A smidge of audio ignorance, a dash of RX-8 electronics knowledge and a splash of radio type hook up confusion has left me shot. I've Googled and read through the forums here but can't quite get a handle on what is a good, better, best way to proceed. (Part of the problem, I think, is that this category/thread should be broken down into about 5 subcategories.)

Anyway, I've been thinking about HD Radio but it appears that the 2008 40th doesn't accommodate it. It has a front panel button for SAT which does nothing and I assume that's because there isn't any hardware behind the button.

Satellite is a possibility. But I looked at this unit from JVC that has HD hook up. Is it possible to hook up that unit to the SAT and simply use it as if it is a satellite radio or is the signal from the antenna hetrodyned down to a single frequency requiring A/D conversion in the head unit to do the rest. I'm dubious because too many advertised units sya HD or HD Ready.

http://www.mobile.jvc.com/product.js...hId=149&page=1

If that isn't possible then satellite seems next in line for bang for buck though it's the one that keeps on taking and taking of $$ There are a number of units that seem to simply plug into the antenna and then into the head unit. Interestingly I don't seem to find much about them on the XM or Sirius site but on secondary sites.

The last and most expensive proposition seems to be to pull the whole head unit and replace it with a new one requiring new harnesses, fooling with A/C and fan electrical and new front fascia on the center console. That'd likely cost me some installation fees as I'd not feel comfortable with that level of installation.

Any help is appreciated.

 

HD Radio is a flop. The range on it is poor and not every station even participates. If you're not looking to fork over $1,500 for a new aftermarket headunit install, thought about the OEM sat radio equipment? Should be like $150 in parts if you buy online.

 

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll look around for satellite hook up. Are there any real advantages/disadvantages in going through the head unit to connect to the SAT button. It appears that a number of the units are external and simply broadcast on a fixed frequency within the car.

 

your sound quality will be much better connecting it through the headunit vice an FM modulated one.

 

If you care about your audio quality at all, do not use an FM modulator.

 

So I'll hook up directly and not go through the FM modulator.

Tonight I stopped by the Mazda dealer to pick up a unit and the parts department was closed. Made me wonder if there are other makers out there. When I look at the units made to attach to a head unit, they are listed by manufacturer -- JVC, Panasonic, etc. I'm not really sure who makes that for the Bose unit.

 

FM TRANSMITTER guys. Not modulator. Completely different. One is wireless. One is hardwired. And the sound quality is night and day different. Just a wording warning.

But their idea is correct. The included FM transmitter that comes with those stand-alone units is crap. I wouldn't dare recommend it to anyone. If you DO choose to get a stand-alone unit, also buy the FM MODULATOR upgrade that plugs into the headunit's antenna wire. This will give superior sound quality comparatively.

 

Hardwired connection to the antenna input will certainly be better than a run of the mill FM transmitter, but it's still a far cry from an aux-in connection's quality. I had one of those hardwired FM modulators in my earlier car... I know how much better it was once I replaced my head unit and was able to connect the CD changer directly to it.

Even using the best FM modulator, the sound will be limited to the FM radio's quality.

 

Understood. I said "if you DO".

 

ive never had any problems with the sound quality with my fm transmitter that is built into my sat raido unit

 

How old is it? If it's more than a couple years old, you likely have the "old style". A couple years ago, the FDA stepped in and regulated how strong FM transmitters were allowed to be. Satellite radios and iPod docks went to ****.

 

its not to old a yr at the most

 

The dealer wants $340 for the OEM Sirius tuner but I can get it online for about $240. Anyone know where wiring diagrams for installing the OEM tuner can be found. The head unit has the SAT button. I'm not even sure where it would be installed at and can't seem to find a lot of documents Googling around. Maybe I'm using the wrong keywords.