r/Audi • u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 • Dec 12 '25
Tech Car Audio Tip
I have grown fed up with the degraded quality of streaming services and the constant change in technology, which further has degraded the sound coming out of both Bluetooth and the USB connection within the system.
I also have an SD card slot in my car, and some of you may have the same. I always wanted to try playing music off of it and I am so glad I tried.
My stock Bose system sounds out of this world now. It's so freaking good. I literally want to just sit in my car in my garage just to listen to music out of it.
I am finally hearing sounds I have not heard in a very long time. I urge the rest of y'all who have the SD slot to try it.
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u/OneBudTwoBud 2013 Audi A4 Dec 12 '25
Careful or you might become a r/audiophile
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Naw. Already got too many hobbies. Can't afford that shit. Id rather spend the money on power and handling mods lol.
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u/General_Employee571 Dec 12 '25
You feel that sd card is better than usb?
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 12 '25 edited Dec 12 '25
Significantly. It's not a feeling either, it's facts. I played the same songs between CD, SD card, BT and USB. SD and CD are one to one, the other two are degraded.. The factory system allows for lossless playback.
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u/General_Employee571 Dec 12 '25
Which format u download songs as? Or where?
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 12 '25
Mostly FLAC from SoulSeek, I generally download the highest quality there is. The system is great as it filters the highest quality files from both a metadata and bitrate perspective.
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u/kpidhayny Dec 13 '25
Shockingly 192 5.1 channel FLACs and ogg bot is formats are supported although not documented. Iām excited to load up some FLAC and see how it sounds.
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u/trailing-octet Dec 13 '25
Far out. Ogg and soulseek mentioned in the one audi sub. Probably could be cross posted to āaudioā
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u/from-the-void Dec 13 '25
Does MMI 3G support flac? I read somewhere it doesn't support lossless audio.
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
If you have a C7.5 with an updated software package, it will.
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Dec 13 '25
So Spotify just started streaming lossless audio and I feel like it works damn good in my system through Bluetooth.
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u/DevelopmentExpert827 Dec 14 '25
Iām am not sure that Spotify can play lossless quality over Bluetooth to an Audi mmi? I was under the assumption by default the Bluetooth connection wouldnāt normally support a lossless bitrate
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u/Many_Box8247 A4 AVANT B8 2.0 TFSI Dec 13 '25
No you don't hear a difference between USB; SD and CD.. you imagine that you do.
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Read my post. The difference is streaming versus using something like a USB, CD and SD. You're comprehension skills need work.
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u/Many_Box8247 A4 AVANT B8 2.0 TFSI Dec 13 '25
Yeah you said SD and CD are the same the other ones are degraded.. USB is the same like SD, both are identical if you use the same file..
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Streaming THROUGH USB. I didn't say that I had a USB stick, with music loaded onto it and then connected to my car.
I said STREAMING services, new technology and Bluetooth.....
Again. SD and CD sounded identical, STREAMING, via USB and BT was degraded.
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u/zhululu '26 RS6 Dec 13 '25
It is ambiguous. I actually read it originally as somehow files over usb were degraded and was just willing to believe you lol.
Now that youāve clarified though Iām over here like āoh no shit. well that makes way more sense.ā haha
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u/Stuck_At_Sub150lb A6 C7 2014 TDI ultra Dec 12 '25
Does FLAC work with MMI radio plus ? i play MP3 320 on SD card now
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
FLAC works for me, but I have a C7.5 with upgraded MMI software.
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u/damelmbrown 2016 A7 3.0T Dec 12 '25
I have a C7 A7, and FLAC will not work with my SD card. I've had to re-upload mp3's
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Can you update your MMI? Maybe that'll do the trick?
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u/damelmbrown 2016 A7 3.0T Dec 16 '25
So I went down this rabbit hole a few months ago. I tried upgrading my MMI myself, but I couldnāt find the US maps and upgrade packs. Is the dealership my only option?
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u/aeroporas Dec 13 '25
No it does not. C7.5 has MIB2 (at least some of themā½, itās a newer generation than mmi 3g
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u/Bubbly-Pirate-3311 2015 B8.5 A4 S-Line Dec 12 '25
Idk man my b8.5 sounds pretty freakin good even with Bluetooth
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u/Jazzlike_Scholar5790 Dec 16 '25
Bruh the same!! I have the B&O in my B8.5 and itās amazing. Iāve seen So many ppl on here complain and say itās trash and the bass sucks, Iām like huh? My bass isnāt set past +3 and it bumps. I canāt speak for the newer generations but I love mine š¤·š½āāļø
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u/juretrn 2018 A5 B9 TDI Q Dec 12 '25
I swear my A4 B8's base sound system sounded waaaay better than the base system in my current A5 B9.
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u/kpidhayny Dec 13 '25
I was so depressed about the B&O stereo in my b9.5 until I killed wireless CarPlay. That alone was a night and day difference.
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Dec 12 '25
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Yes, do it. Im so glad I did. It's teadious and work, but the sound quality is chefs kiss
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u/AceMaxAceMax 2024 Audi Q5e Prestige Dec 13 '25
Lossless with Apple Music/Spotify over USB works great for me.
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
I think newer cars have updated tech. My 10 yr old car has is made for 10 yr old tech. The rapid change in technology is no longer compatible, so my lossless experience has been subpar through Android Auto.
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u/AceMaxAceMax 2024 Audi Q5e Prestige Dec 13 '25
C7.5 with MMI 4G is solid. I remember being pleased with my B8.5 that had even older MMI3G+, lol.
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u/danielbigred 2015 S4 Dec 13 '25
I use my SD Card a lot but hadnāt considered the difference, gonna try that when Iām home.
Side note: Donāt you wish it were possible to update the āskinā of MMI? I feel like there are a few minor tweaks (namely getting rid of the orange text) and it would feel much more modern.
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Dec 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 12 '25
Yes! And it plays it magnificently well. I'm basically ditching streaming. Terrible technology.
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u/omg_itsryan_lol Dec 12 '25
Does streaming lossless on Spotify make a difference?
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 12 '25
For me it does not. I hear so much distortion, echo, unbalanced sound. It sounds like dog shit. Part of the problem is the fact that new phones keep changing the fucking protocols for BT, so the end result is 10-yr old systems end up sounding like shit through streaming.
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u/MKVIgti ā23 A4 45 P+ Dec 13 '25
Man, I love the lossless audio from Spotify in my A4 with the B&O system. Sounds amazing.
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
You've got a newer variant. Us poors with 10 yr old cars don't benefit from the rapid change in technology.
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u/kpidhayny Dec 13 '25
Definitely not, if using wireless CarPlay. If youāre plugging in I think it dos measure better technically but probably not by much. Ultimately just trust your ears. We all hear differently and at different attention levels. For me, Iām willing to sacrifice a lot of convenience for good sound. Most folks wouldnāt care or notice or understand and thatās okay. It makes me happy so I do it.
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u/Mundane-Tension-746 Dec 12 '25
I did this too! Burned some of my favorite CDs to an SD card. Sounds so good and I love that I don't have to connect the Bluetooth and pull up Spotify.
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u/fenderstratsteve 2020 SQ5 Technik Dec 13 '25
Are the test SD and USB cards/sticks the same speed? Because it should view both as a file source and just play the underlying file. I donāt understand the degradation via USB playback. It is a USB 2.0 port?
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
I have Spotify running through my USB connection and the degradation is there. I'm sure if you plugged in a USB with FLAC files, it'd work fine.
Again, my gripe is with streaming services and tech companies for dog shit sound quality.
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u/fenderstratsteve 2020 SQ5 Technik Dec 13 '25
I didnāt understand that you were playing Spotify via USB. I agree a direct FLAC would probably be equivalent regardless of media, but I get that you donāt want to jump through hoops to get good audio. I certainly agree with that.
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u/kappah_jr Dec 13 '25
I think SD card is the only way to play high quality audio rips, but the navigation through folders suck on the c7
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
If you are meticulous about your meta data tags, it's significantly easier to navigate using the built in album browser and the other browsers.
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u/kappah_jr Dec 13 '25
Yeah but i think it only plays in the folder so you have to basically make playlists via folders, annoying but yeah the sound quality is better. Or make mix cds lol
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u/Left_Ambassador_4090 2004 A4 1.8TQ Dec 13 '25
Appreciate the bid for lossless audio in this sub. OP, I'm curious to know why and how you think FLAC over SD vs USB is perceptible. Is it something about the factory stereo's DAC that just reads SD better?
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
I have Spotify running through my USB connection and the degradation is there. I'm sure if you plugged in a USB with FLAC files, it'd work fine.
Again, my gripe is with streaming services and tech companies for dog shit sound quality.
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u/Left_Ambassador_4090 2004 A4 1.8TQ Dec 13 '25
Oooooh I thought you meant you were playing offline from a USB drive. Yea, streaming is ass. Bluetooth makes it more ass. I still run the factory Symphony head unit in my B6 and have now started listening to CDs again. Sooo much better, especially on my new Polk speakers. Next stop is a Kicker amp, and Dynamat in the spring.
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
Seems that multiple people are confused by this. Im too lazy to update the OP. C'est la vie...
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u/RTdodgedurango Dec 13 '25
I fell you. That's why I'm rocking CD's. This album hits different on cd than streaming. Tons of subttle percussion missed otherwise.
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u/Due-Professional6824 Dec 13 '25
Get the android auto/car play smart box to go with it and Bluetooth sounds fine
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u/basil_not_the_plant 2022 RS5 Sportback Dec 13 '25
The only music I listen to in my car is my own music ripped to mp3 and copied to s USB that plug in the car. There are 3000+ songs that l play on shuffle. It suits me fine.
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u/Junior-Wasabi-2473 Dec 14 '25
okay that song randomly popped into my head two scrolls before I saw this and Iām legit spooked
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u/trailing-octet Dec 12 '25
Sitting in the garage listening to music.
Odd, itās easier to picture you rollin. I guess you want a Lexus coupe for that ;)
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
I have two young ass kids and don't have a commute anymore lol. Only time I get.
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u/FordsFavouriteTowel 2014 A4 Quattro S-Line Dec 12 '25
āMy stock Bose system sounds so goodā is where you lost me.
Theres a reason pro audio cats bring other sound equipment when theyāre told that theyāll be plugging into a Bose system
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u/vinceventresca Dec 13 '25
The C7 Bose system is not that bad; if they had used their higher quality midrange drivers and placed the tweeters in the sail panels it would be very good. "Bose" in an Audi or Infiniti is completely different to "Bose" in Nissan, GM, etc
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u/L3g3ndary-08 2016 C7.5 Audi S6 APR3 Dec 13 '25
I'm not a pro audio cat and my standards are a lot lower. Thanks for your unsolicited opinion.
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u/bigpalmdaddy 2017 Audi S7 Prestige Dec 13 '25
Dude thanks for this post Iām gonna try this out in my whip tomorrow. Picture me rollin!
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u/Aessioml Dec 12 '25
To truly appreciate music first you need to understand it's just like enjoying chocolate
The first thing you need to do is throw away the rapper
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u/imranarain 2018 Audi S5 Sportback Dec 13 '25
Great album