IPod mini dock for my car, has 3.5mm out: will it sound good?...

UNR.Grad · 05-11-2005, 10:50 AM

This iPod mini dock seems like a perfect all-in-one unit, but I'm alittle hesitant about the sound quality from a 3.5mm output. I can get a 3.5 to RCA cable for the AUX in my cd player, but how would the sound quality be? It says it puts out good sound, what do you guys think? I could always go the FM tansmitter route but I really dont want to, and this dock is a great all in one unit.

Here's the press release on it..."TEN Technology Introduces Adjustable Car Dock + Charger for the Apple iPod mini

Friday, October 29, 2004 �" Los Angeles, CA. �" TEN Technology, maker of the top selling naviPod�,,� wireless remote control for the iPod, is proud to introduce its next hot new product: the TEN flexDock mini�,,� �" for the Apple iPod® mini.

The TEN Technology flexDock mini for the iPod mini features a dock on an adjustable arm that plugs into standard cigarette lighter sockets in most automobiles worldwide. The flexDock mini will securely hold and power the iPod mini. TEN Technology expects to ship the flexDock mini in November 2004.

The TEN Technology flexDock mini for iPod mini provides the most flexible yet secure way to use the iPod mini in the vehicle. The dock on a flexible metal arm allows easy and secure positioning of the iPod mini for convenience and safety while in the car. The dark grey color of the flexDock mini will match most car interiors and lets the iPod mini shine. The flexDock mini plugs into standard cigarette lighter sockets in most cars and charges the iPod mini. The flexDock mini also features a 3.5mm line-out jack on the plug for use with the included cassette adapter or most self-powered FM transmitters (not included) for high-quality audio through your car stereo.

�oeThe TEN flexDock mini is our first product to address the question of where to park your iPod mini inside the car,” says John Lin, CEO and founder of TEN Technology. �oeIt will conveniently and securely display the iPod mini while charging it and provides line-out audio for better sound quality.”

Users can also use the TEN naviPod along with the flexDock mini, giving them wireless remote control of the iPod mini inside their car. Now how cool is that?

"flexDock mini is such a great accessory, and just in time for the holidays as a stocking stuffer for your favorite iPod mini owner,” said Eric Prentice, CEO of Dr. Bott, LLC, master distributor of TEN products. "This product is innovative, elegant, and intuitive. It is always a pleasure to bring a great product like the flexDock mini to market!"
Pre-ordering for the flexDock mini will be available through the Dr. Bott Online Store (http://www.drbott.com/) and through TEN Technology�<sup>TM</sup>s online store (http://www.tentechnology.com/store/). The flexDock mini will begin shipping in November 2004 and also will be available through the Apple Store Online. The suggested retail price is US$49.95/CAN $69.95."

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goatboy22382 · 05-11-2005, 11:27 AM

the audio out will definately sound better then an fm transmitter

green91runner · 05-11-2005, 11:42 AM

i 2nd that.. that dock will be way better then the transmitter

tgreathead · 05-12-2005, 11:12 AM

I had a similar setup in my old Civic, line out to AUX converter to changer input. Sounded perfect.

On a side note, what headunit do you have? I'm trying to find a decent priced one with RCA AUX in back. Seems like everything needs a converter.

doink · 05-12-2005, 11:42 AM

it will sound fine. thats how i had it rigged up with my kenwood headunit before i got my new alpine one with the alpine ipod controller thing. ha. gotta love those technical terms.

tgreathead · 05-12-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doink

it will sound fine. thats how i had it rigged up with my kenwood headunit before i got my new alpine one with the alpine ipod controller thing. ha. gotta love those technical terms.

Which Alpine did you get? How's the iPod controller, I've been looking into those lately.

doink · 05-12-2005, 12:09 PM

i got the CDA-9851 . i wanted to get the.CDA-9855 but rethought and figured i could spend my money better elsewhere. being able to control the ipod via the headunit is fairly cool. although, the only negative i think is that you cant scroll through the artists as fast as you can by just normally using the ipod. thats my only complaint.

DavidA · 05-12-2005, 05:14 PM

The size of the connection will make no difference to the sound quality. An FM transmitter however will only transmit sound between 50hz and 15,000hz. So you are going to miss out on any harmonics, lows or highs outside that range. The 3.5 connector will convey the entire audible spectrum from 10hz to 20,000+hz.

tgreathead · 05-12-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doink

the only negative i think is that you cant scroll through the artists as fast as you can by just normally using the ipod. thats my only complaint.

Ya, I just had a line in with my Civic and didn't mind controlling via the iPod. Unless you get a crazy deck with multiple lines of text I don't think its worth it.

rwmorrisonjr · 05-12-2005, 07:37 PM

Frosh, did you see this at an Apple store or only online? What's the quality like compared to the similar Belkin product? I'm thinking of this sine I travel and want a better way to mount my Mini in the rental cars I get.

tgreathead · 05-12-2005, 09:39 PM

The only thing I know about the Belkin is it has its own internal amp so the sound isn't a true direct out. I use the Sik Imp: plugs into the dock and gives you a charging port and a line out. You could also hook up your dock in the car (which I will probably be doing, I'll let you know how it goes.

05-11-2005, 11:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
goatboy22382 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 188	the audio out will definately sound better then an fm transmitter __________________ 94 4runner, v6, auto, 4WD, optima red top, headers and exaust,K&N fipk, 3 in downey lift, manual hubs, 33x12.50 bfg mud terrains, 10lb power tank

05-11-2005, 11:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
green91runner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: thunder bay, ontario Posts: 897	i 2nd that.. that dock will be way better then the transmitter __________________ 1991 4Runner SR5 3.0L 4wd 5Spd, 31x10.5 ATs, HG replaced 02/05, 320,000km 2008 Acura CSX 2.0L 5Spd, Leather, Sunroof, Wing, Fog Lights, VSA, TC, 10,000km

05-12-2005, 11:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
tgreathead Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 50	I had a similar setup in my old Civic, line out to AUX converter to changer input. Sounded perfect. On a side note, what headunit do you have? I'm trying to find a decent priced one with RCA AUX in back. Seems like everything needs a converter. __________________ --Taylor '98 4Runner SR5 V6 4x2 Auto -The incredible rear window switch mod -Ashtray deadened -FIAMM Freeway Blasters

05-12-2005, 11:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
doink Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atl. Georgia Posts: 3,078	it will sound fine. thats how i had it rigged up with my kenwood headunit before i got my new alpine one with the alpine ipod controller thing. ha. gotta love those technical terms. __________________ -m. buy my bands record on iTunes LISTEN TO MY BAND PLEASE

05-12-2005, 12:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
doink Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atl. Georgia Posts: 3,078	i got the CDA-9851 . i wanted to get the.CDA-9855 but rethought and figured i could spend my money better elsewhere. being able to control the ipod via the headunit is fairly cool. although, the only negative i think is that you cant scroll through the artists as fast as you can by just normally using the ipod. thats my only complaint. __________________ -m. buy my bands record on iTunes LISTEN TO MY BAND PLEASE

05-12-2005, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
DavidA Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 919	The size of the connection will make no difference to the sound quality. An FM transmitter however will only transmit sound between 50hz and 15,000hz. So you are going to miss out on any harmonics, lows or highs outside that range. The 3.5 connector will convey the entire audible spectrum from 10hz to 20,000+hz. __________________ 2002 Stellar Blue 4Runner Sport Edition Cold Air Intake Magnaflow Exhaust Iridium Sparkplugs Kenwood KDC-MP628 Blaupunkt Separates in all of the doors Two RF P2002 amps Kenwood 12" Subwoofer My baby: Pics

05-12-2005, 07:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
rwmorrisonjr Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Home: Aurora, CO; Work: The People's Republic of Denver Posts: 1,992	Frosh, did you see this at an Apple store or only online? What's the quality like compared to the similar Belkin product? I'm thinking of this sine I travel and want a better way to mount my Mini in the rental cars I get. __________________ DD: 2006 Jeep Commander Sport 4.7l Trail rig: 1984 BII, 2.8, MSD 6A & Blaster 2 coil, Holley 2300, C5, OEM 1350, 7.5 & D28 with 4.56s, 33x12.50 BFG AT KOs on 15x8 black steelies, new "jeep" seats. Ugly but it runs and its paid for! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."- Robert A. Heinlein

05-12-2005, 09:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
tgreathead Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 50	The only thing I know about the Belkin is it has its own internal amp so the sound isn't a true direct out. I use the Sik Imp: plugs into the dock and gives you a charging port and a line out. You could also hook up your dock in the car (which I will probably be doing, I'll let you know how it goes. __________________ --Taylor '98 4Runner SR5 V6 4x2 Auto -The incredible rear window switch mod -Ashtray deadened -FIAMM Freeway Blasters

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