Stupid Car Audio Question - hooking 3.5mm output to amp

A

Atrus

Forum Member
So, sort of a dumb question...I want to hook a 3.5mm jack, like on my phone, to my 5 channel amp. I'm not an audiophile, but I do want something that sounds decent. What I mean is, there definitely are very picky people in regard to audio...I am not one of them. I don't want it to sound like total dookie though.

I was thinking I could use something like these EQ's...am I correct in that? Is there a better alternative? Would like to be able to control fade/EQ/sub level, and volume would be nice too.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O50VEQ...UTF8&colid=193JTUGK2X5W0&coliid=IRUMUFW3F83VV

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KHYQGM...TF8&colid=193JTUGK2X5W0&coliid=I2Z4IKJIC3ZAP0
 
Considering doing a custom setup so I can basically mirror my phone up to a 7" display. I am looking for a touch display setup that I can run basically everything from my phone off of. Haven't found a cost-effective HU option for that yet.
 
I always wanted to do a Nexus 7 install in a car but I never keep cars long enough lol.

Do a google search on in car tablet installs and see if you can get some pre-amp ideas from someone. Me personally, i'd use a head unit with a rear pin jack input or usb and run it into the aux in on the head unit.
 
You are on te right track with the eq but make sure you get a unit with a built in line driver, your phones output is weak so a quality unit is needed if you don't want to amplify noise. As far as head units go .... You can buy a decent radio that will mirror you phone for around 500 @ full retail and avoiding the need for the eq all together. The technology you are looking for is referred to as MHL. Stay away from "MIRRORLINK" products as they were flakey and had little support Hope this helps.
 
79cobra said:
You are on te right track with the eq but make sure you get a unit with a built in line driver, your phones output is weak so a quality unit is needed if you don't want to amplify noise. As far as head units go .... You can buy a decent radio that will mirror you phone for around 500 @ full retail and avoiding the need for the eq all together. The technology you are looking for is referred to as MHL. Stay away from "MIRRORLINK" products as they were flakey and had little support Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info - I'll consider something with a line driver.

What you mention is exactly what I am working with now...I have a Mirrorlink HU and it is flakey. The problem with MHL is I don't believe it'll allow you to control the phone...displays nicely, but you can't interact with the phone from the screen. The HU I have is decent enough, it's just not what I wanted it to do.

I'd like to do the N7, but worried about issues with batteries and whatnot.

I think I have a pretty slick setup in mind...we'll see if it actually works. I'm not buying all the components at once...buy a couple things, see if it works, buy a couple more. Worst case, I end up being out about $60.
 
Atrus said:
Thanks for the info - I'll consider something with a line driver.

What you mention is exactly what I am working with now...I have a Mirrorlink HU and it is flakey. The problem with MHL is I don't believe it'll allow you to control the phone...displays nicely, but you can't interact with the phone from the screen. The HU I have is decent enough, it's just not what I wanted it to do.

I'd like to do the N7, but worried about issues with batteries and whatnot.

I think I have a pretty slick setup in mind...we'll see if it actually works. I'm not buying all the components at once...buy a couple things, see if it works, buy a couple more. Worst case, I end up being out about $60.
Click to expand...

Mhl does allow control with most modern android devices, samsungs may need a Samsung specific adapter though
 
79cobra said:
You are on te right track with the eq but make sure you get a unit with a built in line driver, your phones output is weak so a quality unit is needed if you don't want to amplify noise. As far as head units go .... You can buy a decent radio that will mirror you phone for around 500 @ full retail and avoiding the need for the eq all together. The technology you are looking for is referred to as MHL. Stay away from "MIRRORLINK" products as they were flakey and had little support Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Yep, most phones will only output 1V max at a fixed 100% volume. Standard line-level output on consumer audio equipment is 2V, and on pro audio it's 4V. The higher the output voltage, the lower the noise floor, and better measured sound quality. Perceived and measured sound quality do not always go hand in hand. Some amplifiers use their distortion characteristics to their advantage, this is why some amps will offer a sterile sound, and some warm and lively. Of course you can buy an off-the-shelf unit for lots of money, or you can cobble up your own. One is cheaper and far more capable, and the other is more costly but easier to set up. You can build something with GPS, LTE, touch screen, OBD-II reader, dash cam, music, movies, audio DSP, VOiP, and other things for a reasonable price, but it will take a bit of time and and learning. The main question is, how far do you want to go and how much do you want to spend? I often find myself unimpressed by most off-the-shelf electronics out there, most stuff out there is neutered pretty bad and can be made better, or a better alternative can be built.

This will give you a pretty good idea. http://engineering-diy.blogspot.com/2014/04/raspberry-pi-carpc-april-2014-updates.html
 
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