Installing Sirius--faulty Aux jack?

[lostinla]

Hi,

I just purchased a 2007 Mazda3. I'm trying to put a Sirius radio in it. I figured it would be a snap--I'd just run out of the Sirius into the Aux in inside the armrest in the front of the car. But, I find that the sound quality is pretty poor. It's better than AM, but certainly not as good as FM. I also find that the sound from the Sirius when it transmits to my FM radio wirelessly is better than the sound from the direct hookup to the Aux jack. (I'm in LA, so the FM transmitter option really won't work for me.) My iPod, when played through the Aux jack, also isn't very impressive sound-wise, though, unlike the Sirius, it is listenable.

I had considered going directly into the radio via an FM modulator, but the dealer told me that messing with the radio would void the warranty on it.

Have there been other reports of poor sound quality through the Aux jack? Any thoughts on what's going on?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[icspots]

So far the only reports of poor sound quality through the ACI (Auxillary Console Input) have been from people who are charging Mp3 players while they're playing, and are getting alternator whine.

Can you describe the sound? Is it all the time? Does it happen with the engine off? Does it increase or change when your speed is changing? What kind of sirius are you using? Are you charging the ipod while you're playing it? If so does the sound stop if you unplug the power?

If the sound goes away when the engine is off, or when you unplug the ipod's charger then I'd say it's alternator whine. You can buy a ground loop isolator for about $10-20 and that should get rid of the sound you're hearing..... assuming it's alternator whine that is. Crutchfield sells a 3.5mm to 3.5mm GLI (radio shack generally only has RCA ones), so if it doesn't work you could always just return it.

 

[lostinla]

no particular sound

Thanks for your response.

There is alternator nosie, and I've already ordered that Crutchfield device that you mentioned. This is more a general low quality of sound. The more I read about Sirius, the more I read that it may well just be Sirius. People complain that it sounds like compressed audio, and that's exactly what it sounds like to me. The music sounds like it's coming in at 48kbps or so. So, I suspect it's just something I'm going to have to live with or get used to.

Again, I appreciate the thoughtful response.

Best,

Matt

So far the only reports of poor sound quality through the ACI (Auxillary Console Input) have been from people who are charging Mp3 players while they're playing, and are getting alternator whine.

Can you describe the sound? Is it all the time? Does it happen with the engine off? Does it increase or change when your speed is changing? What kind of sirius are you using? Are you charging the ipod while you're playing it? If so does the sound stop if you unplug the power?

If the sound goes away when the engine is off, or when you unplug the ipod's charger then I'd say it's alternator whine. You can buy a ground loop isolator for about $10-20 and that should get rid of the sound you're hearing..... assuming it's alternator whine that is. Crutchfield sells a 3.5mm to 3.5mm GLI (radio shack generally only has RCA ones), so if it doesn't work you could always just return it.

 

[icspots]

Yeah, satellite radio is known to have relatively low sound quality. Try it on one of the talk stations as they are reported to sound a little better.

so does it happen with the ipod not plugged in?

Let us know what happens with it, and if the GLI fixes it.

 

[lostinla]

Re: GLI, etc.

I expect that the GLI will fix the alternator noise (even though, strictly, there isn't a ground loop that's causing the noise). But, if not, I'll let you know. The sound is of a low quality with the iPod disconnected.

Talk does sound OK, though I think this is less to do with the sound quality being better than that of the music, and more to do with the fact that we don't demand as much sonically out of talk on the radio.

Thanks again,

Matt

Yeah, satellite radio is known to have relatively low sound quality. Try it on one of the talk stations as they are reported to sound a little better.

so does it happen with the ipod not plugged in?

Let us know what happens with it, and if the GLI fixes it.

 

[TheMAN]

so why are you using that crappy input jack instead of connecting the sirius directly to the back of the radio? you're not using the kit mazda sells are you?

 

[lostinla]

Is it the input jack?

So, is it your experience that there are sonic problems with the input jack? Is there another jack in the back of the radio--I seem to recall that there isn't.

Thanks,

Matt

so why are you using that crappy input jack instead of connecting the sirius directly to the back of the radio? you're not using the kit mazda sells are you?

 

[icspots]

so why are you using that crappy input jack instead of connecting the sirius directly to the back of the radio? you're not using the kit mazda sells are you?

She's most likely using an aftermarket sirius unit. Why you ask? Well you can have one of those for about $100 vs. $305 from a dealer for the OEM on (an online dealer that is, the actual dealer will probably try to **** you for another $100 easy), plus you can then take that portable unit into your house and use it there without having to pay for a seperate subscription.

So, is it your experience that there are sonic problems with the input jack? Is there another jack in the back of the radio--I seem to recall that there isn't.

There have been people complaining of alternator whine type noise from the ACI when charging ipods... so far mazda hasn't said anything about it.

He's not saying there's another jack in the back of the stereo. what he means is the OEM mazda sirius unit that plugs into the back of the HU and is controlled via the stereo controls instead of having a seperate unit for it. Actually the ACI is plugged into the same port on the back of the HU as the OEM sirius uses, so unless you bought the switchbox that mazda is offering now you wouldn't be able to plug both of them in anyway.

Try the GLI and let us know how it goes.