Combining Schuberth Bluetooth comms with In-Ear Monitors?

[Steven]

Hi guys,

I've been trauling through the threads today trying to decide on my preferred audio solution for my R1200GS. I already have a Zumo 660, a bluetooth mobile phone (Nokia E65) and an iPod, and would like to add FM radio and something to connect it all up as easily / neatly as possible.

One must-have element for me is in-ear monitors. I've had speakers in the helmet before, but now I want to get rid of the wind noise!

As I plan to buy a new Schuberth C3 helmet, my ideal solution would be to also get the integrated Schuberth rider communications system that's integrated in the collar, but this doesn't support in-ear monitors as standard. I've come across a suggestion that you can simply solder a 3.5mm jack in place of the speakers that come with such a system, but I was wondering if anyone's actually done this successfully, especially as the two speaker wires appear to exit separately???

I'd appreciate any advice or thoughts you can offer.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[mxi933]

Im not entirely sure if it applies to all monitors but mine are tubes rather than wires. Ive only just purchased a Starcom Digital and I asked for a helmet set up to accommodate them. This was simply a microphone with an extra 3.5 jack that allowed me to plug in the monitors.

Dont know if this is the same with every system.

Steve

 

[Steven]

Thanks Steve,

I'm not sure what the tubes you mention are, but I'll keep looking into it.

Another option is to stick with the helmet speaker set-up and try the ear plugs with the small tube that supposedly blocks wind noise but allows the music sound through. However, I've never tried these, so don't know if it's any good or not.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[judge]

At Ultimateear we have adapted many of the Bluetooth Systems for use with custom monitors but I know we haven't done one of these yet. How it works is our technicians physically assess the product and make a decision on adaption prior to committing you or them to anything.

I may myself have a closer look at the S3 Bluetooth system as I have the lid but I don't fancy the cost of it and there are other systems/helmets for me to consider.

But Ultimate may be able to help but not without seeing it first.

 

[mxi933]

Hi Steve
When I refer to the tube type of monitor - this is the alternative type to the wired systems which have small speakers within the ear piece.

The ones I have are Air Tube monitors. Not quite as good sound apparently but I really cant fault them.

Green Leopard did mine and I really wouldnt be without.
Cheers
Steve

 

[Steven]

Thanks for the helpful reply Judge! Given how neat and convenient it is and the fact that it adds RDS radio too, I am tempted just to get the Schuberth system and then work out afterwards (with your help) if I can get monitors for it or use ear plugs that somehow dump most of the wind noise but keep the tunes, but that makes it an expensive experiment!

Just looking at another thread, I should probably have a look at and consider BMW's equivalent system too, just in case it lends itself more easily to adding the monitors...

The alternative is to add radio using a Pure Highway unit combined with an Autocom system that supports the in-ear monitors, but this obviously means lots more wires and the need to use and remove a tank bag (for security) every time I need to leave it for more than a few seconds. This mucking about each time I leave and return to the bike makes it a fairly unattractive option at this stage.

I expect I'll be knocking on your door soon Judge for advice whatever way I go!

Thanks also Steve for clarifying what the tube type of monitor is!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[AshR1]

Here's a picture of the back one of the speakers:

What is the impedance of UE monitors? I bought a C3 and SRC today, so am also looking to use my UE monitors with it.

 

[AshR1]

Update

Went out testing the new C3 and SRC yesterday. I'm very impressed with the microphone noise cancelling as it was clear as a bell up to 120mph and was still audible but increasingly drowned in wind noise up to 165mph.

Test method was to phone myself and leave long descriptive messages. My setup is a Zumo 660 and Nokia 6300 connected via bluetooth, then also connect the SRC to the Zumo via bluetooth. Bike is a 2009 Yamaha R1 with standard screen.

Experienced some bluetooth oddities e.g. deep rasping sound instead of audio on one call. Call being opened but not fully connected, was only fixed by rebooting the Zumo.

The voice alerts out of the SRC were a surprise. It reminds me of the James Bond film where a BMW was instructing him in a strict German accent.

Speaker quality of the SRC is frankly terrible. To maintain a comfortable volume level for me I had to have the volume setting so high that it distorted. The speakers were distorting at setting 4 of the 7 volume settings. Listening to MP3 tracks over A2DP is not too good either. It gives the effect of the track being encoded at too low a bitrate.

So, to get to the point; I spent last night unsoldering the speakers and fitting a 3.5mm socket. (From an old Starcom headset after removing the hidden capacitor) It works except the impedance of my UE monitors is around 6 Ohms so they are deafening me even on the lowest volume level. I will buy a cheap in-line volume control from Maplin on the way to work this morning in order to find a comfortable level at volume setting 4, then measure the impedance at the end of that in order to solder a resistor at the join.

More later.

Ash

 

[judge]

What is the impedance of UE monitors? I bought a C3 and SRC today, so am also looking to use my UE monitors with it.

Currently we are at
*
10.2 Ohms @ 1KHz also 7.1 Ohms @ 500 HZ – same receiver.

 

[AshR1]

OK, resistors in to limit the output to my UE monitors and it's working and sounding great.

I have found that when I pair my Zumo 660 as a GPS device then the output is always low quality mono, but when I delete that pairing and pair it as a mobile phone then the output is high quality stereo as good as wired to an ipod.

The radio seems completely useless though. I can't get it to tune to anything.

 

[Steven]

Thanks for the great feedback Ash - extremely helpful indeed. So whilst it appears to be a yes to my original question of whether I can use UE monitors with the SRC, it sounds like the other drawbacks, e.g. useless radio, will knock this option on the head for me.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[bungus]

Update

Went out testing the new C3 and SRC yesterday. I'm very impressed with the microphone noise cancelling as it was clear as a bell up to 120mph and was still audible but increasingly drowned in wind noise up to 165mph.

Test method was to phone myself and leave long descriptive messages. My setup is a Zumo 660 and Nokia 6300 connected via bluetooth, then also connect the SRC to the Zumo via bluetooth. Bike is a 2009 Yamaha R1 with standard screen.

Experienced some bluetooth oddities e.g. deep rasping sound instead of audio on one call. Call being opened but not fully connected, was only fixed by rebooting the Zumo.

The voice alerts out of the SRC were a surprise. It reminds me of the James Bond film where a BMW was instructing him in a strict German accent.

Speaker quality of the SRC is frankly terrible. To maintain a comfortable volume level for me I had to have the volume setting so high that it distorted. The speakers were distorting at setting 4 of the 7 volume settings. Listening to MP3 tracks over A2DP is not too good either. It gives the effect of the track being encoded at too low a bitrate.

So, to get to the point; I spent last night unsoldering the speakers and fitting a 3.5mm socket. (From an old Starcom headset after removing the hidden capacitor) It works except the impedance of my UE monitors is around 6 Ohms so they are deafening me even on the lowest volume level. I will buy a cheap in-line volume control from Maplin on the way to work this morning in order to find a comfortable level at volume setting 4, then measure the impedance at the end of that in order to solder a resistor at the join.

More later.

Ash

HI THERE
i was considering getting a SRC for my C3 but the thing putting me off was i could not use my own moulded earplug speakers that have a 3.5m.m jack plug on the end. How did you get on soldering on a 3.5 socket? did this solution work out o.k. ?I would be very grateful for any tips or instructions on how to do this , could a novice with a soldering iron do this or do you need to have a little more tech knowledge to carry it out, do i need to solder in a resistor in-line and what rating e.t.c. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
cheers
andy

 

[russ996duke]

Update

Went out testing the new C3 and SRC yesterday. I'm very impressed with the microphone noise cancelling as it was clear as a bell up to 120mph and was still audible but increasingly drowned in wind noise up to 165mph.



Ash

that fast in this cold weather.....

 

[PittsPilot]

OK, resistors in to limit the output to my UE monitors and it's working and sounding great.

I have found that when I pair my Zumo 660 as a GPS device then the output is always low quality mono, but when I delete that pairing and pair it as a mobile phone then the output is high quality stereo as good as wired to an ipod.

The radio seems completely useless though. I can't get it to tune to anything.

Hi Ash, What value resistors did you use when you modified the src to fit the UE monitors. I have decided I would like to try this, myself.

Regards

Keith.

 

[Berin]

Has anyone else managed to get the SRC working with UE monitors? Sound quality of the speakers isn't great and volume is very low.