Which one offers the best sound? I would assume the Ipod but just want input from someone who has tried both?
thanks
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Which one offers the best sound? I would assume the Ipod but just want input from someone who has tried both?
thanks
Not sure it's the iPod or the USB so much as it is how the music was encoded.
A 256K file will sound much better than a 126K file.
True CD-quality files take up anywhere from three to 10 times as much as space as an MP3 or AAC file, depending on the latter's bit rate; 24-bit files take up even more space.
They come in several formats: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, and Apple Lossless. (FLAC and Apple Lossless contain some data compression but only in a method that doesn't affect sound quality.
Windows .wav files or Apple's "Lossless" format to get the "best" sound from a USB input.
But you are going to use a lot of storage space. 15-17 songs per gigabyte.
MP3s, even at their highest bit rates, are quite literally crushed.
Can't comment on the quality question, but was happily surprised to find out my old iPhone 4S loaded to brim with a couple hundred CD's was treated just like an iPod when plugged into the bike! Fully controllable, playlists, artists, songs......sweet!
It's the little things..................... :)
I plugged my Iphone 5 into the USB jack with the same music I have on my USB...I can't tell the difference in sound.
The thing I like about the USB is it is sooo easy to load and change the music on it!!! In ITunes it is a challenge to load the music I want...
With the USB I just go to my music folder and load away!!!! After I load it all I have a program that will tag it and number the songs anyway I like them... :039:
I am still confused about making the USB thing happen. I loaded all my Itunes songs to a USB,it took them but when I plug it in the bike says 'No Song' I checked it with a USB that works and aha they are MPEG 4. A little reseach on my stored music on the one that works and so far my conclusion is the Honda sound system will play an Ipod ok and MPEG3 ok, but cant see MPEG4?
I am lost. Any geniuses out there that know how this works?
I tested with my Daughter's Ipod works great. Mine was stolen from my car.Clues on using the USB ? Changing the format ...?
I believe the I-Pod's EQ will only have an effect on the headphone outlet in the analog domain. When you hook up using the USB, the files should be transmitted as they are . Now if you hooked your I-Pod through the 3.5 mm headphone jack, that would be another story. That being said, it is usually best to have as little overlapping sound processing as possible to achieve the best quality.
I ordered a Bluetooth receiver only then to think about the usb instead...well I haven't received the Bluetooth yet but couldn't imagine it working as good as the usb and also the usb didn't need charged....I guess when I get the Bluetooth receiver I will maybe sell it to one of my buddies that only had an aux input on their Harley...
The bike will play mpeg3 more commonly referred to as mp3. If your music is in mpeg4 / mp4 format , there are a number if free converters available on the net that you can use.
Is there anything wrong with just using your iPhone 6? I play my playlists from my RDIO subscription. I control the songs up front. While plugged in, my phone is getting charged. Perfect.
Thanx for the advice. I looked into the suggestions and yes,I read the manual but still had issues dealing with the Itunes on USB. Soooo,I went to Amazon,found a refurbished Ipod NANO got it and reloaded it with my iTUNES library and problem solved . Sound quality seems to be better and controls from the handle bars. Happy Camper !!!
Doing a search here from my ride yesterday. I don't have any music d/l on my iPhone 5s, but tried to play pandora through the usb in the saddlebag. It was a no go. My friend plugged his ipod in and it was fine. As you can tell, I have no clue about plug in's. Is that possible or do I need to d/l music in the music app? I might just get an ipod and leave the phone in my pocket.
I'm clueless, so thanks for any advice.
Same here I plugged my iPod nano into the usb and no sound no nothing, pushed the aux button few times and still nothing??
Plugged the iPod into the 3.5mm jack and it played fine..
Guess I'll get the manual out and see what it says...
I also use my iPhone 6+ via 3.5mm jack with IHeart Radio app and the sound is perfect !
I would have thought the ipod would work. My phone didn't work with the left cubby wire either. I didn't spend a lot of time on it, wanted to ride. I'll probably look for an ipod. I don't like to mess around too much testing this or that, but thought I'd ask about pandora first.
Best choice in my opinion would be get your music put on a memory stick... stick it in the saddle bag and your all set up. The sound is great and just as good or better than the ipod hookup. I've done both.
Just keep the music in the folders less than 250 songs in each, MP3 format and bobs your uncle. I have about 2000 songs on mine and I usually listen to the radio but when the station starts to go I hit my aux button once and get my good tunes going.
Same here I got up early erased the iOS and loaded it with newer music since I haven't used it in several years..
Im sure Pandora will work via the 3.5jack In the cubby ..
I'm skipping the usb and just getting a Bluetooth transmitter and use my iphone with IHeart radio app.. This way I can mount my phone on the bars and use navigation when needed and it should all come through speakers ..
That ipod sounded so good...I'll see how much I want to spend then decide. I'll still wait to see if pandora can work there though. No rush at this stage of the year.
I use both, trying to figure out how to use both on a USB docking toggle now that would be cool. I don't notice any difference. My ipod has been in the left cubby since April 2014. I have had to reset it about half a dozen times but that's not much. My Ipod has 160 GB. My USB flash drive has 16GB. Sure the Ipod has plenty of corny songs on it, but I like to listen to different things at different times, Dean Martin, Irish Instrumental, Jazz, 70s Rock, Motown. The Ipod can hold over 30k songs! The USB is more focused to mostly Rock music. Get down the rode if you don't like the music change to FM. Each has its advantages as a USB flash drive cost about $10 bucks. You can't even buy a Ipod anymore. I'm sure one day my Ipod will crap out, by then 100 gb flash drives will be common and $10 a piece too!
I listen to Pandora or Itunes radio via bluetooth receiver connected to earphone jack in left cubby and powered by cig. lighter jack.
I have now tried both and have stayed with my Ipod. Easy to download music on for me and has lots of space. If I am walking around somewhere and want to I can pull it out and throw on some headphones. I have several different play list on it. The largest has 305 songs and then I have 4 more with smaller amounts of specialized songs for my mood. I have not reset mine in six months except when I remove it and put it back. I thought being plugged in all the time would ruin the battery but it hasn't yet. I can still hook it to my headphone like I did on a recent Amtrak trip (can't stand flying) and the battery lasted like normal. The best part is I didn't have to buy it. I had 3 sons and a step son and when one of the moved up I inherited it.
I'm back. I bought a SanDisk Cruzer Glide 64GB flash drive over the weekend. First time I d/l music, after two hours of frustration, I went to the bike and got "no song". Pissed, I came home, and found that it was in folders. Not knowing what I'm doing, I deleted it all, finally figured how to d/l each cd into it, (about 150 something songs) and brought it to work. It played in my pc there. Happy, after work, go to the bike, plug it in and get " check usb ". Here I am, searching usb's and wondering what's wrong. Maybe it's the mpeg3/4 thing? It's not going to take too long for me to just go and get an ipod nano. I know that works, as my friend plugged his in. I have about 14 hours of music in the thing and it's at less than 2% capacity. I'll see if I can get some advice here, before I go shopping tomorrow.
It's in MPEG-4 audio...I don't think that's compatible. Any advice how to change that?
A USB thumb drive is the way to go, it's just a lil' fussy about the directory structure.
Check out this page: http://wingstuff.k7tty.com
I downloaded and installed the application, it creates a flawless directory structure every time.
*NOTE* - it is a paid app, but you can use it in demo mode with limited functionality, I think it only copies a few files from each album... I just went back later and manually copied the remaining songs from each album... I ended up just purchasing it.
You can do quite a few thumb drives for the cost of an iPod, plus you don't need to worry about battery failure on a thumb drive.
Remember, you need to have all of you songs the same format for optimal results.
Now, I have a few dozen thumb drives, just depends on what mood I'm in.
Thanks for trying to help an idiot, but I'm a little more confused now. I also already own a 5s iPhone. I might just try that in the usb port. I bought a cable already too...wasting all kinds of money and no music yet. I don't do phone calls while I ride anyway and my music is in it, same as the flash drive. A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while...something is gonna work.
I'm challenged the same way, WjDuke. I downloaded my music to MediaMonkey Gold, a MP3 program I got off the net. I used it to transfer the music to a flash drive and then put it in my side case in the usb port. It worked. The sound system obviously recognizes MP3.
You could always plug your phone into the aux plug in the glovebox and listen to your music that way. The audio people here say the sound isn't as good but how well can you hear that at 70 mph anyway?
Didn't understand this bolded section WJ? Flash drives don't need charging, or did you mean an ipod? If your not a techie I would recommend just getting an Ipod put songs on it and Plug and Play. Let me know if you have any more questions. I use an Ipod classic with about 1600 songs on it. I had 27k songs but I edited it down to a more reasonable amount.
For the purposes of this discussion, iPhone is the same as iPod. Both are Apple storage devices that will be charged and controlled from the left toggle switch. Hopefully, that is a old iPhone so you wouldn't need to connect and disconnect every time you park.
WJ,
The music issue was what led me to this forum to begin with...what a pain in the ass. If you search the forum, someone (Papa Tater?) has instructions on how to set up the flash drive. It's a huge pain and every time I add new music, I have to go through the process.
I have a flashdrive plugged in to the USB port in the saddlebag.
I use iTunes so I converted all my music to MP3. (highlight songs, right click to "Convert to MP3)
Set up playlists (or folders) and move the converted songs.
Download to flashdrive.
Huge pain and takes foreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever.
But before I converted all the music, I might only be able to listen to fifteen songs. Not good!!!
Good luck. I'll try to find that thread and link it.
Best thing about flash drive in the saddlebag....you can just forget it. And the phone stays in the cubby.
[http://hondaf6b.com/showthread.php?6881-My-F6B-My-Music-and-My-USB-How-To[/URL]
Very happy using IPod nano in saddlebag. Everything works as intended."coffee"