Hi All,
I'm getting a lot of static and noise with the 20S when using the newer style Apple earbuds. It's happening on both mine and my friend's 20S.
Anyone know if it's an issue that is ONLY on Apple earbuds or is this typical on ALL earbuds?
- Thanx
- Jon
Both myself and a friend have a similar problem with ear bud speakers and Sena are currently looking into the issue - so it isn't just your unit
Regards Tony
Just tried a 3rd party headphone (MEElectronics Sport-Fi M6) and there's NO static. Must be an Apple incompatibility...
- Jon
Hi Jon
No sadly its not an Apple incompatibility - I use an Ultimate Ears Sound Ear specifically made for motorcyclist although I did try Apple ear buds as well as some Shure ear speakers, the problem exists in all of them and not just on my 20s but also a riding buddy who bought them as well.
Hopefully will be fixed by an update soon!
Tony
Jon,
I use an Etymotic earbud. Just connected my 20S with a SMH5. Lots of static here, too.
Doug
I have a 20S and a pair of Westone in ear monitors. The 20S is almost unusable with them. Also, since they seal so well in the ear, the minimum volume is still pretty loud with these plugs.
I use Etymotic ER6i earbuds. I had no static on my SMH10, but now have very annoying static with the same earbuds in my new 20S. I am considering returning these and switching to Cardo if this can't be fixed.
Any help coming/??????
Confirmed this today with good quality ($50) Panasonic earbuds. Weird static and digital noise (present when listening to BT audio but much worse with FM). HAppens on and off the bike (no it's not electrical system noise from the bike).
This is disappointing. I waited months to get my Sena 20S. I finally receive my and I have the same issue.
I like to wear ear plugs or noise isolating earbuds to protect my hearing. I can't use ear plugs because the speakers aren't loud enough. There is a lot of static when I use my noise isolating earbuds. This isn't specific to one brand or quality of earbuds as I've tried a number of earbuds. I think it has to do with the actual port Sena is using. I can't return mine because I split a dual pack with a friend. Additionally, my tap feature does not work. I'm very disappointed in Sena. We should have all these issues after months of delays.
I have just received a second 20s (for my wife) and it has the same static digital noise - so in my group of riders that is all three with the same problem - Sena please resolve!
Likewise, I also hear static and background electronic noise when using my custom moulded Ultimate Ear monitors which I paid a lot of money for. I hope that Sena can resolve this issue as its my number one gripe with my new 20S Dual kit. I'd also like to see Sena make a blanking plate to allow removal of the in helmet speakers as they are redundant with my set up.
I'm using Westone earbuds and have removed the Sena speakers from the base....I have lots of digital noise.
Westone CR1 in-ear monitors are giving me a lot of hiss with the 20S unit.
I just received my 20s on July 25. I have a custom set of earplugs that work perfect with SMH-10. I cannot use them with the 20s due to the noise. I even tried disconnecting the speakers, that did not help. The static and noise is worse when using the 20s as a communicator, when listen to music the static is minimal. When connected to other 20s or SMH10's the noise is unbearable.
Sena, please help
I purchased the 20s specifically to use with my custome ear buds (I was happy with the smh10 but there was no option for both in helmet speakers and earbuds). They are almost unuseable - there is constant static and this seems to get worse when the intercom is activated. I suspect this will be a hardware issue and cant be remedied with a firmware update - here in Australia I will unlikely be able to return the unit unless the Sena agent agrees to do something. I'm really very disappointed.
Yes, same issue as everyone. Several different ear buds, all have the static. My SMH10 has NO static, at all.
Yes, same issue as everyone. Several different ear buds, all have the static. My SMH10 has NO static, at all. If there is nothing hooked up to the 20s with bluetooth, there seems to be no static. Then, I turn on my SMH10, and it's still ok. As soon as I activate an intercom, the static starts.
Adding to the list - I have Shure SE215 in-ear monitors and have significant static. It very slightly is mitigated by flipping the antenna up. I'm running the latest firmware.
FYI - I tried mine again today with the antenna both up and down. No improvement in the annoying static either way. I also cupped my hand around the device and it seemed to slightly change the static, but I could not find any position that fully eliminated it. I am running earbuds with the speakers removed. My SMH10 had no static to speak of.
I am getting static with my custom Westone earbuds.
Solved the static problem!! - at least for me. I had a short (3") shielded stereo extension cable from another device I own. Plugged it into the 20s then the earphones into the cable. Viola! the noise disappeared. Shortest extension cable I found on the internet was 6". If you have any 3.5 mm plug shielded extension cable handy you can experiment and see if it works for you. Really shouldn't have to do this but it works for now until Sena comes up with a fix.
Added benefit is it's easer to plug in the earphones to the shorty extension when wearing the helmet and having gloves on.
Ken, could you share your source for the 6 inch shielded extension?
I appreciate the information, and will give this a try.
Has no one tried a clamp-on RF choke? I guess it was another thread when I suggested one like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2996360
The "static" people are hearing is, I believe, Electronic Interference. RF reception being picked up by the earbud cable near the Sena unit when in Intercom causes a noise that can be described as static, hum, whine, etc.
It would do me no good to try one of these. My Klipsch earbuds aren't producing any noises so I can't try or test to be sure one would work. But maybe this cure would help someone else.
Ken
I'm using a headphone extension/adapter that came with my lifeproof case for an iPhone but I think this will work too. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eforcity-headphone-adapter-for-ipad-mini-recessed-jack3-5mm-male-female-extension-plug-black/1308686927.p?id=mp1308686927&skuId=1308686927&st=headphone%20adapter&cp=2&lp=9#tab=buyingOptions
Amazon also has a lot of them - search for lifeproof cable or headphone adapter iPhone
Ken - not sure if your RF choke will work well with skinny earphone cables. they don't appear to be able to clamp tightly around them. They look to be made for the small shielded audio cables. But if someone wants to give them a shot and let everyone know that would be great.
Hi Ken, Following your comments on another thread I tried the Clamp on RF chokes (even tried one at each end) no difference unfortunately...sounds like the next thing to try will be a shielded headphone lead extension as suggested elsewhere.
Thanks for trying, Tony. If a shielded cable extension does it, then that's the key.
The EMI/RFI people are hearing is probably not a problem with the Sena 20S; but rather a problem with the earbuds trying to act like a radio receiver and picking up the stronger Bluetooth radio emissions. My Klipsch earbuds are hardly affected. A friend of mine had another brand with a twisted pair cable and noise using his was bad. Since I wasn't having the noise, he ran out and bought a set of Klipsch just like mine and wasn't bothered by the noise using them.
Ken
If you are having a problem with noise when using earbuds, please open a support ticket with Sena. Posting on this forum is not the same thing as opening a support ticket. Sena is replacing both of my units and have told me that a hardware change has been made to fix the earbud issue. I should have my new main units (part with the jog dial) by Monday of next week.
Having to resort to any type of filter to me would not be acceptable for this issue. Contact Sena support for a replacement
Andy
Andy - Please let us know if your replacement solves the problem. If it is a hardware change they need to notify registered users of the fix(es) and not the other way around. Isn't that the whole point of registering with them?? Or are they hoping that the majority of users will just put up with the problem and they will save a few bucks in the process. I already went through one replacement for another issue (didn't solve it by the way) and I'm not going to do it again until I'm confident they have everything under control.
Ken Kimari - I had a chance to try the 3" extension suggestion this evening; it was of no help in my test. I can't say for sure if my extension is shielded or not, though. I don't feel like chasing down possible work-arounds too much; Sena should fix this issue as it's affecting a large number of their users.