Superliminal Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Hi chaps, I was wondering if anyone has experienced the same thing as me. I've just fitted an iPod aux-in lead (2002 CD player with mode button, so via the proper Aux method), and I'm not impressed with the sound quality at this point. The only way I can describe the sound, is weak. It seems very lacking in bass, and using the iPod's EQ settings to improve this results in a little bit of distortion. Switching to CD or FM, you can instantly notice the difference. The sound is much fuller and richer. I thought it could be the iPod, so I tried another - same problem. It doesn't seem to matter what sort of file either - I've tried it with low and high quality MP3's, and FLAC, with no success. I've messed about with the tone controls, and only by having the bass up full does it sound anywhere near decent (for reference, with the other inputs I normally have the bass at one notch above centre). It's got HK if that makes any difference. So, does this affect anyone else? Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 The capacitors which oem and non oem leads require to work always take roughly 10-20% bass away. Not avoidable I'm afraid. Not all people notice it but some do. Annoying but all you can do is throw the bass up on unit and beat I found to have iPod or iPhone on EQ Flat. Thankfully the 2002 cd units onwards have a separate EQ per source so your settings for aux mode won't be the same on radio and cd etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 does eq flat make a big difference then at the mo mine is set to electronic but .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I've found personally iPhone on Flat EQ is best personally If you choose bass boost etc the bass becomes dirty, by letter the EQ keeping it natural you'll experience slightly less bass yes but what bass you have is cleaner. I have the headunit on 4+ bass and treble around the same too. Allows loud music with decent bass, enough for it not to distort the HK system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superliminal Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks for the reply Rory. That makes sense. It's certainly not a deal breaker, and as said I can tweak settings to compensate. Buzz - I found eq electronic actually reduced the bass further. Bass boost is the best (of a bad bunch unfortunately). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I know what you mean though Matt, only way to get 100% bass etc like cd is replacing the cd changer as that doesn't require the pcb be make. Annoying loses function of cd Chnager though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM330CI Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Im running my aux through my CD changer port as i have the cassette head unit and have found that its weak too. the only option i can think of is to fit a mini 12v amp in line. Have found these on flebay... not sure it would work at all but it was my line of thought. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120966056114?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D120966056114%26_rdc%3D1 any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 i had noticed that on a recent knaye west tune i downloaded the bass did seem crap ive changed settings to flat on phone but i have to wait till i get back home on friday to check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Im running my aux through my CD changer port as i have the cassette head unit and have found that its weak too. the only option i can think of is to fit a mini 12v amp in line. Have found these on flebay... not sure it would work at all but it was my line of thought. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120966056114?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D120966056114%26_rdc%3D1 any thoughts? I've never had a complaint about the level through an aux cable via cd changer method. Only thing I can think is you actually have a proper aux cable as in has pcb with caps etc which aren't required. If you have caps when going down the cd changer method you will get crap levels as you suggest you're having. 2 kind of aux cable confuse people usually. 1) proper aux mode cable - aug 2002 onwards cd unit. Caps etc pcb based. 2) cd changer aux in cable - any unit with a cd Chnager. Doesn't require caps etc and sounds like a cd If you have the correct cable. Edited October 8, 2012 by RoryW JWM330CI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM330CI Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Didn't know that! I bought the proper aux cable not realising it wouldn't work with my head unit as it doesn't have the aux mode so I plugged it straight into the cd changer. Might make a new aux cable tomorrow Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Input to the aux in is supposed to come from the headphone out, not the line out on the dock connector. Try it and see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 (edited) The dock automatically reduces the level to a safe input level. The earphone jack allows whatever you want but anything High as say 80% above results in distortion where the level input is too high. Dock input is fine Edited October 9, 2012 by RoryW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 Didn't know that! I bought the proper aux cable not realising it wouldn't work with my head unit as it doesn't have the aux mode so I plugged it straight into the cd changer. Might make a new aux cable tomorrow Thanks for that! Remove the caps etc and the sound will be perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dannybourke Posted July 24, 2014 Report Share Posted July 24, 2014 Bumping up an old thread I know but I just experienced the exact same issue, much to my disappointment The one thing I was looking forward to in the car as well haha! The Mrs. won't realise a difference, so I won't even tell her, but it's bugging' the hell out of me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted July 31, 2014 Report Share Posted July 31, 2014 Bumping up an old thread I know but I just experienced the exact same issue, much to my disappointment The one thing I was looking forward to in the car as well haha! The Mrs. won't realise a difference, so I won't even tell her, but it's bugging' the hell out of me What method have you gone for? Cd business head unit enabling aux or another unit and replaced the cd changer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dannybourke Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 yeah the cd business head unit way, plugged the cable into the back of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BmEagle Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Mines developed a strange issue on aux cable. Won't change tracks and if you press the buttons for bass and treble etc it stops playing. Also doesn't play unless you press play on iPod or phone (used to come on when you pressed the jose button to aux) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BmEagle Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Mines developed a strange issue on aux cable. Won't change tracks and if you press the buttons for bass and treble etc it stops playing. Also doesn't play unless you press play on iPod or phone (used to come on when you pressed the jose button to aux)only bumping this if anyone has the same issue. On phone or iPod touch it played up as above. On iPod Classic it displayed the bmw logo on the screen and wouldn't play at all. Had the cluster out so battery was disconnected for a while. Now it works perfect with all devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
