|
|||||
| |
|
|
|
|
|
For automotive usage, CDs are obsolete. CDs were an improvement over cassettes. Just as cassettes were over 8-tracks, and 8-tracks over 45-RPM turntables. Now, music stored on flash memory is an improvement over CDs. CDs are bulky, skip, degrade in quality over time, and only hold about 70 minutes worth of music. Compare that to a head unit that reads solid state (flash) memory. Solid state memory is small, never skips, takes much longer to degrade (and when it does, can be easily copied and replaced), and has a storage capacity that cannot be compared to CDs.
The Alpine iDA-X305 is a good example of a head unit that reads solid state memory. Aside from an AM/FM radio, the X305 is designed to read digital files directly from an iPod or iPhone through a USB cable. In addition to reading an iPod or iPhone, it can both control and charge them. The Alpine will also allow you to make calls though the iPhone or any Bluetooth connected phone, but that's an unrelated side benefit. If a buyer doesn't have an iPod or iPhone, the Alpine can read MP3, WMA, or AAC files from a USB powered drive.
For USB drives, I prefer solid state technology. Solid state drives (SSD) have several advantages over the magnetic hard
drives. The advantages stem from the SSD not having any moving parts. A traditional drive has a drive motor that's
used to spin magnetic platters and at least one read/write head. The storage on a solid state drive is handled by flash
memory chips. SSD's use less power, have faster data access, and are not impacted by jarring roads that can cause a
head crash on a typical hard drive. If you're confused as to how to tell the difference, a thumb drive is a solid
state drive. For a larger drive, just ask for a USB powered SSD.
An inexpensive 16GB flash drive (under $20) will hold over 150 hours worth of MP3 music. 64GB flash drives will hold over 600 hours. Those with a very large music collection, can use a USB powered solid state external hard drive. 500GB drives cost about $130. Using an MP3 format, music stored at 64 Kbps to 128 Kbps delivers quality similar to audio CDs. Using 192 Kbps (50% better than CD quality), figure about 750 hours per 100 GB. The rear mounted USB cable on the Alpine can be run any number of places around the dash, or into the center arm rest. I haven't used these other devices, but an Alpine iDA-X305 will also talk to the iRiver Clix, Creative Zen, or Toshiba Gigabeat through the USB connection. The iDA-X305 does not read CDs directly. If someone absolutely has to have CDs, it will read/control an Alpine CD changer.
At this point, you may have been swayed toward an AM/FM digital music manager that can interface with your phone and play music for over 5 months before having to repeat a song. Great, but how do you install it?
For obvious reasons, I'll use a Mercedes-Benz W208 CLK as the sample installation vehicle. Some people feel replacing the factory head unit on a Mercedes-Benz requires major work. I looked into this and was told the complexities were due to the fiber optic cable. On a W208, the only fiber connection from a non-COMAND (no navigation) head unit is to the CD changer. Since the CD changer is going away, the fiber won't be a problem. This installation will retain the steering wheel controls and the Bose sound system (amps and speakers). These additional features require a couple of interfaces, but the interface boxes are inexpensive. This can also be done without cutting any of the factory wires. Wiring adapters will allow the new equipment to plug into the Mercedes-Benz factory wiring harness.
Retaining the steering wheel controls is straightforward. A company called PAC Audio makes interfaces for this. For a
W208 CLK, a PAC SWI-CAN2 and a PAC SWI-JACK are needed. The input side of the PAC SWI-CAN2 plugs into the Mercedes-Benz
factory wiring harness. The output side plugs into the PAC SWI-JACK. The output side of the PAC SWI-JACK plugs into the
Alpine head unit. Here's the conceptual basis for how this works: The PAC SWI-CAN2 reads the output signal of the
Mercedes-Benz steering wheel controls and converts it to a universal signal. The PAC SWI-JACK converts the universal
signal from the SWI-CAN2 to a format that is understood by the Alpine head unit.
The process of making the Alpine head unit Bose compatible is simple. The theory behind how it works is a little more complex, but we'll cover both. Why anyone would want to use Bose amps and speakers is a matter of personal preference, but I'll delve into that as well.
First, the implementation. PAC audio sells a converter box called an OEM2. The audio output from the Alpine head unit goes into the OEM2. The output of the OEM2 is the Bose input. A wiring harness adapter is used so the Alpine head unit and the OEM2 both plug into the Mercedes-Benz wiring harness. Yes, it's that simple. If you don't care why it works or why anyone would want to use it, you could stop here.
How this works takes a little more thought. The input signal for a Bose amplifier is different from many other amplifiers. Like many high-end / professional audio equipment manufacturers, Bose uses a balanced, differential signal interconnection. Most aftermarket audio systems use an unbalanced connection. The PAC converter box reads the unbalanced input and produces balanced output.
As for why someone would use Bose equipment, it's a personal choice. Some people hate Bose. Some haters feel the marketing department at Bose is better than their audio R&D department. They feel the marketing group makes wildly exaggerated claims about their mundane products. Outside of that very loud minority, the remaining ninety-five percent of the populous think it sounds pretty good. I'm not saying the minority is wrong, just that most people don't care. If you're a true audio fanatic, one who's verbose, bombastic, and determined to get your point across, puuuleeze. I really can't spend all weekend reading postulations as to under what conditions the Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" sounds better. To me, music is just mindless entertainment while I'm driving.
Many people who dislike Bose refer to a quote from Stereophile Magazine where a reviewer wrote a Bose system was "unexceptional and unlikely to appeal to perfectionists with a developed taste in precise imaging, detail, and timbre, and that these shortcomings were an excessive price to pay for the improvement in impact and ambiance generated by the large proportion of reflected sound [to on-axis sound]." The same author also wrote "the system produced a more realistic resemblance of natural ambiance than any other speaker system." Please keep in mind that particular Stereophile article is over 30 years old.
For me, this says it in a nutshell: Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche all use Bose equipment in their optional high end audio packages. Call me a lemming, but if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.
Those with other preferences can eliminate the Bose system and use any amps and speakers they choose. The same applies to the head unit. Alpine is not the only manufacturer who has elected to move away from CDs. If you prefer another vendor, there's a good chance that vendor has head units that will read USB attached solid state memory.