Wired FM Car Modulators are my best option, right?
For people without an auxiliary input in their car, a wired FM car modulator is a common device used to play audio from an MP3 player over the car’s stereo system. Wired FM modulators are universally assumed to provide high quality audio and no interference. But are they perfect? Not necessarily. FM modulators are converting your audio into RF signals and sending them to the car’s FM radio. Because of this, modulators can only produce FM quality sound. Many people believe modulators can produce CD quality sound, but that is simply not true.
FM car modulators are also permanently installed into your vehicle, meaning that when you buy the product it is essentially a marriage. If you are leasing a vehicle or planning to sell your car, then installing a modulator may not be the best choice. Many people are looking for an alternative to a wired FM car modulator but are unsure if there are any quality alternatives out there.
So what other options do you have?
A cassette adapter is probably your cheapest option. One end connects to your MP3 player through a simple 3.5 mm input, and then the other end looks like your average cassette and is inserted into a tape deck. The sound quality on these is less than impressive and they wear down quite easily. I have gone through quite a few of these myself in the past, and have been frustrated with their lack of performance on several occasions. Of course if the car you’re currently driving does not have a tape deck (which is very likely since the technology is basically obsolete), then the cassette adapter is not even an option.
Your next option is a wireless transmitter, which some people call a wireless FM modulator. But those things are terrible, right? Well if you’re speaking of your basic $15 transmitter, then you will certainly be very disappointed with the audio quality. A cheap transmitter will have a weak signal that allows for a ton of interference and even more frustration.
What most people don’t realize is that there are high quality FM transmitters that provide extremely better performance. A high quality FM transmitter will give you exceptional audio quality and essentially no interference. The FM transmitter is also a portable device, so not only will it give you the outstanding audio quality in the car, but it can be used at home, the office, on vacation and so many more places.
In addition, a quality FM transmitter provides the following benefits:
1. No installation.
2. Compatible with almost any audio source, giving it an unlimited amount of uses.
3. Ability to broadcast over the entire public FM band.
4. Volume and mute control, ability to switch from stereo to mono, preset frequencies to easily switch between favorites, microphone compatibility, manual on/off switch and automatic gain control.
5. Multiple ways to power the unit (e.g., wall adapter, USB, cigarette lighter and batteries)
6. Approximately 150 feet of transmission power (near the maximum allowed by the FCC) — allowing for great sounding audio and minimal, if any, interference.
So if you’re looking for an alternative to an FM Transmitter, and you think all transmitters are junk, look again. A quality FM transmitter will allow you the freedom to control your music in any situation, without sacrificing audio quality. The portability and versatility of a transmitter gives you the ability to use the unit in a seemingly endless variety of locations. A quality FM transmitter is the kind of product that becomes more and more valuable the longer you own it, because you’ll constantly be finding more and more interesting ways to use it.
