2014 R1200RT LC- why your Sirius XM radio music sounds so bad with a Sena 20S

[rydalch]

I bought a 2014 R1200RT LC along with a Sena 20S. I pared the 20S with the BMW and everything works fine. My iPhone with Pandora has rich sound and my USB stick with music also has a very rich sound while I use my molded earphones. I subscribed to XM radio and was excited to get music with a rich sound just like the USB and iPhone. Instead I got a pathetic tinny sound as if I was listening to my 60's AM radio. The sound was so bad I turned off the XM and listened to my iPhone and USB.

The reason why the BMW radio sounds so bad with the Sena 20S is because the Sena 20S is using 4.0 bluetooth and the BMW radio is using 2.0. Richard at RKA luggage told me to download the XM app to the iPhone and listen to XM radio through my iPhone and I will finally have rich sounding music on my earphones. So cancel your XM subscription on your BMW and only use the XM app on your iPhone and you will finally be happy about satellite radio on your BMW RT LC.

2.0 Bluetooth is 2003 tech while 4.0 is 2010 tech. Also 2.0 sends out 3.7 bits of data per second vs 4.0 is around 36 bits of data. I have no idea exactly how much a bit of data is but you can see that 4.0 at 36 bits is about 10 times more than the 2.0 version.

I hope this helps explain to anyone that has been very frustrated with the crappy sound of the RT radio's XM music. So save your money and cancel that subscription and get the iPhone app and travel with a big smile on your face!

 

[56223]

I wired an ear bud jack to the speaker outputs and the sound I get is great. Whether I renew the free subscription is another matter.


Pete
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[exgman]

Whether I renew the free subscription is another matter.

For those who don't know, XMSirius has a bunch of subscription options and is willing to deal on every single subscription. A simple car or bike subscription has a list price of over $200/year. Add in Internet Radio (so you can listen on your iPhone, iPad, computer or whatever) and the cost jumps up dramatically.

Once the so-called "free" BMW Motorrad subscription ends, then XMSirius will begin calling. The simple negotiation tactic is to say: "I want to cancel." Ultimately a persistent person can get the annual subscription down to about $87/year. On a motorcycle which is used 6-8 months of the year, this may be OK or not. If you like to listen on your iPhone or some other device, you can ask for Internet XMSirius to be included.

There is lots of information about this in Bimmerfest, AcuraZine and other motor-related forums. Paying full price is not an option.

 

[jiggin]

I think the XM radio sounds fine except not having a lot of good bass. I listen to it with my custom ear plugs in which seems to "mellow out" the sound. I've heard others do the same thing.

 

[56223]

For those who don't know, XMSirius has a bunch of subscription options and is willing to deal on every single subscription. A simple car or bike subscription has a list price of over $200/year. Add in Internet Radio (so you can listen on your iPhone, iPad, computer or whatever) and the cost jumps up dramatically.

Once the so-called "free" BMW Motorrad subscription ends, then XMSirius will begin calling. The simple negotiation tactic is to say: "I want to cancel." Ultimately a persistent person can get the annual subscription down to about $87/year. On a motorcycle which is used 6-8 months of the year, this may be OK or not. If you like to listen on your iPhone or some other device, you can ask for Internet XMSirius to be included.

There is lots of information about this in Bimmerfest, AcuraZine and other motor-related forums. Paying full price is not an option.

I do this with our cars so bike won't be any different


Pete
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bmwdean]

I am sorry, I cannot help you.

My '15 RT has the radio, but I took the antenna off and put it in a vinyl tube in the top case. I never use the radio. The engine sound is what I like.

My antenna:

 

[gbtucker]

2014 RT Bluetooth solution for two

I bought a 2014 R1200RT LC along with a Sena 20S. I pared the 20S with the BMW and everything works fine. My iPhone with Pandora has rich sound and my USB stick with music also has a very rich sound while I use my molded earphones. I subscribed to XM radio and was excited to get music with a rich sound just like the USB and iPhone. Instead I got a pathetic tinny sound as if I was listening to my 60's AM radio. The sound was so bad I turned off the XM and listened to my iPhone and USB.

The reason why the BMW radio sounds so bad with the Sena 20S is because the Sena 20S is using 4.0 bluetooth and the BMW radio is using 2.0. Richard at RKA luggage told me to download the XM app to the iPhone and listen to XM radio through my iPhone and I will finally have rich sounding music on my earphones. So cancel your XM subscription on your BMW and only use the XM app on your iPhone and you will finally be happy about satellite radio on your BMW RT LC.

2.0 Bluetooth is 2003 tech while 4.0 is 2010 tech. Also 2.0 sends out 3.7 bits of data per second vs 4.0 is around 36 bits of data. I have no idea exactly how much a bit of data is but you can see that 4.0 at 36 bits is about 10 times more than the 2.0 version.

I hope this helps explain to anyone that has been very frustrated with the crappy sound of the RT radio's XM music. So save your money and cancel that subscription and get the iPhone app and travel with a big smile on your face!

I also struggled with the Bluetooth on my 2014 RT and found a solution that works well. I installed an output(male) audio jack in the left side glove box by tapping into the speaker wires and disconnected the wires from the speakers. I plug the jack into a Sena SM10 Bluetooth transmitter and toss it in the glove box. The transmitter broadcasts to the pair of Sena SMH-10's on my and my wife's Shoei Neotec helmets. To improve audio quality a bit I upgraded the helmet speakers to Torks and wear foam earplugs to strengthen the base by removing the wind noise. The benefit of this set up is that I can use the bike's FM/Satellite radio, have Nav V instructions play through my helmet, and have full Wonder-Wheel controls. For optimal music quality I plug an ipod or phone into the SM10 transmitter and skip the bikes audio altogether and rely on my eyes to see the Nav instruction. I also maintain a great intercomm connection with my passenger.

Are there any other hacks out there to improve audio quality for a set-up like this?

Gary