How to amplify an iPod for music on the move abroad (1 Viewer)

[Abacist]

We have a 2010 AutoTrail Savannah with it's original radio/tv/sound system. The radio abroad is not much use as it's all foreign language and they tend to talk a lot rather than play music and the radio quality is not much good due to the aerial in the wing mirror.

I therefore use my iPod with over 2,000 tracks available. There is no connection to play the iPod directly through the AT sound system. I have given up trying to play this through the radio as the radio reception is so poor and the empty waveband I find soon starts transmitting as you move along.

I therefore play the iPod through a small 12v personal speaker though the sound could be louder!

Does anyone know of a 12v amplifier that I could use to boost the sound?

 

[WynandJean]

Assuming the van's radio doesn't have bluetooth just google bluetooth speakers. There are LOADS to choose from. You'll find them in your local supermarket too. We also have bluetooth headphones which are very convenient for individual listening but without wires tethering you to the pad.

Wyn

 

[Mikeco]

I use a Jack to Jack cable and play it through the TV, but when parked up, could be done while moving but it would depend where your TV is.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Robert Clark]

How about a Bluetooth speaker like this

Betron KBS08 Wireless Portable Travel Bluetooth Speaker Black Amazon product ASIN B00N11SHI2

 

[Alistair33]

I use a a Bose mini it works on Bluetooth from the iPhone iPad etc, plugs into the TV via a 3.4 mm plug, and can be used out side too and charges if the cigar lighter

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I use a Bose Soundlink Mini bluetooth speaker. Highly recommend it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

I'd consider changing the head unit for one with an aux in socket, job done and great sound quality on the BIG door speakers

 

[obanvanman]

I bought a blue tooth sound bar for the ipod and I use jack to jack for the tele, coz its a Cello and the speakers on it are awful.

 

[Abacist]

Thanks everyone for the input so far!

The iPod is a classic so it does not have bluetooth capability.

I would change the head unit if I didn't have a wish/hope to change the van as soon as I can as we would like an A Class van so am trying to find a non-fixed in the current van/economical solution.

Having tried 3 personal USB powered speakers what is better about those proposed? My feeling is that I need an amplifier to boost the sound from the iPod which is only designed to push sound through ear buds/headphones.

I would have thought it could be put through the TV system but not achieved that yet despite trying a few cable options.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Riverbankannie]

Does your van have a tape player? I used to use my iPod connected to a cassette type device which then played through van radio system.
It is surplus to requirements now so you can have it if it would help.

Edit, just realised it is 2010 so unlikely came with tape player.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Bose Mini as recommended above is meant for a Bluetooth connection but it does have an audio jack so you can easily connect an iPod Classic via the headphone socket to the Bose eg:

The Bose mini is more than loud enough for a MoHo unless you want the whole site to listen too .
There are certainly cheaper speakers on the market, but Bose sounds best to most ears.

If you insist on amplification then there are many many options such as:
Amazon Headphones Amp

 

[Riverbankannie]

Some speakers marketed as Bluetooth have aux input sockets such as this one
Broken Link Removed

If you buy from somewhere like currys you can return it if not what you want.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Alistair33]

As an amplifier, I use a nuforce for the iPad through headphones , it's about 4cm square and recharges through USB sorry can't find a link

 

[WynandJean]

Assuming the van's radio doesn't have bluetooth just google bluetooth speakers. There are LOADS to choose from. You'll find them in your local supermarket too. We also have bluetooth headphones which are very convenient for individual listening but without wires tethering you to the pad.

Wyn

Sorry, I read Ipad instead of Ipod. Ours (looks like the one @Robert Clark has) has a slot for an SD card. Is that any help!

Wyn

 

[bigtwin]

Does anyone know of a 12v amplifier that I could use to boost the sound?

I'd suggest that you get a speaker with its own built in amplifier (others have suggested a Bose variant but I'm sure that there are lots of other suitable brands) with a mini jack/aux input.

Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Euphony]

We have a Bose Soundlink and it can be used inside or out. It has 14 hours of play time on one charge so needn't be plugged in while driving plus it has tremendous sound quality and volume (can be heard crystal clear over road noise and rattles).

 

[Lenny HB]

I find it hard to believe the radio hasn't got a Aux input, have you taken the radio out and checked the connections on the rear.
You say the van has Radio/TV/Sound System, if the TV sound goes throgh the head unit why not connect via that input.

 

[maxi77]

We suffer from similar problems and have used small speakers which are just OK for music but crap for speach so we are trying out this next week as we head for Norwich.
.
Trials in the house sho it is much louder than the smaller units and it has a 3.5mm jack input. Will also do B-Tooth and micro card

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[WynandJean]

For 'TF' read 'SD' card

 

[Flamenca]

We suffer from similar problems and have used small speakers which are just OK for music but crap for speach so we are trying out this next week as we head for Norwich.
.
Trials in the house sho it is much louder than the smaller units and it has a 3.5mm jack input. Will also do B-Tooth and micro card

What were your findings on quality for speach when using it in the house?

 

[Mickey1]

The old radio in my horsebox doesn't have a aux socket so I use one of these. Plugs onto cigarette socket and plays through radio speakers.
Mickey.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SMB]

Do you have an Avtex tv? Most have fm transmitters built in, you could play yr music through it

 

[LesW]

I've got three of those cheap speakers knocking about indoors, all bought for less than £15 or so.

I eventually went the whole hog a bought a Bose mini, as mentioned above... Very expensive, £150 I think I paid, but by heck the sound quality is simply astonishing for such a small unit.

I would recommend this speaker without hesitation, I've no Idea how they get the range and quality but I'm very pleased.

 

[Flamenca]

Has anyone tried the Anker SoundCore?

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016MO90GW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=27SEG74S5P3R0&coliid=I1WKHPTM25GMGT&psc=1

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtwin]

View attachment 174071
We have a Bose Soundlink and it can be used inside or out. It has 14 hours of play time on one charge so needn't be plugged in while driving plus it has tremendous sound quality and volume (can be heard crystal clear over road noise and rattles).

Snap!

Great piece of kit.

Ian

 

[Yorick]

I can listen to UK radio stations on my phone which I plug into the van radio.

I have Planet Rock on from Cadiz to Calais

 

[bigtwin]

I can listen to UK radio stations on my phone which I plug into the van radio.

Me too!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

I did have a Bose Soundlink Mini, then I heard the Spaced 360 and sold the Mini to @PenelopePitstop who gave it to Rex as a birthday present. But after 3 years my Spaced 360 stopped charging.

I just replaced it with the new Bose Soundlink Revolve Plus. It is so much better than the Soundlink Mini, and the spaced 360 in both volume and sound. It's awesome, and coincidentally one of the first people to hear my new speaker was Rex and he wants one



Amazon product ASIN B06XPCKVQY

 

[Davylambretta]

Get something like this loads to choose from plug in to IPod set freq for radio to pick up tune in radio and your good to go

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-WIREL...858461&hash=item1c8198ed8c:g:Qa4AAOSwAANY5amP

I'm using one of these if you want a wireless speaker it's also splash/water proof so ideal for sitting outside can pick them up cheaper if you don't mind 2nd hand mines was 18 quid

 

[magicsurfbus]

I stuck all my music onto a compact USB stick which is permanently plugged into the MH's dashboard radio unit, running on random shuffle. It's like having my own private radio station with no blathering DJ.

As a point of info, many of those little USB pod speakers use the same voltage (3.7v) as a mobile phone battery. To extend the life of mine when its battery died I bodged a connection to an old unwanted mobile phone's battery compartment. I recharge the battery with a universal wall charger and it plays for ages. Not pretty but practical, especially when mounted inside a vintage radio casing.

Broken Link Removed

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}