In this day and age, we have a plethora of devices and gadgets that we use for watching videos and listening to music. For a few specific sources, like cars, we aren’t able to directly get those things off of our phones without some kind of connection.
Before Bluetooth became prevalent, there was the aux cord. It was the simplest way to connect smartphones to other devices. It was quick, easy, and simple enough for anyone to use. Let’s learn more about the aux cable, how to connect it, the pros and cons, and more.
The Different Types of Aux Cable
It helps to first know what different kinds of aux cables there are. Before you can start streaming music through your vehicle’s speakers, you need to know which kind of cable will do the most to benefit you. The first is the 3.5mm aux cord, which is used for things like DVD players, tablets, car stereos, mobile devices, and so much more.
There is also the optical aux cable. These aren’t quite as common, but they also have higher standards and are of a better quality. They are capable of sending digital signals but require different cables and connectors. They are also quite a bit more expensive but they have far less interference than your standard aux cable.
Connecting Aux Cords to Speakers and Car Stereos
If you still aren’t really familiar with aux cables, it helps to know how to connect them. Using them for audio devices is simple as long as you have a 3.5mm cord. They connect to tablets and smartphones easily. Just find the aux input on your speaker and connect one end of the cable. Take the other end and find the aux output on your device. You may have to change the “source” if it isn’t detected automatically.
Maybe you would rather connect your device to your car stereo. Just find the “aux in” port on your stereo. It’s usually somewhere on the dash. Take one end of your cord and plug it into that input, then attach the other end to your device. Likewise, you may need to select a source if your vehicle’s system does not automatically detect it for you.
The Advantages of Using Aux Cords
Though they have since become a bit outdated because of the implementation of Bluetooth, the aux cord has not gone extinct. As a matter of fact, there are still a few advantages to using an aux cable for a variety of reasons.
For starters, aux cord ports are available on many devices like tablets, portable speakers, CD players, smartphones, and more. Though many modern devices are eliminating those ports, there are still plenty of devices out there that still have that feature available.
Disadvantages of Aux Cords
While there are plenty of benefits, there are also some downsides to using aux cords. For starters, they wear out a lot faster than their USB counterparts. Removing it too quickly can actually damage the cable, cutting down on its already short shelf life.
The clarity on aux cables can also drop and high-frequency electronics might not even be compatible with aux cables. Though aux cables are versatile, they are nowhere near as versatile as USB cables. Not only can you connect devices with the latter, but they act as charging cables for all of those same devices. For sheer convenience, Bluetooth allows for connection to most systems like car stereos without the need for a cable. Moreover, new cars and devices are not coming equipped with aux ports, making them tougher to find.
