Is the Ipod integration worth the price?

[Mazda Fett]

So prior to buying my CX-9 I was positive that I was going to by the iPod integration kit because I wanted to reap the rewards of having it tucked into the glove box and the ability to control the volume and navigate etc...through the radio.

Yesterday, I bought a cheap auxiliary cable and listened to my iPod for the first time. I was expecting the worst, based on what I had read, but it sounded good to me. (Granted, I am one of those people that likes the stock Bose stereo so the audiophile might think I am a fool)

For those of you that have listened to both, is the iPod integration and the benefits that comes with it, worth the parts and labor to have the dealer install?

I read the installation instructions online, and I know I could install it myself, but I don't want to start tearing up my new car's dashboard and have the potential risk of accidentally breaking a plastic fastener or hook etc.... (I modified the crap out of my WRX and I promised myself I would never do that again...) I would rather pay the dealer to have it done right and if they were to mess anything up, they have the parts etc.. to fix it until it is right.
Sorry if this is a dead horse, I did do a search and could not find a similar question

 

[ceric]

I don't have IPod nor integration kit, but AFAIK the IPod kit allows controlling your IPod from steering wheel buttons and screen (if you have it). This is beyond sound quality.
For sound quality, there could be some degradation thru aux, but most untrained ears probably couldn't tell the differences.

 

[supradupe]

I have the integration module on hand, planning to install it over the weekend. Will let you know how it sounds comparing to using the Aux.

 

[CX9 SportOwner]

Our Shuffle sounds great through Aux, and we have the base system.

 

[kishino]

ipod integration

Hello All

First time poster, just got an 2010 CX9 GT (navi, power gate, BOSE). I had the dealer install the ipod integration and auto-start. The ipod integration sounds great, better than through AUX and much better than through the BT Audio. The best thing is you can now view all the music info right on you navi and play using playlist, artists, album, etc.

 

[ceric]

I am sure among the three media (Aux, BT and IPod integ), Aux would be the worst. However, it depends on whether you really can tell the difference apple-apple (eliminate special effects, equalizer, etc.).
BT (A2DP)'s quality really can be very high depending on the implementation of both ends. If one side cannot handle higher bandwidth, the quality is reduced to the lower of both. If you ever try very high-end BT system, you would be surprised at how good the sound can be. It is digital anyway. Bandwidth determines the sound quality. Aux is pure analog. The D to A (digital to analog) conversion inside the MP3 player usually is not as good as the one inside a stereo system such as Bose's in our case.

 

[supradupe]

My ipod integration is up!

Spent a few hours doing it on Fri night. The outcome is very satisfactory. I chose to route the ipod cable through the front cubbie (the one below the climate controls). The instructions from Mazda is spot on, take your time and no damage will be done. I do find that the finish is prong to scratch, as I found out the hard way....

Here are some pictures of the center console gutted open. Also, I found the cabin filter is one of the cheesiest one I have seen, among other cabin filters I have used in other cars (mostly germans), Ford really is skimping on material.

Once connected, the ipod is controlled by the head unit, with song title displayed, artist, etc. The sound is definitely better than using the aux jack. I can connect my iphone and it plays songs from my iphone, plus charging the iphone/ipod.

 

[Mazda Fett]

Great pics. And thanks for the feedback. After having listened to the Aux a little more, I do start to hear some of the issues people have with it. It is not awful, but I do see why the integration module is a better solution.

I now have to decide if I want to do it myself or have the dealer do it.

Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

I am sure among the three media (Aux, BT and IPod integ), Aux would be the worst. However, it depends on whether you really can tell the difference apple-apple (eliminate special effects, equalizer, etc.).
BT (A2DP)'s quality really can be very high depending on the implementation of both ends. If one side cannot handle higher bandwidth, the quality is reduced to the lower of both. If you ever try very high-end BT system, you would be surprised at how good the sound can be. It is digital anyway. Bandwidth determines the sound quality. Aux is pure analog. The D to A (digital to analog) conversion inside the MP3 player usually is not as good as the one inside a stereo system such as Bose's in our case.

I just upgraded my 3GS iPhone to the new 4.x software which must have included an upgrade in BT software. The sound with the earlier 3.x operating system was just tolerable but it now seems really quite good.

Still thinking about the ipod integration though just to get the headunit control.

 

[Zoom3r]

I have it and love it on our 2010 CX9 GT. It sounds, to my ears anyways, tons better than either the BT or the Aux In sound.

And it could be I just didn't notice it, but I can now use the Bose Centerpoint features with the iPod integration....I think those may have been disabled via the other two input mechanisms.

 

[daveed_tx]

Can you guys confirm my research? MazdaGear's chart shows that the iPod integration only works with the Nav on a 2009, 2010, or 2011. Correct?

http://mazdagear.com/ProductImages/ipod/ipod_integration_module_application_guide_big.gif

So, if I have a 2008 CX-9 GT with Nav, my only option is to install aftermarket? Or maybe put in a 2009 or 2010 OEM Nav unit?

Thanks for your time

 

[SeCX-9]

Can you guys confirm my research? MazdaGear's chart shows that the iPod integration only works with the Nav on a 2009, 2010, or 2011. Correct?

http://mazdagear.com/ProductImages/ipod/ipod_integration_module_application_guide_big.gif

So, if I have a 2008 CX-9 GT with Nav, my only option is to install aftermarket? Or maybe put in a 2009 or 2010 OEM Nav unit?

Thanks for your time

I have an 08 GT and the iPod integration kit DEFINATELY is an option that was available. An external switch box is required to be installed, but it is an option you can buy from Mazda for that model year. (I don't have it, but I am sure it's available)

 

[Mazda Fett]

So to follow up my original question, I ended up buying a https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) It works just fine.

I can actually control the iPod with my steering wheel controls. Granted, it is simple forward and back, I can navigate the iPod and the title does not appear in the car display, but if I set it to shuffle all, I can listen for hours.

The biggest drawback is you eventually need to charge it and every once in a while you hear a slight crackle sound, but overall sound quality is much better than the AUX and I can't tell the difference between the iPod or the other options.

Overall, for the amount of coin I saved, it was well worth it for me.

 

[nsrg]

Thanks for the pics on this for the installation.

Can anyone please confirm if there is a place to buy this that is significantly less than mazda? I have the 2011 GT with Navigation, so I gather I'm looking for part C9F4-V6-029, and mazda retails this for $108.57... Thanks for any clues.

 

[nsrg]

Supradupe,

I see you installed in a 2010 with nav. Did you ever setup the bluetooth streaming audio, and if so, does it still work with the setup you have?
I created a new thread about this, but I just went through the install and was very displeased to find that not only does my newly installed ipod adapter not work at all (doesn't even act like an ipod is hooked up), I now no longer can stream bluetooth audio. It can control my phone for pause/track skip by bluetooth, and acts like it should be playing, but no sound comes out of the stereo. I can dial just fine/make phonecalls by bluetooth, interestingly.

I am thinking of switching out my ipod box and cord and calling it broken under warranty...
This is making me mad!

 

[supradupe]

bluetooth streaming

Hi, it works just fine. It streams my phone or my wife's phone (both are apple iphones) without any problem. Did you go into the the audio menu and check if the phone is actuallly connected to stream music. There are two connections in the audio menu, one is BT connected for phone and one is BT connected for audio. You can enable one or both.

 

[nsrg]

Good point... yes I did confirm both the phone connection and the audio connection, and I can see on my phone that both are "connected". Odd that the mazda nav/audio then lets me skip/pause tracks, but provides no audio. I had this working for the first few days I owned my car, but it quit after my (failed) ipod harness/box install. Anyway, I am going to replace the ipod box/cable to see if that gets me some function again.

I tried many times to delete the pairing on my phone and car and re-establish it, but problem persists.

 

[supradupe]

where did you mount the integration module? did you check the connection there? i.e. the plugs are fully inserted? I presumed you did, but just to make sure. If you checked everything connected to the back side of the Nav but forgot to check the connection at the integration module, that may be the culprit.

 

[phatemon]

Hi Supradupe,

Quick question, does the ipod integration kit interfere with the Sirius Radio? Do you have to disconnect the satellite radio to use the iPod integration or will they both function normally?

Thanks

 

[nsrg]

followup

For the previous post: for 2011 at least (and I assume for 2010) the ipod and satellite both work fine, no need for things other than to select the source. I think the problem was with 2008 or 2009 that an additional switch needed to be installed? The dealer I bought my modules from claimed I needed a switch but this was just not true for my 2011. That being said, I think the total cost shipped of the harness and the module was over $220, which is a bit of a disappointment considering that a new ipod would be cheaper.

I love the ipod integration but don't like how slow it is to navigate through artists (though not impossible) if you have a huge collection of music (on the nav screen it is a hassle at least).

As a followup, I figured out what was wrong with my setup--I totally forgot to connect an adaptor plug to the stereo/nav unit. Stupid. It was hidden behind a panel and I didn't notice it--I did count the plugs to push in to the unit, though, and I'm pretty sure the install diagram was not fully correct with how many plugs needed to be reconnected.

I'd also point out that the radio antenna unplugs spontaneously when you pull out the nav, and in my cx9 it was literally impossible to plug in again without permanently undoing a tether that kept back the radio cord from extending further.

Finally, I'll add that the 9" black DVD headrests from onfair.com work really really well with this and look great. I put those in and they are fine. There was some whiner on this forum who complained about 3-4 things, but his complaints are pretty picky. They do tilt forward a bit, but not as far the the originals. I don't care, my kids freaking love them. i'd recommend the 9" with the zip covers and the highest resolution, they are awesome for the price (around $260 shipped i think?)

Also that fusebox tap from autozone that was described elsewhere in the forum was great for installing extra goodies.

Thanks everybody!