Can FLAC be played in car audio systems?
4 Answers
FLAC can be played in car audio systems. Domestic cars generally support APE but have poor support for FLAC. The following are the differences between FLAC and MP3 and how to open FLAC files: Differences between FLAC and MP3: Unlike MP3, which is an audio compression codec, FLAC is a lossless compression format. This means that audio compressed with FLAC encoding does not lose any information. When a FLAC file is restored to a WAV file, its content is identical to the original WAV file before compression. How to open FLAC files: FLAC can be played directly by many players, such as the KMPlayer. Of course, for better sound quality, it is recommended to use a professional music player.
I was also researching in-car music formats recently and found that most new cars now support FLAC playback. I've driven several different car models, and they all support playing FLAC files directly from USB drives - after all, it's lossless audio quality. However, older infotainment systems might require additional players or head unit replacements. You can also use Bluetooth connection from your phone, but be aware of the bitrate limitations - the actual audio quality will be compressed. I recommend storing FLAC files on a USB drive for the most reliable playback. If storage space is limited, you might consider compressing to 320kbps MP3. Given the ambient noise while driving, the loss in audio quality doesn't actually make much noticeable difference to the listening experience.
As an audiophile, I think playing FLAC files in cars is completely fine. Most mid-to-high-end models now come with built-in decoders, and I often use the car's USB port to play my lossless music collection. However, I recommend choosing stereo format as some cars may not support multi-channel FLAC. Prepare a memory card with at least 64GB capacity since a single song can be over 30MB. The sound quality truly surpasses MP3, especially when using premium car audio systems like Burmester where you can hear richer details. But during high-speed driving, tire noise becomes too intrusive - I've found that listening to lossless music actually works best during city traffic jams.
Yes, it mainly depends on your car's infotainment system version. The domestic car I bought last year can play FLAC files directly from a USB drive without any settings adjustment. If it doesn't recognize the files, try updating the car's firmware—official websites usually have upgrade packages. If it still doesn't support FLAC, you can use an AUX cable to connect your phone or transmit audio via CarPlay. In my experience, the advantage of FLAC audio quality is most noticeable in the bass section, with drum beats being particularly elastic. Just be careful not to buy older classic models—those made before 2007 might not support FLAC playback at all.
