Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible?
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Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (ogawa_jiei)
the headphone output simply isnt powerful enough to drive a full size speaker. It likely could be "done" but the volume wouldnt be there, and you would likely toast the ipods tiny little output section.
the way to do it would be to use a small car audio amplifier (preferably 4 channel, but a 2 channel could likely be made to work.) using a midi->rca adapter to provide input to the amplifier.
now, obviously this isnt going direct from the ipod to the speakers, but it does achieve your goal of ditching the headunit. I'm sure quite a few people have gone this route, and its probably not a terrible idea.
the way to do it would be to use a small car audio amplifier (preferably 4 channel, but a 2 channel could likely be made to work.) using a midi->rca adapter to provide input to the amplifier.
now, obviously this isnt going direct from the ipod to the speakers, but it does achieve your goal of ditching the headunit. I'm sure quite a few people have gone this route, and its probably not a terrible idea.
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From: Toronto, On, Canada
Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (ogawa_jiei)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ogawa_jiei »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so having a head unit and running an iPod through it seems like a waste of space and unnecessary weight. Thanks for that tip. I might have to try it.
J.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You're kidding right? you're concerned with the weight of your headunit? just get a HU thats Ipod ready and quit being ghetto.
J.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You're kidding right? you're concerned with the weight of your headunit? just get a HU thats Ipod ready and quit being ghetto.
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From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (EBP_SI)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EBP_SI »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You're kidding right? you're concerned with the weight of your headunit? just get a HU thats Ipod ready and quit being ghetto. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd agree with this sentiment personally - however, you could make it work by sending it through a dock to a car audio amplifier directly, then to your speakers.
it's already been discussed why you can't go from ipod to speakers directly.
if you don't have an amplifier, go grab an Alpine with the high speed ipod connection and let it rip. That way you still have radio, you have ipod, you have cd, and you have power for your speakers. simple solution. A headunit weighs all of 5 pounds or less...
I'd agree with this sentiment personally - however, you could make it work by sending it through a dock to a car audio amplifier directly, then to your speakers.
it's already been discussed why you can't go from ipod to speakers directly.
if you don't have an amplifier, go grab an Alpine with the high speed ipod connection and let it rip. That way you still have radio, you have ipod, you have cd, and you have power for your speakers. simple solution. A headunit weighs all of 5 pounds or less...
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From: Beavertown, OR
Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (ogawa_jiei)
I think the people here have given you the best info. Get an IPOD ready deck.
Relocate it to the glove box if you need the room for gauges. Its the simplest solution. If you dont have an antenna you can buy a wire strip antenna.
An amp will wiegh more then a deck and require more wiring
Relocate it to the glove box if you need the room for gauges. Its the simplest solution. If you dont have an antenna you can buy a wire strip antenna.
An amp will wiegh more then a deck and require more wiring
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Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (nsxxtreme)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think the people here have given you the best info. Get an IPOD ready deck.
Relocate it to the glove box if you need the room for gauges. Its the simplest solution.
An amp will wiegh more then a deck and require more wiring</TD></TR></TABLE>
yup - there's the answer.
If you MUST turn this into a project, then you'd need the following:
1. a cable to connect to the dock connection on your ipod - don't use the headphone out
2. an amplifier
3. rca to hook up to amp
4. a switch for the amplifier - so it's only on when you want it on - I'm sure you don't want it idle when the car is running but with no ipod
5. speaker wire to hook up the speakers
6. power, fuse, ground
That's about it. It should work...the safer way to do it, is to get a headunit - the cheapest way and easiest way is to get a factory head, throw it in there with a fm modulator and call it a day...
Relocate it to the glove box if you need the room for gauges. Its the simplest solution.
An amp will wiegh more then a deck and require more wiring
</TD></TR></TABLE>yup - there's the answer.
If you MUST turn this into a project, then you'd need the following:
1. a cable to connect to the dock connection on your ipod - don't use the headphone out
2. an amplifier
3. rca to hook up to amp
4. a switch for the amplifier - so it's only on when you want it on - I'm sure you don't want it idle when the car is running but with no ipod
5. speaker wire to hook up the speakers
6. power, fuse, ground
That's about it. It should work...the safer way to do it, is to get a headunit - the cheapest way and easiest way is to get a factory head, throw it in there with a fm modulator and call it a day...
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From: kelowna, bc, canada
Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (ogawa_jiei)
If SQ is not a big issue, then a small 2ch or 4ch amp and a mini phono to RCA adapter... http://www.monstercable.com/MP...Photo like that, and your good to go.
If you want better SQ you will need to use the docking port output, [preamp] and that means having a HU with an AUX input, so you have control over volume and tone, it could be your stock HU, if it is a CD changer control unit.
94
If you want better SQ you will need to use the docking port output, [preamp] and that means having a HU with an AUX input, so you have control over volume and tone, it could be your stock HU, if it is a CD changer control unit.
94
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Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (fcm)
true - blitzsafe makes those adaptors don't they?
I prefer the dock connection over the others - I believe the volume on the click wheel affects it, athough I'm not sure - that's a good point.....
I prefer the dock connection over the others - I believe the volume on the click wheel affects it, athough I'm not sure - that's a good point.....
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From: Mainland, USA
Re: Wiring iPod directly to speakers? Is it possible? (turboekcivic)
I used to have the link to the person who did the write up on this. It is somewhere in the EF/CRX forum archives....I can't seem to find it right now though.
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From: Herkimer, NY, USA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It looks like running an external amp would be the best thing.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Good plan. Because the amplifier and power/signal cables combined will weigh substantially less than a head unit... And it'll sound way better...
Good plan. Because the amplifier and power/signal cables combined will weigh substantially less than a head unit... And it'll sound way better...
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From: Round Lake, IL, USA
How much are you willing to invest in this? I, personally, love having my iPod in my car. I ghetto'd it to my headunit's auxilary and it's all behind the center console with the exception of the iPod connecting wire. I like it like this.
Anyhow, I recall readin' up about you not liking unnecessary weight and clutter. Well, This won't help with the weight, but as for clutter you won't have some custom housing for an iPod sticking out anywhere.
http://store.mp3car.com/?Click=9814
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin
There are two places you can look. If I had the money, space and whatnot this would be a more practical and useful idea.
You'd have a mini PC in your HU area.
You really wouldn't need the iPod in the car
No clutter of custom iPod dock, etc
movies, wifi, all sorts of ****.
I think it's a sweet idea and, like I said, if I had the green I'd make it happen. Read up a bit on that and say what you think.
Anyhow, I recall readin' up about you not liking unnecessary weight and clutter. Well, This won't help with the weight, but as for clutter you won't have some custom housing for an iPod sticking out anywhere.
http://store.mp3car.com/?Click=9814
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin
There are two places you can look. If I had the money, space and whatnot this would be a more practical and useful idea.
You'd have a mini PC in your HU area.
You really wouldn't need the iPod in the car
No clutter of custom iPod dock, etc
movies, wifi, all sorts of ****.
I think it's a sweet idea and, like I said, if I had the green I'd make it happen. Read up a bit on that and say what you think.
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From: CT
Re: (November)
okay people read. He said he doesn't want a headunit.. he doesn't want a mini computer, he doesn't daily drive this car. Yes true an amp is heavier than a headunit, but he doesn't want one.. let it be.
to the OP.
if you really want to save weight and use it just for the track why not use headphones?
Or if you have to do it this way, get a cig lighter charger for the ipod, a dock, RCA cable to mini, amp, amp wiring kit, switch (optional).
Plug in your car adapter to the dock, mount it somewhere if you want. Then use the wiring kit to run all the wires. If you want the amp to turn on and off with the car wire it into an acc. in the fuse box, otherwise use a switch but be aware if you leave it on it will kill your battery. Hook up the rcas (make sure this after the amp is grounded so your amp won't try to ground its self from the rcas), and then you have what you want.
to the OP.
if you really want to save weight and use it just for the track why not use headphones?
Or if you have to do it this way, get a cig lighter charger for the ipod, a dock, RCA cable to mini, amp, amp wiring kit, switch (optional).
Plug in your car adapter to the dock, mount it somewhere if you want. Then use the wiring kit to run all the wires. If you want the amp to turn on and off with the car wire it into an acc. in the fuse box, otherwise use a switch but be aware if you leave it on it will kill your battery. Hook up the rcas (make sure this after the amp is grounded so your amp won't try to ground its self from the rcas), and then you have what you want.
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Re: (sony224422)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sony224422 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you really want to save weight and use it just for the track why not use headphones?</TD></TR></TABLE>
b/c headphones are illegal for use on the street...and I doubt anyone in their right mind would wear headphones while racing
b/c headphones are illegal for use on the street...and I doubt anyone in their right mind would wear headphones while racing
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From: Herkimer, NY, USA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you really want to save weight and use it just for the track why not use headphones?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Best idea I've ever heard right there... That way, when something goes wrong, you won't hear it, and you won't have to be bothered by it... Brilliant!! *runs out to buy iPod & headphones*
Best idea I've ever heard right there... That way, when something goes wrong, you won't hear it, and you won't have to be bothered by it... Brilliant!! *runs out to buy iPod & headphones*
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From: Round Lake, IL, USA
Re: (sony224422)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
okay people read. He said he doesn't want a headunit.. he doesn't want a mini computer, he doesn't daily drive this car. Yes true an amp is heavier than a headunit, but he doesn't want one.. let it be.
Or if you have to do it this way, get a cig lighter charger for the ipod, a dock, RCA cable to mini, amp, amp wiring kit, switch (optional).
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Wow. it's interesting how you go into the "he doesn't want blah blah." Yet, it seems as if you can't read yourself.
1. He never mentioned a computer, suck one.
2. How are you goin' to knock my thread, when I clearly stated I know this isn't what you're requesting but it's another option.
3. How the expletive are you going to metion all this **** when he "DOESN'T WANT CLUTTER?"
Go back to school hippie. You should have stuck with the headphones, then you would have had a great post.
To the OP:
Good luck in finding out what you want to do with the iPod. I hope it works.
okay people read. He said he doesn't want a headunit.. he doesn't want a mini computer, he doesn't daily drive this car. Yes true an amp is heavier than a headunit, but he doesn't want one.. let it be.
Or if you have to do it this way, get a cig lighter charger for the ipod, a dock, RCA cable to mini, amp, amp wiring kit, switch (optional).
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Wow. it's interesting how you go into the "he doesn't want blah blah." Yet, it seems as if you can't read yourself.
1. He never mentioned a computer, suck one.
2. How are you goin' to knock my thread, when I clearly stated I know this isn't what you're requesting but it's another option.
3. How the expletive are you going to metion all this **** when he "DOESN'T WANT CLUTTER?"
Go back to school hippie. You should have stuck with the headphones, then you would have had a great post.
To the OP:
Good luck in finding out what you want to do with the iPod. I hope it works.