Sound Quality Through USB & Ipod - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BryanB · 08-08-2009, 06:55 PM

Has anyone noticed any loss of sound quality when using an Ipod? How about with a USB thumb drive? Vs. a CD or XM

stet · 08-08-2009, 07:06 PM

When you use an Ipod the Ipod does the decoding. When you use any other USB device then the vehicle's system does it so there can be a difference. Some have reported that the vehicle's system does a better job then an Ipod. It may also be possible that there could be a difference between different Ipod models but I really don't know if that is true or not as I don't know if they all use the same decoder or is the newer ones are better than the old ones. CD is always going to sound better than MP3s or even XM. The quality difference between XM and an MP3 will depend on the quality of the MP3.

CGM2SSRS · 08-08-2009, 08:12 PM

My experience is the sound of my MP3 player is far superior to either xm or fm. For what that is worth?

UCF w00t · 08-09-2009, 12:25 AM

In theory, the quality is like this...

CD > iPod/USB > Aux > XM > FM > AM

If your mp3s were ripped with a quality encoder (LAME, etc) and at a decent bit rate (192vbr or higher) you shouldn't notice the difference between MP3 and CD.

Ject · 08-09-2009, 12:36 AM

All my music is 192 bitrate so I have no sound/quality issues with my USB drive... sounds just as good as my JL Audio speakers in my truck.

tbss1 · 08-09-2009, 12:52 AM

I like the sound of the usb, the wife even said that the sound is realy clear.

aldaran · 08-10-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stet

When you use an Ipod the Ipod does the decoding. When you use any other USB device then the vehicle's system does it so there can be a difference. Some have reported that the vehicle's system does a better job then an Ipod. It may also be possible that there could be a difference between different Ipod models but I really don't know if that is true or not as I don't know if they all use the same decoder or is the newer ones are better than the old ones. CD is always going to sound better than MP3s or even XM. The quality difference between XM and an MP3 will depend on the quality of the MP3.

I agree 100%.

Shadowmind · 08-11-2009, 02:01 PM

My USB is pretty damn perfect. I encode everything at 320. With the BA sound, there is zero distortion even upwards of 36 on volume. The sound system is really nice.

MEDISIN · 08-11-2009, 02:27 PM

I've tried both USB thumb drive and iPhone and can't tell a difference. My mp3's are encoded at 256-320kbps CBR. Don't listen to a lot of hip-hop or r&b so I may not be the best judge of bass.

antivenom · 08-11-2009, 07:42 PM

USB is excellent but only as good as the original recording.

Windy City · 08-11-2009, 09:01 PM

So is a person better off burning CD's or using a player? I was thinking about putting all the music on one player (Zune) so I can transfer between vehicles, am I better off just burning disks? I used the Zune in my Toyota FJ and it seemed like there was a power issue. I would have to turn the volume almost up to the max. At the same volume level a disk would push you out of the truck.

MEDISIN · 08-11-2009, 09:09 PM

I would use your Zune if I were you. Rip your music high quality unless space is an issue. That way no swapping discs while you're driving. You can change artists or genre's through the head unit. Safer and slicker interface than shuffling discs in your lap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy City

So is a person better off burning CD's or using a player? I was thinking about putting all the music on one player (Zune) so I can transfer between vehicles, am I better off just burning disks? I used the Zune in my Toyota FJ and it seemed like there was a power issue. I would have to turn the volume almost up to the max. At the same volume level a disk would push you out of the truck.

UCF w00t · 08-11-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

I would use your Zune if I were you. Rip your music high quality unless space is an issue. That way no swapping discs while you're driving. You can change artists or genre's through the head unit. Safer and slicker interface than shuffling discs in your lap.

Agreed. MP3s on a USB device (iPod, USB drive, Zune, etc) are definitely the way to go.

BigBOSS · 08-11-2009, 09:22 PM

Anyone tried connecting an external hard drive through the USB? For example one of those Western Digital 100gig Passport externals which are powered via USB?

08-08-2009, 06:55 PM	#1
BryanB Drives: 2010 2SS CGM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: - Posts: 112	Sound Quality Through USB & Ipod Has anyone noticed any loss of sound quality when using an Ipod? How about with a USB thumb drive? Vs. a CD or XM

08-09-2009, 12:36 AM	#5
Ject aka Patrick Drives: '10 Camaro 2SS '04 Silverado Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Derby Kansas Posts: 3,072	All my music is 192 bitrate so I have no sound/quality issues with my USB drive... sounds just as good as my JL Audio speakers in my truck. __________________ Current Modifications: Your average Bolt-ons & Suspension Upgrades GForce Engineering: 9" Rear End, Strange Pro Iron Case w/Moser Nodular 3.70:1 Detroit locker, 3.5" Solid Drive Shaft

08-09-2009, 12:52 AM	#6
tbss1 More then meets the eye! Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS 426 hp Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maui Posts: 584 View My Garage	I like the sound of the usb, the wife even said that the sound is realy clear. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS, M6, OBX 7/8" l/t headers, with high flow cats, MBRP full 3" exhaust, Whipple supercharger, 3.875 pulley, ID-1050X 1260CC injectors, JRE rough idle street blower cam kit, ZL1 fp, ZL1 fpcm, ZR1 3 bar map sensor, cold air intake, Richman 4.10 gears, BMR toe rods, trailing arms, f/r sway bars, f/r sway bar end links, BMR end link brackets, full BMR poly bushing including solid rear cradle bushings, BMR frame connectors and tunnel brace, f/r Hurst swaybar bushing brackets, Fluidamper, MGR shifter, and tune by Jannetty Racing.

08-11-2009, 02:27 PM	#9
MEDISIN Drives: 2011 CTS-V Sedan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Posts: 1,505 View My Garage	I've tried both USB thumb drive and iPhone and can't tell a difference. My mp3's are encoded at 256-320kbps CBR. Don't listen to a lot of hip-hop or r&b so I may not be the best judge of bass. __________________ 2012 - Present: 2011 CTS-V Sedan, A6, Airaid, Zmax TB and Tune by R.P.M. = 535 hp/503 lb-ft. 2009 - 2012: 2010 2SS RS IBM M6, MGW Shifter, BMR Trailing Arms/Tunnel Brace, Roto-Fab CAI, VMAX Ported TB, Kooks 6511-Complete (Headers, X-Pipe, Mufflers), dyno tuned by R.P.M. = 415 hp/412 lb-ft. "Not giving a f^k is truly the greatest luxury, and no luxury car gives fewer f^k's than a CTS-V." - Matt Hardigree

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08-08-2009, 07:06 PM	#2
stet Drives: Victory Red 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warren, MI Posts: 73	When you use an Ipod the Ipod does the decoding. When you use any other USB device then the vehicle's system does it so there can be a difference. Some have reported that the vehicle's system does a better job then an Ipod. It may also be possible that there could be a difference between different Ipod models but I really don't know if that is true or not as I don't know if they all use the same decoder or is the newer ones are better than the old ones. CD is always going to sound better than MP3s or even XM. The quality difference between XM and an MP3 will depend on the quality of the MP3.

08-08-2009, 08:12 PM	#3
CGM2SSRS susp.ban4life! Drives: Raptor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Notinsuspensionthread Posts: 943	My experience is the sound of my MP3 player is far superior to either xm or fm. For what that is worth?

08-09-2009, 12:25 AM	#4
UCF w00t Geek Drives: IOM 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando Posts: 4,452	In theory, the quality is like this... CD > iPod/USB > Aux > XM > FM > AM If your mp3s were ripped with a quality encoder (LAME, etc) and at a decent bit rate (192vbr or higher) you shouldn't notice the difference between MP3 and CD.

08-11-2009, 02:01 PM	#8
Shadowmind Drives: 2010 2SS - IOM, fully loaded Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 216	My USB is pretty damn perfect. I encode everything at 320. With the BA sound, there is zero distortion even upwards of 36 on volume. The sound system is really nice.

08-11-2009, 07:42 PM	#10
antivenom Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 129	USB is excellent but only as good as the original recording.

08-11-2009, 09:01 PM	#11
Windy City Drives: Not enough room here! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 1,017	So is a person better off burning CD's or using a player? I was thinking about putting all the music on one player (Zune) so I can transfer between vehicles, am I better off just burning disks? I used the Zune in my Toyota FJ and it seemed like there was a power issue. I would have to turn the volume almost up to the max. At the same volume level a disk would push you out of the truck.

08-11-2009, 09:22 PM	#14
BigBOSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS, 6M, IBM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 480	Anyone tried connecting an external hard drive through the USB? For example one of those Western Digital 100gig Passport externals which are powered via USB?