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Usb speakers for the iphone

hgrimberg

hgrimberg

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 2, 2012
531
21
Is it possible to connect the iphone to usb speakers, the ones used for laptops, and use it in the car so that the usb plug instead of being connected to a laptop for getting power is connected to the cars lighter to charge the speakers? Or the 12V from the car is different to what a laptop can supply via its usb port?
 
Auto Lighter-to-USB adapters deliver 5V via USB, the standard. I can't say if you'll get enough current to power the USB speakers.

Why aren't you trying to get sound out of the car radio...is it dead?
 
BrianBaughn said:
Auto Lighter-to-USB adapters deliver 5V via USB, the standard. I can't say if you'll get enough current to power the USB speakers.

Why aren't you trying to get sound out of the car radio...is it dead?
Click to expand...

My car is from 2005 so the stereo has no bluetooth nor mic port, so I need to have independent speakers.
When you say that the auto lighter via de usb adapter delivers 5V, then that is enough to charge the phone and then when you connect the phone to the usb port on your laptop, the iphone is also charged by this usb. So, If the iphone is charged by the laptop via usb and the speakers are also charged by the laptop's usb port, and the iphone gets charged by the auto lighter via the usb adaptor, then therefore, the speakers can be charged by the auto lighter via the usb adapter as well. Is that logic?
 
hgrimberg said:
My car is from 2005 so the stereo has no bluetooth nor mic port, so I need to have independent speakers.
When you say that the auto lighter via de usb adapter delivers 5V, then that is enough to charge the phone and then when you connect the phone to the usb port on your laptop, the iphone is also charged by this usb. So, If the iphone is charged by the laptop via usb and the speakers are also charged by the laptop's usb port, and the iphone gets charged by the auto lighter via the usb adaptor, then therefore, the speakers can be charged by the auto lighter via the usb adapter as well. Is that logic?
Click to expand...

You'd think so.

You're kinda stuck like me audio-wise. You could spend $100+ (not including installation) and replace a perfectly good car stereo head unit with a unit with a jack and/or bluetooth.

My solution, until my new BMW shows up, is a GoGroove bluetooth device with an FM transmitter. It's not bad (better than USB powered speakers I'd think) and I'm lucky enough to find a clear frequency. The manual says it should work (sound) better if I take the antenna off the car, and I may try that.

I have mine plugged into a switched 12V port, so it turns off with the car. Pairs automatically with my iPhone when I start the car.
 
Fwiw, I replaced my head unit myself a few years back in my 04 Camry. Plugging the phone in by USB is so convenient it was worth the cost and hour or two it took me to install it.
 
I dont want to change my car stereo to a newer one because I dont want to change the OEM look of my dashboard. I actually bought a newer stereo and connected in parallel to the existing one and hide it behind the seat. It worked for some time until somebody kicked it and ruined it. In any case it was not very practical.
I also tried the radio connection but in my city there are so many radio stations so the interference is too much and I cant hear the sound of my phone.
So, I came up with the idea of the usb speakers. Will I blow the speakers or phone because of the different voltage, if any?
 
I don't think you'll burn anything up.

I'm with you on the OEM thing...I don't want to mess with mine, either. I've changed the stock radios in other cars (because of malfunction) and never liked how the new ones looked.
 
If you say that the auto lighter/usb adaptor delivers 5V, you think the laptop via its usb port delivers the same voltage when it charges the speakers?
 
BrianBaughn said:
Yes, that's standard for USB. Some devices need more current than others, however.
Click to expand...

Yes, it seems that the usb charger from the computer delivers 5V and 500mA.I wonder if the auto lighter/usb adaptor delivers the same amount of current/amperage.
 
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Aux port depends on what kind of radio (head unit) you have in your car. Do a search for your model car to see if anyone has a kit. I did and the kit costs about as much as a new head unit with bluetooth.
 
Oh, i think i researched about it long ago and that is why i bought a new radio with bt and put it in parallel to my oem radio but it was too complicated to plug in and operate, so i want a faster system.
 
yeah what Brian says. My car is pre-wired for a tone of stuff. There is a spot in the OEM radio to add an Aux cable or an iPod integration cable. The AUX cable is the cheapest to add and easiest to install. I paid $32 for my AUX cable. It took about 20min to install. My iPod sits hidden in one of the compartments. Since I use mostly the shuffle feature, I don't need to control the iPod with the OEM radio controls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR5zKpf9BXc

If your car model doesn't come with one, you can look and see if you could swap out the old OEM with a later model.


There are some speakers that will allow you to charge via USB charge. The Jawbone Jambox has a USB and wall charger. The battery is suppose to last 10hrs. I have the JBL flip but it doesn't charge via USB, only wall outlet.

https://jawbone.com/speakers
 
mofunk said:
yeah what Brian says. My car is pre-wired for a tone of stuff. There is a spot in the OEM radio to add an Aux cable or an iPod integration cable. The AUX cable is the cheapest to add and easiest to install. I paid $32 for my AUX cable. It took about 20min to install. My iPod sits hidden in one of the compartments. Since I use mostly the shuffle feature, I don't need to control the iPod with the OEM radio controls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR5zKpf9BXc

If your car model doesn't come with one, you can look and see if you could swap out the old OEM with a later model.


There are some speakers that will allow you to charge via USB charge. The Jawbone Jambox has a USB and wall charger. The battery is suppose to last 10hrs. I have the JBL flip but it doesn't charge via USB, only wall outlet.

https://jawbone.com/speakers
Click to expand...

The thing about using the AUX plug is that if you want to charge the phone at the same time you are listening to music on the car stereo, you will hear interferences, so it doesnt work.
 
It would depend on the type of car you have. I've heard that buzz sound when I plugged into a car. I did this inside a friends jeep that had a plug outlet that you can plug up and appliance or gadget. In my car I'm charging in the glovebox with the pre-wired charger that comes with the car. It doubles as a flashlight charger. I'm guessing this is why I don't hear the slight buzz. The same thing with the USB cigarette charger, no buzz. :)

Sorry buy my car is pre-wired with power outlets. Most German cars don't have that issue. They are wired a little different. I opted for the $35 iPod AUX cable. Picked up another USB charger for the cigarette lighter $25 (5V) and power adapter $12 (12V adapter).


82110004073.jpg


If you are worried about charging your phone, I would get another battery source. You can still be under $200 if you get the speakers and get the power source. THis site has some power sources you can use if you are afraid of loosing power. http://www.hypershop.com Honestly the AUX cable is the best way to go if you want a cheap solution. I looked around and it would cost me about $200-250 to add an iPod integration system to my car stereo. And I would loose my cd changer. I wasn't ready to spend that kind of money.

You can check here and see if they have a kit for your car
http://www.crutchfield.com/m_770/iPod-iPhone-iPad-USB-Car-Adapters.html
 
I ll probably buy it. Thank you, but the buzz ehen charging will remain on my jeep. It happened on my Ford before.
 
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