Audio output to car aux - too quiet

[Mastiff37]

I have a 2011 Jeep with a mini-plug aux input on the stereo. I plug my phone into this to play music, but to get normal volume I have to crank the volume up pretty high. It can get it loud, but then if I switch to FM or something later, it about blows me out of the car.

I'm not sure if these phones are extra smart, but if they are really intended just for headphones, they are meant to drive low impedance at low voltage, and perhaps the car wants line level (high impedance). A long time ago I solved this with a little transformer from Radio Shack. Am I the only one who has this issue? I surfed all around for some sort of a transformer, converter, or adapter to fix the issue but I can't find anything.

 

[mikedt]

As it's a Samsung, did you check the volume warning disclaimer that appears when you turn the volume up? Because otherwise the maximum volume level might be capped. This is really meant for when using headsets and headphones though.

 

[KT88rock]

Having several different phones and cars in the family I finally gave up and went with several different amps. FiiO and Sound Shocker both available on eBay. Sound Shocker is much like your RS transformer in a nice package.

 

[loonycgb2]

I have a 2011 Jeep with a mini-plug aux input on the stereo. I plug my phone into this to play music, but to get normal volume I have to crank the volume up pretty high. It can get it loud, but then if I switch to FM or something later, it about blows me out of the car.

I'm not sure if these phones are extra smart, but if they are really intended just for headphones, they are meant to drive low impedance at low voltage, and perhaps the car wants line level (high impedance). A long time ago I solved this with a little transformer from Radio Shack. Am I the only one who has this issue? I surfed all around for some sort of a transformer, converter, or adapter to fix the issue but I can't find anything.

You need a better understanding of car audio or audio period before you rule out certain things.

For one is this a stock unit or aftermarket?

Second each car headunit has an internal amplifier so the internal configuration will lessen the voltage when another power source comes into play aka your aux.
Only way to gain back volume is to raise the gain from the phone using something like viper4android.

Impedance is only measured by the speakers to amplifier connection, not the aux cord.

Get a dsp or get a better headunit with bluetooth and a better dac.

 

[Mastiff37]

KT88, yeah, looks like Sound Shocker is what I'm after. He's asking quite a premium for a transformer, but I guess he's the only guy on the market. Thanks.

 

[hpremlap]

Hello. I found this via Google Alerts. I hope the mediators don't mind I'm Pete and Sound Shocker is my product. It is an isolated impedance matching transformer with a gain of about 20dB. The major difference between the standard and Pro is that the Pro has custom designed transformers with much better bass performance. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.