Audio Quality - Bluetooth vs. 3.5mm cable

dwmackay · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2010, 03:26 AM

Greetings,

My car stereo has the ability to stream BT music as well as input from the headset output of the TP2. Is there any technical difference in the quality of the sound between the 2 alternatives?

I have tried to do a comparision of the 2 options, but it takes me too much fiddling to change inputs that I cannot do quick back to back tests.

Thanks for any advice.

Doug M.

StarMiXr · #2 (**permalink**) 07-19-2010, 07:15 AM

From my experience wired has always been better than bluetooth. Both in sound and in battery life, but the sound difference is negligible most of the time depending on the unit. If you have a pretty good sound system you will not know the difference, and the convenience of not having wires is nice. Although going through the settings menu in the phone and having to reconnect it when you get in the car be a pain vs just plugging it in and going.

eric12341 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-24-2010, 04:13 AM

one is analog and the other is digital, i find digital to always be better

Tybalt39 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010, 12:52 PM

Since there appears to be no way to easily control play lists on the device from another device (your stereo system), I find it more convenient to go wireless and connect via bluetooth. I then use a windshield-mount and have the phone close at hand for control. If you leave the bluetooth function on (shortens battery life) your "convenience factor" will be affected more by how the phone pairs to your stereo than anything else. Is it automatic or is there a manual pairing procedure that takes a while to complete?

thayer · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 02:47 PM

I have noticed that when I am streaming bluetooth to the car, the sound will slow periodically....Is anybody old enough to remember what a walkman sounded like when your batteries were dying? It sounds like that. When I hear that, it makes me want to plug directly in.

I am on MR. X's new titanium rom.

**ooxteme** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 02:54 PM

wired is way better that bluetooth IMO!!!

eric12341 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooxteme

wired is way better that bluetooth IMO!!!

how can analog be better than digital?

obamaftw08 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 05:58 PM

my radio allows for music control through its usb port to the phone. it sounds magical.

muyoso · #9 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 07:41 PM

Why can't analog be better than digital? Just because something is digital does not make it better. A video played over analog cables will be better quality than that same video streamed wirelessly to a laptop connected to the same TV through HDMI. Using cables is ALWAYS better than going wireless.

Tybalt39 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-24-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muyoso

... Using cables is ALWAYS better than going wireless.

While I am a BIG proponent of wireless (see my earlier post), I agree that cabled systems are more reliable and will generally have a better signal. However...

It's not always convenient to run a cable, especially if there is nowhere to route it and keep it hidden/out-of-the-way. Also, sometimes I just prefer the "techiness" of a magical wireless solution.

It all depends on the installation and the application. No best answer (at least for me).

Just my $0.02 YMMV