Radio stations sound tinny compared to MP3 player

[killerkeith]

This seems really weird. I live in a major city with lots of radio stations to choose from. The sound of the stations always sounded tinny, not matter how I EQed the bass/treble. I then plugged in my ipod into the AUX port and heard glorious full bodied sound pounding through the system. Any idea why the FM tuner sucks? I have the base model radio with CD/MP3.

Thanks in advance

Keith

 

[Silentnoise713]

This seems really weird. I live in a major city with lots of radio stations to choose from. The sound of the stations always sounded tinny, not matter how I EQed the bass/treble. I then plugged in my ipod into the AUX port and heard glorious full bodied sound pounding through the system. Any idea why the FM tuner sucks? I have the base model radio with CD/MP3.

Thanks in advance

Keith

How are you connecting the ipod to the radio? Your ipod amplifies the SQ of the songs IF you are using the 3.5mm audio out, which makes it sound better. Connect your ipod via line level (I'm using this https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)) out to Aux-in and it will be just as flat b/c the OEM radio's amp/SQ sucks ballocks! However, line level out + internet audio app (allows some amplification) =

You can also google "FM sounds better than CD". FM, CD, MP3, depends on the quality of the source. Anyway, HD radio is the way to go (b/c it is free)!

 

[Donewood]

I live in Aberta Canada and have discovered that most of the local stations use highly compressed MP3s, we had one station that played actual CD's and Turntable Records. The station always had a much richer sound.

I think the low res audio is a common trend now... Everywhere.

 

[ukulele]

I used to plug in my MP3 player (android cell phone) to the head unit via a 3.5mm aux jack cable. My brother who works for Apple, told me to take advantage of the Bluetooth capability, that it would sound better, it always did with his iPhone 4S and now his iPhone 5. I didn't believe that a wireless communication protocol could produce better sound output than a directly wired setup where the is almost no RF interference vs. an RF signal moving through the air.

I was wrong, connecting via Bluetooth increases the amplitude of the output signal, sounds a heck of a lot better than the 3.5mm cable setup. I can only attribute this to a couple of reasons, but as long as I know it sounds better, that's all I care. As far as radio, I don't listen to anything off the airwaves, including sat radio even though I've had cars that have come with the sat radio built in, I never liked it. I do either thumb drive music, music from my cell phone or ad free Pandora. I DETEST commercials..... YUCK.

 

[the_saint]

Was not aware that BT audio is better than a direct line connection.

Guess I know what my next project is. Thanks!

 

[Silentnoise713]

The old digital (Bluetooth) vs. analog (3.5mm TRS) debate. If really depends on the environment. If all things are equal (quality wires, no interference, etc.), you'd be hard press to hear a difference, unless you are using some electronic measuring device. Google "Bluetooth vs. 3.5mm TRS" for a read.

I prefer audio equipment that uses good'ol vacuum tubes but digital has its place.