Car stereo question

[QueBert]

I picked up a Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS yesterday, but noticed it doesn't have an SD slot which I thought it did. It does have a USB connector for iPhones. I Googled and can't find an answer, could I plug a usb card reader with an sd card in it and use that for music? The 8500BHS has an sd slot, but it's a good deal more $$$ and I want to try to not spend extra cash here.

 

[sgrinavi]

You have a stereo for your cat? meow

 

[QueBert]

LOL oops I fixed it, it supports flash drives, but I can't find any info on up to what size. I see a 64gb one on sale at BB, but I don't know if it'll work. Anyone have an idea here?

 

[phucheneh]

I'm pretty sure a USB carb reader is the same as a flash drive, for all intents and purposes. If not...well, card readers are like <5 bucks and you probably have one anyhow...so worth a try?

 

[natto fire]

When I had an old Kenwood deck with just USB it would not read from a card in a card reader. The biggest flash drive I had on it was 16GB, but this was over 4 years ago. I did notice that the bigger the flash drive the slower it would go through the folders and it didn't work with playlists. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but that was my experience from years ago, with a different manufacturer.

 

[HeXen]

It should, I have a 120GB WD Passport hooked to mine.

 

[QueBert]

Picking up a 500gb external from BB, it's cheaper than a flash drive, I think even with the bumps from driving an external 2.5 HD should be fine. Pioneer uses FAT32 and has a 15,000 file limit. Only down point.

 

[HeXen]

Picking up a 500gb external from BB, it's cheaper than a flash drive, I think even with the bumps from driving an external 2.5 HD should be fine. Pioneer uses FAT32 and has a 15,000 file limit. Only down point.

Yeah mine never has trouble from even the bumpiest roads and it's not quite as quick as flash but it's close enough to not really be an issue.

 

[QueBert]

Yeah mine never has trouble from even the bumpiest roads and it's not quite as quick as flash but it's close enough to not really be an issue.

which HU do you have? If it's not Pioneer do you know if it's FAT32, or something else?

 

[HeXen]

I have a Sony 601bt and yes it's FAT32, I think all HU's only support that.

 

[QueBert]

UGH this head unit doesn't let you make playlists directly on it, and it doesn't support m3u. Working with tons of music is going to be a pain in the ass without an iOS device.

 

[HeXen]

At least yours has apps for it. Mine has no real playlist feature either, I organise by folder as it's the only decent way to find anything, but sucks while driving. I could use my cell phone which will mirror apps supporting a playlist feature from it onscreen though never tried it.
So you could make some folders and copy some songs to it as a way to go about doing a playlist.
*edit:
Here is how i do mine, I create folders like 1_Playlist (angry music), 2_Playlist (mellow)...etc. That's how I do my folder structure for a generic playlist of music from different artists that I copy into them and I just subtitle each folder based on mood with a number so they stay at the top of the list when in folder view.

If you find a better way, let me know.

 

[Viper GTS]

I have yet to see a HU that does even a remotely decent job of dealing with large quantities of music. Even a 32 GB drive is limiting when dealing with 320K MP3, my last one ran into the 500 folder limitation first. Navigation of folders was essentially useless and the random feature would cycle through a relatively small number of tracks. I should not be hearing the same track twice in a 30 minute drive with 32 GB of MP3.

Lately I've taken to streaming in the car via BT, either Spotify/Pandora or from my FLAC library on Plex. It's far less hassle and gives better results.

Viper GTS

 

[phucheneh]

Why not just use the aux in and an MP3 player if your HU sucks for organization?

My little cheapo Sandisk player does an okay job. My Zune was great [until someone stole it]. Doesn't take your eyes off the road any more than using the HU. Less if you have the player in your line of sight (and it's a little easier to use than the mentioned thumb-sized Sandisk...but for 30-40 bucks with good sound and uber-compatibility, you can't beat it).

 

[QueBert]

Why not just use the aux in and an MP3 player if your HU sucks for organization?

My little cheapo Sandisk player does an okay job. My Zune was great [until someone stole it]. Doesn't take your eyes off the road any more than using the HU. Less if you have the player in your line of sight (and it's a little easier to use than the mentioned thumb-sized Sandisk...but for 30-40 bucks with good sound and uber-compatibility, you can't beat it).

won't sound as good, and won't let me use steering wheel controls and I'll loose info like the id3 tag and album art. I looked into a bunch of other double din HU's and it looks like one that supports m3u doesn't exist, which is just crazy. So I ended up switching to a Kenwood Echelon 7790 and I'm getting a 64gb iPod Touch so I can keep my steering wheel controls and have playlist support and everything else. I can still get the HD, I'll just use it for DiVX, I think it has a 500 file limit which is wtf stupid, but it's better than nothing. It's not even like I have 500 movies, not even close. but the limits are stupid

It's pretty shocking how primitive head units still are. There are a few Android onesm but they're expensive and still aren't great either.

 

[phucheneh]

Uh...you think iPod through USB somehow sounds better than another MP3 player through an analog cable? Someone's really gotten to you with modern day 'omg DIGITAL!' advertising. Better go tell the people with thousand of dollars into home audio equipment that their RCA-style patch cables are ruining everything.

Not to mention that you're talking about what I'm assuming is factory speakers and HU amplication only? In a convertible? Sorry, worrying about source quality there is closing the barn door after the horse got out.

Not to give you too much shit over it; it's your decision. I just hate to see someone justify Apple's overpriced mp3 players and phones over a percieved difference that isn't there. The only real difference is the interfacing, and I do understand that, although it's a really crappy self-perpetuating cycle; Hard to get anything other than Apple products to work smoothly with car stereos...so everyone buys Apple products...so no one supports anything other than Apple products...repeat ad nauseum.

 

[Jinny]

I have yet to see a HU that does even a remotely decent job of dealing with large quantities of music. Even a 32 GB drive is limiting when dealing with 320K MP3, my last one ran into the 500 folder limitation first. Navigation of folders was essentially useless and the random feature would cycle through a relatively small number of tracks. I should not be hearing the same track twice in a 30 minute drive with 32 GB of MP3.

Lately I've taken to streaming in the car via BT, either Spotify/Pandora or from my FLAC library on Plex. It's far less hassle and gives better results.

Viper GTS

unless you're streaming with aptX, the sound quality likely suffers

 

[QueBert]

Uh...you think iPod through USB somehow sounds better than another MP3 player through an analog cable? Someone's really gotten to you with modern day 'omg DIGITAL!' advertising. Better go tell the people with thousand of dollars into home audio equipment that their RCA-style patch cables are ruining everything.

Not to mention that you're talking about what I'm assuming is factory speakers and HU amplication only? In a convertible? Sorry, worrying about source quality there is closing the barn door after the horse got out.

Not to give you too much shit over it; it's your decision. I just hate to see someone justify Apple's overpriced mp3 players and phones over a percieved difference that isn't there. The only real difference is the interfacing, and I do understand that, although it's a really crappy self-perpetuating cycle; Hard to get anything other than Apple products to work smoothly with car stereos...so everyone buys Apple products...so no one supports anything other than Apple products...repeat ad nauseum.

the 30 pin connector sounds worlds better than line out, especially the crappy line out on the Nexus 4. And I got a 4 channel JL Audio amp and JL components being installed. With the top up it's not much noisier than my Camry was. With it down of course the system won't sound great, but it will still sound pretty decent, and will be plenty loud so I can still easily hear it on the freeway going 75.

Now I know some devices exist that have pre-amped line outs, so something like the HTC One would sound pretty decent. But an iPod Touch with 30 pin out with the DAC built in will still sound better. And it should be pretty noticeable with the amp and components I went with.

 

[phucheneh]

Meh. Agree to disagree. Some phones, or phones in general, might have interference issues, or otherwise lack decent quality audio processing, but my $30 Sansa playing FLAC is not going to sound any different from a store-bought CD played directly through the HU. Only variable is the volume control, which is why I always put it at the same level.

Also of note, since you are using an external amp- your HU is doing the exact same thing an MP3 player through aux would do- putting out an analog signal that varies in intensity based on the volume level.

What's the 4ch amp for? I'm gonna guess you're bridging the rear channels for a sub? I definitely wouldn't try and rock rear speakers in a two-seater.

 

[QueBert]

Meh. Agree to disagree. Some phones, or phones in general, might have interference issues, or otherwise lack decent quality audio processing, but my $30 Sansa playing FLAC is not going to sound any different from a store-bought CD played directly through the HU. Only variable is the volume control, which is why I always put it at the same level.

Also of note, since you are using an external amp- your HU is doing the exact same thing an MP3 player through aux would do- putting out an analog signal that varies in intensity based on the volume level.

What's the 4ch amp for? I'm gonna guess you're bridging the rear channels for a sub? I definitely wouldn't try and rock rear speakers in a two-seater.

Car has 3.5 rear speakers, I actually ended up having them put a 5 channel amp in. They're going to build me a custom sub box for behind the passenger seat. The GM Monsoon system has an 8" sub but it sounds like shit. I'm putting a shallow JL 10" sub. As for the "exact same thing" the signal still has to get from my mp3 player to the aux input on the HU, I've never had luck with Aux sounding good, even with higher end amps. *shrug*

 

[phucheneh]

Like I said, I don't want to argue about it. That's just my stance and you're free to disagree without hurting my feelings.

I am, however, more than happy to engage in some debate regarding the worthlessness of rear speakers with a proper front comp setup.

Higher frequencies coming from behind, especially in such close quarters, are going to ruin your 'sound stage,' and the cancellation they cause will actually have an active impact in decreasing the perceived quality of the sound coming from the front.

I would also try to cross the sub over as low as possible (100hz, tops).

 

[QueBert]

I wasn't thinking about the sound stage thing, hummm maybe I'll just go with the front speakers then. Also, not getting the sub anytime soon, the box is going to be expensive to have built. I was hoping I could find a factory Moonson box and just have it modded a bit, but no dice there.

 

[phucheneh]

I wasn't thinking about the sound stage thing, hummm maybe I'll just go with the front speakers then. Also, not getting the sub anytime soon, the box is going to be expensive to have built. I was hoping I could find a factory Moonson box and just have it modded a bit, but no dice there.

If you're willing to put the time into it, you can build one yourself. It doesn't take any special talent; just some effort. If you can't make an MDF box fit, a more 'custom' one doesn't take that much more effort- just get some rough dimensions...and build it out of MDF. Then just utilize the basic structure you've made, but cut out the areas that don't fit, and replace with fiberglass.

Not to over-simplify; it's just the kind of work that one might think is daunting, but once you get into it, common sense and improvisation work well enough, and will yield a better product than a prefab box. Especially one that's just molded out of plastic or something.

For your speakers, I would recommend putting the front comps in and seeing how you like it. You can always add rear speakers later; but you can't get your money back after you've installed them.

If you really want the extra fill, I would just recommend keeping the stock speakers on HU power. They're probably paper cones without a tweeter...look at that as a positive. The extra sound they provide will be more gentle and unobtrusive.

 

[HeXen]

Like I said, I don't want to argue about it. That's just my stance and you're free to disagree without hurting my feelings.

I am, however, more than happy to engage in some debate regarding the worthlessness of rear speakers with a proper front comp setup.

Higher frequencies coming from behind, especially in such close quarters, are going to ruin your 'sound stage,' and the cancellation they cause will actually have an active impact in decreasing the perceived quality of the sound coming from the front.

I would also try to cross the sub over as low as possible (100hz, tops).

Only if he can bring the bass up front stage as well, which isn't easy or cheap. Little good staging does if you can still tell your sub is coming from the trunk.

Without delayed timing..etc. A generic setup typically will sound better with some rear fill. A front stage always sounds good on paper, but without sound damping, proper mid bass support, time alignment, speaker placement and off axis alignment, individual tuning adjustments per ch...etc, it will never sound right anyway or even be close to "audiophile" and in these cases most everyone in the car audio scene agree's that rear fill will compliment those basic setups.

Like I said, a real front stage is expensive and takes some thought. Cars are horrible audio environments. The best cheap alternative might be adding a processor or "shrill" a small 8" underseat up front or something...anything to bring that bass up front a bit, then turning off the back speakers might actually yield some benefit.

 

[phucheneh]

Below about 100hz or so, bass is nigh-impossible to locate. That's the main reason for wanting to cross subs over low. When it gets higher, it gets easier to know it's in the back. A proper sub setup makes people say GOOD LORD YOUR DOOR SPEAKERS ARE INSANE, because they're not used to hearing subs that aren't obvious.

The long wavelengths also make the distance matter less.