Hi, I just want to add apart from turning off the EQ in your ipod/mp3 player make sure to listen with the stereo unit's EQ flat/off as well. And put the output of the mp3 player to about 70% of the volume.
Headphone outputs can vary greatly in terms of impedance from 75 ohms up to 600 ohms. I think portable units are usually in the low range. I don't know what the Focus stereo wants but unless it's up one extreme and the mp3 player is at the other it should not make a huge difference. However mp3 players and other consumer electronics like that can have *really poor* analogue components like headphone amps. Try another mp3 player.
|