[RocketSurgeon]

So I have a 2009 335i coupe with Hi-Fi and nav, and my brother has a 2009 Nissan Rogue with Bose. His stereo sounds great with an Aux cord to his phone, easily CD sound quality. His car got mashed in front of our house, so I've loaned him my car for 6-8 weeks until his gets fixed. Anyway, he and I both concluded that my stereo sounds like hell with an AUX cord. It's grainy with no depth or punch to it, worse than FM radio. We've tried different phones, different aux cords, etc without improvement. Are they all like that, or does mine have a problem? Is combox A2DP streaming better?

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

So I have a 2009 335i coupe with Hi-Fi and nav, and my brother has a 2009 Nissan Rogue with Bose. His stereo sounds great with an Aux cord to his phone, easily CD sound quality. His car got mashed in front of our house, so I've loaned him my car for 6-8 weeks until his gets fixed. Anyway, he and I both concluded that my stereo sounds like hell with an AUX cord. It's grainy with no depth or punch to it, worse than FM radio. We've tried different phones, different aux cords, etc without improvement. Are they all like that, or does mine have a problem? Is combox A2DP streaming better?

Get BavSound speakers, they are Plug and play.
Then get HK under seats bass. It's day and night.

[asiflicious]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

So I have a 2009 335i coupe with Hi-Fi and nav, and my brother has a 2009 Nissan Rogue with Bose. His stereo sounds great with an Aux cord to his phone, easily CD sound quality. His car got mashed in front of our house, so I've loaned him my car for 6-8 weeks until his gets fixed. Anyway, he and I both concluded that my stereo sounds like hell with an AUX cord. It's grainy with no depth or punch to it, worse than FM radio. We've tried different phones, different aux cords, etc without improvement. Are they all like that, or does mine have a problem? Is combox A2DP streaming better?

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

So I have a 2009 335i coupe with Hi-Fi and nav, and my brother has a 2009 Nissan Rogue with Bose. His stereo sounds great with an Aux cord to his phone, easily CD sound quality. His car got mashed in front of our house, so I've loaned him my car for 6-8 weeks until his gets fixed. Anyway, he and I both concluded that my stereo sounds like hell with an AUX cord. It's grainy with no depth or punch to it, worse than FM radio. We've tried different phones, different aux cords, etc without improvement. Are they all like that, or does mine have a problem? Is combox A2DP streaming better?

I'm sure you already have but did you check your aux volume setting on the radio? Try lowering it, it may be set too high

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by Blueeyesredpanda

Get BavSound speakers, they are Plug and play.
Then get HK under seats bass. It's day and night.

I've been eying those, I think I'll end up upgrading my speakers soon.

Originally Posted by asiflicious

I'm sure you already have but did you check your aux volume setting on the radio? Try lowering it, it may be set too high

I initially played with the gain, I think I need to fiddle with it some more. I set the car gain pretty high figuring it would amplify cleaner than the phone would. I need to revisit that....

[its_dewayne]

I bought one of those Y cables to hook my Ipod up, and that was a waste. The audio sounded like garbage like you stated and seemed like it only played out of one side. Im now using a flash drive with mp3's and it sounds so much better.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Use a good quality Aux cable too.

[9krpmrx8]

Your device has more to do with it than anything else. But if you switched phones I dunno. Mine sounds great with my HTC U11 but my daughters iphone 7 sounds pretty crappy.

[hassmaschine]

I think it depends on the device you use - my old phone's audio jack sounded terrible, but over bluetooth it sounded great (using a bluetooth adapter to plug into the aux jack in the car). My new phone's bluetooth connection sounds like total crap, it's completely unlistenable - even on other audio devices that sounded fine before like my wireless headphones.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I think it depends on the device you use - my old phone's audio jack sounded terrible, but over bluetooth it sounded great (using a bluetooth adapter to plug into the aux jack in the car). My new phone's bluetooth connection sounds like total crap, it's completely unlistenable - even on other audio devices that sounded fine before like my wireless headphones.

.

What bluetooth adapter are you using?

My iPhone 7 also sounds like garbage via the Aux cord. Enough that it makes me wonder if upgrading speakers, etc. are even worth the effort.

[RGP-N54]

I just use Kinivo BTC450. Cost me $30 and since I don't have iDrive it's nice to have.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by tlow98

.

What bluetooth adapter are you using?

My iPhone 7 also sounds like garbage via the Aux cord. Enough that it makes me wonder if upgrading speakers, etc. are even worth the effort.

I have no idea - some $20 thing from Amazon.

I don't think it's the stereo because it sounded completely different with the BT adapter, and obviously it's using the same Aux input.

[smallseafishie]

The aux sounds fine. Most probably cause to your issue is that your music source is distorted. Try disabling (flattening) any EQ or "enhancements" settings on your music source. Another source of potential issue is any ground loops if your music source is powered by the vehicle.

[John 070]

I have an iPod (remember them?) connected to my aux, and when I do use it, it sounds just fine.

The cable (charges and does aux out) that I have today, is the 2nd one since 2007. The first one started going bad and yes it did cause the sound to also be bad, dropping out, etc.

In this day and age the aux cable is a weak link, but music sounds just as good as anything else when it working. My .02.

[tlow98]

I guess what I’m complaining about is when you compare a CD to the AUX there is a large difference in quality. Same tracks, same music.

I can turn up the CD very loud and despite the fact the sound system is merely ok it sounds decent. Try the same with the Aux and it sounds grainy and muddy at mid-high volumes.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by tlow98

I guess what I’m complaining about is when you compare a CD to the AUX there is a large difference in quality. Same tracks, same music.

I can turn up the CD very loud and despite the fact the sound system is merely ok it sounds decent. Try the same with the Aux and it sounds grainy and muddy at mid-high volumes.

What software do you use to play music through your phone?

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I think it depends on the device you use - my old phone's audio jack sounded terrible, but over bluetooth it sounded great (using a bluetooth adapter to plug into the aux jack in the car). My new phone's bluetooth connection sounds like total crap, it's completely unlistenable - even on other audio devices that sounded fine before like my wireless headphones.

Just my 2cents.

What device you use do affect the sound quality.
Usually, with an Android device, you can play with the Eq, High, mid, low. But I usually leave it alone.
The Bluetooth version of the phone do matters too.

The music file do affect sound quality. If you download your music make sure it is 320kbps.


In theory:
Aux do have a better sound output than Bluetooth.

Most idea aux:
A decent quality aux cord should be alright

Most idea Bluetooth setup:
A Bluetooth receiver with Qualcomm aptx

[max_330i]

I listen to my music through my iPhone 7 plugged in via AUX. It sounds great, so I can't relate to the above posters saying their iPhone sounds crappy in the car stereo.

Some things to note are that I never have the volume at maximum on either the phone or the stereo, and I'm sure if I turned it up too high at any point in the system, the quality would suffer dramatically. Definitely don't rely on the car stereo amplifying the gain for you-- leave that AUX-VOL setting or whatever it's called on the default... Also, be sure to clean lint out of the AUX port on the phone (not kidding, it can cause tremendous static) and only use high quality cables.

After double checking all of the above, I'd probably start trying different phones and even take a ride in a different E90 if possible. I'm no audiophile but the sound quality has never been remotely bad enough for me to consciously notice. In my mind, if you buy a BMW, the minimum sound quality you deserve starts at "good enough," and if it's not, then something is wrong with the equipment (phone, cable, car stereo, etc.)

[smallseafishie]

Originally Posted by max_330i

I'm no audiophile but the sound quality has never been remotely bad enough for me to consciously notice. In my mind, if you buy a BMW, the minimum sound quality you deserve starts at "good enough," and if it's not, then something is wrong with the equipment (phone, cable, car stereo, etc.)

That's because your 06 330i's came standard with L7 system which is pretty good. Even the the standard radios that came in the 06 325i / 07-09 328i's were pretty decent too. The 2010 / 2011 standard radio were garbage. It was awful.

[ctuna]

There has been a lot of discussion on the poor quality of the
OEM aux Input on the e90 stereo board and ways to get around it.
In addition to this the this the Hi Fi stereo system or the Base system that
in the 2010 are not to good either.
stereo sub forum
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27
Quality and solutions discussed toward the
end of this thread start at entry 77
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1002984
bluetooth streaming suggestion unforunalty
most use aux
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1255872

One of the ways suggested to feed the aux
was use a head phone dac see threads.
Best to go around it with something that feeds
the Most Bus is the best conclusion.

Hi fi system is you can almost live with it until
you turn it up.
Base System how could they put this in a 50k car.
base Honda systems sound better.

Also before you modify your system you should be aware there are a lot of choices if you already have
the Hi Fi system as its easy to modify.
If this is the case the aux through most aftermarket amps and dsp's will be better.
I would suggest you look at the Helix amp/dsp's

Best System examples
Logic 7 upgrades
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=826683
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590420
Base System Upgrades
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445266
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634957
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1003810
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822366
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581379
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451941
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540954
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=Dotech
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495855
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494299
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...morel-jbl.html
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=amp+upgrade
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=550771
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1411521234
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1378833
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
HI Fi upgrades
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=level
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=540446
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=technic
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532585
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=833581
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443043
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324214
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=level+3
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=processor
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1#post16679904
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=BSW
http://www.bilstereoforum.se/showthread.php?t=2356
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...creations.html

[DrRobert]

I have a high end stereo in my car but the aux sounds fine. If you are playing mp3 files off your phone there is no way it will ever sound as good as a cd. Especially if you downloaded that mp3. Look into uncompressed audio formats or at least set your mp3 at 320 kbps. I have iphone 6s and use Apple Lossless file format instead of mp3 when possible, files are bigger but sound quality is better than mp3.

[kbsmth]

Originally Posted by RGP-N54

I just use Kinivo BTC450. Cost me $30 and since I don't have iDrive it's nice to have.

I use this same device, and I have the controller just between my armrest and iDrive knob so I get quick track controls at my finger tips. I was actually super impressed with the quality of sound I'm getting. Once a call comes in it switches to the car Bluetooth, then returns to the kinovio once the call has ended without any extra fiddling.

[marco_pol]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Use a good quality Aux cable too.

Yes, good point I had the same problem and fix it with new cables now can listen all mp3 from my device downloaded from that site: https://vid-tube.biz