kentompkins
New member
Since I bought my Spyder two years ago I have been trying to get acceptable sound first through Q2 and, now, G4 bluetooth via my helmet. I don't think there is a combination of hardware that I haven't tried. I, and others, have posted here about trying to get Iphones, Zumo 550s and G4 headsets to work with each other.
As Bonecrusher and I found out months ago even the G4 has limitations in large part because the Zumo 550 does not broadcast in stereo. The solution that Bonecrusher found was to (1) link the Iphone to the Zumo and, then, (2) link the Zumo to the G4. To listen to music in stereo, you have to plug an mp3 player directly into the G4.
Because my Ipod is old and only holds a battery charge for 3 hours, I recently purchased the new Nano which is supposed to play for 24 hours. That's long enough for any trip I am going to take on my Spyder.
So I thought I was all set up for my ride from NJ to Lamont's BBQ.
The first thing that was unacceptable was the sound through the G4 speakers. I wear ear plugs -- those soft ones that expand when inserted in the ears -- so the wind noise in my Shoei helmet is reduced. The problem is that the speakers are so poor that they only pass high frequencies and the music is, for me, distorted so badly I couldn't listen to it.
My first question, then, is: has anyone found and tested other speakers for the G4? (I have Entymotic IN-EAR speakers but don't want to wear them because they block ALL sound which is dangerous -- and illegal -- on a Spyder)
My second question has to do with ear plugs. I realize that there are plugs that pass certain percentages of sound or certain frequencies only. Has anyone tried these and have recommendations?
My present setup is a Catch-22. I have good hardware so I can engage in phone calls, find my way with the Zumo 550 and listen to music. The problems come with the speakers (they are truly awful) and my attempts to protect my hearing.
I'd be interested in hearing how others here have solved these problems.
ken tompkins
PS: I also know about various, high-wattage stereo systems added to the Spyder. Perhaps that's the only way to get quality music loud enough to be heard through ear plugs?
As Bonecrusher and I found out months ago even the G4 has limitations in large part because the Zumo 550 does not broadcast in stereo. The solution that Bonecrusher found was to (1) link the Iphone to the Zumo and, then, (2) link the Zumo to the G4. To listen to music in stereo, you have to plug an mp3 player directly into the G4.
Because my Ipod is old and only holds a battery charge for 3 hours, I recently purchased the new Nano which is supposed to play for 24 hours. That's long enough for any trip I am going to take on my Spyder.
So I thought I was all set up for my ride from NJ to Lamont's BBQ.
The first thing that was unacceptable was the sound through the G4 speakers. I wear ear plugs -- those soft ones that expand when inserted in the ears -- so the wind noise in my Shoei helmet is reduced. The problem is that the speakers are so poor that they only pass high frequencies and the music is, for me, distorted so badly I couldn't listen to it.
My first question, then, is: has anyone found and tested other speakers for the G4? (I have Entymotic IN-EAR speakers but don't want to wear them because they block ALL sound which is dangerous -- and illegal -- on a Spyder)
My second question has to do with ear plugs. I realize that there are plugs that pass certain percentages of sound or certain frequencies only. Has anyone tried these and have recommendations?
My present setup is a Catch-22. I have good hardware so I can engage in phone calls, find my way with the Zumo 550 and listen to music. The problems come with the speakers (they are truly awful) and my attempts to protect my hearing.
I'd be interested in hearing how others here have solved these problems.
ken tompkins
PS: I also know about various, high-wattage stereo systems added to the Spyder. Perhaps that's the only way to get quality music loud enough to be heard through ear plugs?
