Using AUX Input Cable for Music
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Using AUX Input Cable for Music
My 2003 S430 has the AUX input jack inside the glove box, so I wanted to use an MP3 player thru the jack for tunes. Worked OK, but the output volume as pretty low. When I got a new smartphone (Razr Maxx HD), naturally wanted to use it.
Very poor performance! The output volume was so low that I had to turn the COMMAND volume very high, and as a result had poor quality and alternator noise. Tried a new flat cable, with no improvement. We couldn't stand the warbling whine, so the effort was pretty much a flop. Blaming the phone, I spent a lot of time looking for ways to increase its output volume, looked for ways to recode the MP3 recordings, etc.
The other day, my older son and I were prowling thru Fry's Electronics, and I noticed a Kensington "Noise-Reducing AUX Audio Cable" that was on a really good sale price. The box said, "idea: Cleaner sound through your car stereo." Nice-looking cable, with a small box in the middle, gold connectors.
Wow! It worked! The difference was day and night. Full volume and much cleaner, fuller sound. I am now a happy camper.
Kensington K39203US
No affiliation, except as a very happy user.
Very poor performance! The output volume was so low that I had to turn the COMMAND volume very high, and as a result had poor quality and alternator noise. Tried a new flat cable, with no improvement. We couldn't stand the warbling whine, so the effort was pretty much a flop. Blaming the phone, I spent a lot of time looking for ways to increase its output volume, looked for ways to recode the MP3 recordings, etc.
The other day, my older son and I were prowling thru Fry's Electronics, and I noticed a Kensington "Noise-Reducing AUX Audio Cable" that was on a really good sale price. The box said, "idea: Cleaner sound through your car stereo." Nice-looking cable, with a small box in the middle, gold connectors.
Wow! It worked! The difference was day and night. Full volume and much cleaner, fuller sound. I am now a happy camper.
Kensington K39203US
No affiliation, except as a very happy user.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Thanks for the info Wallyp. I also have the 2003 S500 with the aux cable in the glove compartment (I think that is the only year MB did it). Anyway, tried playing my ipod thru the aux and you really have to jack up the volume on the command. Maybe I'll give this cable a try and see how it works.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Having used both storage devices the culprit is low "volume" coming out of the MP3/phone/tablet device.
One has to monkey around with it so it matches the volumes of the other sources (CD, FM, etc.)
Or you can buy a special cable but I have no knowledge of such.
One has to monkey around with it so it matches the volumes of the other sources (CD, FM, etc.)
Or you can buy a special cable but I have no knowledge of such.
Last edited by grane; Mar 30, 2013 at 12:23 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The problem appears to be lawyers...
The first time that I used my new Razr as a music source, I tried to increase the output volume enough to be usable. I immediately got a pop-up message on the phone screen warning that excessive volume would damage my ears, and that the earphone volume was being limited to save me. A little research indicated that this was added to the Android OS in Jellybean, the latest version. Can't get rid of it or override it...
I tried several things with no help, until I installed the new low-noise cable. That fixed the problem. There may be other types of cables that will work, but this was the third cable that I tried, and the first that worked.
The first time that I used my new Razr as a music source, I tried to increase the output volume enough to be usable. I immediately got a pop-up message on the phone screen warning that excessive volume would damage my ears, and that the earphone volume was being limited to save me. A little research indicated that this was added to the Android OS in Jellybean, the latest version. Can't get rid of it or override it...
I tried several things with no help, until I installed the new low-noise cable. That fixed the problem. There may be other types of cables that will work, but this was the third cable that I tried, and the first that worked.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
If you have the whine only when using the AUX cable, using the low-noise cable might help.
If the noise is present only in the radio, the problem might be a faulty antenna amp. In this case, the FM reception will be poor and the AM reception almost nil.
If the noise is present in everything (radio, CD, phone) the noise might be a faulty ground, or might be a faulty diode in the alternator. If the alternator is the problem, I suggest taking the alternator off and taking it to an automotive electrical shop. Not an auto parts store, not a general garage, but a shop that repairs and rebuilds alternators, generators and starters.
If the noise is present only in the radio, the problem might be a faulty antenna amp. In this case, the FM reception will be poor and the AM reception almost nil.
If the noise is present in everything (radio, CD, phone) the noise might be a faulty ground, or might be a faulty diode in the alternator. If the alternator is the problem, I suggest taking the alternator off and taking it to an automotive electrical shop. Not an auto parts store, not a general garage, but a shop that repairs and rebuilds alternators, generators and starters.
