listening to music in the car

I used to enjoy music in my car until I traded for a new model with factory installed "high end" Bose radio. I had no option, it was standard equipment on the vehicle.

I much preferred the stock factory radio in my older vehicle (same make and model, different year).

Perhaps the car maker watches too much TV, and thought they were doing their customers a favor.

Mapman,

A quite ride would indeed help.   A random Acura I looked up at Motor Trend shows 68 DB.   That may not include the ELS system?

Background noise would indeed be a big deal.

My current car had an option for Burmeister as well.  I went with stock Bose + Car Play and spent the money on other options.

I agree Stringreen  

Assuming one could listen for extended period of time at 90 DB, average background noise in a car is probably 40 to 75 DB.

So we arrive at a stunning dynamic range of 15 DB :-) and intelligibility masked by the combined noise of tires, engine and other vehicles in the traffic.

gdhal,

I agree with that for sure.   In spite of the  terrible quality provided by Sirius radio I listen every time I'm in the car.   Every week a tune turns up that I make note of and audition at Amazon (or wherever I can) and consider for purchase.

This primarily happens with Real Jazz channel but has happened on other programs as well.   It's important to be able to listen in the car, but long ago realized the frustration of trying to make it great in that environment.   It's hard enough at home where things are more under control.

glupson,

Your experience is much like my own.   I had a BMW X5 that had iPod connection in glove box.  It played all the files I had on the iPod but I admit most were ripped from CD rather than high res downloads.

Then I lost my mind and bought a C7 Stingray.  Terrible car but I'll skip that conversation and just say that listening at almost any speed was impossible due to noise and quality of the factory Bose system.

That car lasted about year, it was driving me crazy for many reasons but now addicted to performance and handling but needed a SUV I had a time finding something that would do both.

A friend suggested Porsche Macan, I drove one and it was instant love affair.  Ordered the Turbo (highest performance version) but skipped the Burmester in favor of other options.

Noise level is about 66 DB for my model with special glass.  Making it  quieter than Cadillac, Jag and Mercedes. 

Even with nice quiet levels the Bose is not great,  and like you I find it hard to play AIFF other than iPod.   Mine has option for SD cards and it recognizes the card but won't play unless it's FLAC or MP4.   I find that strange since Car Play is supposedly backed by Apple and AIFF is an Apple format.

I need more space in my iPod but currently the new iPod touch is available with maximum 128GB.   These days with memory so cheap I don't understand why Apple does not offer a premium model with 512 or even higher memory.  

Sync music to iPod is simple and reliable and plugged into the USB on car with Car Play it displays everything about what's being played and can be controlled a number of ways including voice command.

I've looked at other high end portable players but none seem to be compatible with USB much less Car Play.   I guess could buy a used iPhone and turn off the SIM which essentially converts it to an iPod but what a hassle and waste of money just to get some additional music space. 

My home system has a server with 12TB of music.   512 GB does not seem to me an unreasonable requirement for a portable player. 

Oddiofyl,

I feel for you.  I've not owned a Sienna but there is no shortage of bad car audio and tweeters do seem to bring out the worst. 

glupson,

VW is a great car, but I have not heard their sound system.   I believe you when you say it hurts.   That's the same problem had with the C7 Stingray but a great deal of that problem was ambient noise and listening too loud to overcome same.

I will look into your suggestion on  dbpoweramp.   I don't think I've used their software but memory cards are cheap so it's worth a shot. I currently have two SD cards and no where near full. In fact just a few dozen albums on each since I kept hoping for a higher capacity iPod.

My experiments with SD card was frustrating and how I learned about FLAC, MP4 and AIFF and compatibility (or lack there of)  with Car Play.  

My iPod music is on my personal computer so it would be easy to sync up all the existing music to larger iPod in a matter of minutes.   I have more music on my computer than current iPod will hold.   To me it's easier than loading SD cards.

I enjoyed your story about the Tesla salesman, it's true most people don't care that much about sound, in the car or at home. We are the minority and as you implied, we have to live with it.

I have an iPod now and it works great, it's just insufficient size.

I borrowed one of those Classic iPods like you see at Ebay, some of them  have huge storage space.   Of course the old iPod like those do not use the Lightning connector so it is not recognized by my Car Play.

Plug in the newer iPod like I have and works great.  Also better sound than Sirius or FM.   Seems similar to what I get from my SD card.   I too get album art and correct song ID with all those formats, just wishing for simple way to sync my library without having to do without some of my favorites.

Jafant,

Do not doubt you are correct on wire harness and other tweaks.   It's sure a big deal in home system and probably the car has the minimum that will work.


Oprgonpapa,

Yep, tires are a big deal.  

I have factory tires which are Pirelli PZero, unfortunately not up to me when car was built.   I requested Michelin but was told the factory uses whatever is in stock at the moment.  

I could have gotten Michelin Latitude, Pirelli P-Zero or Continental Contact (21" Summer tires).

When the Pirelli wear out I am going to Michelin.  They are supposed to ride and perform better and are quieter.