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Unsatisfied with iSimple Kit. Very mad right now.

  #46  
Old 08-10-2010, 09:58 PM
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to the OP, i don't know why people are thinking it could be the installer or you. the iSimple is a very straightforward installation but in the end its a piece of garbage. just ditched mine for the USAspec last week. even my coworker who used to be an installer at best buy agrees that the peripheral audio (iSimple) products suck.

i went through two gateway modules and two ipod connector cables in the first two weeks i had the unit. poor quality.
 
  #47  
Old 02-06-2011, 12:39 PM
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iSimple iPod interface volume too low

I'm going to try to resuscitate this thread...

I have a 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan. Audio system has the Radio button. I have the ISNI572 installed with the Bluetooth module.

The iPod volume via the cable or via Bluetooth streaming is about 40-50% lower than the built-in analog aux input in the car and the Radio and CD. What frustrates me a bit is the iSimple tech support when I phoned describes it as a known thing where it is only 20% lower volume. That is not an accurate description in my opinion based on my experience and I've searched Nissan/Infiniti forums on the Internet and found many other users of the same device with the same complaint including here. In addition the dynamic range is not quite as good as the factory analog aux input. This was solved though with very careful comparison listening tests. With factory analog input, the perfect sound with my iPod was a FLAT Eq on the iPod. Bass FLAT on the stereo and treble +1 (this is the non-premium stereo with the dynamic imaging option turned on - which actually sounds as good as the Premium in my comparison tests when I had a loaner with premium.) With the iSimple input, you need to select the Bass Boost on the iPod EQ settings, then on the factory radio set BASS to -3 and treble to +3. The sound quality is virtually identical when listening at same volume to the factor Aux input (you just have to CRANK the volume with the iSimple.)

There isn't a 100% unanimous consensus on the existence of the problem. I am on my second unit installed by the shop and the issue was the same in both units. The reason behind the issue or lack of the issue is unclear. I believe there are three possible scenarious: a) there is a flaw in the devices design/programming and it needs a firmware update, b) a flaw or difference in certain factory radios in Nissan's/Infinitis, or c) simply a difference in people's sensitivity to the issue.

Regarding (a) considering I just had this installed and this thread is many months old, I would say it is safe to say if they did introduce a firmware update that fixes this, my unit would most likely have it.

Regarding (b) - this is a very real possibility that the non-Premium factory audio systems on the later year Infinitis (say 07 or 08 later) without the Nav may have some difference that causes the Sat aux interface to have audio input sensitivity a lot lower than factory units in some other Nissans and Infinitis of different models and/or years. But based on my software and hardware engineering knowledge I would guess the interfaces are digital and use standards, so if I had to put a bet down, I would bet (b) is not the case but not ruling it out as a possibility.

Regarding (c), this is a very real possibility. There is a wide range of how people listen to their music, from people that listen at typically low volume levels, to teenie boppers cranking their music. I sit somewhere in the middle but probably on the louder side. In my tests I noticed that the volume difference between the iPod interface and the Radio, CD, or factory analog aux input in the center console, "seems" greater the higher the volume. This may be because the louder the volume, more startling the CD/Radio/Factory Aux volume is when you switch back. This would explain why some people listening at low levels don't think there is much of a volume difference.

To determine the volume change was WAY more than 20% lower, I plugged the iPod into the analog built-in Aux jack of the car and turned the iPod volume to 100% full. I then adjusted the car volume to a nice medium volume level which is about 1/3 volume on the car stereo. I then switched to the iSimple interface and the volume is WAY WAY lower. To get the same volume I had to turn the car stereo volume up to about 2/3!! In many cases I listen to my music louder which typically whether it is radio, CD, or iPod via factory analog aux input is about 50-60% on the stereo. To get that same level I now have to turn the volume to 100% UP / FULL on the car stereo and it still isn't quite as loud as I would like for my loudest listening level. This level though is probably louder than 75% of typical Infiniti owners will listen to (but lower than a lot of teenagers might listen to.) If you leave the volume that high and switch to the radio or CD, you might DAMAGE your ears or the speakers!

All my MP3 gains are optimized to 93db which is about as high as you can go on most songs without clipping. There is no Sound Check or Volume Limit turned on, on the iPod.

Further more, the up and down buttons on the steering wheel don't advance the track like the instruction booklet says they should. They make the system switch to FM radio and advance to the next station and you get BLOWN OUT with the volume being SUPER high. You have to use only the Tune **** to for next and previous track. You can HOLD the down button and it changes to P.List on the stereo but I haven't figured out what you can do from there with the steering wheel controls as pressing it again, changes to FM radio and advances the station (and blows your ears out.)

In addition, I haven't figured out a way to actually pause song playback either. In fact if the song is already playing and you plug it in (I may have this backwards), the iSimple may actually pause the song instead of start it and there is no way to start it (as far as I can tell so far) except unplug it and then plug it back in.

The streaming bluetooth sounds exactly the same as the ipod interface.

I'd really hate to waste a bunch of time troubleshooting this to find out this is just the way this device works.

I've found threads and post on the Internet with people complaining about this problem but have never seen anyone who had the problem post that they found a solution.

I am awaiting iSimple's response on this.

If you think this is not an issue on your car and you are using the ISNI572, state the year and model of your car and verify it is indeed not an issue by listening to the Radio or a CD at about 40-50% volume level (medium-loud) then switch to the iPod and listen to the difference.

What I have to decide now is if I can live with it (if there is no solution) or if I change to the USA SPEC PA15-INF and possibly have to lose my iSimple Bluetooth functionality. It would be great (although costly) if I could use the exising iSimple for BT and USA SPEC for iPod and have them play well together. If this is indeed a flaw in the device's design, I would think iSimple owes me some installation fee reimbursement.
 

Last edited by consultant; 02-06-2011 at 01:19 PM.
  #48  
Old 02-06-2011, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by consultant
I'm going to try to resuscitate this thread...

I have a 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan. Audio system has the Radio button. I have the ISNI572 installed with the Bluetooth module.

The iPod volume via the cable or via Bluetooth streaming is about 40-50% lower than the built-in analog aux input in the car and the Radio and CD. What frustrates me a bit is the iSimple tech support when I phoned describes it as a known thing where it is only 20% lower volume. That is not an accurate description in my opinion based on my experience and I've searched Nissan/Infiniti forums on the Internet and found many other users of the same device with the same complaint including here. In addition the dynamic range is not quite as good as the factory analog aux input. This was solved though with very careful comparison listening tests. With factory analog input, the perfect sound with my iPod was a FLAT Eq on the iPod. Bass FLAT on the stereo and treble +1 (this is the non-premium stereo with the dynamic imaging option turned on - which actually sounds as good as the Premium in my comparison tests when I had a loaner with premium.) With the iSimple input, you need to select the Bass Boost on the iPod EQ settings, then on the factory radio set BASS to -3 and treble to +3. The sound quality is virtually identical when listening at same volume to the factor Aux input (you just have to CRANK the volume with the iSimple.)

There isn't a 100% unanimous consensus on the existence of the problem. I am on my second unit installed by the shop and the issue was the same in both units. The reason behind the issue or lack of the issue is unclear. I believe there are three possible scenarious: a) there is a flaw in the devices design/programming and it needs a firmware update, b) a flaw or difference in certain factory radios in Nissan's/Infinitis, or c) simply a difference in people's sensitivity to the issue.

Regarding (a) considering I just had this installed and this thread is many months old, I would say it is safe to say if they did introduce a firmware update that fixes this, my unit would most likely have it.

Regarding (b) - this is a very real possibility that the non-Premium factory audio systems on the later year Infinitis (say 07 or 08 later) without the Nav may have some difference that causes the Sat aux interface to have audio input sensitivity a lot lower than factory units in some other Nissans and Infinitis of different models and/or years. But based on my software and hardware engineering knowledge I would guess the interfaces are digital and use standards, so if I had to put a bet down, I would bet (b) is not the case but not ruling it out as a possibility.

Regarding (c), this is a very real possibility. There is a wide range of how people listen to their music, from people that listen at typically low volume levels, to teenie boppers cranking their music. I sit somewhere in the middle but probably on the louder side. In my tests I noticed that the volume difference between the iPod interface and the Radio, CD, or factory analog aux input in the center console, "seems" greater the higher the volume. This may be because the louder the volume, more startling the CD/Radio/Factory Aux volume is when you switch back. This would explain why some people listening at low levels don't think there is much of a volume difference.

To determine the volume change was WAY more than 20% lower, I plugged the iPod into the analog built-in Aux jack of the car and turned the iPod volume to 100% full. I then adjusted the car volume to a nice medium volume level which is about 1/3 volume on the car stereo. I then switched to the iSimple interface and the volume is WAY WAY lower. To get the same volume I had to turn the car stereo volume up to about 2/3!! In many cases I listen to my music louder which typically whether it is radio, CD, or iPod via factory analog aux input is about 50-60% on the stereo. To get that same level I now have to turn the volume to 100% UP / FULL on the car stereo and it still isn't quite as loud as I would like for my loudest listening level. This level though is probably louder than 75% of typical Infiniti owners will listen to (but lower than a lot of teenagers might listen to.) If you leave the volume that high and switch to the radio or CD, you might DAMAGE your ears or the speakers!

All my MP3 gains are optimized to 93db which is about as high as you can go on most songs without clipping. There is no Sound Check or Volume Limit turned on, on the iPod.

Further more, the up and down buttons on the steering wheel don't advance the track like the instruction booklet says they should. They make the system switch to FM radio and advance to the next station and you get BLOWN OUT with the volume being SUPER high. You have to use only the Tune **** to for next and previous track. You can HOLD the down button and it changes to P.List on the stereo but I haven't figured out what you can do from there with the steering wheel controls as pressing it again, changes to FM radio and advances the station (and blows your ears out.)

In addition, I haven't figured out a way to actually pause song playback either. In fact if the song is already playing and you plug it in (I may have this backwards), the iSimple may actually pause the song instead of start it and there is no way to start it (as far as I can tell so far) except unplug it and then plug it back in.

The streaming bluetooth sounds exactly the same as the ipod interface.

I'd really hate to waste a bunch of time troubleshooting this to find out this is just the way this device works.

I've found threads and post on the Internet with people complaining about this problem but have never seen anyone who had the problem post that they found a solution.

I am awaiting iSimple's response on this.

If you think this is not an issue on your car and you are using the ISNI572, state the year and model of your car and verify it is indeed not an issue by listening to the Radio or a CD at about 40-50% volume level (medium-loud) then switch to the iPod and listen to the difference.

What I have to decide now is if I can live with it (if there is no solution) or if I change to the USA SPEC PA15-INF and possibly have to lose my iSimple Bluetooth functionality. It would be great (although costly) if I could use the exising iSimple for BT and USA SPEC for iPod and have them play well together. If this is indeed a flaw in the device's design, I would think iSimple owes me some installation fee reimbursement.
Hey dude, sorry - I don't even own a G coupe anymore. I wrecked mine back in September of 2009. I now drive an '07 Mazdaspeed3. Never been happier with a car. Love being boosted and love the space and "sleeper look".
 
  #49  
Old 02-06-2011, 09:44 PM
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I have an 06 G35 Sedan with Bose. I do notice that my Isimple volume is a little lower than the other inputs. I'd say the 20% might be about right. Maybe not even that much. I noticed a huge issue with the Iphone soundcheck turned on. But once I turned it off and undid the Ipod equilizer settings, I don't have a problem with the sound levels to a point of being unhappy with it.

I have, on occasion, had to turn it up to MAX. But I had windows/sunroof open and was blowing down the Interstate at 80mph, so it was a bit windy. Nice sunny day, so I wanted the sound up a bit while rollin.

I had some issues when I got my Iphone 4 when I tried to upgrade the chip myself. I got the impression that the factory was having issues with that across the board. They had me send in my old unit and the chip I bought. Then they shipped me a new unit with the chip already installed. All flashed and ready to put back in. I thought that was pretty good of them! (by the way, I think that means I have the latest firmware as well.)

When my wife got her Iphone 4, I got an Isimple for her Odyssey van as well. I have to say I don't think the sound drop is as apparent in her van as it is in my G35. Also, that application does have a few features that the G35 doesn't. One being the pause command you talked about. Also her's can fast forward/backward within a track where we can just skip tracks fwd/back. Then again, she can't skip tracks with her steering wheel buttons but I can. But she skips tracks with the rotating tuning know, so she can spin through the selection list a lot faster than me and my toggle buttons. Goes to the differences in how the radios work I guess. Given that, maybe there's some differences between the 06 premium radio and your 09.

Also, I notice that the PAC website (url below) doesn't list the 09 in the compatiability list. So maybe there's something there?

http://www.pac-audio.com/productDeta...&CategoryID=36


By the way, are you using the Bluetooth module to stream music or for phone? I was told you can only recieve calls in BT when the radio is tuned into the ISIMPLE device. Is that true? I have BT in my G35, but my wife's van doesn't. But she is usually has the radio set on DVD for the kiddies.
 
  #50  
Old 02-12-2011, 04:05 AM
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in for results, my quality is also crap, i thought it was just me, the level is atleast 20% lower and i had to use bass booster on my ipod to make it about the same,
i have how ever had mine since the start of 09, I prob need firmware update.
 
  #51  
Old 02-19-2011, 05:47 PM
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Just installed this today and so far it's working for me. Just as op have stated sound is dependent on mp3 quality and device settings.
 
  #52  
Old 06-21-2011, 04:23 PM
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I don't have the iSimple kit but rather a PAC aPAC-NIS1 and I can also say that the sound level is much lower than any other input (Radio/CD). I have emailed PAC support and received this response:

***********
Hello,

The low audio level is caused by a limitation by the stock radio's satellite input. This is common to Nissan and Infinity radios. Unfortunately there is no way to change that.
Sorry.

Regards,
Ernie Ruiz
Product Integration Specialist
AAMP of America

***********


I know I'm running a different device but I'm sure the problem you guys are having is the same as mine. The audio is so much lower I dont even use the aux input.
 
  #53  
Old 06-21-2011, 04:30 PM
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ive got the same problem, its something i have learned to deal with. but its not really that big of a problem just turn the volume up.
 
  #54  
Old 06-28-2014, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by carbonG
I don't have the iSimple kit but rather a PAC aPAC-NIS1 and I can also say that the sound level is much lower than any other input (Radio/CD). I have emailed PAC support and received this response:

***********
Hello,

The low audio level is caused by a limitation by the stock radio's satellite input. This is common to Nissan and Infinity radios. Unfortunately there is no way to change that.
Sorry.

Regards,
Ernie Ruiz
Product Integration Specialist
AAMP of America

***********


I know I'm running a different device but I'm sure the problem you guys are having is the same as mine. The audio is so much lower I dont even use the aux input.
Yea after installing this kit I think I will return and just cough up double din money'!
 
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Quick Reply: Unsatisfied with iSimple Kit. Very mad right now.



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