Forum Discussion

Almot's avatar
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 19, 2014

Playing Android via trailer Jensen radio?

Is there any easy and inexpensive way to do this without quality loss?

I know, Jensen receiver and overhead speakers are not for audiophiles, and neither can I say that have an ear for music. But when I play CD on that Jensen system first, and then compare it to 128 vbr FLAC files from Android connected to Aux input of the radio via 3.5mm cable - oh my God... Could've ripped CD into lowest quality MP3 file same well.

I think that pre-amplifier of Android does this to music before it goes into Jensen receiver. Darn thing is even catching radio-interference from somewhere.

What can be done to improve the sound? Getting a car receiver with USB input? Then I won't be able to browse and play files on the Android screen when USB cable is attached, and on-screen menu of those receivers is a joke.

Get some MP3 player with better pre-amplifier and with SD card slot?

Forget the whole thing and get $$$ Ipod with $$$ Ipod dock (good docks are costly), and end up with an average sound from small speakers and a system so sophisticated that it stops working after a few months?
  • 1775's avatar
    1775
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2014
    Go to the Google Play store and download a different music app. There are many much better ones than the stock Android app that comes with your phone. Some have different codecs installed, some have better filters, and some have a broader range of settings. Try out several- download, install, and delete if they are not better, but I am pretty sure you will find one that produces better sound when your Android is connected to your radio. ALSO - for about $35 you can get a dedicated MP3 player - like the ScanDisk Sansa that takes micro SD cards for an unlimited quantity of music files and the sound is great through an AUX connector on a radio. WIth one of those you save your phone battery for calls and play your music with a player made just for music.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Apr 19, 2014
    Thanks, people. Will look into these adapters.

    Have just read some reviews - they seem to suffer a quality problem. Hit and miss. Even the best models are getting sometimes complaints on sound quality, noise, connectivity. With comments that a direct 3.5mm cable provides a better sound quality :)...
  • jeffcarp's avatar
    jeffcarp
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    The Jambox Mini by Jawbone would fill a trailer with pretty decent sound easily. They also make a bluetooth adapter that plugs into a 3.5 aux input jack on your Jensen radio. The link is: http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Bluetooth-Streaming-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B00CAYAIL0
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Apr 19, 2014
    This is a trailer CD/radio. So - yes, when parked, of course.

    Yes, I tried Andorid through another stereo - at home. A better system, so the flaws in Android sound were even more obvious.

    Yes, I tried "a different MP3 player" - sort of. Connecter laptop to the same Aux input via the same 3.5mm cable. Better sound.

    The problem - I think - is with Android amplifier, not with 3.5mm cable. Ideally, the connection should not use the Android analog amplifier and 3.5mm jack, i.e. it has to be USB or HDMI or Bluetooth. But Jensen CD/radio only has 3.5mm Aux input. It's a 2011 trailer, what were they thinking about?
  • jeffcarp's avatar
    jeffcarp
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    Are you looking for a solution while you are parked or for driving? If parked, you might get a better result if you just bought one of the multitude of bluetooth speakers on the market.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2014
    Try the Android in another stereo, and try another MP3 player through the aux input.
    Another thought would be a bluetooth receiver.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2014
    Does your android have a headphone jack? That's what I use plugged into the auxiliary plug. Also works with MP3 players.

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