Am I the only one getting extremely crappy reception through the aux port in my xB?

I've got the below receiver and am using a stereo headphone cable to connect it to the aux port and there is definately a bad connection somewhere. I was going to ask the dealership to let me put my radio in another Scion while I wait tomorrow to see if its my cable or xB.

 

Maybe a dumb question, but you are putting the antenna outside the car, right?

RichC

 

By crappy reception, do you mean you have to turn the volume almost all the way up on your head unit to even hear anything?

That's what's happening with mine. I also don't know if it's my audio cable. I haven't done anything about it yet though. I'm trying to play my old Sony network walkman through it. Still need to try a different cable. Be sure and let us know how the test goes on another car's AUX port.


So, now there are two people with funky AUX ports on thier xBs.

________________________
06 CM xB

 

The AUX port in my 06 xA gives me awesome results with my XM unit.

 

My apologies on my original post. The satellite reception is fine as I can use the FM transmitter w/ no issues. The reception issues as in the satellite radio is turned all the way up and there is a "wooble" sound being emitted over the speakers (stock stereo has turned up high). I notice the faster I go, the louder and faster the sound is.

What type of cable are you using for your xB? I just went to radio shack and purchased a two ended stereo headphone cable thinking thats all I need.

I should mention my xB came w/ a bad passenger tweeter and its getting swapped out tomorrow so I'm going to play w/ the satellite radio on the tC they have sitting at the dealership.

 

Uh...I forget the brand, but it was a $5 cable I got at WallyWorld. The only thing I notice, and this is probably because I have the XM output jacked up...is that the audio from the XM is considerably louder than FM reception for the same volume level.

 

if i may ask

i have the same sirius radio and mine plugs into the cigarette lighter and I guess its the plug that has a wireless fm transmitter built in.. i have the antenna run to the outside of the windshield and the cigarette lighter plug and thats it. i just turn to the channel mine works best on 107.9

isnt yours fm modulated? i just dont understand why you have to connect it to an aux port.

 

I would prefer to have a crystal clear signal so I wanted to use the aux port. I've been using the FM transmitter to tide me over until I figure out whats up w/ the aux port.

 

You dont want to use a modulator unless you have to, they are very muffled and then you have to deal with static and or interference from stations.

A direct line is 100% the way to go. Sorry but on my 06 I never tested the aux but my ipod connector works like a champ and sounds excellent. I also have the factory sirius and again that sounds awesome.

Is that a line out or a headphone jack? I assume its a line out just making sure. I would do what you said and try it in another xB and go from there. Sounds like something loose or just plain broke.

My two cents

 

A warning on line out jacks from portable units (and I apologize if this is old information for you) but they are generally a weak signal that sounds very flat. What I've done in the past with my old car is used the stereo out, but made sure it was turned way down first so I didn't blow the HU.

If the sound is electronic and seems to intensify with speed, I'm wondering if you have some kind of connection issue with your HU that's causing interference?

 

the problem is because you are going through a headphone jack. i have a aux input on my vw, and if i go through the headphone jack on my ipod, i have to turn the volume way up. you should have much better sound quality using actual line-out instead of headphone-out. for instance, i'l be picking up one of these http://www.sendstation.com/us/produc...neout-usb.html

also, if you have any kind of power/charging connection hooked to the device at the same time, you will have a ground loop and that will cause a lot of extra noise on the line. you can find ground look eliminators online or maybe at radioshack.

 

I've got bad news. I monkeyed around with FM modulators, with AUX lines, and toyed withe idea of pulling my head unit and all in my previous car.I was convinced the wayto go was to go for the built in iPod integration in the "upgraded" 2006 xB stereo. I did it. I am so glad I did. GREAT sound, convenient control of the iPod through the head unit, and great convenience, plus charging of the iPod all the time. I consider it a great investment. It's the only option I got on the xB. If you get fed up enoug with your AUX solution, you might want to consider getting the iPod integration system. I'm sure glad I did.

By the way, the thing about the sound getting louder with speed, that's a feature of the 2006 head units.

 

I do no use an IPod though, I use the sirius radio so the IPod headunit will do me no good. I tried it in another xB and had to crank it due to it being a headphone jack. Looks like I'm going to have to find a better radio and just get it installed in the xB or *gasp* go back to CDs.

I'll get something figured out.