Functionally, they're basically the same, but if you're troubleshooting or asking questions about their functionality, then it definitely makes a difference.
Yeah I get it. My problem is that with Bluetooth my new set up sounds awesome (and loud). But when I plug in and use the android audio (through the carplay cord) the audio volume is being reduced by probably 20-30%. I may have found a possible way to fix this but was wondering if anyone else has experienced/fixed the same issue.
Have you tested different USB cords? If you're not already using it, you should try the one that came with your phone, or another high-end one, vs the cheapies off Amazon. Believe it or not (especially with USB-C) it can really make a difference, esp. for audio.
I have not tried a different cord. Probably the only cords I have are from amazon. When my wife had used that carplay head cord with her apple she noticed the sound was reduced as well. She has official lightning cords from apple. After messing with a few system volume settings last night her volume seemed to increase. So much so in fact that the audio got distorted at high volume which doesnt happen over BT wireless or head unit audio. So I will have to tinker with that and find a happy medium for increase vs clarity.
So after doing a bunch of digging around online and scheduling a call from engineering from Insane Audio I figured it out. The JL3001 head unit comes factory defaulted to amplifier off which means my remote wire which I tied into my preamp remote wasn't functioning. So when I was using BT audio the preamp would see the signal and turn the amps on. When I was using the head or android/carplay the remote wasn't kicking the amps on. I don't understand why the preamp didn't see the sound and turn the remote signal on at the same time....but turning amplifier on in canbus settings was the problem.
Honestly the Insane Audio JL3001 that I have uses a USB A and we just run a cable out from there. Wife's apple connects wireless to carplay and mine uses cord. Both sound great now so we didn't need the dongle. That was going to be my fix if I didn't get the sound fixed. That or a grenade.
