Why does music from Aux cable sound so bad?

Mr.Smithers · 01-07-2013, 11:43 AM

I hooked up my iphone 5 to the auxillary port and the music sounds so bland. When I play the same song from a CD, it sounds a lot crisper. Any reason to why this is?

cuiter23 · 01-07-2013, 11:49 AM

I have good sound coming from my AUX. It really depends on your MP3 files, if they are lossless quality, 320kpbs, 128kpbs, etc etc. All my music is above 320kbps at least so I never experience any problems with my AUX and my Logic7. Some songs sound fantastic!

Also, it might also be your AUX cable. If you buy a cheap one for a few bucks the sound quality will definitely lack, not as noticeable as your MP3 file quality but still nevertheless present. Get yourself a decent AUX cable and start looking for 320kbps or higher MP3 files.

CombatNinja · 01-07-2013, 11:50 AM

Make sure that your device has no EQ active.

Turb0Surge · 01-07-2013, 11:51 AM

Mine sounds great.

Bimmer07 · 01-07-2013, 11:56 AM

Do not put the volume all the way up on your phone and youll be fine

Had the same problem.

e92ben · 01-07-2013, 11:57 AM

It's also the quality of your aux cords. Get a little nicer ones and you'll notice the difference

tofu- · 01-07-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92ben

It's also the quality of your aux cords. Get a little nicer ones and you'll notice the difference

it would have to be an extremely shitty cord. even radioshack junk would suffice for a 1 meter run.

but anyway, iphone/ipod line outs generally aren't exactly known for their amazing fidelity. not sure about the iphone 5.

you're better off using USB streaming (assuming you have a newer idrive) and letting the car do the D/A conversion

Mr.Smithers · 01-07-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer07

Do not put the volume all the way up on your phone and youll be fine

Had the same problem.

Hey, I'm using a monster cable from my beats by Dre. The sound is okay, its not crappy or anything but I just feel using a CD gives a lot more of crisper sound. Have you guys tried listening to a song on a CD compared to aux and turned the volume all the way up. You can def. hear the difference.

Popsrcr · 01-07-2013, 12:31 PM

I find that Aux usually sounds better than bluetooth, but BT is sure more convienent. As I'm hosed and have no USB or anything, I have to start the ipod manually. A bit of a pain, but it does sound ok.

Mr.Smithers · 01-07-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popsrcr

I find that Aux usually sounds better than bluetooth, but BT is sure more convienent. As I'm hosed and have no USB or anything, I have to start the ipod manually. A bit of a pain, but it does sound ok.

Bluetooth I can understand having worse quality because its a wireless connection. What i don't get is why CD quality > Aux quality. It should def be the other way around especially because CD players in cars have been around since the 90s.

John 070 · 01-07-2013, 12:38 PM

it's the proverbial garbage in, garbage out.....for example, you should be going from the 30 pin connector of a iPod, not the headphone jack, so that your input is line level. It's a shame that we didn't get USB ports back in 2007....

StevenY. · 01-07-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmember343

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popsrcr

I find that Aux usually sounds better than bluetooth, but BT is sure more convienent. As I'm hosed and have no USB or anything, I have to start the ipod manually. A bit of a pain, but it does sound ok.

Bluetooth I can understand having worse quality because its a wireless connection. What i don't get is why CD quality > Aux quality. It should def be the other way around especially because CD players in cars have been around since the 90s.

Well, a CD would sound better than aux in most cases because a CD's recording is in lossless quality (true quality the song was recorded in), most people have crappy music files that are less than 320kbps so unless your audio files are lossless quality, the CD will sound better.

Popsrcr · 01-07-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Well, a CD would sound better than aux in most cases because a CD's recording is in lossless quality (true quality the song was recorded in), most people have crappy music files that are less than 320kbps so unless your audio files are lossless quality, the CD will sound better.

Yup. And coming out of the headphone jack isn't so good, but such is life.

StevenY. · 01-07-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popsrcr

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Well, a CD would sound better than aux in most cases because a CD's recording is in lossless quality (true quality the song was recorded in), most people have crappy music files that are less than 320kbps so unless your audio files are lossless quality, the CD will sound better.

Yup. And coming out of the headphone jack isn't so good, but such is life.

Yeah, that is true too. So if you guys really want better audio from your iPhone/iPod, consider an LOD. It's a cable with a 30 pin connector and 3.5mm. It bypasses the amp in the iPhone/iPod and plays the music through the DAC, and that gives you a better signal. But if you don't have at least 320kbps or lossless files, don't bother.

Mr.Smithers · 01-07-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Yeah, that is true too. So if you guys really want better audio from your iPhone/iPod, consider an LOD. It's a cable with a 30 pin connector and 3.5mm. It bypasses the amp in the iPhone/iPod and plays the music through the DAC, and that gives you a better signal. But if you don't have at least 320kbps or lossless files, don't bother.

Do they have LOD cables for iphone 5 out yet?

I googled it and it seems like they havent made them yet?

bbbuzzy · 01-07-2013, 01:10 PM

MP3 files (and other audio files) are compressed. This often causes lower fidelity. I'm not sure of the current file formats and whether they've changed much in the last few years (Probably?), but here's an authority on some of the technical differences:

http://www.stereophile.com/features/308mp3cd/

BMWSOZE · 01-07-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmember343

I hooked up my iphone 5 ?

Its apple

StevenY. · 01-07-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmember343

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenY.

Yeah, that is true too. So if you guys really want better audio from your iPhone/iPod, consider an LOD. It's a cable with a 30 pin connector and 3.5mm. It bypasses the amp in the iPhone/iPod and plays the music through the DAC, and that gives you a better signal. But if you don't have at least 320kbps or lossless files, don't bother.

Do they have LOD cables for iphone 5 out yet?

I googled it and it seems like they havent made them yet?

Nope, not yet. Only the older devices that use the 30 pin connector but I'm sure there will be one for the iPhone 5 sooner or later. But keep in mind that they are extremely short because 99% of the people who use it connect it to an amp for a portable setup.

BMWWW · 01-07-2013, 01:23 PM

Also make sure that the 3.5mm male end is actually FULLY inserted into the ipod/mp3.

I know that my case makes it finiky at times, and SERIOUSLY degrades the sound when it's not fully in.
/thatswhatshesaid

Popsrcr · 01-07-2013, 01:24 PM

I've got a couple of those Lightening adapters I could use. May have to look for this.

StevenY. · 01-07-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popsrcr

I've got a couple of those Lightening adapters I could use. May have to look for this.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those adapters. That'll probably do the trick. Have a look at it, it definitely does provide a cleaner signal.

thecadman99 · 01-07-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Make sure that your device has no EQ active.

+1
If your in-car EQ is set to bland, and your phone has eq, surround, 3d...etc turned on, there will be a lot of difference.

01-07-2013, 11:43 AM	#1
Mr.Smithers Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 03 Z4, 07 328, 11 535 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	Why does music from Aux cable sound so bad? I hooked up my iphone 5 to the auxillary port and the music sounds so bland. When I play the same song from a CD, it sounds a lot crisper. Any reason to why this is?
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01-07-2013, 11:49 AM	#2
cuiter23 Major 82 Rep 1,094 Posts Drives: 2023 G87 M2 6Spd Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i [6.00]	I have good sound coming from my AUX. It really depends on your MP3 files, if they are lossless quality, 320kpbs, 128kpbs, etc etc. All my music is above 320kbps at least so I never experience any problems with my AUX and my Logic7. Some songs sound fantastic! Also, it might also be your AUX cable. If you buy a cheap one for a few bucks the sound quality will definitely lack, not as noticeable as your MP3 file quality but still nevertheless present. Get yourself a decent AUX cable and start looking for 320kbps or higher MP3 files. __________________ [SOLD] 2007 E90 328i - Titanium Metallic l 19" VMR V710 l H&R Trak+ Spacers l M-Sport Rear Bumper l Mtech Rear Lip Spoiler l Hamann Front Lip l Eibach Sportline l AA N52 Signature Exhaust l OEM Blacklines l MTEC V3 AE l 6000K HID l Nokya 7000K Fogs l MTEC License Plate LED l Interior LED l 15% Tint l BlackVue DR380G-HD + PMP 2023 G87 M2 6Spd - HEA Package \| OEM M Performance Carbon Wing
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01-07-2013, 11:50 AM	#3
CombatNinja Banned 50 Rep 1,556 Posts Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Make sure that your device has no EQ active.
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01-07-2013, 11:51 AM	#4
Turb0Surge Lieutenant Colonel 105 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: BLACK e90 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lincoln, CA iTrader: (0)	Mine sounds great. __________________
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01-07-2013, 11:56 AM	#5
Bimmer07 Lieutenant 350 Rep 539 Posts Drives: G80 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Do not put the volume all the way up on your phone and youll be fine Had the same problem.
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01-07-2013, 11:57 AM	#6
e92ben Brigadier General 1083 Rep 3,230 Posts Drives: BMW M3 BMW 635csi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kenosha Wi iTrader: (7)	It's also the quality of your aux cords. Get a little nicer ones and you'll notice the difference __________________ e92 ///M3
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01-07-2013, 12:31 PM	#9
Popsrcr Private 0 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: RVA iTrader: (0)	I find that Aux usually sounds better than bluetooth, but BT is sure more convienent. As I'm hosed and have no USB or anything, I have to start the ipod manually. A bit of a pain, but it does sound ok.
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01-07-2013, 12:38 PM	#11
John 070 Lieutenant General 1725 Rep 14,825 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	it's the proverbial garbage in, garbage out.....for example, you should be going from the 30 pin connector of a iPod, not the headphone jack, so that your input is line level. It's a shame that we didn't get USB ports back in 2007....
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01-07-2013, 01:10 PM	#16
bbbuzzy Lieutenant 18 Rep 481 Posts Drives: '13 335is convertible (manual) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: north of Boston iTrader: (0)	MP3 files (and other audio files) are compressed. This often causes lower fidelity. I'm not sure of the current file formats and whether they've changed much in the last few years (Probably?), but here's an authority on some of the technical differences: http://www.stereophile.com/features/308mp3cd/ __________________ '13 335is convertible (manual) '11 X3 xdrive35i '15 Sienna Limited AWD (road tripper) '06 330i MT, sport,premium (retired)
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01-07-2013, 01:23 PM	#19
BMWWW Private First Class 3 Rep 175 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	Also make sure that the 3.5mm male end is actually FULLY inserted into the ipod/mp3. I know that my case makes it finiky at times, and SERIOUSLY degrades the sound when it's not fully in. /thatswhatshesaid __________________ When called an idiot sometimes is better to be quiet than to open mouth and remove all doubt. Man who walk through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok. --Confucius
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01-07-2013, 01:24 PM	#20
Popsrcr Private 0 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: RVA iTrader: (0)	I've got a couple of those Lightening adapters I could use. May have to look for this.
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