[daveinla]

After acquiring a 2007 Mazdaspeed3 grand touring, I started to look at the best way to connect and integrate my iPod without ruining myself.
Here is what I came out with:

iPod holder (about $19) in electronics stores: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=153999
placed it in the cup holder near the hand-break.

- USB iPod auto charger ($8): http://www.radtech.us/Products/CablesiPod.aspx plugged in cigar lighter socket in central compartment
- iPod dock connector to USB and audio cable: http://www.audio-outfitters.com/page37.html (bottom of the page)
This cable connects on the dock connector of the iPod. The USB extremity of it is plugged in the USB charger and the audio extremity plugged in the AUX input of the central compartment.

This way with one connection, the iPod is charged and connected to the Aux Stereo.
Plus the sound is the best out of the Dock connector compared to the mini rca headphones connector.

 

[icspots]

Well are you just looking to get the sound from your ipod to the stereo, and charge it, or are you wanting to integrate it like you said?

Check the list of ipod integration methods in my signature for details.

 

[rubyred3]

don't bother with the cup holder thing, take out your ashtray, and put a sticky matt under it, thats what I do, and the door just clamps to hold it down, but I can pull it out to change songs easily, its perfect!

 

[icspots]

^^^ +1 on not getting the cupholder dock. I personally don't like those because: A) I use my cupholders, and B) because if you want to close the cupholder lid then you have a mount to stick somewhere. If you're looking for somewhere to mount it then look at the two clips that www.proclipusa.com offers. They're pictured in THIS thread.

 

[grantstaylor]

I just got a brand new 08 Grand Touring HB with the Bose stereo. If I use this dock-connected line out plugged into the auxiliary input in the center console is the sound quality comparable to the more expensive "ipod integration" systems? I realize these won't allow for the use of the stereo controls to change tracks and all that, I'm just interested in the easiest way to get the best sound from my ipod. And will I need to use one of the ground loop isolators if I plan on charging it while listening to it?

Also, if anybody has any recommendations on easy ways to improve the Bose stereo a little bit (short of completely replacing the HU or speakers), I'm happy with how it sounds now, but feel it could still be better.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=grantstaylor link=topic=67131.msg1955671#msg1955671 date=1199050375]
I just got a brand new 08 Grand Touring HB with the Bose stereo. If I use this dock-connected line out plugged into the auxiliary input in the center console is the sound quality comparable to the more expensive "ipod integration" systems? I realize these won't allow for the use of the stereo controls to change tracks and all that, I'm just interested in the easiest way to get the best sound from my ipod. And will I need to use one of the ground loop isolators if I plan on charging it while listening to it?

Also, if anybody has any recommendations on easy ways to improve the Bose stereo a little bit (short of completely replacing the HU or speakers), I'm happy with how it sounds now, but feel it could still be better.
[/quote]

There really isn't much sound quality lost between the headphone output and a line output. That being said you sound quality will only be as good as your best Mp3. If you have very low compression Mp3's then it's going to sound like crap no matter what you use to connect it.

 

[grantstaylor]

Yea I always try to get at least 192 kbps on all my mp3s. So is sound quality more or less the same regardless of whether I plug into the aux in from the headphone out or a dock-connected line out, or a dock-connected ipod integration? Even on the Bose stereo?

 

[icspots]

Shouldn't be that far off.... especially with road noise coming in.

 

[mazda3strng]

- iPod dock connector to USB and audio cable: http://www.audio-outfitters.com/page37.html (bottom of the page)
This cable connects on the dock connector of the iPod. The USB extremity of it is plugged in the USB charger and the audio extremity plugged in the AUX input of the central compartment.



Is there a way to search for something like that on Ebay? I couldnt find one, but I might be searching for the wrong thing.

 

[icspots]

[quote author=mazda3strng link=topic=67131.msg1959738#msg1959738 date=1199236204]
- iPod dock connector to USB and audio cable: http://www.audio-outfitters.com/page37.html (bottom of the page)
This cable connects on the dock connector of the iPod. The USB extremity of it is plugged in the USB charger and the audio extremity plugged in the AUX input of the central compartment.



Is there a way to search for something like that on Ebay? I couldnt find one, but I might be searching for the wrong thing.
[/quote]

belkin makes an adapter which plugs into the dock connector, provides a line output and a 12v DC charger. You'll still need a ground loop isolator though.

 

[mazda3strng]

yea I found that. Does the same thing as the above link, or so it looks like....$20 more expensive though

 

[ckone0814]

[quote author=icspots link=topic=67131.msg1959978#msg1959978 date=1199243512]
[quote author=mazda3strng link=topic=67131.msg1959738#msg1959738 date=1199236204]
- iPod dock connector to USB and audio cable: http://www.audio-outfitters.com/page37.html (bottom of the page)
This cable connects on the dock connector of the iPod. The USB extremity of it is plugged in the USB charger and the audio extremity plugged in the AUX input of the central compartment.



Is there a way to search for something like that on Ebay? I couldnt find one, but I might be searching for the wrong thing.
[/quote]

belkin makes an adapter which plugs into the dock connector, provides a line output and a 12v DC charger. You'll still need a ground loop isolator though.
[/quote]

You can pick up this Belkin kit on Ebay for around $25 shipped.