FM modulators-beware

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Peter Klein - 04 Mar 2004 03:47 GMT

Under the guise of helping a customer save money, the salesperson offers the
insidious FM modulator. If only listening to FM or Cassette, no problem, but
if listening to the potentially crystal clear sound of compact disc, forget
it! Everything that is played through the modulator will sound only as good
as FM-just midrange, no bass and no highs.If you think that playing CD
through the radio is the way to go, learn more before spending your money.
CD played through an amplifier will provide the clarity, deep, tight bass,
and sparkling highs, assuming the o.e. (not 4 ohm) speakers have been
replaced with coaxial ones (4 ohm).

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Lars Ulrich - 04 Mar 2004 04:27 GMT

> Under the guise of helping a customer save money, the salesperson offers the
> insidious FM modulator. If only listening to FM or Cassette, no problem, but
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> and sparkling highs, assuming the o.e. (not 4 ohm) speakers have been
> replaced with coaxial ones (4 ohm).

Oh, I need 4 ohm coaxials? I guess I've been missing something from my CD +
amp setup. Time to rip out my competition components and install coaxials.
4 ohm of course. Nothing but the best right Pete?

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Eddie Runner - 04 Mar 2004 15:54 GMT

there are alot of (most maybe) really bad FM modulators out there...

BUT, all FM modulators are not as bad as you say.
the direct connect FM mods (like what came with CD changers
for decades) are not bad, and there are some FM mods on the
market today that are good.. I ran out of AUX inputs since I have
XM radio and SIRUIS, and had to run my DVD player into
the system with a direct connect FM modulator (audiovox) and
it sounds great!!!

I have never seen one of the cheapies that transmit through the
air work very good, maybe thats what you are talking about...
But the direct connect FM mods work really good.... Lots a
highs lots a lows.... As an installer, I install alot of them and
I think they are great....

Eddie Runner

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Lars Ulrich - 04 Mar 2004 20:34 GMT

> there are alot of (most maybe) really bad FM modulators out there...
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> highs lots a lows.... As an installer, I install alot of them and
> I think they are great....

Well that's because you have 4 ohm speakers. I just found out from the
original post that anything else isn't as good. Lucky for us Pete is giving
advice on here.

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MZ - 04 Mar 2004 21:22 GMT

> Well that's because you have 4 ohm speakers. I just found out from the
> original post that anything else isn't as good. Lucky for us Pete is giving
> advice on here.

Err...there's nothing wrong with Pete's advice, except for being a bit
vague. Yes, when you replace your HU, you'll usually get better results by
replacing the stock speakers also.

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BeefJerky - 11 Mar 2004 05:05 GMT

I can't say I've ever heard a good FM modulater. I have my Alpine wired
up with a cd changer, and put RCA plugs on the audio portion of the CD
changer and radio, and with a switchbox now have 3 inputs (cd changer
and two others) through a true line-level input. SO much better than a
modulator. You may wanna consider getting a switchbox, only like $15 and
definitly better sound.

> there are alot of (most maybe) really bad FM modulators out there...
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>>and sparkling highs, assuming the o.e. (not 4 ohm) speakers have been
>>replaced with coaxial ones (4 ohm).

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r1rider - 31 Mar 2004 05:36 GMT

I Have a ? I have a FM modulator in my cherokee. Well when I go into
city or something I get bad distoretion. For example I went to florid
and when I went thru jacksonville it got real bad and eventualy all
could hear was some radio station. but when I past and was kind of i
the middle of no were I could here it fine. What do you guys think
-
r1ride
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Les - 31 Mar 2004 06:21 GMT

"r1rider" <r1rider.13xswr@timelimit.caraudioforum.com> wrote in message

> I Have a ? I have a FM modulator in my cherokee. Well when I go into a
> city or something I get bad distoretion. For example I went to florida
> and when I went thru jacksonville it got real bad and eventualy all I
> could hear was some radio station. but when I past and was kind of in
> the middle of no were I could here it fine. What do you guys think.

There was merely a station more powerful than your modulator either on or
close to the same frequency you were operating at. Next time change freqs.

Les

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