iQfm Review: The Best FM Transmitter… Period
The title of this article suggests that the iQfm is the best FM transmitter on the planet, which is a pretty bold statement. FM transmitters are crucial to many of us that have a 2003 Honda Accord and think that the factory stereo system is too pretty to rip out… because whoever was on the 2003 Honda Accord Factory Stereo Team and decided against Aux-in ports was either an idiot, or invested in a major manufacturer of FM transmitters….
Anyway, I was promised that the iQfm FM Transmitter would out-perform our current best seller, the VRFM9. As you probably have already read on my blog, I have about 4 years of FM Modulator experience, so I compare and contrast the features and performance of different transmitters from the past.
In a nutshell: The iQfm encapsulates all of the features of the VRFM9, giving SD card and USB flash drive support (playing mp3s on-the-fly from your tiny storage devices), but with a stronger FM modulation.
How to Make the iQfm sound like CD Quality
The main point of this article is to help your iQfm sound like you’re listening to CDs. Of course you can’t perfectly do this because occasionally you will pass by sources of interference (like high-voltage power lines or something) and will hear a little static, but so far here in Provo, UT, I’ve been satisfied (and I am more particular than average people).
First you have to find a radio station without any signal… a radio station without even static sounds. Here in Provo 88.5 works all right.
I turn my iPod to about 15/16 the volume. The louder your iPod is, the stronger your FM signal. Just don’t turn it high enough to where the sound becomes distorted.
I turn my stereo’s settings to Treble: +3 (out of -6 to 6) and leave the Bass at 0. This simulates a T:0 B:0 ratio on when listening to CDs for me. The FM transmitter takes some of the treble out.
With these settings, I have been enjoying virtual CD quality sounds without messy installations, and at a great price point.
July 31st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I have the iQfm Extreme White and it works great. I have 200 songs on a 1 Gig and we played it all the way from Maryland to southern Florida…….Well worth the cost…..one great device.
July 31st, 2007 at 4:15 pm
This device plugs into your cigarette lighter and will play your MP3 music for hours on end. It features 2 slots for memory cards. One slot is for an USB Flash Drive and the other slot is for a SD or MMC memory card. It also has an input, where you can connect your ipod or any other music device, ie: cassette tape player, CD player etc., that has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Just connect your device with the supplied cable and the music will be flowing in your car. This transmitter also has 15 different FM frequencies to choose from and has an adjustable base, so you can tilt the face to suit your viewing needs. Why would you want to do that? Because this baby has a LCD screen display, that will scroll the name of the song you are currently playing, as well as indicate “pause” when a song is paused, shows you the current volume level and shows you how many songs are on your memory card and which number song is currently playing.
September 9th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Their website has good detail on it, but doesn’t say anything about random play. How is audio quality compared to the VRFM9? Your review seems to imply that I’ll need to jig my stereo to compensate. (I read a review, I believe and audioholics.com, that rated the VRFM9 poor).
September 14th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Thanks for this review. Does the iQfm continue playing where it left off when switched off and on? This is a *most wanted* feature as i read user comments on other FM MP3 players…
December 10th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
i work for a computer component distribution company and i received a sample IQFM transmitter as a gift. I use it for my microsoft zune and it is extremely clear. you cant plug it in to the bottom of the zune of course, so I cant charge it in my car. so i bought the microsoft zune transmitter, and it was garbage, I also bought another brand FM transmitter that allowed me to charge my zune also and it was garbage as well. apparently the IQFM is built way better than those $60-$90 transmitters that you get from best buy. hope this helps.