Hey Coupers.
Wondering if anyone has picked up a universal auxiliary input after installing an after market head unit? Im looking for something similar to this:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_180 ... CAAUX.html
I basically dont want a cable laying out of my glovebox or the little cubby hole underneath the head unit. I want it to install clean like the OEM input, with a removable 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable I can store when its not in use. The only reason Im not jumping on the one above is because Im worried about clearance of where I want to mount it.
Anyone with experience or other options chime in!
Universal Auxiliary Input
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Firedancer
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:25 am
- Car: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5
Re: Universal Auxiliary Input
I used to work at a pretty upscale shop that did a lot of custom audio work.
Normally what we would do for a clean install is run the audio cables from the aftermarket head unit to either the glove box or center console. Obviously you still have cables but they are out of sight when either the glove box or center console is closed. I ran into a few issues when using what you linked.
1) Depending on the vehicle and where you mount it, it often looks out of place unless you do some sort of in dash flush mount in which case most people aren't huge fans of drilling into their dash.
2) When I did use a piece like you linked, I occasionally ran into some engine noise. You know, when you step on the gas you get the high pitched whine that comes through your speakers. It really depended on the vehicle and the head unit. A higher end head unit such as an Alpine or Eclipse with higher voltage inputs tended to have little to no engine noise versus something like a cheaper Sony head unit. I would also look into seeing if a company like Monster or JL makes a piece like that. A lot of people claim you are paying more for the brand name but there really is a difference in quality. A difference that often times will mean either engine noise or no engine noise.
Hope I could be of some help as you have always been helpful to me!!!
Normally what we would do for a clean install is run the audio cables from the aftermarket head unit to either the glove box or center console. Obviously you still have cables but they are out of sight when either the glove box or center console is closed. I ran into a few issues when using what you linked.
1) Depending on the vehicle and where you mount it, it often looks out of place unless you do some sort of in dash flush mount in which case most people aren't huge fans of drilling into their dash.
2) When I did use a piece like you linked, I occasionally ran into some engine noise. You know, when you step on the gas you get the high pitched whine that comes through your speakers. It really depended on the vehicle and the head unit. A higher end head unit such as an Alpine or Eclipse with higher voltage inputs tended to have little to no engine noise versus something like a cheaper Sony head unit. I would also look into seeing if a company like Monster or JL makes a piece like that. A lot of people claim you are paying more for the brand name but there really is a difference in quality. A difference that often times will mean either engine noise or no engine noise.
Hope I could be of some help as you have always been helpful to me!!!
Re: Universal Auxiliary Input
Yes, that whine can be annoying when using the Aux input. Sounds like a turbocharger spooling up.
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DJ_B_Easy
- Posts: 3593
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:16 pm
- Car: 2017 GMC Sierra All Terrain X
- Location: NJ
Re: Universal Auxiliary Input
Well alternator whine is caused by a poorly grounded install. I have a tiny bit of that going on already, wondering if its caused by my iPod integration cable now. AFAIK the install is good, power cables run on the opposite side of the car as the line cables, etc., etc. This would be used for streaming Pandora or Google Music through my phone so sound quality is not going to be the best as is.
Im not worried about drilling into the dash either. This would either go in the OEM head unit trim piece (below where I already have my DVD bypass switch mounted to the right of the head unit), or next to my halo switches on the tiny trim piece directly above the cubby hole (you have to pop it out to remove the 2 lower screws to remove the head unit, that little piece).
Maybe Ill see if I can somehow use the OEM aux input and fab it into the aftermarket head unit. I have a soldering iron, I can get busy.
Thanks gents.
Im not worried about drilling into the dash either. This would either go in the OEM head unit trim piece (below where I already have my DVD bypass switch mounted to the right of the head unit), or next to my halo switches on the tiny trim piece directly above the cubby hole (you have to pop it out to remove the 2 lower screws to remove the head unit, that little piece).
Maybe Ill see if I can somehow use the OEM aux input and fab it into the aftermarket head unit. I have a soldering iron, I can get busy.
Thanks gents.