Review - OEM Volk-L Bluetooth Radio with MP3/WMA and USB/Aux

[xphiledan]

This is an initial review of the new bluetooth head unit from Volkswagen, the Volk-L. First, a big thanks to Jeff and Patryk of DouglasVW for the quick turnaround and install so I can get this review out! They are great guys to work with and answered all of my questions quickly.

For all of these years, I've kept the audio system stock because I've never been a fan of how aftermarket setups functioned and looked. The only exception that I have kept in mind were the Pioneer AVIC D/F/X series, but I always reached the conclusion that in-dash nav units were too expensive and targets for thieves. In comparison to my portable Garmin unit, the navigation was too slow for my liking and are too easily outdated.

So, I wanted a stereo that looked OEM with modern features and simply works. The Volk-L delivers in all three categories. I have always thought that the stock Monsoon unit was a weak point in the car. It had poor sound quality, looked really bland with the brushed aluminum climatronic surround, and offered nothing beyond basic features. I was always envious of the RDS feature on my girlfriend's first car, a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am! For those unfamiliar with RDS, it displays radio station, song title, and artist information on the screen. The Volk-L scrolls through this information during radio playback.

Aesthetics/Ergonomics

In terms of aesthetics, the Volk-L is a sharp looking piece. The fit and finish is perfect in the Mk4 interior. The pictures just don't do it justice. The silver buttons and dials look perfect with our brushed aluminum trim, and the Climatronic bezel no longer looks out of place. The placement of the volume and tuning knob are perfect. They are located a bit lower than the stock location which gives it a perfect placement just above the shift knob. A further testament to its OEM-iness is its nighttime illumination. The blue and red illumination matches the instrumentation throughout the car (the blue is a tinge darker, but is just slightly off), and it dims perfectly with the dash and climatronic display using the rheostat.

Bluetooth

The bluetooth is the best feature of the Volk-L. The integrated microphones just to the side of the volume and tuning knobs allows you make calls to your cell phone via bluetooth. There's an accept call (green) and end call button (red). The accept call button acts has a secondary function for redialing the last number. There is no phone book transfer or history feature.

A neat feature about the Volk-L is that it supports Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP). What this means is that you can stream "high quality" stereo audio from another device that supports A2DP, a feature not commonly found in many cars. In my testing with my iPhone 3GS, the quality is ok/good. To be honest, it doesn't sound that bad. The quality falls somewhere between FM and CD. It is most noticeable with high frequency sounds like cymbal hits where it will sound distorted. I really only noticed it because I was looking for it and it was doing back to back testing between Bluetooth and CD mode.

The reason for the decrease in sound quality is because the iPhone transmits re-encodes the audio through subband codec (SBC). SBC is the most basic (and inferior quality) A2DP codec. MP3 and AAC are optional A2DP codecs, but I will need to do some further testing with my laptop to see if the Volk-L supports these codecs. For my usage, I'm happy with the sound quality. It could be better, but for my personal usage (listening to podcasts, classic rock, and streaming pandora) the A2DP degradation is not that noticeable.

Bluetooth pairing was very simple. Make sure bluetooth is turned on for your device, and simply hold down the call (green) button. The display will show the 4 digit code which you need to enter on your device once you select the Volk-L as a Bluetooth device. Bluetooth usage was excellent. Regardless of what source you're in, the moment I started playing a song on the iPhone, the Volk-L automatically switched to the Bluetooth source. One unfortunate side affect which I need to test further is when the Volk-L will temporarily mute when unlocking my iPhone when it is playing from a different source. This doesn't happen every time, but was something I noticed.

The Volk-L also supports the voice control feature on the iPhone 3GS. When the head unit is in any mode other than Bluetooth Audio, hold down the green "Call" button. This mimics the command of when you hold down the Home button on the 3GS. The iPhone will then prompt you for a voice command ie: "Call Home" or "Play songs by the Beatles" similar to Ford's SYNC system.

MP3/WMA

The other nice modern feature is the MP3/WMA capability. The Volk-L is capable of playing MP3/WMA files off of a data CD or USB flash drive. After inserting an MP3 data CD or flash drive, the headunit scans through the CD and allows you to play through the MP3's in alphabetical order (by filename). The right tuning dial lets you select from the list of files detected. There is no browse by artist or title. During playback, the LCD screen alternates between filename/song title/artist name every second or so. Hitting the INF button manually also toggles between the display. Unfortunately, the LCD screen is too small and too low in resolution. It's actually shorter and narrower than the climatronic screen with a lower resolution. This only gives it <10 or so characters to display the song information, so it takes a couple screen scrolls to display just the title or artist. It also makes it a bit difficult to browse and select a specific song.

The MP3 data disc was quickly read by the head unit, and no optical drive noise was noted. However, the time to read my 1.0GB flash drive was inconsistent during testing. Sometimes it read quickly, others times it would take too long. I need to do further testing as I suspect the poor performance is because the flash drive is several years old and well used. I will try a newer flash drive in addition to my 500GB portable hard drive. There was no sound quality difference when comparing playback by CD or by USB.

I tested MP3's encoded as 128kpbs Constant Bit Rate and 320kpbs Variable Bit Rate, and playback was fine. Unfortunately, no song duration information was displayed during playback. The headunit also allows you to repeat playback or play randomly, but not both using the RPT and RDM buttons. A nice feature I've discovered is that if you accidentally switch sources during a song, you automatically pick up where the song left when switching back to that source. One complaint I do have is that there are too many sources to switch between. There's FM1, FM2, AM1, AM2, CD, Bluetooth, and Aux (I forgot what the actual order was). I don't know about you, but I only store a few radio stations. I really have no need for all those memory banks for storage.

Aux/iPod

Now onto the bad news. The iPod will not work through the USB port. This is the biggest missing feature that holds this unit back from being nearly perfect. The only way to hook up an iPod (other than bluetooth) is through the auxillary port. Plugging in an iPod into the USB port will do nothing. It wasn't able to charge my iPhone, and I have not yet tested whether or not it can charge an iPod (my guess is no). Quality through the Aux port is excellent, but only if you use a dock to line-out adapter (www.sendstation.com). The sound quality through Aux is only a smidgen worse than through the CD. I knew about this prior to purchasing the Volk-L but it didn't bother me too much because I prefer to browse through the iPod menu itself than through whatever silly system VW would have thought up.

Conclusion

I hope I didn't write too much or lose you with gory details, but I wanted to give a detailed enough review for everyone since any information about the Volk-L was relatively scarce. Overall I'm pleased with the headunit. The total price $349.95 (head unit) + 25 (harness) + 18 (ant adapter) + tax + shipping is well justified. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Pros:
- OEM fit and uniformity
- Bluetooth connectivity
- MP3/WMA
- USB & Aux inputs
- simple interface
- supports Voice Control

Cons:
- no direct iPod connectivity
- small, low resolution display
- inability to browse MP3s by artist/album/song title
- lose cd changer/phatnoise/ipod cable connector

Here are some stock pictures. I will post up actual pictures and videos of my setup later.

Modified by xphiledan at 8:05 AM 11-23-2009

[mpython77]

This is awesome.

...wait, 5spd trans?

[xphiledan]

Quote, originally posted by mpython77 »

This is awesome. ...wait, 5spd trans?

it's a stock photograph, i'll post actual pics later this week.

[mpython77]

Quote, originally posted by xphiledan »

it's a stock photograph, i'll post actual pics later this week.

yeah, I glossed over that disclaimer right after I read it. Look forward to your pics.

[JC@DouglasVW]

Awesome write up. Glad we could get this unit in your car.

[j-dub]

How does the sound quality of a CD compare to the stock deck? I know that the poor quality sound from the stock deck is what drove me to install an aftermarket deck.

How is the sound quality while on a phone call using the bluetooth? Can the other party hear you clearly?

[AaronD]

nice review Dan I was considering this option too....where did you get the unit from?

[Steve@Douglasvw]

Thanks for the review Dan!

So now what happened when you hooked up the iPhone thru USB? I have no stored music files on my iPhone, but mine did say on the face looking for files, and then said no files found...

[JC@DouglasVW]

Quote, originally posted by AaronD »

nice review Dan I was considering this option too....where did you get the unit from?

He bought the unit and had it installed here at the dealer. We used him as a test victim to help answer questions that vw couldn't.

[nkgneto]

Quote, originally posted by xphiledan »

Cons: - no direct iPod connectivity - small, low resolution display - inability to browse MP3s by artist/album/song title - lose cd changer/phatnoise/ipod cable connector

I enjoy the heck out of my phatnoise and would of like to have this unit for the bluetooth. Would of been a great intergration. I guess I'll stick with my stock unit for now.

[duvinclunk]

Quote, originally posted by mpython77 »

yeah, I glossed over that disclaimer right after I read it. Look forward to your pics.

Thats what I was thinking. Doh!

[xphiledan]

Quote, originally posted by Patryk@DouglasVW »

Thanks for the review Dan! So now what happened when you hooked up the iPhone thru USB? I have no stored music files on my iPhone, but mine did say on the face looking for files, and then said no files found...

When I plugged the iPhone into the USB port, nothing happened. I will test it out again tomorrow with my second generation iPod Nano in regular mode and disk mode.

[xphiledan]

Quote, originally posted by j-dub »

How does the sound quality of a CD compare to the stock deck? I know that the poor quality sound from the stock deck is what drove me to install an aftermarket deck. How is the sound quality while on a phone call using the bluetooth? Can the other party hear you clearly?

I just got back from a 400 mile road trip for the day with the GF (go PSU!)... I did a few blind tests between the Bluetooth and MP3 CD with her, and she couldn't tell the difference. I had to crank up the volume and point out the distortion with higher pitched sounds. I also discovered that the volk-l will mute for half a second every time I unlocked the phone regardless of what source was playing. The workaround is by putting the iPhone in silent mode.

As for the sound quality of the deck itself, I was hesitant in making any statements about how it compares to the stock radio in the initial review, but my GF said that it sounded noticeably better. I believe it does too, but without having a stock unit to make back to back comparisons or having any technical specifications, I cannot provide a definitive answer. I've been meaning to take a trip out to Greg (GoMobileR32) to get a few things done, and if I do, i can get his expert opinion on the sound quality.

bluetooth phone quality was ok. i didn't get many complaints on how i sounded. but i do have the flapper mod, so everyone could hear the sweet VR6 roaring away. PM me for my phone number if you arrange a phone call to hear the BT quality first hand.

[Steve@Douglasvw]

Dan,

Also did you notice on the radio if you hit the music shaped button, (where u set bass, treb, and balance) and you hold that button another option will come up for radio on volume setting, bluetooth volume setting...

[xphiledan]

Quote, originally posted by Patryk@DouglasVW »

Dan, Also did you notice on the radio if you hit the music shaped button, (where u set bass, treb, and balance) and you hold that button another option will come up for radio on volume setting, bluetooth volume setting...

sweet! i didn't know that! i'll have to check that out.

[MatadoR32]

Very nice! I'm wondering though is there anything out there OEM that has these same features but also includes NAV?

[Steve@Douglasvw]

Quote, originally posted by MatadoR32 »

Very nice! I'm wondering though is there anything out there OEM that has these same features but also includes NAV?

Nothing right now. Would probably be too expensive, and you'd have to install an antenna too. Best option is get a portable nav unit. They are inexpensive. Also if you have the iPhone, you can buy an app from the app store and have NAV right on the iPhone. I have TomTom on my iPhone...

[abcdennis]

why no more monsoon? you mean the monsoon headunit? or amp?

[jwestpro]

try reading the thread. it's answered.

[JC@DouglasVW]

Quote, originally posted by abcdennis »

why no more monsoon? you mean the monsoon headunit? or amp?

It does work on monsoon radios, it only does not work on monsoon and onstar. Yes i know it is worded funny by VW.

[speedbump2]

Quote, originally posted by xphiledan »

...I've been meaning to take a trip out to Greg (GoMobileR32) to get a few things done, and if I do, i can get his expert opinion on the sound quality...

This is a very good idea. Greg has a good ear for sound quality.

--Chuck--

[President Lincoln]

[E Coded]

GREAT WRITE UP! I have one of these as well. One little quirk that I am trying to get used to is the gain level on bluetooth is much quieter than radio/cd/usb. So when the stereo has not had a chance to pair yet, the driver will get blasted by the other audio source.

As mentioned above, the quality of the bluetooth is lower. I wouldnt compare it to Radio/CD, but somewhere closer to Cassette Tape and Radio. Good enough for talk radio podcasts (ie Cartalk, Carcast, Motorweek), but probably not good enough for avid music listeners. Maybe apple will address this in a future firmware update.

[iThread]

Hmmm, that got me interested in this. Maybe I'll order one and do a DIY install topic. I imagine it can't be terribly difficult.

[xphiledan]

Quote, originally posted by E Coded »

GREAT WRITE UP! I have one of these as well. One little quirk that I am trying to get used to is the gain level on bluetooth is much quieter than radio/cd/usb. So when the stereo has not had a chance to pair yet, the driver will get blasted by the other audio source.

you can set the volume level of bluetooth by holding down the music note (instead of just clicking it to do bass/treble/fader)

Quote, originally posted by iThread »

Hmmm, that got me interested in this. Maybe I'll order one and do a DIY install topic. I imagine it can't be terribly difficult.

diy has already been done (scroll halfway down the page)
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4598513

[biofluke]

Did anyone else notice that his shift knob only has R,1,2,3,4,5 .... no 6th gear?

Or is your car a GTI or something?

One more question: how direct was the installation? Did you have to modify the harness at all, or was it pretty much a direct fit to the jack from the monsoon? (Sorry if this was covered already but I read through it pretty quickly)

[JC@DouglasVW]

Quote, originally posted by biofluke »

Did anyone else notice that his shift knob only has R,1,2,3,4,5 .... no 6th gear? Or is your car a GTI or something? One more question: how direct was the installation? Did you have to modify the harness at all, or was it pretty much a direct fit to the jack from the monsoon? (Sorry if this was covered already but I read through it pretty quickly)

That picture of the 5spd knob is just a generic pic from vw he has not yet takin any picture of his personal car.

here is a nice DIY, it only takes about 15-30 minutes to install
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4598530

[xphiledan]

i'm going to be at the coolwater fall cruise this sunday if anyone wants to check it out in person
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4564858

pm me for my cell or look for the short asian guy w/ the dbp r32 and dog

[graeme86]

Here is a pic of iPod connection.

Pic from VW Mexico site.


Modified by graeme86 at 1:43 PM 10-24-2009

[iThread]

The Nano has it's headphone jack on the bottom.

[xphiledan]

the pic from the mexico site shows a standard 3.5mm cable going from the headphone jack to the aux in port. it will work that way, but for best audio fidelity, you want to get a dock-connector adapter that gives you a clean line-out.

[Rosie007]

Is this radio easy swap from old radio, any mods involved?

[JC@DouglasVW]

its about a 15 minuted DIY for your R32, you have to tap 2 wires into the headlight switch from the new adapter wiring harness. Check out the DIY in this thread.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4598513

[vr6gtispeed]

I like it and would consider getting it but I like my Phatnoise.

[j_real]

Getting this installed on Friday, and also have iPhone 3GS. Can you initiate a call using this radio and the 3GS Voice Control feature?