Sena 20S

[alancoles]

...Speaker placement is fine...

What you described is proper placement for the helmet which may not be proper for you. This is why it is important to first test the unit by activating it and moving it to your ear while it is running audio. If in that mode it doesn't provide load and clear sound than naturally it won't be able to do so when mounted in the helmet and running highway speeds. However, if it is tested that way and does provide strong sound levels, but doesn't during the trail install than one knows there is a placement issue.

I have personally experienced one setup where at full volume an Autocomm system could be heard okay with the helmet on but so low that even at 20-30 mph the audio was virtually inaudible. Believe it or not, all it took to fix was repositioning the speakers. After that, I have done trail listening and fits prior to the 6+ Sena installs that I've done since then and not one single one has had a volume issue. Again, even if I did 99 and all worked fine, a 1% failure rate could be my very next install.

...the speaker placement in my Shoei Neotec in the speaker pockets should work, because that is where the Sena 10U which is helmet specific places them and they do not touch your ears in that installation. I was going to go for the 10U, but everybody said the 20S speakers that come with the 10R are so much better. Plus I like the idea of the external battery on the 10R.

The fact that Sena produces the 10U that places the speakers in a specific non-adjustable location tells me otherwise.

The Sena 10U speakers snap into the speaker pockets of the Shoei Neotec...

While that is the logical conclusion, due to variations in helmet shape, head shape, and ear placements being so wide, it is virtually never a truly a one-size fits all scenario.

I have another Help Desk ticket open with Sena. The last one was closed and unresolved. They can either come up with a solution or offer to take the unit back. If they are willing to send me the ear bud adapter cable that I can cut into to try the speakers I ordered, I'll give that a try.

Alex, I appreciate that you're pretty frustrated with the results you've been experiencing and that's understandable.

It sounds like you're ready to pull the system out and send it to Sena for return/repair/exchange.

I'd like to suggest that when/if you do pull the system out that you take the time to first (while still in the helmet) turn the radio volume on the unit up to the maximum (in it's current state that shouldn't hurt your ears). Then remove the unit but keep it connected together and test the volume with one of the speakers held to your ear (turn the unit & radio on before moving it up to your ear just incase it is working properly). If you still don't have a high volume than you'll know that it is definitely a faulty unit - which it may well be.

Not the issue in my case which I confirmed. But the inadequate volume level seems to be widespread after Googling "Sena 10R Volume". I got a slew of sites including the one on the Sena Community complaining of too low a volume level at the speeds I stated.

By the way, my 10R has 12 volume steps from Min to Max Beep. And after listening to the radio in the silence of my home yesterday, I really had to wonder where the bottom 4 or 5 volume levels could be used...in the tranquility of an empty church? LOL...

All this tells us is that Sena either has a lot of faulty 10R units, or that there are a lot of people installing them incorrectly. My limited experience has been that the majority of issues I've encountered have been due to improper installation. That doesn't mean that yours is but, until it is tested with the speaker actually against the ear, it is hard to be 100% sure, due to variations in helmet/head/ear placements, however, your's sounds more like a faulty unit than faulty placement as I can hear my Sena commands reasonably well even with the helmet off but next to my head (when doing setups between two helmet units).

As I've said, it sounds to me more like a faulty unit than a placement issue, but if you'd like to try my suggestion, perhaps we'll know for certain.

 

[globalrider]

What you described is proper placement for the helmet which may not be proper for you. This is why it is important to first test the unit by activating it and moving it to your ear while it is running audio.

Alan, I was totally impressed and happy with the system immediately after installing all the bits...while sitting in my home. Unfortunately, sitting in my home does not equate to riding at 110 kph and the associated wind noise and whatever else.

As for the helmet, I ran my finger under the bolster padding to where my ear is and the speaker is and the placement is fine. I mean if 1 mm is going to make a difference, I have to laugh at the product design.

 

[globalrider]

I've used hearing pro for various sports and vocations for nearly six decades, so I know a bit about the topic as well. The Sena when used with appropriate ear pro, provides ample levels of sound, as I said, sometimes it's too loud.

Which EarPro model in particular?

I've already tried the Etymotic brand upon the recommendation of users but luckily at that price I could return them. Sure they let in more audio as well as wind noise. No thanks.

As for batteries, Li batteries do not have charge memory issues so cycling will not change anything. If interested, you can read up about them and all batteries at Battery University.

 

[craigjv4]

To speaker placement...

I took my time and was very careful in adjusting the speakers in my Arai. There are no speaker pockets in the removable ear pads in my helmet.

I added the soft spacers behind the speakers to help push the speakers a little closer to my ears.

Like I said before, the volume is very loud (no dB meter to give you exact data) without ear plugs (I can't turn the volume to max with no plugs; it's too loud).

I wear several styles of ear plugs and tried several brands - foamies, silicone with a tiny hole in the center for more sound, etc... All are pretty decent in wind noise reduction but of course less wind noise volume=less music volume.

But I noticed while riding, if I push my helmet slightly rearward, the music gets considerably louder. This tells me I could further adjust the speakers; I won't bother... But this tells me how critical the placement is for volume.

 

[globalrider]

To speaker placement...

I added the soft spacers behind the speakers to help push the speakers a little closer to my ears.

I still have those in my kit and will try that when the snow melts and I can actually get back on the road.

Like I said before, the volume is very loud (no dB meter to give you exact data) without ear plugs (I can't turn the volume to max with no plugs; it's too loud).

Yes it is, when sitting at home with the helmet on and no ear plugs. I'd be 100% happy with the setup if that is the way I would use it.

I wear several styles of ear plugs and tried several brands - foamies, silicone with a tiny hole in the center for more sound, etc... All are pretty decent in wind noise reduction but of course less wind noise volume=less music volume.

Which is why I would simply turn up the radio in the aircraft.

A video I came across months ago, but I am not about to spend just as much money as I did on my Sena to add Bose Noise Reduction Ear Buds that this guy uses with his Cardo. I do not want to be that wired and use ear buds with wires hanging off the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA6qps2ospM

 

[beemerdood]

Which EarPro model in particular?

As my post #32 said, "I use NoNoise earplugs that give protection from the wind noise but still allow much other (non-damaging) sound through." They make several models for various sports and vocations. Choose the model for "Motorsports." https://www.nonoise-earplugs.com/en/ Both Revzilla and Twisted Throttle, along with many other retailers, have them.

As for batteries, Li batteries do not have charge memory issues so cycling will not change anything. If interested, you can read up about them and all batteries at Battery University.

Thanks for the link. Here's a quotation from it.

Priming a New Battery

Not all rechargeable batteries deliver the rated capacity when new, and they require formatting. While this applies to most battery systems, manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries disagree. They say that Li-ion is ready at birth and does not need priming. Although this may be true, users have reported some capacity gains by cycling after a long storage.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prime_batteries

Since you don't know how long a battery powered device sat on manufacturers or dealer's shelves, you may have a battery that needs priming. You can argue theory all you want, but "users have reported some capacity gains by cycling ..."

 

[globalrider]

Choose the model for "Motorsports." https://www.nonoise-earplugs.com/en/ Both Revzilla and Twisted Throttle, along with many other retailers, have them.

Thanks, I spotted those on the Revzilla site some time ago but want to get a bigger order together to make it worth it.

Since you don't know how long a battery powered device sat on manufacturers or dealer's shelves, you may have a battery that needs priming. You can argue theory all you want, but "users have reported some capacity gains by cycling ..."

Key word there being "users".

 

[craigjv4]

I do not want to be that wired and use ear buds with wires hanging off the end.

I agree 100%.

Before I bought the Sena, I took apart and mounted some decent quality wired headphone speakers into my helmet; because I'm cheap! LOL

They worked ok to listen to music and hear nav instructions from my iphone in my tank bag. But the wire was a pita and my Nav V was not too useful.

Buying the Sena was one of the best/most convenient accessories I've purchased - music, Nav V, and talking rider to rider on my last trip. I never had rider to rider comms prior; and it was great - 4 of us chatting...

Sorry you are having so many issues with yours.

 

[globalrider]

Sorry you are having so many issues with yours.

Not many, just one issue. I am in contact with Sena with a new ticket open. Unfortunately the same recommendations (Fault Reset, etc). I do have Audio Boost enabled and I'll get those NoNoise ear plugs that another member recommended.

The Panasonic headphones that someone on here recommended that I ordered should be here by Friday. I won't be able to do a road test yet (snow), but at least a volume comparison at home. I'll wire them in somehow without cutting into my existing wiring (tin the wire ends and insert them into the connectors that the 10R uses, just for testing).

Thanks!

 

[globalrider]

Update

Update...

Sena was good enough to send me a new 10R thinking that mine was defective. I had it all taken care of through my local dealer where I bought the unit.

Sorry to say, no difference really other than raising the windscreen on my 2016 R1200 GSW Adventure helped marginally.

In the end, if those yellow foam EAR brand ear plugs are inserted into the ears as the company video shows, they attenuate (that is what they are supposed to do) all wind noise and unfortunately voice/music as well. I just ordered the No-Noise Motorsports ear plugs to give those a try.

I also ordered the Sena adapter cable for ear buds and that may be the route I will have to go. Another communication unit with a 3.5 mm jack may have been the way to go if I knew I might end up using ear buds.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

Thanks Chris and Alan,

As long as I can get about 5 years of life out of a unit, I'd be happy. Plus I can use one of those Lithium battery packs now available. They are small enough to 3M Dual-Lock to the back of a helmet.

Sena seems very optimistic with their claimed 13 hour talk time. Mind you, that purpose would be a distant last since I do not want someone yapping in my ear all day long.

I think it'll be the Sena 20S.

The battery pack idea - it may not work. Previous threads have posts, one of them mine, show they don't work with Cardo units for some wierd reason. Don't know about Sena. Try it out.

My unit shuts off after about 5 minutes of charging my Cardo. Really disappointing.

 

[daboo]

The battery pack idea - it may not work. Previous threads have posts, one of them mine, show they don't work with Cardo units for some wierd reason. Don't know about Sena. Try it out.

My unit shuts off after about 5 minutes of charging my Cardo. Really disappointing.

The new "smart" battery packs will shut off if there isn't enough drain on the battery. It thinks it is done charging. What I do, is leave mine on while at work all day with the battery pack connected. It's still providing a charge when I get back to the bike at the end of the day.

I have an old Sony that works great. As long as it is connected, it'll charge.

Chris

 

[daboo]

Update...

Sena was good enough to send me a new 10R thinking that mine was defective. I had it all taken care of through my local dealer where I bought the unit.

Sorry to say, no difference really other than raising the windscreen on my 2016 R1200 GSW Adventure helped marginally.

In the end, if those yellow foam EAR brand ear plugs are inserted into the ears as the company video shows, they attenuate (that is what they are supposed to do) all wind noise and unfortunately voice/music as well. I just ordered the No-Noise Motorsports ear plugs to give those a try.

I also ordered the Sena adapter cable for ear buds and that may be the route I will have to go. Another communication unit with a 3.5 mm jack may have been the way to go if I knew I might end up using ear buds.

My Sena 10C has a volume boost in the menu settings. The easiest way to get to it, is through the PC or smartphone app. With 33db earplugs in, I have no issue at all of hearing the bluetooth headset. Your Sena 10R is a newer unit and should work better than mine.

As far as the earplugs go, you'll still hear wind noise and voice/music just fine.

Chris