I've never been that happy with how the iPod sounds in my cars, the MDX just being one example. I also have an iPod connector for my Onkyo and Denon receivers and it just sounds OK there too.

The iPod does well with headphones but I can't help but wonder if there is an impedance issue that kill the sound.

Overall the iPod can't touch a CD player (much less a DVD player). Regardless of the bitrate used, there will be loss of quality and separation.

 

I ran an experiment with my 07 MDX Sport's aux input (in the armrest console) to test the sound quality and am pretty bothered by the results. Here's what I found:

1. I Took a list of 10 MP3's all encoded at 320kbs and put them on my Ipod and ALSO burned them to a DVD-R.
2. I compared the audio quality between the two different inputs and I have to say that the IPod playback sounded incredibly different. For starters, the bass is flabby and almost not present. The higher end treble is also muted. If I had to guess, it sounds as if it's going through the FM tuner section of the Acura head unit.
3. I used two different 3.5mm cables to test if the bad sound quality I was experiencing from my Ipod wasn't the cable. One was a monster cable $40 cable, and the other was a standard Radio Shack gold plated $10 job. I even went as far as trying my wife's Ipod (which I was 99 percent sure would not be conclusive in any way). Neither was the culprit.
4. I also experimented with my Ipod's EQ settings, first beginning with it set to flat, but nothing ever sounded as good as the DVD-R version of the MP3's.

My question is whether anyone else has a similar experience, or if going to the actual Ipod input interface (from Acura that sells for like $400) makes any difference. Appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

I think playing through the AUX input in general, just plain sucks. I tried playing my Creative Zen MP3 player through it recently, and found that I had to turn the volumne all the way up on the MP3 in order to hear anything! I've never tried playing it in any other car, so I don't know how it compares. Although inconvenient, I think I'll be better off burning MP3's to CD or DVD.

 

I ran an experiment with my 07 MDX Sport's aux input (in the armrest console) to test the sound quality and am pretty bothered by the results. Here's what I found:

1. I Took a list of 10 MP3's all encoded at 320kbs and put them on my Ipod and ALSO burned them to a DVD-R.
2. I compared the audio quality between the two different inputs and I have to say that the IPod playback sounded incredibly different. For starters, the bass is flabby and almost not present. The higher end treble is also muted. If I had to guess, it sounds as if it's going through the FM tuner section of the Acura head unit.
3. I used two different 3.5mm cables to test if the bad sound quality I was experiencing from my Ipod wasn't the cable. One was a monster cable $40 cable, and the other was a standard Radio Shack gold plated $10 job. I even went as far as trying my wife's Ipod (which I was 99 percent sure would not be conclusive in any way). Neither was the culprit.
4. I also experimented with my Ipod's EQ settings, first beginning with it set to flat, but nothing ever sounded as good as the DVD-R version of the MP3's.

My question is whether anyone else has a similar experience, or if going to the actual Ipod input interface (from Acura that sells for like $400) makes any difference. Appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

I always thought the 30 pin connector was a better output choice.

 

Acura stopped selling the Ipod interface because it didn't work.

 

Acura stopped selling the Ipod interface because it didn't work.

Did they? There's a guy in the General forum who just had one installed by his dealer, and needless to say, he isn't happy.

Honestly, between Acura, Alpine and Apple, how hard is it to make a MusicLink that works through the Nav and uses the jog dial? Pretty damn hard, I guess...


Regards,
Adam

 

You can buy the USA SPEC HON2Y or the Dice unit. The reason the bass sounds flabby and the music sounds of lower quality is that the music is not transferred digitally, like it is via the IPOD port at the bottom.

 

You can buy the USA SPEC HON2Y or the Dice unit. The reason the bass sounds flabby and the music sounds of lower quality is that the music is not transferred digitally, like it is via the IPOD port at the bottom.

Or better known as the "30 pin" connector

 

You can buy the USA SPEC HON2Y or the Dice unit. The reason the bass sounds flabby and the music sounds of lower quality is that the music is not transferred digitally, like it is via the IPOD port at the bottom.

USA SPEC HON2Y rocks! Do not get the DICE if you plan to keep your current XM.

Advantages:
1. I've separated all my 320kps mp3's into 5 folders (classical, jazz...). It (your ipod) remembers the last song you play from any folder.
2. I set my ipod EQ's setting to loudness. Yes it makes a huge difference.
3. With 30GB of mp3, plug it & forget it's even there.

Cons:
1. It doesn't display text. The DICE will but XM would have to be disable.

 

I ran an experiment with my 07 MDX Sport's aux input (in the armrest console) to test the sound quality and am pretty bothered by the results. Here's what I found:

1. I Took a list of 10 MP3's all encoded at 320kbs and put them on my Ipod and ALSO burned them to a DVD-R.
2. I compared the audio quality between the two different inputs and I have to say that the IPod playback sounded incredibly different. For starters, the bass is flabby and almost not present. The higher end treble is also muted. If I had to guess, it sounds as if it's going through the FM tuner section of the Acura head unit.
3. I used two different 3.5mm cables to test if the bad sound quality I was experiencing from my Ipod wasn't the cable. One was a monster cable $40 cable, and the other was a standard Radio Shack gold plated $10 job. I even went as far as trying my wife's Ipod (which I was 99 percent sure would not be conclusive in any way). Neither was the culprit.
4. I also experimented with my Ipod's EQ settings, first beginning with it set to flat, but nothing ever sounded as good as the DVD-R version of the MP3's.

My question is whether anyone else has a similar experience, or if going to the actual Ipod input interface (from Acura that sells for like $400) makes any difference. Appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

I would have been very surprised if you did not hear a difference. When you run from your ipod the music needs to be decoded and then passed thorugh the ipod's amplifier section before then being passed through the radio's input section which then goes through the amplifiers to the speakers. When you burned the DVD-R, you completely by pass the ipod amplifier and radio input section. Both of those change the sound.

 

I've never been that happy with how the iPod sounds in my cars, the MDX just being one example. I also have an iPod connector for my Onkyo and Denon receivers and it just sounds OK there too.

The iPod does well with headphones but I can't help but wonder if there is an impedance issue that kill the sound.

Overall the iPod can't touch a CD player (much less a DVD player). Regardless of the bitrate used, there will be loss of quality and separation.

Of course your ipod will never sounds as good as a CD. This will be more apparent with a good system than with a crappy one. One thing I have noticed is that my ipod, connected through the AUX input, sounds pretty good.

 

If you burn your music to dual layer DVD-R's, you can store ~50GB of music on the 6 discs. Admittedly, the interface is not as good, but the sound is far superior to the analog input (as you just discovered in your testing).

 

Thanks, I didn't know it would read the Dual Layer DVD-R's.

 

What kind of sound quality would you expect from a device that's only a few inches big? It's ok for headphones and such but I would never use it to replace a "real" sound system.

 

Belkin makes a car charger that plugs into the iPod dock connector. The end that goes into the cigarette lighter also has an auxillary input. Use the 3.5mm auxillary cable to connect the belkin to the car. Very simple and sounds much better than running the iPod to the car via the headphone jack.

The cable costs around $20 at large discount stores (think "red").

Give that a try.

 

Belkin makes a car charger that plugs into the iPod dock connector. The end that goes into the cigarette lighter also has an auxillary input. Use the 3.5mm auxillary cable to connect the belkin to the car. Very simple and sounds much better than running the iPod to the car via the headphone jack.

The cable costs around $20 at large discount stores (think "red").

Give that a try.

Well, I bought an MDX this weekend and now I realize how bad my idea was. Since, for some reason, the braintrust at Acura decided not to put an accessory power socket in the armrest by the auxillary audio input, the cable I mentioned above is less than ideal.

My 3 year old Pilot had an accessory power socket in the armrest (no auxillary audio input), one by the "not an ashtray", one behind the center console for the backseat, and one in the cargo area. Why the MDX would be missing just the one in the armrest baffles me. Oh well....guess I'll have to use the headphone jack instead of the dock connector on my iPod in the MDX....and lose the charging capability. Only other alternative I can think of is to run the power from behind the center console and have wires running all over my nice new "high tech" vehicle.

 

If you're going out of the headphone jack, then your sound will be pretty limited and influenced by any EQ settings applied in the iPod, not to mention its' tiny amplifier (which isn't designed to deliver audiophile quality).

I found a cable on Amazon that uses the line out (AKA 30-pin plug) and charges the iPod. The sound quality is plenty better than sound from the headphone jack, even with the $1.99 RCA-RCA cable I use from Radio Shack. I'd have to agree, however, that it's not on par with sound from an authentic audio CD.

FWIW, my service guy told me about a week ago that Acura went back to the drawing board on the iPod integration, and a new model was coming out that displays data on the nav screen, and could be controlled from the nav nipple - much like the click wheel. Not sure when it will be out, but I am on the list to get a call as soon as it's available.

 

FWIW, my service guy told me about a week ago that Acura went back to the drawing board on the iPod integration, and a new model was coming out that displays data on the nav screen, and could be controlled from the nav nipple - much like the click wheel. Not sure when it will be out, but I am on the list to get a call as soon as it's available.

This should have been part of the system from day 1. The stereo is behind the times. There are many lower end cars that come with more advanced stereo systems that cost substantially less. We only use our car on weekends, so these are really minor details to us. If this was a vehicle I used on a daily basis, I would not be happy.

 

If you're going out of the headphone jack, then your sound will be pretty limited and influenced by any EQ settings applied in the iPod, not to mention its' tiny amplifier (which isn't designed to deliver audiophile quality).

I found a cable on Amazon that uses the line out (AKA 30-pin plug) and charges the iPod. The sound quality is plenty better than sound from the headphone jack, even with the $1.99 RCA-RCA cable I use from Radio Shack. I'd have to agree, however, that it's not on par with sound from an authentic audio CD.

FWIW, my service guy told me about a week ago that Acura went back to the drawing board on the iPod integration, and a new model was coming out that displays data on the nav screen, and could be controlled from the nav nipple - much like the click wheel. Not sure when it will be out, but I am on the list to get a call as soon as it's available.

Where are you plugging in the iPod for power? Behind the center console or by the non-an-ashtray? Do you have the wires somewhat hidden?

This should have been part of the system from day 1. The stereo is behind the times. There are many lower end cars that come with more advanced stereo systems that cost substantially less. We only use our car on weekends, so these are really minor details to us. If this was a vehicle I used on a daily basis, I would not be happy.

I just purchased my MDX. Before doing so, I had narrowed my choices down to a loaded 2008 Lincoln MKX and the 2008 MDX w/ Technology. The "toys" in the Lincoln (like SYNC for iPod and BT, THX-certified stereo, and power liftgate) were very impressive, but in the end, the drive and handling just couldn't compare to the MDX. I opted for what I felt was the "better" car, sacrificing some nice toys.

I agree that Acura has some work to do on the "toys" but the way this vehicle handles and feels is very impressive.

 

I am plugging in on the backside of the console for power. If Acura does not come out with a new iPod interface that works, i'll probably install a 12v outlet inside the center console so I don't have any exposed wires.

 

I am plugging in on the backside of the console for power. If Acura does not come out with a new iPod interface that works, i'll probably install a 12v outlet inside the center console so I don't have any exposed wires.

I can't believe Acura put the aux input in the center console bin but then neglected to put a power outlet there too. Pretty dumb.

 

I agree that Acura has some work to do on the "toys" but the way this vehicle handles and feels is very impressive.

Very true. The MDX drives much better than one would expect. My prior vehicle , Chrysler T & C mini-van, did not come close to driving this well.

 

I just purchased my MDX. Before doing so, I had narrowed my choices down to a loaded 2008 Lincoln MKX and the 2008 MDX w/ Technology. The "toys" in the Lincoln (like SYNC for iPod and BT, THX-certified stereo, and power liftgate) were very impressive, but in the end, the drive and handling just couldn't compare to the MDX. I opted for what I felt was the "better" car, sacrificing some nice toys.

I agree that Acura has some work to do on the "toys" but the way this vehicle handles and feels is very impressive.

Life is all about relativity!

I came <this close> to purchasing a loaded Grand Touring CX9 instead of my X. In the end, I could not justify that I could get an MDX for very slightly more than the Mazda. Why?

Two things. Warranty, and that the "toys" in the MDX were better than the Mazda. Nav, XM, etc.

:2:

 

I agreed that sound quality from the AUX in MDX is horrible when compare to your CD or even XM. I tested with my iPod, Creative Zen, Sony MD and they all sounded unacceptable. I was pretty disappointed but then there is a better option like everyone else is mention with Mp3 on a DVDr or CDr.

 

The Latest

Thanks to all who posted their responses.

Begin RANT
I'd like to address the previous comments about the sound quality of the iPod being crappy. First, you should really do your research first. It's all about the quality of the files you're playing. Apple lossless (and even .wav) files are pretty damn near equivalent to that of the normal CD. I'm an "audio nut" and can honestly say that with the proper cables and equipment, the iPod can sound pretty good when played across a sytem other than the headphones.

I'd also recommend looking up the FM spec. Despite what you may think, it's not (20HZ-20kHz). A good portion of the upper and lower spectrum is lost in FM. My observation is that the "aux" input isn't actually a true "aux" input, but an interface to the FM section of the radio.

End/RANT
I've done some more checking and there are some aftermarket solutions that enable the input directly to the unit from the Ipod's dock interface.

I'm going to experiment installing them until I find a decent one. When/if I do, I'll post my experience here (in addition to photos of the install).

Being an extreme audiophille (my home system is Levinson and B&W Nautilus 802's) doesn't help, but I can acutally say that my wife's lexus (with the levinson system) sounds far better.

When will "luxury" car makers get it? Some people (myself included) will pay from the get go for a good sounding system.

 

Re: The Latest

When will "luxury" car makers get it? Some people (myself included) will pay from the get go for a good sounding system.

Because you are few and far between.