08 auxilory jack = useless

[Mafty]

so i went out and bought a cable to connect my ipod to the new aux jack in the console. well first of all it sounds terrible, worse than radio. and i used this ipod in my old car setup which was all alpine (subs, amps, speakers) and it sounded amazing, so i know its not the ipod quality. i didnt even listen to a song, i had to unplug it it sounded so bad. and also, how the hell are you supposed to change the song when the ipod is in your console? you cant change the song on the dash, which is a real pita.

[RallyPlaya]

Well i know theres a mazda ipod accesory which displays the song and allows you to change the song and volume with your steering wheel controls ..... pm Flipdaddy

[FLIPDADY]

All it displays is the playlist number, track number and play time. No text appears on the display. Best thing about this is that it sounds great.

[matt9]

so i went out and bought a cable to connect my ipod to the new aux jack in the console. well first of all it sounds terrible, worse than radio. and i used this ipod in my old car setup which was all alpine (subs, amps, speakers) and it sounded amazing, so i know its not the ipod quality. i didnt even listen to a song, i had to unplug it it sounded so bad. and also, how the hell are you supposed to change the song when the ipod is in your console? you cant change the song on the dash, which is a real pita.

I am assuming you are referring to the Aux In in the center elbow console thing. If it is anything like the 07, you must be doing something wrong. I have an ipod (and I've tried with other mp3 players) and it sounds amazing. Much better than you would expect.

As for controls, you just pull the wire out of the compartment and sit the ipod up near your cup holders or some-type of stand near/on the front center console.

I haven't heard of much good from any of those other devices that allow you to view song information on the screen and blah blah.

[cwp_sedan]

My aux jack sounds great with my ipod. Maybe the songs you downloaded suck :chuckle. Have you turned the ipod volume all the way up and don't add any equalizer settings.

It does suck about the controls but who cares. If you do, then go and get the ipod adapter from FLIPDADY. :)

[Mafty]

pmed you flip. thanks guys

[matt9]

I don't think there is a point in getting the adapter, but I think you should first make sure you volume is max from your ipod.

If it is like 10% and you are using your car to raise the volume, I could see that sounding pretty bad.

[Mafty]

its not even the sound quality that urgs me, i want to be able to change the song etc from my dash, i dont want to look down to change it

[Mike]

If you do a quick search on this forum you can find the different alternative for controlling your ipod with the car stereo or steering wheel control. You need to buy an aftermarket adapter, which is pretty expensive but sounds like you need one!
Mazda makes one. Personally, I bought the Audiolink one for $130.

As for the terrible sound, there is well known grounding problem from the power adapter. Does the noise happen even when the power cable is out (just the aux cable plugged into your ipod?). If the buzzing noise goes away, then you will need a ground loop.
If it doesn't then you probably have a faulty aux jack or stereo connection.

[andytam]

i have a 07 and it sounds terrific...
maybe you need a better 3.5mm cable?

[Mafty]

possibly. maybe my 8$ cable is no good? lol. but id really love to have audio controls through the dash and have it charge while i drive. im looking into the Neo adapter. just cant find a canadian retailer

[cwp_sedan]

I paid $8 for mine and it works fine.

[Mafty]

yea, i was testing it today, if i spin the cable in my ipod where the aux goes into the ipod it gets crazy static and the sound cuts in and out. so sometimes the sound is only 50% and then if i push the cable in more i get full sound. sooo not sure if its a cable issue or an ipod issue.

[RemaerdLacidar]

If you're hearing interference that increases with engine speed, it's probably ground-loop interference.

I had this issue and purchased a ground loop isolator which fixed the problem 100% :)

[RemaerdLacidar]

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/PAC_SNI_1_3_5_Minijack_Ground_Loop_Noise_Isolator_ p/127sni135.htm

this is the one I got -- works great, reasonable price.

Sorry about the double post decided to add this in after I made the orignal one... if one of the mods can merge these two it'd be great ;)

[Mafty]

its not really engine interference. i was testing while sitting in nuetral. ill try my other ipod, and if that doesnt work i may get a better cable. i just have a RCA one from futureshop.

[Dante]

yea, i was testing it today, if i spin the cable in my ipod where the aux goes into the ipod it gets crazy static and the sound cuts in and out. so sometimes the sound is only 50% and then if i push the cable in more i get full sound. sooo not sure if its a cable issue or an ipod issue.

Dead cable man, I had this problem with my other car. The cable was intact and was working once but they just die somehow if they are cheap kind.. Get gold plated tip ones.. Good quality RCA's will do.

If that doesnt fix it, it could be the actual jack.but I doubt that. Before spending big cash, get this cable man..

[Mafty]

im starting to think it could be the audio jack from my ipod. since my old setup had my ipod being plugged in from the dock/charger section not the audio out. im going to try another ipod, then another cable, and then we will see.

[sunnyhomeboy]

i have an 08. i'll try it 2nite and see how it works out wif my old ipod nano 2gb.

cheers,
sunny.

[3GFX]

Sounds like you want the Audiolink IPOD connector ;)

[Mafty]

well i retried this afternoon and everything seems fine. no more static. so i will keep this setup for the time being

[HBP]

yea, i was testing it today, if i spin the cable in my ipod where the aux goes into the ipod it gets crazy static and the sound cuts in and out. so sometimes the sound is only 50% and then if i push the cable in more i get full sound. sooo not sure if its a cable issue or an ipod issue.

this shit happened to me with the 3 ebay wires i bought.

then i went to walmart, bought one of theirs. pretty good quality. no problems.

[b3GS]

My Aux in works perfectly with my ipod

I did run into a bad Wire one time.... so that may very well be your problem

[gqstunning]

I have an '04 with the mazda ipod unit and it works and sounds great as long as u properly disconect your ipod from your computer.

[JiNuWiNe]

Well that explains it. You will always get better sound quality from the LOD (Line out dock) of the iPod. People actually make these LODs themselves on Head-Fi and sells them for $30-40.

[visco9]

:bana2 happy to hear it was an isolate incident! Im pumped to be able to play my ipod through the new M3 im getting!

[fairleymac]

Your best quality audio is going to come from a "Line-level" output, using an adapter that comes from your dock connector. If you are going to use the headphone output from your iPod, set the audio level no higher than about 80%. Anything more will be distorted at high-volume on your car stereo.

Just FYI...


I don't think there is a point in getting the adapter, but I think you should first make sure you volume is max from your ipod.

If it is like 10% and you are using your car to raise the volume, I could see that sounding pretty bad.

[matt9]

I set IPOD volume to maximum and then use the car volume to get it to where I want. Myself and any passengers I am with are always amazed at the quality.

[howitts_done]

I think it's time you upgrade to the GROM Audio Adaptor - link (http://www.gromaudio.com/ipod.html)

I had some minor issues with the original version but I just received their newer one (GROM-IPD2) and it works great! It costs less than $100 with shipping...

Main features and functionality:

- Direct connection from iPod to car stereo provides CD quality sound
- GROM Audio translates button presses from your car stereo or steering wheel to the particular command iPod can understand
- Enables easy integration into the car system. Place it anywhere, control from the car stereo
- Charges iPod while connected

Product advantages:

- High quality components ensure the highest quality sound possible in a car
- Simple operation ensures flexibility and no ramp up time to use
- Original car's harness fits just right in your car and require no additional tools or adjustments for mounting. Simple plug-n-play installation saves you time and money.

* Disk 1 allow to control iPod from its clicking wheel. Select your music from iPod and have it played. Stereo still can control iPod
* Disk 2-6 mapped to playlists you create on iPod. Full control from car stereo. The following information is displayed: Disk #, Track #, time etc
* MIX, REPEAT work as usual
* SCAN allow to skip +-10 tracks for faster navigation (only in Advanced mode)
* Playlist positions are preserved for fast operation

Specs:

- Native iPod connector for audio, charge and control data
- Dimensions 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.25 (W x D x H)
- Original harness to connect to the back of the stereo

[FoXy]

Mine sounds fine and I have an 08. They key is that you must turn up the volume on the ipod itself. I have mine up about 80% and then I control the volume after that with the one on the deck.

I got my cord from Walmart, it was like $11.50. When you close the top (lid) of the centre console there is a gap for the cord that you are using. I just leave the ipod on the seat beside me, or in the cup holder.

Also if you dont like looking down. By a longer cord and then say, maybe mount it somewhere closer to the deck. Either way, its not that inconvenient.

I love mine :hawt

[bunchi]

anyone have static when the ipod is connected to the aux jack and you use a car charger and connected to the ipod too?

[Iceman_F1]

anyone have static when the ipod is connected to the aux jack and you use a car charger and connected to the ipod too?

I did when using the aux jack. Sometimes even just the iPod itself did it. But I ended up breaking down and getting the mazda iPod adapter for the 08.5...pricey but it shows song titles and stuff and I just hide the iPod away in the glove compartment.

[bunchi]

I did when using the aux jack. Sometimes even just the iPod itself did it. But I ended up breaking down and getting the mazda iPod adapter for the 08.5...pricey but it shows song titles and stuff and I just hide the iPod away in the glove compartment.


thanks... mine only did it when the ipod is not the car charger, perfect when it's running on i's battery. maybe i'll try to use the ipod dock too see if it works better.

[Iceman_F1]

thanks... mine only did it when the ipod is not the car charger, perfect when it's running on i's battery. maybe i'll try to use the ipod dock too see if it works better.

Yeah...wasn't a perfect setup. There could have been many factors that made the audio quality bad. Could have been a cheap cable. Could have been the audio settings on my ipod. Could have been the song itself wasn't great quality. Could have been a bunch of other things. Either way, decided wanted to control things through the steering wheel and got the iPod adapter. Works great.

[jaimie08mazda3]

anyone have static when the ipod is connected to the aux jack and you use a car charger and connected to the ipod too?

yep i get this. its not noticeable untill you turn it down then its wayy too noticeable. bleh

[Mafty]

>.< guys look when i posted this thread before replying lol. i made this in 04-08. almost a year ago now. obviously this problem has been long resolved