Apple Lighting adapter cable audio quality sucks

Z K · 10-21-2012, 11:47 PM

I went and bought a 30 pin to lightning adapter cable (the $39 one) to use with the BMW y-cable for ipod audio and it works... but the audio quality is plain terrible! I unplugged it, ran a regular aux audio cable from the headphone output and it sounds 10x better.

With the adapter plugged into the y-cable the audio sounds super compressed with little dynamic range. FM radio quality... or worse.

A far cry from CD quality or the regular y-cable ipod output. It looks like the adapter cable does D/A conversion inside the adapter and whatever it is doing just sounds terrible. The old 30 pin connector passed audio that was D/A converted in the iPhone/iPod which probably has better audio processing.

I am going to return this POS adapter tomorrow. I may have to look into getting an old iPod to use with the Y-cable or just stick to using the Aux cable.

Anyone else have any experience with the adapter?

THE TECH · 10-22-2012, 08:37 AM

That sucks. I will be trying mine this week.

6spdg37s · 10-22-2012, 10:07 AM

I got my adapter in the mail... still waiting on the car to be built and ship lol

Z K · 10-22-2012, 10:21 AM

Some other people have reported the same problem with bad sound quality but the problem doesn't look consistent. Maybe some of the units are bad? I may try another one to check.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1469329

nchan50 · 10-22-2012, 02:50 PM

Personally, I just put my music and playlists onto a USB drive and plug it into the armrest compartment. Don't have to deal with any of this craziness and there shouldn't be any loss of audio quality. Works flawlessly for me but can see how that won't work if you're using pandora or all your music is from itunes.

Z K · 10-22-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nchan50

Personally, I just put my music and playlists onto a USB drive and plug it into the armrest compartment. Don't have to deal with any of this craziness and there shouldn't be any loss of audio quality. Works flawlessly for me but can see how that won't work if you're using pandora or all your music is from itunes.

The USB drive would work except the CCC i-drive can't play 320kps high bitrate mp3 files which most of my music is.

nchan50 · 10-23-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

The USB drive would work except the CCC i-drive can't play 320kps high bitrate mp3 files which most of my music is.

Gotcha - wasn't aware of that.

Technic · 10-23-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

The USB drive would work except the CCC i-drive can't play 320kps high bitrate mp3 files which most of my music is.

The USB drive is connected to the MULF and then via MOST to the CCC, and it does play 320kps MP3.

Z K · 10-23-2012, 12:16 PM

According to BMW, 6FL does not support files larger than 256kbps.

Technic · 10-23-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

According to BMW, 6FL does not support files larger than 256kbps.

Not correct... try it.

Z K · 10-23-2012, 08:48 PM

Just confirmed.. 320kps does not work.

Plugged in USB drive, the car starts to play it then 2 sec in it stops and freezes. It dumps you to radio and when u go back to select USB again, the USB option is greyed out and is not selectable until u remove and reinsert USB drive.

kmarei · 10-23-2012, 09:06 PM

I've played songs encoded at 320kpbs
Not sure if it's your encoder or something else
But the system CAN play 320

Z K · 10-23-2012, 10:23 PM

I have tried multiple files from different locations. Playback varies. The 320k constant bitrate chokes within a few seconds consistently no matter where the file is from or what it was encoded under. 320 Variable bit rate files will play longer but it will choke after a while too. Other files that have less than 320kps work fine. Only the 320k files don't work. Could it have to do with I drive version? I have an early 08 build. No updates have been performed.

Technic · 10-24-2012, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmarei

I've played songs encoded at 320kpbs
Not sure if it's your encoder or something else
But the system CAN play 320

320kbps and 320kbps VBR works for me as well, both in a USB stick (CCC and CIC, MULF and Combox) and loaded into the HDD (CIC).

kmarei · 10-24-2012, 06:00 AM

Wasn't there an update we could install from the USB slot in the glove box?
I recall doing that
But that was on a 2012, not sure about the 08s

Z K · 10-24-2012, 11:36 PM

Alright... now this is weird. I had left the USB drive in the car since the last time I tested it with mp3 files.

Today I started the car and decided to take a look at files on the USB again... the 320kps files played! I have no idea why it didn't play before and now it does? Maybe the i-drive needed to cache the USB drive directories or something so it couldn't index while playing? So strange.

But we are totally off topic now... the lightning adapter sounds terrible.

badazzm · 10-26-2012, 05:21 PM

Hi guys. I m lost. So, is it worth getting the iPhone converter thing or no? I really liked charging and playing songs together.

Z K · 10-26-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badazzm

Hi guys. I m lost. So, is it worth getting the iPhone converter thing or no? I really liked charging and playing songs together.

For me, when I used the adapter it made a big difference in sound quality and it sounded real bad. So I am not happy with the adapter. I went the USB route for music playback.

badazzm · 10-27-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

For me, when I used the adapter it made a big difference in sound quality and it sounded real bad. So I am not happy with the adapter. I went the USB route for music playback.

Thanks man. USB for me too.

rjd598 · 10-27-2012, 04:26 PM

I'm in for more feedback on people who have used the adapter($30). They still haven't come into the store steadily enough for me to grab one so I haven't gotten my chance but I check the store every weekend

mikefromMA · 11-01-2012, 09:13 PM

Purchased and returned adapter. Speaking to apple rep, functionality is lost regardless of identifying the change in quality. I had terrible distortion. Therefore, I returned and picked up another USB to lightning. It'll take time, but BMW will adopt this new technology flawlessly, as seen with media adapter

///Mperative · 11-02-2012, 12:54 PM

Strange. I got the lightning adapter and plugged it into the BMW Y-cable (w/ 30-pin plug) and the sound quality is great; same quality as my previous iPhone. Not sure why the OP is having issues. I do have the premium sound system. Maybe that has something to do with it??? Or maybe it has something to do with the iDrive changes since MY2008. Mine is MY2011 (no combox).

10-21-2012, 11:47 PM	#1
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Apple Lighting adapter cable audio quality sucks I went and bought a 30 pin to lightning adapter cable (the $39 one) to use with the BMW y-cable for ipod audio and it works... but the audio quality is plain terrible! I unplugged it, ran a regular aux audio cable from the headphone output and it sounds 10x better. With the adapter plugged into the y-cable the audio sounds super compressed with little dynamic range. FM radio quality... or worse. A far cry from CD quality or the regular y-cable ipod output. It looks like the adapter cable does D/A conversion inside the adapter and whatever it is doing just sounds terrible. The old 30 pin connector passed audio that was D/A converted in the iPhone/iPod which probably has better audio processing. I am going to return this POS adapter tomorrow. I may have to look into getting an old iPod to use with the Y-cable or just stick to using the Aux cable. Anyone else have any experience with the adapter?
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10-22-2012, 08:37 AM	#2
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	That sucks. I will be trying mine this week.
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10-22-2012, 10:07 AM	#3
6spdg37s Captain 70 Rep 753 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz iTrader: (3)	I got my adapter in the mail... still waiting on the car to be built and ship lol
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10-22-2012, 10:21 AM	#4
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Some other people have reported the same problem with bad sound quality but the problem doesn't look consistent. Maybe some of the units are bad? I may try another one to check. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1469329
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10-22-2012, 02:50 PM	#5
nchan50 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2009 JzB/FR e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Personally, I just put my music and playlists onto a USB drive and plug it into the armrest compartment. Don't have to deal with any of this craziness and there shouldn't be any loss of audio quality. Works flawlessly for me but can see how that won't work if you're using pandora or all your music is from itunes.
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10-23-2012, 12:16 PM	#9
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	According to BMW, 6FL does not support files larger than 256kbps.
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10-23-2012, 08:48 PM	#11
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Just confirmed.. 320kps does not work. Plugged in USB drive, the car starts to play it then 2 sec in it stops and freezes. It dumps you to radio and when u go back to select USB again, the USB option is greyed out and is not selectable until u remove and reinsert USB drive. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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10-23-2012, 09:06 PM	#12
kmarei Major General 685 Rep 6,845 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS5 coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reston, VA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2018 Audi RS5 [0.00]	I've played songs encoded at 320kpbs Not sure if it's your encoder or something else But the system CAN play 320 __________________
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10-23-2012, 10:23 PM	#13
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I have tried multiple files from different locations. Playback varies. The 320k constant bitrate chokes within a few seconds consistently no matter where the file is from or what it was encoded under. 320 Variable bit rate files will play longer but it will choke after a while too. Other files that have less than 320kps work fine. Only the 320k files don't work. Could it have to do with I drive version? I have an early 08 build. No updates have been performed. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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10-24-2012, 06:00 AM	#15
kmarei Major General 685 Rep 6,845 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS5 coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reston, VA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2018 Audi RS5 [0.00]	Wasn't there an update we could install from the USB slot in the glove box? I recall doing that But that was on a 2012, not sure about the 08s __________________
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10-24-2012, 11:36 PM	#16
Z K Major General 1887 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Alright... now this is weird. I had left the USB drive in the car since the last time I tested it with mp3 files. Today I started the car and decided to take a look at files on the USB again... the 320kps files played! I have no idea why it didn't play before and now it does? Maybe the i-drive needed to cache the USB drive directories or something so it couldn't index while playing? So strange. But we are totally off topic now... the lightning adapter sounds terrible.
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10-26-2012, 05:21 PM	#17
badazzm Lieutenant 21 Rep 536 Posts Drives: RRS GT2 Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (1)	Hi guys. I m lost. So, is it worth getting the iPhone converter thing or no? I really liked charging and playing songs together.
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10-27-2012, 04:26 PM	#20
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	I'm in for more feedback on people who have used the adapter($30). They still haven't come into the store steadily enough for me to grab one so I haven't gotten my chance but I check the store every weekend
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11-01-2012, 09:13 PM	#21
mikefromMA First Lieutenant 36 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2017 m4 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2017 BMW m4 [0.00] 2015 428 [0.00]	Purchased and returned adapter. Speaking to apple rep, functionality is lost regardless of identifying the change in quality. I had terrible distortion. Therefore, I returned and picked up another USB to lightning. It'll take time, but BMW will adopt this new technology flawlessly, as seen with media adapter
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11-02-2012, 12:54 PM	#22
///Mperative Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 281 Posts Drives: like grandma Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 550xi [0.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00]	Strange. I got the lightning adapter and plugged it into the BMW Y-cable (w/ 30-pin plug) and the sound quality is great; same quality as my previous iPhone. Not sure why the OP is having issues. I do have the premium sound system. Maybe that has something to do with it??? Or maybe it has something to do with the iDrive changes since MY2008. Mine is MY2011 (no combox). __________________
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