going though, it's a moot point.

I'm particularly interested if the Kenwood unit will control the Spotify app if an Iphone or IPad is plugged into the boat's stereo. If so, I'm in business. I've never had anything plugged into the boat's system but my Ipod Nano. Anybody out there tried this?

(BTW Gsent, the interface utilizing an iPad is much more user friendly.....and capable, than on a PC. Both work, but the Aple app is much more intuitive.)
 
I didn't get as complicated as GSENT, but I did replace the Factory Kenwood CD changer with an ipod connector. I have an extensive list on the itunes and don't use other services, but there have been a few occasions where guests have connected their iPhones and streamed songs from services. I didn't ask what service they were using, but both times they weren't down there long before the music was playing.
--
One issue we have is the ipod connector does not charge devices. Both the old school brick and nano will take days to drain, the touch just lasts a few hours. I keep a few 12V chargers so one can play while the other charges.
 
Hey Gerry, the guys just haven't spent enough time in your company. It didn't take long when I was behind the wheel and you were captive in the passenger seat for you to comment with "qualifications" about what I had playing! Since we had over 2 more hours before getting to the airport it was good we found common ground immediately. While I am not an audiophile my Kenwood upgrade handles my iPad an any music it plays. All the best in your musical search....
 
APORTO said:
I didn't get as complicated as GSENT, but I did replace the Factory Kenwood CD changer with an ipod connector. I have an extensive list on the itunes and don't use other services, but there have been a few occasions where guests have connected their iPhones and streamed songs from services. I didn't ask what service they were using, but both times they weren't down there long before the music was playing.
--
One issue we have is the ipod connector does not charge devices. Both the old school brick and nano will take days to drain, the touch just lasts a few hours. I keep a few 12V chargers so one can play while the other charges.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight Aporto. I hear ya on the connection not facilitating a charge while in use. I seems I often time it wrong, and when I want to connect my Nano, it is almost out of charge. By the time I charge it, the opportunity has passed.
 
PT G said:
Hey Gerry, the guys just haven't spent enough time in your company. It didn't take long when I was behind the wheel and you were captive in the passenger seat for you to comment with "qualifications" about what I had playing! Since we had over 2 more hours before getting to the airport it was good we found common ground immediately. While I am not an audiophile my Kenwood upgrade handles my iPad an any music it plays. All the best in your musical search....
Click to expand...

Hey George.

Not sure if my factory optional "upgraded" sound system is the same as what you did with yours, but it is nice to have the Ipod cable interface, isn't it? And yes, I do remember that drive....and the music! We'll have to do it again some day!
 
Hi guys, here is what I use ALL the time if you have blue tooth..

http://www.amazon.com/Miccus-Mini-jack-Transmitter-Headphones-Receivers/dp/B002HHLOWC
Sorry, use the link below above is wrong.....

http://www.amazon.com/Miccus-Mini-j...MA11U/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y/178-5368713-3905355

Just plug into the head unit or the jack at the helm and you can control volume and what ever you want to listen too as long as the music is on your i device and it has blue tooth. Has a range of about 25 feet.

Wireless... Someone wants to change the music, Hand them your device or let them sync to the Bluetooth with their phone or iPod.

Very very clean sound!
 
C,

You have a jack at the helm for this.....and at the head unit? I imagine our setups are alike, but I've never noticed these! If I indeed have these jacks as you do, it opens some other doors for what I want to accomplish. Thanks for the tip!

V1
 
Yep, I've seen that, but never paid it any mind. I assume it connects to the aux input on the radio head, right?

Thanks C.
 
Has anyone installed a head end unit with built-in Bluetooth or Apple Air Play capabilities?

Personally, I'd like to get rid of the wires to connect my Ipad if at all possible. Would be nice to keep iPad up in cockpit to control music throughout the boat but not sure how well this technology works yet. I use Pandora all the time at home and want this on my boat.

Spotify is something I'll have to check out as well.
 
Committed said:
Has anyone installed a head end unit with built-in Bluetooth or Apple Air Play capabilities?

Personally, I'd like to get rid of the wires to connect my Ipad if at all possible. Would be nice to keep iPad up in cockpit to control music throughout the boat but not sure how well this technology works yet. I use Pandora all the time at home and want this on my boat.

Spotify is something I'll have to check out as well.
Click to expand...

Committed,

I probably will not change my head unit unless/until it malfunctions. System wifi would be nice though.

As for Spotify, since you have an Ipad, I would suggest the Spotify app on that device as opposed to on a PC. Both work, but as mentioned before, the Ipad version is more intuitive, and it is "Airplay" compatible. I use it all the time at home with Apple TV.
 
Committed said:
Has anyone installed a head end unit with built-in Bluetooth or Apple Air Play capabilities?

Personally, I'd like to get rid of the wires to connect my Ipad if at all possible. Would be nice to keep iPad up in cockpit to control music throughout the boat but not sure how well this technology works yet. I use Pandora all the time at home and want this on my boat.

Spotify is something I'll have to check out as well.
Click to expand...

All you need is the Bluetooth receiver I mention above if you have an aux input.
 
I know... However I don't believe my "upgraded" stereo system has an aux input and I was planning to replace anyways this spring.

I'll do some digging as there are clearly many options out there for bluetooth and as long as I'm replacing I may as well go with a unit that has this built into the system.

At any rate, using bluetooth (or airplay if an option) seems much easier to me than running an aux port up near the helm - that is if it works as I expect.
 
I went the easiest route and purchased the Kenwood IP-500 ipod interface:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KCA-i...8-2&keywords=Kenwood+KCA-iP500+iPod+Interface
$69. In minutes I removed the CD changer and plugged the interface into the original head unit input previously used by the changer. The factory cockpit remote now operates the ipod when set to CH Changer. Song advance/repeat is the same as operating a CD, and CD up or down now changes playlists. There is some difficulty knowing what playlist you are listening to. If you were to stream songs, you would most likely have to go down below to adjust.
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Main point is if you have a CD changer installed, you can use that input and once you connect an ipod, there is no reason to ever need a CD changer again.
 
ABORTO,
If you run a set of RCA jacks out of your adapter up to the dash area, you can have your ipod or iphone right there beside you.
 
Gary,
The pros to my solution is the cheap price, ease of installation, and quality sound. I used the existing hole where the CD changer's wire ran to the headunit. The cons are when the ipod is plugged into the interface unit, the ipod's screen reads KENWOOD and nothing else. The display on the headunit will show the playlists in a scrolling fashion. Since the controls on the ipod no longer funtion, it really doesn't matter where it is located. The operations from the head unit are not even close in functionality to the native ipod controls. I am limited to playlists, and have to advance to next playlist, wait for it to load, then go to the next playlist.
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I bet if I upgraded the head unit, it would have better ipod connectivity and I would be able to use the ipod controls to select music and not the head unit. If that was the case, moving the ipod to the cockpit would be a huge benefit.
 
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