Carolina8

BTW... This isn't for my 8. I'm looking at a 10-disk SONY changer that uses FM back throuhg the radio.

I'm NOT a big sound system guy, but do like a decent sounding system. Are these RF modulated systems OK or is it just a gimmick?

Thanks in advance.

forbidden

Think of it this way, cd bandwidth is far greater than that of FM radio, you will definitely lose the bottom end and top end of the audio spectrum. The other option for you is to add a Bitzsafe integration unit and a Alpine 6 cd stacker in place of the BMW stacker.

bureau13

I have no direct experience with the FM modulators on aftermarket changers, just with the iTrip on the iPod...and it sucks. They're low power and if you travel around much you have to constantly change freqs to avoid getting trampled by radio station broadcasts. If you could actually get close to the performance of a typical FM radio station that would be one thing...in my experience however its not even close to that good.

jds

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

My opinion?

They suck. Big time.

DreRX8

I have one in my Millenia S--they don't 'suck big time'--they get the job done. It all depends on what type of listener are you--if you are an extreme audiophile, then invest in other methods.

lurch519

fm modulation sucks, you should be able to get a pioneer changer and a peripheral interface module. part number bmwpio. should be less than 50 for the interface, and u will still be able to control the changer from your headunit

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Maybe the one you have in your Millenia doesn't - I haven't heard it so I can't comment on that.
Yes, they do get the job done in a way that you can hear the CD changer playing.
However, I heard two such systems - one was in a previous car of mine and another one in a friend's. Both had a decent enough changer and head unit, but the sound via the RF modulator DID suck. Badly.

So much so, that I got rid of it after a few days and I got the head unit modified to accept an 'aux-in' source. Feeding the signal in via an RCA cable, the difference was night and day.

As it was said above, the sound coming through the FM modulator was not even as good as a good FM station.

DreRX8

Mine is a Pioneer 6-disc unit; it sounds about the same as the FM stations--I do have sus-*** BOSE in that car tho--so I probably wouldn't be able to tell if it sounds good or bad. I also had a modulated unit in my Miata back in 1998 and I suppose it sounded ok. I had upgraded the speakers in that car though.