JBL owners with aftermarket headunit via idatalink maestro

i want to swap my JBL headunit because it is such crap. Issue is I have the JBL system with the factory amp. When I go to Crutchfield it shows if I use the idatalink maestro it works in conjunction with my factory amp. Can someone that has actually used this setup chime in and let me know if it sounds better than before?

 

I'm curious about this as well. I just tried it myself and couldn't get it to work

 

I am running the idatalink maestro in my 2014 PLatinum with a Pioneer 8201NEX. Its a plug and play unit man makes everything so much easier. Get the harness they recommend too . This was my first time installing a radio. Instructions that come with the maestro is simple to follow just match the colored wires up. I think if I remember before you buy the maestro it will as you what aftermarket unit you will be running so they can send you the right stuff. One thing i was looking for was an after market radio compatible with my factory backup camera and this unit will allow you to use all of your factory stuff. You go online and program the maestro to your vehicle and setup of your steering wheel buttons to control what you want to the radio. Really cool feature and you can go back and change it anytime. I would recommend this to anyone going aftermarket. I would like to add after installing the radio, the JBL speakers sounds much better after you play with the EQ on your aftermarket radio a bit.

 

Thanks! a few questions since you did the install:

1. Is everything Plug and Play or did you have to splice anything?
2. Where you able to use the factory mic? If not where did you mount the mic?
3. Are all the harnesses just installed behind the radio or do you have to run a new hardness to the amp?
4. Where you able to retain the factory USB to plug in your phone etc?

 

BlueBottle do you have unlimited data and tethering from your phone? If you do i suggest a phoenix tesla head unit.

 

thanks but i dont care for the android tesla headunit.

 

Ok, they sound much bettor then the stock head unit.

 

2. You will have to use the mic that comes with your unit. Mine is mounted where the factory was.
4. You need an extra cable but yes you can keep your USB port.

 

1. There is no splicing involved. Your factory connectors will connect into the harness with the maestro.
2. The mic was the only thing that didnt work so you would have to use the mic that comes with your unit which is probably better then the oem one. I ran mine up to the top where the rearview mirror area is.
3. All harness will be behind radio only.
4. I bought this usb/phone jack that replaced the oem usb and plugged the aftermarket radios usb to that. Look this up on Amazon.
Metra AX-USB-35EXT 3.5mm iPod to USB Extension Cable - 27-Inch - Black

 

Thank you so much! Will be doing this in the future.

 

Thanks. How did you mount it in there? Pretty easy?

 

I'm still troubleshooting mine - I get no sound but everything else (usb, backup cam, etc.) looks to be working. I suspect I may need to redo the connection on the remote wire to turn on the factory amp.

 

I had mine installed.

 

Response from steering wheel to radio is quick like OEM. You will not regret it. Ive had a few friends with the andriod telsa unit and its nice but sound is not great. Aftermarket you have more options with EQ to enhance sound quality much better. I kept my oem JBL compnents and removed oem sub and replaced with jl stealthbox and a jl hd750 amp. Sounds great.

 

I ran this unit. You can check out pictures in my build thread but I had the place put it right next to my visor.

 

Never mind, got mine working. My dumbass was using the wrong plugs. Except I still need my antenna adapter to get here!

So far I'd say it sounds a lot better on the stock JBL. I'm using a 4200NEX so I lost the center cluster compass/GPS but overall it's great.

 

Does the head unit you have support all the vehicle information as well? I was looking into the marstro and saw it has that capability if the head unit support it.

 

I have the OBD2 plug in there and it has various gauges and code reader.

 

mine (Kenwood) allows to change the stuff that you had to change on the factory head unit too. light on time. Door locks. Stuff like that

 

The pioneer has guages that read temps and stuff. Shows your tire pressures too but no custom stuff like door locks and lights.

 

Oh, turns out my Pioneer does have the doors and lights...buried in the menus under vehicle settings

 

Mine was hard to find also

 

I initially wanted to upgrade my system but keep my HU. Now that it's almost done, I'm wondering if I should just replace that too. I've gotten rid of everything except the HU, and rear door and center dash speakers. I'm thinking the Kenwood DDX9904s will allow me to keep everything and still retain all stock options. Has anyone with a 2nd Gen Platinum installed one?

 

there are a bunch of ppl here that have installed the 9904s. and a bunch who did the dnx994s, i think @Beerdude77 just did his.
i would not keep the factory unit. by replacing it you are gaining everything and losing nothing. with the idatalink kits you are keeping all the factory features and gaining some extra features too.

 

I like the thought of not losing anything, but what would I gain. I've been told tire pressure readings can be seen. Anything else. I already have the RF DSR1 installed so I don't think I need the idatalink maestro.

 

for one you'll get android auto / apple carplay, waze on your HU ect... plus better audio
and some extra features too
i think the only drawback really is the dash kit, which fits ok, but just isnt factory...

 

It does look awesome, I would miss a physical volume knob though, but I'm sure I could suffer thru it.


I'll talk to my installer about it. Just what I needed, another mod.

 

metra dash kit
note the bottom contour, hard to miss here.
can someone make a perfect fitting dash kit, why do all these things need to be junk?

 

This is the exact reason why i'm keeping the stock HU.

 

losing the big volume knob is a pain, but you can use your SWC just as quickly, it reacts instantly.