Buy audio package or scala rider g9 for 2012 rt

[MIKESZONE2]

Hello all
Just looking for someunless the quaility input on the spyder audio package. I just bought the 2012 spyder rt but i got hte base model has no stereo. my question is this,is the audio package for the 2012 rt spyder worth the money as far as sound quaility. I need to buy the package and the rear speaker package proably total $800 plus installation,or should i go the something like the scala rider g9 for my music and intercom. Your inputs would be greatly appreciated as i am not sure spending all that money for factory audio is worth it unless the quaility of the sound is there

Thanks for any advise you can give me
Mike

 

[coastrider]

I just bought a 2012 RT (lava bronze LTD) and I have the audio package, but passed on the CB/intercom in favor of the Scala Rider G9. The bike's sound quality is fantastic through the speakers, in fact better than my Gold Wing was. My Ipod plays beautifully, as do the radios. Control is complete enough, but the multi-function buttons and display aren't easy to see or use. I'm waiting for the XM radio to be delivered and installed next week at the first service.

As for the Scala Riders, my feelings are mixed at this point. In fairness, I've not yet mastered all of the functions, but the six buttons and the multiple flashing lights and beeps aren't simple to use on the fly. Sound is clear, but I haven't been able to adjust the volume yet. My bad. The integrated FM radio is clear as a bell, and I imagine an MP3 player would be as well. At $500 its a cheaper solution than the factory CB/intercom, and offers way more by way of communications options if your fellow riders are Scala equipped.


To sum up, I think the factory sound quality is very good, the switches are fair to poor, and the display is hard to read/operate. As to the Scala Rider G9s, I think you need to be a bit of a techie to understand and fully enjoy them.

Good luck with your selections.

 

[Huntindawg1962]

I am a present owner of G9's and not all that happy with them. I fancy myself a "techie" and not impressed.

I know, :bdh: but I have to get my opinion in on the thread. He asked.

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

Go with the headset first and see if it works well enough. The factory radio is a pricy setup and speakers are junk. They sound good in the garage and if on an easy stroll around town, but get overwhelmed pretty quick. Mine came with the package and I never use it, because I can't hear it.

Did the polk audio speaker conversation posted on this forum and the sound was fantastic, but the rt is a 2ohm setup, so they don't get load enough for highway use.

J&M makes a speaker upgrade that is designed for the rt and look promissing. I'll be trying them at some point. They are a $100 a pair which is less than the BRP stock ones. If you decide to go with the Spyder radio/ iPod setup, avoid the factory speakers and you'll have a far better chance of liking and using it.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bob Denman]

I think that we've all heard the real good reports concerning the J&M replacement speakers... :thumbup:

 

[Huntindawg1962]

Just read the J&M instructions for install of them on the RT. Now, having actually DONE this project - are they :cus: kidding putting instructions like that out?

Seriously, instructions that say basically:

1 - Remove stuff
2 - Change speakers
3 - Put stuff back in reverse order.

In about 11 one-line steps are not a lot of help IMO.

 

[vondalyn]

As for the Scala Riders, my feelings are mixed at this point. In fairness, I've not yet mastered all of the functions, but the six buttons and the multiple flashing lights and beeps aren't simple to use on the fly. Sound is clear, but I haven't been able to adjust the volume yet. My bad. The integrated FM radio is clear as a bell, and I imagine an MP3 player would be as well. At $500 its a cheaper solution than the factory CB/intercom, and offers way more by way of communications options if your fellow riders are Scala equipped.

I also own these and agree that the buttons and blinking is a pain. You need to bring the owners manual with you in order to figure anything out while on the road. Even then, some of the commands don't work as they say they should, though we did find a work-around for the issue we were having at the time. We've also had ours occasionally cut out for no obvious reason as we drove down the road. I don't know if that issue is unique to the Scala9's or not.

Coastrider: The volume up and down buttons are the front and back top buttons -- I think the front one is UP and the back is DOWN, though you'll know soon enough if I'm backwards. Wouldn't be the first time

 

[harrypottar]

I have a 2012 limited with all the BRP option except XM ( they killed BBC Radio 1 but thats another thread for another day)

The sound quality of the radio, iPod interface is great both through the speakers and the BRP headsets, mixed (head set & speakers) is really cool and I agree that its better than my old premium sound Goldwing.

I also have the CB/intercom no real issues but to be honest not had enough time with the CB yet, haven't ridden with any one recently who has a CB to test.

There where a couple of guys the other weekend that had them but they told me they where broken, but I could have swore I seen them talking to each other. :dontknow:

So far been very please with the audio/coms on the spyder except the biggest disappointment as been the bluetooth (cell phone) interface.

I can hear the phone ring but have not yet been able hear or be heard. I had the dealer swap the plugs in the blue tooth according to the latest updates.

On my Goldwing the phone interface worked flawlessly, but big disappointment of the spyder.

BTW, please, I beg you not to turn this thread into pros/cons of cell phone use while riding. :lecturef_smilie:

harry

 

[ARtraveler]

It sounds like they are having the same issues with the G9 as they did with the G4 when it first came out. I bought G4's early and returned them. Still have my G2's. RE: radio--you only get the FM band on the Cardo system. I don't use it--to much mickey mouse.

RE: Radio on RT. It works--but I am not impressed with that either on the highway. If I am tooling down a quiet country road at 45 mph or so--it works just fine.

 

[Guzzi]

Use the G4 Scala Riders, and love them. Cheaper than the G9's, and besides who needs to communicate with up to 9 others? The capability of talking with 4 others is more than enough, and I never use that. Music from my phone to the G4 via Pandora radio, have instant communication by phone, if necessary, and have my Escort S3 radar, and phone GPS audio, all into the G4. Phone stays plugged in in the trunk, and out of the way. The G4 costs about $400 and does a much better job with music than the Spyders radio. My radio is so bad at normal highway speeds, I never listen to it. Since I am slightly hearing impaired, from riding cycles for years, the G4 bluetooth setup is great, for me. Guzzi:clap:

 

[shelbydave]

I have no experience with the Scala Riders, but we did experience the difference between in the helmet music, and the RT radio this past weekend. Since it was going to be a long ryde, I grabbed some earplugs for both of us. We headed out, and I turned on the Spyder radio, turned it up so we could hear it fine, wasn't even thinking. When we got to the first stop and pulled off the helmets, the radio was so loud, it was probably offending to anyone around. After that, I just piped Pandora from my Android phone through the chatterbox.

On a side note... after using earplugs for the first time this ride, those will be a permanent fixture for us! What a difference!

 

[Bob Denman]

Instructions for rear speaker removal...

I could be wrong about this... :shocked:
Would the instructions for the installation of Corbin's armrests cover this issue pretty well? :dontknow:

 

[HedonismBot]

Since my wife and I are on the same Spyder we bought the Scala Teamset Pro. We're extremely happy with it. Getting the speakers aligned properly to your ears is everything. After all the negative stuff I've read at various forums, I was pleasantly surprised how good the intercom sound is between my wife and I even at 60mph in our HJC full face helmets (CL-16 I think). The audio from our iPods is actually pretty good. I mean you're not in a BMW 5-series with HK sound but who cares. I think it is more than enough quality wise. Even phone calls are good.

We've only had one problem where they dropped sync between each other. One press of a button and back in sync--and only one person has to do it we found out. For ~$200 if you want a passenger to pillion system, and don't plan on bike to bike or group rides, I think it's great. The mini-jack for a direct line in from an MP3 or phone is perfect and the intercom overrides that audio while you're talking (does not pause music though). You can buy a single unit cheaper if you don't want the set.

 

[Firefly]

I'd highly recommend the fine products from Sena.......:thumbup:

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

I'd highly recommend the fine products from Sena.......:thumbup:

Agreed. Nothing but satisfaction with ours. :thumbup::thumbup:

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sopher]

Search for my threads here on the RTS speaker upgrades...

to re-cap: 400watt AMP, 6.5" Hurtz speakers up front, 5.25" Polk Audio's in the back.
I can hear perfectly clear even at 70mph with wind.