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MP3 - What's Possible?


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2005Mazda6 
Member - Posts: 15
Member spacespace
Joined: July 28, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: July 31, 2005 at 8:59 PM / IP Logged  

My new Mazda 6 has the integrated 6-disc in-dash changer (along with the controls in the steering wheel) and I love the way it sounds with my new amp and subs.  The only thing I miss is, I had a Clarion HU in my Jeep that played MP3 as well as normal CD's.  I could fit about 120 songs on one CD and I had my entire music collection (well, the stuff I wanted to listen to, anyway) on 6 or 7 discs.  The 6 CD changer is okay, but I really liked having the song name be displayed and having my music grouped in folders.

Is it possible to add another HU or MP3 player to my system?  In the middle of the dash, below the changer and above the heater controls, is a little blank panel that covers up a small slot - according to Mazda, it is for a cassette deck or mini-disc player.  A normal unit would not fit, but maybe it could be modified?  What are my options?

hurtado_roberto 
Copper - Posts: 196
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 30, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: July 31, 2005 at 9:39 PM / IP Logged  

One option is to upgrade your stereo with a factory replacement head unit with mp3 capabilities.  On the mazdausa.com website they sell a mp3 upgrade for $325.  A cheaper option is to buy an ipod, or some other mp3 player, and plug it into a FM transmitter.  Some people say that the best quality mp3 is comparable to a strong FM signal so you won't be loosing any sound quality unless there's another signal in that FM station.

Poly Dollies
TheSaint421 
Copper - Posts: 137
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 07, 2004
Location: Canada
Posted: July 31, 2005 at 10:06 PM / IP Logged  
hurtado_roberto wrote:

Some people say that the best quality mp3 is comparable to a strong FM signal so you won't be loosing any sound quality unless there's another signal in that FM stat

That is far from the truth.

a string FM broadcast is about the equivalent to a 96k bitrate MP3. now I can tell the difference between a original cd track, and a 128k mp3, and it gets harder and harder until you get to about 256k, and then it's really hard for me to tell the difference. if you don't care about sound quality, or it's something that isn't important to you, then am FM modulator is a likely option, but for me FM radio sucks, and to take an ipod (for example) or any other mp3 player, loaded with Hi-Quality mp3's that are very very close to cd quality and play them through an FM adapter of some sort, to me that is a huge waste.

I would opt for even a cheap mp3 HU, like a JVC or something comparable in price.. say the 149.99 price range. that would most likely be cheaper than a small mp3 player, and fm adapter, and a lot cheaper than an ipod and fm adapter together. JVC make some cheap mp3 deck's that play mp3 cd's, and will sound as good if not probably better than the factory unit in there.

just a thought, The Saint

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hurtado_roberto 
Copper - Posts: 196
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 30, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: July 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM / IP Logged  

He's a quote from the moderator DYohn from this post: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=43770&KW=mp3+quality

Although some of the better compression schemes do sound pretty good, there is no MP3 file that will sound as good as a CD.  The best MP3 is about the same sund quality as an FM radio broadcast.

Poly Dollies
TheSaint421 
Copper - Posts: 137
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 07, 2004
Location: Canada
Posted: August 01, 2005 at 7:57 PM / IP Logged  
hurtado_roberto wrote:

He's a quote from the moderator DYohn from this post: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=43770&KW=mp3+quality

Although some of the better compression schemes do sound pretty good, there is no MP3 file that will sound as good as a CD.  The best MP3 is about the same sund quality as an FM radio broadcast.

I never said a 256k mp3 would be "cd quality" I said ver, very close. DYon's answer while it was interesting, and most likely 100% factual, the difference he is talking about may all be in his head, just like me saying that " I " think that a 256k, or 320k mp3 sounds really, really good.

that may very well be the technical answer, but a 256k, or 320k mp3 sounds damn good. I highly doubt you'd be able to tell the difference 9 times out of ten. I'm not saying you're not capable, just that most people can't. I have a set of Focal 165W3 3way speakers, and I can tell a difference, but it is so small you forget it's not a cd.

I have used an MP3 player with a FM adapter, and I can tell a huge difference between using the AUX in on my HU, and switching to the FM adapter. Once you decide to go with the FM adapter, and mp3 player combo, over say a mp3 HU, or the mp3 player connected via the AUX in on the HU, then you also introduce possibilities for interference, noise in the system, quality of the FM adapter, cabaling and so on. connect an Ipod to the aux in on the HU, and you eliminated the potential for those problems.

if you can't then go with the FM adapter. the only thing that matters is that 'you' like the sound, thats all.

The Saint

Pioneer DEH P960MP
Eclipse EQ2102
Focal Utopia 165w3
JL 300/2
JL 10W6v2 (2)
JL Slash 500/1 (2)
Optima Yellowtop
auex 
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Platinum spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: December 23, 2002
Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: August 01, 2005 at 8:29 PM / IP Logged  
The MP3 debate is a dead horse. With that being said, and I am going to hate myself for even recommending it, err... Never mind there is nothing out there to help you. Either have fun installing a radio somewhere or fm mod is your only other choice at the moment. I couldn't find any aux input adapters or ipud input/controller. Also rip your own music and you can ignore the mp3 sucks crowd.
MP3 - What's Possible? -- posted image.
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boulderguy 
Silver - Posts: 510
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Joined: April 17, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2005 at 8:33 PM / IP Logged  

I agree on the MP3 quality - if we're talking 256+, even with a VBR, my money says without a ref quality system in your car you'll never hear the difference between MP3 & redbook CD.  A home system would be a little easier, headphones even easier than that.  And just because DYohn says something doesn't make it right, especially dealing with a technology that changes so quickly.

On to business - that slot in your dash - is it big enough for a half-din unit?  If so, you can plug in one of Audiocontrol's half-din processors as a preamp & run your mp3 player & stock head unit thru that with the aux-in switch.  It would be more expensive than just getting the factory MP3 option, but would be the sound quality way to do it.  the audiocontrol HPX does a great job in this role & has an expansion circuit similiar to the Epicenter (but full spectrum) that does an admirable job restoring MP3's, albeit creatively.

Drewt 
Copper - Posts: 183
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 04, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: August 01, 2005 at 11:28 PM / IP Logged  
I can fairly easily tell the difference between MP3 (even high bitrate, variable bitrate) and a CD, mainly the upper and lower frequences, but the real giveaway is the artafacting. If you know what you are listning for, you can pretty quickly pick it out. I've gotten used to it by now (damn iPod, lol), but I can still hear it. I've worked in pro studios before. There is a reason they still record onto analog reel-to-reel....
anyway...MP3's are a lot better than FM quality. FM dosen't have nearly as much of the high and low frequences as MP3. And then there is static.....ah!!
-Drew

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