iPhone hook up and sound quality question

[Fast4esT]

I basically only use iPhone for music since there's a nearly unlimited source of tunes. I have the symphony 2+ and wired in auxiliary input, never really been satisfied with the sound quality. I recently installed an alpine 5 channel amp and a 12" kenwood sub, still not happy with sound. Have to volume up a lot.
When I play a cd, it sounds amazing, really good, clean and clear. I set my settings on phone to play high quality while on data network and got some improvement from that but my question arises here.
I believe I understand this point, the iPhone/iPod headphone jack is meant to make earphones sound good, not stereo.
If I get an enfig Denison lightning connection instead of the auxiliary I use now, will I get better sound and volume quality?
Since the radio will be getting a pure digital signal?

[CyberPMG]

The digital output will be much better than the analog output of the headphone jack.

[pablolizarraga]

Yes. Digital output is not only significantly better but chances are that by going digital you'll also get rid of that annoying tape deck mechanism and hanging wire. I purchased the Dension unit and installed it through my card tray. Been very happy with it since. There's a DIY here on the card tray/ iPhone mod but before I came across it, I attempted my own (lots of pics). Still haven't figured out how to post this but here's the link. Let me know if you have any problems accessing doc. Good luck!

[chad99]

I have noticed turning down the headphone volume to around the 1/2 mark makes a drastic improvement on audio out to cassette adapters.

But onto your question, if I'm not mistaken the deck will only receive analog inputs, the various adapters out on the market only turn the iPhone lightening audio output into analog for the deck.

The data-in and data-out pins on the back of the deck that the adapters use is to display the track name in DIS

As mentioned here
http://www.audiworld.com/forums/tt-m...-bose-1771631/

Different radio but connections should be the same

[Fast4esT]

I have the symphony 2+ deck, no tape adapter. I have hard wired an auxiliary cable into the back of the deck. Just not enthused by the analog sound output I guess.
Was hoping to hear that a digital signal to the back of the radio will sound better than the analog headphone signal that I'm currently using

[pablolizarraga]

I have the symphony 2+ deck, no tape adapter. I have hard wired an auxiliary cable into the back of the deck. Just not enthused by the analog sound output I guess.
Was hoping to hear that a digital signal to the back of the radio will sound better than the analog headphone signal that I'm currently using

Good question. How difficult and how many specialty tools do you need to hardwire aux to back of unit? I'll be re-routing the aux cable from the Dension unit out through glove box soon so, while I'm back there, I could try compare Dension vs your hard wired aux connection.

Here's a better link to DIY card tray iPhone dock mod.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/frb9nfw94o...ckmod.pdf?dl=0





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[Fast4esT]

thanks for the offer, its pretty easy, no special tools needed.just an auxiliary cable and a vagcom to code the radio to allow the aux channel to work. I just ordered a denison unit, so I will get first hand comparison, will let you know how it is.

are you doing the bluetooth version? When I routed the auxiliary, I ran it under the center console and out under the arm rest, great location, hides the wires and nothing sticks out of the glove box. I will run it the same way with the Denison, I am not using bluetooth.

[pablolizarraga]

thanks for the offer, its pretty easy, no special tools needed.just an auxiliary cable and a vagcom to code the radio to allow the aux channel to work. I just ordered a denison unit, so I will get first hand comparison, will let you know how it is.

are you doing the bluetooth version? When I routed the auxiliary, I ran it under the center console and out under the arm rest, great location, hides the wires and nothing sticks out of the glove box. I will run it the same way with the Denison, I am not using bluetooth.

I'm not using Bluetooth version. My experience using Bluetooth to connect to portable wireless speakers has not been good. Just wanted to plug and play. The particular Dension unit I bought does just that; plus it charges. As soon as I dock the phone, it automatically loads the last song I was playing. You can also use radio knobs to skip and fast fwd/rev songs/podcasts. This feature is particularly useful for me since I usually have navigation up on my phone while driving.

Good idea to run cord under armrest. My cord dangles under the console and just in front of driver's seat. This is my current set-up w/ Dension and iPhone dock.


Curious to see if you notice a difference between Dension vs hard wired aux.


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[Gosser]

I'm not using Bluetooth version. My experience using Bluetooth to connect to portable wireless speakers has not been good. Just wanted to plug and play. The particular Dension unit I bought does just that; plus it charges. As soon as I dock the phone, it automatically loads the last song I was playing. You can also use radio knobs to skip and fast fwd/rev songs/podcasts. This feature is particularly useful for me since I usually have navigation up on my phone while driving.

Good idea to run cord under armrest. My cord dangles under the console and just in front of driver's seat. This is my current set-up w/ Dension and iPhone dock.


Curious to see if you notice a difference between Dension vs hard wired aux.


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I didnt think AUX was possible with just the symphony II. I thought it was always a II+ thing.

[pablolizarraga]

I didnt think AUX was possible with just the symphony II. I thought it was always a II+ thing.

I have symphony II but the Dension I purchased also allows for AUX input as it is built in to their adapter.


http://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GW1LAU2.html


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[Fast4esT]

I have 2+, that was noted in the original post.
I'll take pictures as I install it, not sure how I'm going to mount the USB port yet.

So you have full phone control and radio knobs to skip songs? What kit did you get?
I'm not to keen on the radio controls since I never use playlists

[pablolizarraga]

I have 2+, that was noted in the original post.
I'll take pictures as I install it, not sure how I'm going to mount the USB port yet.

So you have full phone control and radio knobs to skip songs? What kit did you get?
I'm not to keen on the radio controls since I never use playlists

Yes, volume, fast fwd/rev, and auto pause when you turn off radio function through radio controls while all other apps simultaneously function.

I purchased the GW1LAU2. See link in previous post. Been very happy w/ it. But you will need a 30-pin adapter. A link to DIY in previous post has more details.


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[rollerton]

Little bit off topic since it's not a specific Ipod adapter...but Check out this little thing I stumbled across:

S2 Bluetooth adapter

The description isn't very good, but says what it does well enough. For the price and ease of installation it's fairly tempting. Seems like it would be easy enough to re-pin/ adapt to an S2+ head unit.
I've bought other stuff from those guys and everything else is exactly as they describe it..
Discuss...

[Fast4esT]

I got this one,


http://enfigcarstereo.com/ENFIG_AI2_IPDU_AUX.html

[diagnosticator]

The Sym II+ Auxiliary input in the quadlock connector, provides an analog audio input to the Sym II+. However, this input requires a low level analog audio signal input that is free of distortion and other negative audio quality reducing problems. The low level audio signal input must be clean and at the correct voltage level. If the low level input signal voltage is to low or to high, will negatively effect the audio quality of the amplified AUX audio.

Using an analog to digital to analog signal path for the low level input will introduce errors and distortions of the original analog audio signal.

Audi has an iPod dock that provides the correct low level input signal voltage level to the Sym II+ AUX input. The Audi iPod adapter/interface to the AUX input, uses a micro controller to manage the low level audio source for the correct parameters to the AUX input. The Audi iPod AUX interface cable has either mini ISO for Sym II, or quadlock for Sym II+ and Navi versions.

MP3 audio files are already compromised quality since this format is digital to analog conversion for playback. Any digitally derived file from an original analog data source is only an approximation of the original analog signal.

Ref:https://www.google.com/search?q=Audi...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[Fast4esT]

Friend has rns-e in his b7 a4 with Bose, he self installed an Audi dealer iPhone cable that plugged into the rns-e and required no vagcom. No dock, just iPhone hook up, it sounds worlds better than my auxiliary input on the sym 2+

[diagnosticator]

Friend has rns-e in his b7 a4 with Bose, he self installed an Audi dealer iPhone cable that plugged into the rns-e and required no vagcom. No dock, just iPhone hook up, it sounds worlds better than my auxiliary input on the sym 2+

The Audi iPod/iPhone AUX interface is available as a cable or dock with cable. If you used the Audi iPhone > AUX interface cable with the Sym II+ the audio quality would be much better than the straight iPhone > AUX connection.

[Fast4esT]

Roger, that's what I was looking for, thanks D. I'll report back my findings

[diagnosticator]

Roger, that's what I was looking for, thanks D. I'll report back my findings

Correction: The Audi iPhone/iPod interface uses the CD channel input to the Sym II+. This is why the audio quality is a lot better with the Audi iPod interface.

[pablolizarraga]

Roger, that's what I was looking for, thanks D. I'll report back my findings

Since you'll be testing... came across this playlist created to test hi-fi headphones. After briefly browsing through playlist, I feel the songs will definitely test the range and quality of audio output. Noteworthy songs; Bubbles, Holocene, Blue in Green, and California

https://open.spotify.com/user/keanex...Ycudi1ObnUZ89B

https://m.reddit.com/r/headphones/co...n_for_sidebar/


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[Fast4esT]

Awesome, thanks Pablo

[Gin+]

I have zero issues with the iPhone headphone jack and the aux input on the symphony 2+. What exactly are we talking about here in terms of sound quality? Are you sure you don't have a more rudimentary issue?

[fallingreason]

I've always used Blitzsafe for my Aux-In and think it sounds great. iPhones generally sound good enough that it's not the weakest link in my car stereo, which is stock. However, I do also use a high quality MP3 player and it does best the iPhone's sound quality, even if marginally. It mainly sounds much more "full"

[Fast4esT]

I used the wrong term, it's volume control, I have to turn the radio volume up high when using aux and it sounds flat.

[Gin+]

I'm guessing that Denison device must use a DAC so it might be just the ticket for unmolsted iPhone audio.

[fallingreason]

I have an old Dension iceLink Plus V2.02 free to anyone who would use it. Had an old-style 30-pin iPhone adapter, but can probably purchase an AUX or lightning adapter for it.

[Fast4esT]

It's sitting on the floor in the car, after I get done with my boat race today I'm
Gonna wire it up.

[Fast4esT]

Got hooked up, here's the results
There is about 30% more volume from the Lightning port on the phone than from the headphone jack. It's actually louder than CD is. Much fuller sound spectrum, deeper, has more bass.
One thing that is still apparent is that of iTunes sources music, some of it is very fly and muffled like listening from a styrofoam cup while other music can sound clear and bright. Both new and old albums from various bands, I see no way around this except finding another Audi source. May try Spotify and see how it compares.

In conclusion, the sound is greatly enhanced from the usb connection opposed to the aux input

The Denison unit also has an auxiliary input on it, but I did not try it, I should have, now it's buried

[Charles.waite]

The sound quality from my factory iPod dock (30-pin connector, uses the built in CD-Changer 7-12 channels in my RNS-E and the S2+ before that) is just as good as my old b7 dension (similar CD-Changer emulator) or the old b6's SAT radio passthrough. I loved the SAT passthrough as it gave you full control of the ipod/phone as well as showed track titles on the DIS. The current Audi system is just a dumb emulator which tricks the headunit into opening up the 7-12 cd channels and just passes audi through. no data.

I currently use a Tune2Air which works fine, but since the iPhone doesn't support AptX you definitely can tell the quality difference between direct connection and bluetooth streaming. However being able to just get in and go with music playing and not have to open my glove box and futz with an iPod is a win in my book so I deal with the quality loss.

The ideal solution is a MK2 RNS-E with AMI. That can access your iTunes library natively and lets you choose playlists, artists, albums, etc straight from the headunit. So much better.

[pablolizarraga]

Got hooked up, here's the results
There is about 30% more volume from the Lightning port on the phone than from the headphone jack. It's actually louder than CD is. Much fuller sound spectrum, deeper, has more bass.
One thing that is still apparent is that of iTunes sources music, some of it is very fly and muffled like listening from a styrofoam cup while other music can sound clear and bright. Both new and old albums from various bands, I see no way around this except finding another Audi source. May try Spotify and see how it compares.

In conclusion, the sound is greatly enhanced from the usb connection opposed to the aux input

The Denison unit also has an auxiliary input on it, but I did not try it, I should have, now it's buried

Glad it worked out!

I tried the aux cable input from the Dension unit and the quality greatly depends on quality of the aux cable itself. However, even with a good aux cable the sound doesn't seem to pan left/right front/back as well as through the lightning connection. This song really helped in determining difference between both connections.


Can you listen to phone calls through car speakers with your Dension unit? That's the only drawback with mine. Apparently, it should route calls to car speakers when you use aux cable from iPhone to dock but it was a no go for me. That's the last thing I'd like to figure out in order to make my iphone-car speaker connection fully functional.


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[Fast4esT]

Yeah, this is the Denison lite, radio can control skipping songs and fast forward, no data though

[Charles.waite]

Yeah, this is the Denison lite, radio can control skipping songs and fast forward, no data though

I should clarify, the radio can still control skip tracks and can shuffle, but thats it. At least the steering wheel controls (b7 perks!) still work.

[RDA990]

I currently have an RNS-E hooked up with an aux input which is hooked up to a bluetooth adapter all hidden behind the RNS-E. Music quality COULD be better but honestly I'm not complaining, for under $40 it's a great way to add bluetooth music to the stock radios.

[Fast4esT]

I have to turn the sub gain down on the amp, way too much bass now

[gmudan]

I have to turn the sub gain down on the amp, way too much bass now

Can you try the Bluetooth and let us know how it works out, comparing it to the lighting port? Does it also charge when using the lighting port?

[Fast4esT]

Lightning port charges yes, I did not get the Bluetooth device, had no interest.

[Fast4esT]

I can say that volume input level is higher through lightning port than the cd volume level is, also keep in mind, the phone has no volume control when using lightning port

[Charles.waite]

I would imagine a lot of the quality depends on whether or not the interface pulls a digital or an analog audio signal from the ipod and even if its speaker/head-phone level or line-level. If you have volume control abilities on the ipod then its speaker level. If you don't then its line level. Also the DAC in the interface also makes a difference, although even cheap DACs are generally pretty decent unless the audio source is FLAC or something, AAC and MP3s especially really muddy the sound quality.

I believe Dension makes the OEM audi Glovebox interface, which is what my 2008 B7 came with as a factory option:



If you have a Symphony 2+ or an RNS-E its a fairly easy retrofit, at least on the electronics side. You'd need to buy a specific glovebox in order to have the cutout for the glovebox mount.

[Fast4esT]

muddy sound makes me want to turn it off

[Andy_FL]

For anyone searching in the future for an AUX in option that won't break the bank - consider this one for ~$20:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can confirm it works as advertised with a Symphony radio. In fact, I'm quite impressed with the sound quality. GL.