Is it possible to stream satellite radio from my truck through BT speaker?

Arc.

New member
I'm not the most gadgety person and stumped if this is even possible. I have sat radio in my 2011 4Runner and I like it for when I go camping. What happens at the camp site is I roll down the windows and blast the music so that we can all hear it around the campfire. Not ideal.

I picked up a nice BT\audio jack wireless speaker this year and thought it I would also use it for camping. Is it even possible to stream my satellite radio through my BT wireless speaker (also can take an audio jack) using my existing subscription?

I like to 4x4 into the backcountry of colorado so there is no cell reception where I'm usually camping.

- I've called xm sat twice now and came away even more confused
- Called an online store specializing in satellite radio, said to use my aux input on the dash for my speaker (baffling knowing that wouldn't work)
- Online chatted with Crutchfield, very helpful, but weren't sure if I could do this on the same subscription (see bullet #1)
- I don't want to pay Spotify premium to get offline tunes, I do use their free service
- I have an mp3 player, but who uses those anymore :)

I just want to stream my satellite subscription on my BT\audio jack wireless speaker near the campfire, why does Sirus make this so hard to accomplish?
 
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I'm not the most gadgety person and stumped if this is even possible. I have sat radio in my 2011 4Runner and I like it for when I go camping. What happens at the camp site is I roll down the windows and blast the music so that we can all hear it around the campfire. Not ideal.

I picked up a nice BT\audio jack wireless speaker this year and thought it I would also use it for camping. Is it even possible to stream my satellite radio through my BT wireless speaker (also can take an audio jack) using my existing subscription?

I like to 4x4 into the backcountry of colorado so there is no cell reception where I'm usually camping.

- I've called xm sat twice now and came away even more confused
- Called an online store specializing in satellite radio, said to use my aux input on the dash for my speaker (baffling knowing that wouldn't work)
- Online chatted with Crutchfield, very helpful, but weren't sure if I could do this on the same subscription (see bullet #1)
- I don't want to pay Spotify premium to get offline tunes, I do use their free service
- I have an mp3 player, but who uses those anymore :)

I just want to stream my satellite subscription on my BT\audio jack wireless speaker near the campfire, why does Sirus make this so hard to accomplish?

If you have a rear audio out jack you could connect that to a wireless BT device then pair the speaker. I know its common in the larger Toyota trucks for kids headphones etc...I am guessing the Limited guys have it but my SR5 Premium does not.
 
If you have a rear audio out jack you could connect that to a wireless BT device then pair the speaker. I know its common in the larger Toyota trucks for kids headphones etc...I am guessing the Limited guys have it but my SR5 Premium does not.

Do you mean like a jack in the rear seats? Yeah, I don't have that.

I should of also mentioned that I have a factory non-nav unit too if that matters.
 
I'm not the most gadgety person and stumped if this is even possible. I have sat radio in my 2011 4Runner and I like it for when I go camping. What happens at the camp site is I roll down the windows and blast the music so that we can all hear it around the campfire. Not ideal.

I picked up a nice BT\audio jack wireless speaker this year and thought it I would also use it for camping. Is it even possible to stream my satellite radio through my BT wireless speaker (also can take an audio jack) using my existing subscription?

I like to 4x4 into the backcountry of colorado so there is no cell reception where I'm usually camping.

- I've called xm sat twice now and came away even more confused
- Called an online store specializing in satellite radio, said to use my aux input on the dash for my speaker (baffling knowing that wouldn't work)
- Online chatted with Crutchfield, very helpful, but weren't sure if I could do this on the same subscription (see bullet #1)
- I don't want to pay Spotify premium to get offline tunes, I do use their free service
- I have an mp3 player, but who uses those anymore :)

I just want to stream my satellite subscription on my BT\audio jack wireless speaker near the campfire, why does Sirus make this so hard to accomplish?

It has nothing to do with Sirius, Sirius is just one of a few sources that your head unit can play. What you need is a line output to a Bluetooth transmitter to transmit the audio from your head unit to your Bluetooth speaker. Since most stock head units do not have line output, you will need a line output converter to convert the audio from your speaker outputs to a low level signal (usually RCA), followed by a male RCA to 3.5mm female headphone jack, to which you would plug in a Bluetooth transmitter that your Bluetooth speaker would connect to. Since you would have to use a line output converter your speakers inside the truck would still be playing, although you can adjust to volume not to be heard outside the truck.
 
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It has nothing to do with Sirius, Sirius is just one of a few sources that your head unit can play. What you need is a line output to a Bluetooth transmitter to transmit the audio from your head unit to your Bluetooth speaker. Since most stock head units do not have line output, you will need a line output converter to convert the audio from your speaker outputs to a low level signal (usually RCA), followed by a male RCA to 3.5mm female headphone jack, to which you would plug in a Bluetooth transmitter that your Bluetooth speaker would connect to. Since you would have to use a line output converter your speakers inside the truck would still be playing, although you can adjust to volume not to be heard outside the truck.

Holy hell, how would anyone know all that lol I thought I had everything figured out when I used BT for the first time lol :) Sounds like a pain to get this option up and running, or maybe not, but at least it gives me another lead I need to research. Even if it played on the in cabin speakers I don't really care as long as it played on the BT speaker.
 
If that does not make any sense to anyone, think of it this way. Your phone or any other Bluetooth transmitter TALKS and your head unit can only LISTEN. Your Bluetooth speaker can only LISTEN as well, it is like sticking two mutes in a room and expecting a conversation ;). So you need a converter and a transmitter to allow your head unit to TALK to the LISTENING Bluetooth speaker.
 
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Is it possible yes, but not with the stock sirius or XM head unit's. You will need the after market one you have to install. My buddy has this set up in his truck, boat and his personal speaker unit but it all because he can remove the unit and plug it in to the other devices. It's costly and in my opinion redundant to have two subscriptions for this function, but yes it can be done.
 
If that does not make any sense to anyone, think of it this way. Your phone or any other Bluetooth transmitter TALKS and your head unit can only LISTEN. Your Bluetooth speaker can only LISTEN as well, it is like sticking two mutes in a room and expecting a conversation ;). So you need a converter and a transmitter to allow your head unit to TALK to the LISTENING Bluetooth speaker.

Thanks again Vegas, very helpful!

Is it possible yes, but not with the stock sirius or XM head unit's. You will need the after market one you have to install. My buddy has this set up in his truck, boat and his personal speaker unit but it all because he can remove the unit and plug it in to the other devices. It's costly and in my opinion redundant to have two subscriptions for this function, but yes it can be done.

Hey Wake, I can get one of the dock and plays and use my subscription on that, but I don't want to have another floating device in my truck for something I would only use a handful of times a year. Sirus did say I can use my same subscription but have to pay a transfer fee if I want to switch back and forth between the dock and play and my truck. I'm willing to buy one of their head units just for my scenario, but the complications that come with dealing with the subscription is idiotic.
 
Or, rather than trying to stream the music from the 4 runner via bluetooth into (yet) another speaker that's maybe 20 feet away from the 4 runner, why not just install a quick 1/8" stereo plug on the rear hatch, put a DPDT switch in there with it, tap into the rear speakers in the hatch and get yourself some 6x9 speakers in some small boxes! You can run them like extension speakers from the vehicle, since the vehicle's stereo will still have to be on no matter which way you go (ext. speakers or bluetooth). Might as well use the power from the deck and have a nice, loud system for camping with!

Had this setup for my old isuzu rodeo when I worked in remote places with no music or power around, threw two 6x9 carpeted box speakers (think they were cheapo 20 dollar boxes from the swap meet) and had two wires hanging down from the ceiling of the rodeo! Plug in, turn stereo up and fill the area with music!
 
Or, rather than trying to stream the music from the 4 runner via bluetooth into (yet) another speaker that's maybe 20 feet away from the 4 runner, why not just install a quick 1/8" stereo plug on the rear hatch, put a DPDT switch in there with it, tap into the rear speakers in the hatch and get yourself some 6x9 speakers in some small boxes! You can run them like extension speakers from the vehicle, since the vehicle's stereo will still have to be on no matter which way you go (ext. speakers or bluetooth). Might as well use the power from the deck and have a nice, loud system for camping with!

Had this setup for my old isuzu rodeo when I worked in remote places with no music or power around, threw two 6x9 carpeted box speakers (think they were cheapo 20 dollar boxes from the swap meet) and had two wires hanging down from the ceiling of the rodeo! Plug in, turn stereo up and fill the area with music!

You may be able to do this, but I think the stock speakers are 2ohm (many older cars used 8ohm speakers even though most head unit amps could go down to 4ohms). You would not want to go any lower than 2ohms as it would be bad for the amp in the head unit (it may not even turn on below 2ohms) so that rules out a parallel configuration. Setting this up in series could be done, but it would be a pain wiring it up.
 
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You could also look into adding the online streaming of Sirius to your plan and then stream from your phone through the Bluetooth speaker.

You may already have online streaming, depending on your plan. I think it is about $4/month to add it. You may be able to add/remove that from your plan without the fee you get charged to change your subscription to a portable radio.
 
You may be able to do this, but I think the stock speakers are 2ohm (many older cars used 8ohm speakers even though most head unit amps could go down to 4ohms). You would not want to go any lower than 2ohms as it would be bad for the amp in the head unit (it may not even turn on below 2ohms) so that rules out a parallel configuration. Setting this up in series could be done, but it would be a pain wiring it up.

That's why I said use a Double pole, double-throw switch. That would disconnect the rear speakers in the tailgate when you run the external speakers.

And most car audio speakers have been 4 ohm since the late 70's. If I'm not mistaken, the system uses 4 ohm speakers throughout, but the party mode allows the system to run the 4 rear speakers down to 2 ohms when party mode is on. By using the DPDT switch, you'd still be at 2ohms.

:thumb3:
 
Maybe forget the vehicle connectivity all together and go with something like this ?

http://www.amazon.com/Delphi-SA1022...7146&sr=8-1&keywords=satellite+portable+radio

Great suggestion, this device like any of the dock and plays require a new subscription. I could abandon using my sat in my truck and switch to using one of these. Or I can transfer my service back and forth between the two if I want to keep using my truck radio, but they charge a transfer fee :doh:
 
You could also look into adding the online streaming of Sirius to your plan and then stream from your phone through the Bluetooth speaker.

You may already have online streaming, depending on your plan. I think it is about $4/month to add it. You may be able to add/remove that from your plan without the fee you get charged to change your subscription to a portable radio.

Assuming this requires cell reception which I don't have where I'm usually camping. I'll check into this option too.
 
Thanks again Vegas, very helpful!



Hey Wake, I can get one of the dock and plays and use my subscription on that, but I don't want to have another floating device in my truck for something I would only use a handful of times a year. Sirus did say I can use my same subscription but have to pay a transfer fee if I want to switch back and forth between the dock and play and my truck. I'm willing to buy one of their head units just for my scenario, but the complications that come with dealing with the subscription is idiotic.

Yes, that is correct and YES it is idiotic. The FCC regulates that no two devices can run the same service at the same time. This is the same for Direct TV as well, I have the same issue with my house and my camper. You would have to call them every time to move it from one to another and pray that it works seamlessly each time. :peep:
 

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