Are you getting the most from your iPod?

Often we get asked “How can I listen to my iPod through my car stereo?”  There are a number of different accessories that will allow you to do this.  Some adapters are designed specifically for the iPod, while others are more universal in nature and will work with any portable music player (iPhone, Cell Phone, MP3 player, satellite radio, etc.).  These universal units include auxiliary input adapters, FM modulators and cassette adapters.  We’re going to take a few minutes and explain each option to help you find the right accessory to meet your needs.

Having a lot of options is always nice.  But all too often the abundance of options available will leave a person feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what option is the best.    Right now we are only going to cover the best ways to connect your device.

The four most common connection methods are:

• Cassette Adapters
• FM Adapters – Wireless FM Transmitters and hard-wired FM Modulators
• Bluetooth Transmitters
• Auxiliary Input Adaptors

With almost any new device being Bluetooth enabled these days, Bluetooth transmitting is becoming a more common method.  Most of the above methods are universal options and will work no matter if you are using your vehicles factory stereo or an aftermarket one.

Which sounds the best?

The easiest way to try and answer this question would be to use the numbers and get a little technical for a minute.  There are really only two different technical specifications that we need to look at or discuss here.  Those would be the Signal-to-noise ratio and the frequency response.  Signal-to-noise ratios are always measured in dB’s or decibels.  The higher the number, the better the sound quality will be.  As a point of reference, know that your average car CD player will have a signal-to-noise ratio of between 90-100dB.  When it comes to frequency responses, the average human hearing range is from 20 – 20,000 Hz (Hertz).  With frequency response ratings, the wider the range is the better your response will be.

Cassette adapters are the worst.  Generally you can expect a signal-to-noise ratio of between 50-70dB.  The frequency response is generally around 30 – 18,000 Hz.  They are also an audio input only device.  They cannot charge your iPod, nor will they allow you to control your iPod or other device using the stereos controls.  Over time, they will ruin the tape heads in your cassette player.  They are a very inexpensive solution.

FM adapters are a little better.  Basically these devices broadcast the audio signal you put through it similar to a radio station broadcast.  You simply tune your stereo to a set frequency (like 88.9) on your FM radio and you can then hear whatever signal it is broadcasting.  FM radios generally have a signal-to-noise ratio of about 70dB.  Not much higher than a cassette adapter.  Their frequency response is about 30 – 15,000 Hz and you can expect the same sound quality that you get from a FM radio station.  There are some cool wireless ones that have built-in RDS and will display artist and song title on compatible RDS radios

Most of these units will not charge your iPod and they will not allow you to control your iPod using the controls on your stereo.  Something else to be considered when looking at FM modulators and wireless transmitters is that they are not all created equal.  There are ones that are battery operated, ones that use the battery of your iPod, ones that plug into the cigarette lighter, and ones that are hard-wired into the vehicles electrical system.  The hard-wired versions are the best.  They get connected directly into the antenna jack.  This makes for better signal because it is not just broadcast, but directly fed into the stereo.

Bluetooth adaptors are an even better solution.  They are growing in popularity because of their ease of use and the better sound quality they offer.  The Bluetooth transmitters are similar to the FM adaptors in that they broadcast the input signal.  The difference is that with a Bluetooth adaptor, there is a transmitter part that plugs into your iPod and then there is a receiver part that plugs into the stereo.  If you have a newer vehicle or a newer aftermarket stereo, you may have a unit that has the receiver portion already built-in.  Another huge difference is that Bluetooth is a digital signal which is far superior to the analog signal coming out of a FM adapter.  Bluetooth also covers 20 – 20,000 Hz on the frequency response and it does not have a signal-to-noise ratio.  The signal-to-noise ratio is dependant on the device you are using.

With Bluetooth transmissions being digital, there are many new options that open up.  It can transmit data, like track, artist or caller ID information onto a display.  It can transmit or “stream” audio from a cell phone.  Most Bluetooth adaptors can also double as a hands-free calling device.  Then there is Pandora Radio.  If you are not yet familiar, check out Pandora internet radio.  You can stream it to most cell phones and if you have a Bluetooth enabled phone, you can then stream it into your vehicles sound system.  Very cool stuff here.

The last is the Auxiliary input adapters.  This is going to give you the best solution.  Most will give you charging and control of your iPod through the buttons and display of your stereo.  The frequency response is going to be full spectrum or 20 – 20,000 Hz.  Like the Bluetooth adapters, these adapters also do not have their own signal-to-noise ratio.  It again becomes solely dependent on the iPod or signal-to-noise ratio of the device you are using.  These adapters also use a direct connection which gives you the best possible sound and cleanest signal.  Auxiliary input adaptors are stereo / iPod specific.

Conclusion

We have covered the most common methods and have hopefully shed some light on this topic that will help you to find the best option for you.  The direct connection of the auxiliary input adapters are your best option.  The Bluetooth adapters run a close second as it too is a digital signal.  The FM adapter and cassette adapters are really your cost effective alternatives.  They will work just fine, but you trade sound quality for cost savings.

There are a few other options not really discussed, such as upgrading to a feature packed aftermarket unit.  Most new aftermarket radios have many features built into them, such as direct connection and control of your iPod and built-in Bluetooth for audio streaming and hands-free communications.  We hope that you found this to be informative and helpful.

What will work with what you have?

Finding the right direct connection or auxiliary input adapter for you isn’t as difficult as you might think.  There are really only three different aspects of variables that need to be taken into consideration.  They are:  your vehicle (year / make / model), stereo, and what iPod (or other device) you have.  If you know those three answers then the staff at Majestic Music can easily assist you in finding the best solution to meet your needs.

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