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Sena 50S Audio Issues

Kevin Stevenson

June 01, 2020 01:59

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Hi Guys,

 

Just received my first Sena ever. I'm having issues with my audio though. I play music through my iPhone on Spotify and I thought to myself the music level seems pretty low.. Yes the volume is turned up all the way on both the Sena Unit and the Phone, I even double checked all sound settings in the App.

 

Now.. the Mesh Audio is much louder. We compared my music volume and my mesh volume (Helmet to helmet conversation with my friends) both playing at different times. The Mesh volume is MUCH louder then the Music volume. I wanted to see if anyone has ran into this issue before.

 

Also.. is there a way to stop the Music audio from turning down when I talk or the mic catches some wind noise?   

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35 comments

• 0
  
  Kevin Stevenson June 01, 2020 02:01

  Let me add onto this.. My friend has a 30K and I put his helmet on and compared his music volume to my music volume and it's tremendously louder. 

   

  I can barely hear my music once I get past 40MPH..

• 3
  
  robert v June 06, 2020 14:24

  Yes same issue with audio being low. I have a 20S and glad it fits in the same dock, so I tried the 20S and it is much louder over the 50S. Tried default settings then changed some others and still no improvement or volume increase.

• 2
  
  Rich Gay June 11, 2020 22:25

  Yes, something isn't right with the 50S and music (or phone) volume. I'm experiencing the same issue.

• 0
  
  Jeremy Edwards October 23, 2020 23:00

  same issue here rather disappointing looking to return now and try cardo spent too much money on the 50s to not be able to hear music

• 1
  
  Alexx Martin February 08, 2021 17:42

  Anybody able to solve this problem? My 20s is way louder than my new 50s aswell. I've called Sena and they are gonna replace my device.. but I am very doubtful this is going to solve my problem.

• 1
  
  DJ Dragi February 08, 2021 21:30

  I received my Sena 50S Dual pack set up this past week.  My wife and I had the Sena SMH10R for the past several years and they were just ok.  I wear hearing aids normally, but not when I ride with my helmet on.  We have Harley bikes with pipes so they are not quiet.  Anyways, with the SMH10R, I could hear my music connected from my phone via Bluetooth just fine in my helmet without my hearing aids.  With the Sena 50S, I can barely tell that there is music playing in the background as we are rolling down the road.  The product information says,

  • Redesigned HD Speakers optimized for boosted performance in volume, bass, and clarity

  This is absolutley NOT TRUE!!!  The max volume of the new 50S (while streaming music) doesn't get anywhere close to the max volume of the SMH10R.  This is one of the reasons that I bought the 50S!  I am thoroughly and completely disappointed, especially considering that I spent over $500 on the dual set!

  On another note, I cannot get my WiFi adapter to connect to my home WiFi to update the firmware on these 50S headsets.  Apparently this is a well known issue as well... again, very disappointed with the 50S headsets!

  If anyone has any resolutions for either issue, I would love to hear from you.

• 0
  
  Arthar Huss February 10, 2021 05:59

  Hi all I had the same issue with the volume, I've put Equalizer setting to "Balance" and turned my phone volume all the way up than used the Sena 50s to decrease the volume, all working fine from the volume point of view, there's also a volume slider in each section i.e. Mesh, Intercome etc, make sure to max that one out too. Previously I used 30K so now the volume is on par with that. Although my volume issue is sorted I still have tons of issues with the voice commands, anyone able to consistently execute voice commands on 50s? I manage to execute one in about 20 attempts .... had no issues with 30K.

   

  Had no issues connecting and updating the firmware via the included WiFi adapter, just used the guide and worked the first time, however Sena Helpdesk advised me to downgrade to 1.0.6 and do a Fault Reset, I had a silightly better result with the voice commands, instead of 1 in 50, I was able to execute 1 in 20!!! although Siri works everytime so happy with that. Really hoping Sena is working on a new firmware to address these issues.

• 0
  
  JOHAN LINDSTRÖM July 03, 2021 18:43

  For fuck sake! Hasn't Sena answer anything in this issue!?!

  I have been more and more sad for every time I bought a new Sena, my s20 was ok volume, than I bought k30 and were disappointed and were hoping that this was solved with the new s50 and instead get even more disappointed...

  If we all pay for the best on the market and getting worse and worse problem with the volume, can't you just release a new firmware and turn upp the volume?!

• 0
  
  Kenneth Boyce July 08, 2021 22:04

  I too have Sena 50S as I upgraded from 30S. The 50S volume does not compare with the 30S and I have requested Sena to rectify this issue. 

  Sena has not found out what the cause is currently but still working with them to resolve. 

  In addition, I have battery issues as the unit dies after 3 3/4 hours. I have tried the reset as requested by Sena but the issues has not been resolved as yet. 

  FYI - KWB

• 0
  
  Raymond Cooke September 04, 2021 20:16

  I just bought two 50S dual packs our friend's riding group and listening to music (Spotify or Apple Music) is problematic, as the maximum volume is far too low to be serviceable.  
  
  We've gone through most of the settings in the 50S Utility App to see if there was a particular combination that worked to allow music to play at volumes normally heard while riding, but none of them worked.
  
  The volumes on the 50S, iPhone/Android devices and the music applications are all turned up to maximum.
  
  This is clearly an 50S problem, as when using bluetooth earbuds, the volume settings maxed out on the device and applications would be deafening.  
  
  I've seen this being reported as an ongoing issue in these forums yet, SENA appears to have not dealt with this problem.
  
  I've opened a ticket on this issue, but if we can't get this music volume issue fixed before the return date through our vendor, all four units are going back and we'll be moving to Cardo.  
  
  SENA, if you're listening . . . we need a solution to this problem.  

• 0
  
  Russ Prothero September 06, 2021 13:46

  We're using 50S in Aria 3/4 helmets with visors, both bikes have tall windshields on them.  Can't seem to find a way to reduce the wind noise.  If I ride alone and Sena in mesh I don't get nearly as much wind noise, the moment I ride with my wife it seems as the wind noise amplifies itself 10 times over.  It mic gets so sensitive I hear the transmission click when I shift gears.

  I've had a trouble ticket on this since July and keep getting crap answers back from the help desk for solutions. 

  Any ideas? 

• 1
  
  Alexx Martin September 06, 2021 17:10

  It seems that several people are unsatisfied with their 50 series Sena devices. I had my unit replaced last year and the volume was louder but still not loud enough. Also using Bluetooth pairing to another Sena device I have a ton of interference and wind noise. For a flagship $500 device this is unacceptable. There is a reason why RevZilla rates the Cardo PackTalk Bold JBL as a customer choice device. After my 50S is obsolete I will be switching to Cardo.

• 1
  
  Stéphane Bourgeois July 19, 2022 02:05

  I'm having the same issue with my new 50s. I'm not able to listen to my music while riding on the highway. The max volume is just not enough!

• -1
  
  Alexx Martin July 19, 2022 02:19

  I would suggest switching to Cardo. Just recently bought the new Cardo Packtalk Edge and it sounds amazing! Bass is unbelievable too. Especially paired with their optional 45mm speakers. Intercoms are crystal clear too.

• 1
  
  Haroldo Filho July 21, 2022 16:38

  This is insane! I can't believe Sena is silent about this. The unit is useless at speed! I just requested a return at Revzilla. Have been a Sena user since SMH10, but will finally switch to Cardo

• 0
  
  John Trotter July 25, 2022 04:31

  Hello Everyone
  I too bought the 50S Harmon Karmon and was so angry about how low the sound was I was ABOUT TO send them back.

  I tried everything to resolve the problem from playing with the settings to playing with my phone and the list goes on and on.

  Finally, I saw a YouTube video on (don't laugh) a tip for the 50s which was not to rely on the earhole placement in my helmet but instead to reposition the speakers directly (and I mean DIRECTLY) in front of your ear opening. Surely it could not be this simple, with all my years of audiophile experience. But what the heck It doesn't hurt to try it...

  OMG. My god the volume and quality more than tripled!
  And that is not an exaggeration.

  It turns out these speakers more than most have an extremely limited listening operational radius.
  I had to redesign the interior of my helmet but I am sooo happy the performance now.

  Try it, it could not hurt. :)

• 2
  
  josepeaydro July 26, 2022 02:43

  There's a clear and frustrating difference between opting for your own speakers (while utilizing the 3.5mm aux port) vs. listening to their Harman Kardon in-line speakers. The Harman's sound fine but they are still inferior to the IASUS X3's and I would prefer to keep using the latter inside my helmet. The issue with my 50s is that the aux port pales in comparison on the overall DB delivery so I too am stuck. 

  Speaker placement is not my issue, the aux port is scaled down and SENA needs to do something about it (this unit is a replacement from a 50R that also did not work properly - battery died in 14 minutes - not kidding). 
  
  I'm not sure when I'll learn my lesson, but this is my 5th headset by SENA and 7th product to date (handlebar remote, mesh remote, 2x10s, 1x20s, 1x50r and 1x50s). The 50's are the first products I've been disappointed with and man are they expensive!!

• 0
  
  Haroldo Filho July 26, 2022 16:56

  Speaker placement directly on top of ear canal is old news, since smh10. This is NOT the issue with the 50S. I've been using my sena units with ear plugs, placing the speakers direclty over the ear canal. Up until my last Sena, the 20S, it was plenty loud, so much so that at times I had to turn it down. 

  Now, I buy this 50S, and because I'm an idiot, I paid extra for the stupid Harmon Kardon speaker version. The unit simply is not loud enough. At freeway speeds I can barely hear it through my ear plugs like I used to before with previous units. The speakers are perfectly aligned with my ears, just like before.

  I am convinced this can be fixed with firmware. If you notice, the Sena voice prompts are loud as F! However, when the music starts, it tones itself down. 

  Now, I am sure a number of Sena engineers are riders. They MUST know this. Do develop a product like this and not be aware of this clear regression would be absurd. Let's see how much sales hit it will take them to ack the issue at a minimum, then possibly fix it

• 0
  
  Alexander July 28, 2022 11:42

  Ok, well, I fell into the same trap.

  I have used a cheap chinese intercom (FreedConn) for 3 years.

  Now I decided to buy new helmet and update intercom as well.

  Unfortunately delivery time for Cardo was much more longer that for Sena (we don't have official stores for both in my country) and I didn't check this topic BEFORE purchase.

  And now what I can say - for music my previous intercom was much louder than 50S.

  Can you imagine? 30$ vs 300$ sounds better.

  "Thank" you Sena, for awesome experience and for "well designed" and "tested" product. Moreover, for 2 years you even didn't answer here to all your customers. 

  If I'm lucky enough to sell this useless peace of plastic (of course I don't have an option to send it to seller back) of course I'll replace it with Cardo.

  Edited by Alexander July 28, 2022 15:03
• 0
  
  João André Morais August 18, 2022 08:12

  It really seems a software issue.

  Don't know if it happens to you guys, but, sometimes, i'm listening to music and for just 1 sec, the music gets loud... and immediately gets back to the "capped" mode.

  really weird and really disappointing.

• 0
  
  ben.l.ehrlich August 24, 2022 21:37

  I was fuckin with settings today, and found that there’s a not so obvious setting in the app, where you can adjust the max volume of music, phone, intercom etc… maybe that’ll help.

• 0
  
  ben.l.ehrlich August 24, 2022 21:38

  Also I’m curious if anyone knows a way to get the sena mic to record for a video taken using the iPhone camera app.

• 0
  
  Paul Varley October 17, 2022 03:15

  I am having the same issues as everyone above. I have re-positioned the speakers right next to me ears, I have also adjusted all settings on both iphone and the sena app. It seems for me I can hear the music at a high volume fine and google directions from my phone. However the minute I hit 60km/h the sound goes and all I get is wind noise coming through my ear piece. I have tried adjusted position of the mics but nothing stops it. I even get the sound of passing vehicles through my ear piece. This I assume s from my partners mic. However even when I was riding alone I had the same issue. Its strange how it always seems to be at 60 km/h and above also, possibly because the exhaust gets louder etc. But the headset is expensive and effectively useless. Waiting for some answers from SENA

• 0
  
  João André Morais October 17, 2022 05:16

  The new firmware has introduced an audio boost setting that mostly solved this issue. It works like 98%...99%...150%
  But it's a lot better now.

• 0
  
  Paul Varley October 17, 2022 05:20

  Yes I have that but its no better. Seems to be something to do with the mic as I just pick up wind noise and traffic. e.g a truck sounds its horn it nearly takes my head off. As soon as I slow right down all the music and traffice directions ocme back on again

• 0
  
  Ken Kimari October 19, 2022 17:28

  Paul - could it be that your jacket collar or something else is pushing on the ambient sound button on the bottom of the sena mount?  I had the problem you described with my 20s and found that to be the case.  It too happened at speed when my jacket rode up or I twisted my head a certain way.

• 0
  
  UGURCAN December 08, 2022 07:51

  İs there anyone who could solve this issue? 

• 0
  
  Paul Varley December 09, 2022 05:18

  This worked for me

  Sena 50S has settings that you can adjust to listen to music or GPS while doing mesh, it is called Audio Multitasking.

  If you are using Mesh, Audio Multitasking by default is enabled, with your current concern, you can adjust the volume of the overlayed feature(music or GPS).

  Intercom-Audio Overlay Sensitivity (Default: 3) The music, FM radio, and GPS volume will be lowered to play in the background if you talk over the intercom while the overlaid audio is playing. You can adjust the intercom sensitivity to activate this background audio mode. Level 1 has the lowest sensitivity and level 5 has the highest sensitivity.

  So I recommend putting the Sensitivity to 1.

  Another option is to change the Audio Overlay Volume Management

  13.2.10 Audio Overlay Volume Management (Default: Disable)

  The music, FM radio and GPS overlaid audio reduce in volume whenever there is an ongoing intercom conversation. If Audio Overlay Volume Management is enabled, the volume level of the overlaid audio will not be reduced during an intercom conversation

  So you can ENABLE it if you want to mix the Mesh intercom with your music or GPS.
• 0
  
  UGURCAN December 09, 2022 09:47

  Dear Paul, 

  Thank you very much, Your solution way is solved my problems. 

• 0
  
  Alex December 23, 2022 13:15

  Nothing will improve the sound quality with stock Harman speakers, until you get this custom speakers for your helmet https://youtube.com/shorts/50FzFGquSR4?feature=share