# Car audio and MP3 question/problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 21, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815 "2013-10-21T13:43:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815/21 "2013-10-21T22:19:53Z")

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In my experience, FM adapters are **terrible**. I have had 3 or 4 of them over the years, of different brands, and they all universally sucked. In a rural environment, performance is mediocre. In a city environment, performance is zero.

Cassette tape adapters are MUCH better than an FM adapter.

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**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815/22 "2013-10-21T22:22:00Z")

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For $20 or less you could buy an FM transmitter _and_ a cassette adapter and see which one you like better. In my experience cassette adapters provide better sound quality.

Edit: Yeah, what **neuroman** said.

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**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815/23 "2013-10-21T22:44:17Z")

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If you buy a cassette adapter, be aware that they plug into the headphone jack. Most of the time the sound is acceptable through the jack, but you do have to adjust the volume on both the iPod and stereo to strike a good balance. I found one cassette adapter that has a bracket that the iPod’s dock connector sets in and plays the music through that. I don’t know how well it works. It’s a bit pricey at $39.99 and looks a bit fragile. It’s also supposed to work with iPhones up to the 4S model and will charge the iPod as well.

> **[Amazon.com: iDeck Integrated Car Cassette Adapter for iPod (Certified Made for...](https://www.amazon.com/iDeck-Integrated-Cassette-Adapter-Certified/dp/B002QG4P7U)**
>
> Buy iDeck Integrated Car Cassette Adapter for iPod (Certified Made for iPod): Batteries - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815/24 "2013-10-21T22:49:57Z")

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I had decent luck with my old Griffin brand FM transmitter for my Sansa. Within the actual city of Chicago it wouldn’t work but out in the suburbs I could usually find some open band.

[Here’s a site](http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/vacant) that tells you what bands are theoretically open in your ZIP code.

Of course, as you drive around you’ll find yourself looking for new bands because yours just filled with static or you’ll get interference from other cars “broadcasting” on the same frequency. For a long term solution, you’ll want to pick one of the ways to physically connect your player to your stereo.

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**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-audio-and-mp3-question-problem/671815/25 "2013-10-21T23:47:50Z")

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> [@ZenBeam](#):
>
> Do car radios still have (or rather did they nine years ago have) RCA jack inputs in the back? I think a car stereo I bought 20+ years ago had those. Or am I just misremembering?

I’ve never seen a stock head unit with RCA inputs. Aftermarket units, sure, but that’s not what the OP has.

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