I believe the RT stereo is junk, all feedback wanted.

[happyspyder2039]

Just as the title states. I've spent a lot of time in my life with stereos so I'm pretty sure I know a thing or two. I don't want to hear anyone blabber about how, "why waste time and money on a bike stereo and look for audiophile sound." The fact is, after reading below, and getting some feedback, I believe either my stereo is defective or possibly all of these are.
I am also a laser technician, so I do have technical ability.

So, I bought a stereo for my 2010 Rt, and installed the speakers in front. Seemed just to lack volume, but also had a lot of distortion, static more or less. I later decided to buy rear speakers and went with a set of focals, and not the lower model. I played with the stereo, and it just sounded aweful, still static/distortion at higher volume. I thought it was the bad signal for the radio, but tried a high end Hifiman portable player, and still stunk. Only thing I thought was that it was just the crappy speakers up front and lack of power all the way around. I then bought an amp and a signal filter, and it played louder, but now distortion/static at a lower volume setting. I then purchased the best, an lc8i by audio control, this device converts and filters any factory stereo wires to rca, and cleans up the signal. I also ran grounds for the amp and scraped the frame clean for a good ground for the amp. I put a set of 6.5 focal 100 watt rms utopia mids and tweeters. After it's all said and done, the speakers are far cleaner sounding, but again, at higher volume, terrible distortion, static. I've set the gain on the amp to zero and the lc8i has lights that allow you to balance the power to the amp and speakers to avoid amp clipping and problem. I've tried everything and no matter what, the same poor sound quality. I pulled the 6.5 focals out of my truck, as I bought a new set, and they played very loud and clean, way louder than what I'm getting on the bike. When I tested the set up originally no wires were run near the power wires. Also, even with no engine running or anything, it's no better, so it's not engine noise or electrical.

Can those who have an RT check their bikes and see if they get distortion only at higher volume and if it just gets worse the louder you go? As in, listen at low volume and turn up slowly and see if you hear poor sound quality/distortion, and see if you notice it get progressively worse as you go up.

I truly believe either my stereo is junk, or there are far more people with bad stereos out there who think the speakers are at their limit, when the distortion is caused by the head unit.

The lc8i has an rca imput for running an ipod or whatever right through it. I'm going to see if by running my stereo that way, if I get the same noise, because it will actually bypass the RT head unit. I'll check to make sure I have 3.5mm headphone jack to RCA to test this. If that doesn't work, I'll bypass everything, including the bikes display and controls and run another regular head unit.

In the meantime, what do you guys find with your RT stereo? I read others who have this, believing it's the amp they installed, but I'll bet they had it with the stock system and thought it was the speakers.

what I find strange is that most stereos allow you to play them to 80% volume most of the time and not distort, this stereo barely allows you past 50 or 60% and I just hear crap.

Anyone have any input.

opcorn::dontknow: works fine for me

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THIS WORKED FOR ME

I brought this topic up elseware a few weeks ago and was soundly flamed ......At any rate I swapped out the OEM ( on a 2014 RT ) speakers for JBL GTO 528 & 428's and because they are only 2 OHM speakers they draw less power to operate them...effectively doubling the rated power of the head unit ......( at least that's what I think ) .......The outcome is I can get the volume up to a point where it hurts to listen to it .......But the sound is pretty clean and crisp......Only if you use an MP-3 or Ipod etc........forget FM it's never a clear enough signal in Vermont ..............PS the four speakers cost $ 100 delivered from Sonixelectronix.com..............PPS I would put 528's in the rear also ...it would mean some minor trimming to do it......but the OEM rear speakers are 4 3/4 inches ( an odd size ) ......Mikeguyver.........UP-DATE ....I just got my two MP-3 players back from my nephew who downloaded about 1500 tunes into them. I hooked them up to my RT with the up-graded speakers ( see above ) and OMG the sound is beyond belief ( from previous OEM crap ). I could actually go to max volume and still get clear sound without distortion.....If I didn't hear it myself I wouldn't believe it. Not only is it clear ,...It is so loud it cannot be listened to at that level .....I'm not BS'ing on this anyone who wants to hear them can call me and I'll play them for you and you can decide .......PM me for further info........Mikeguyver

 

[leonml]

I brought this topic up elseware a few weeks ago and was soundly flamed ......At any rate I swapped out the OEM ( on a 2014 RT ) speakers for JBL GTO 528 & 428's and because they are only 2 OHM speakers they draw less power to operate them...effectively doubling the rated power of the head unit ......( at least that's what I think ) .......The outcome is I can get the volume up to a point where it hurts to listen to it .......But the sound is pretty clean and crisp......Only if you use an MP-3 or Ipod etc........forget FM it's never a clear enough signal in Vermont ..............PS the four speakers cost $ 100 delivered from Sonixelectronix.com..............PPS I would put 528's in the rear also ...it would mean some minor trimming to do it......but the OEM rear speakers are 4 3/4 inches ( an odd size ) ......Mikeguyver.........UP-DATE ....I just got my two MP-3 players back from my nephew who downloaded about 1500 tunes into them. I hooked them up to my RT with the up-graded speakers ( see above ) and OMG the sound is beyond belief ( from previous OEM crap ). I could actually go to max volume and still get clear sound without distortion.....If I didn't hear it myself I wouldn't believe it. Not only is it clear ,...It is so loud it cannot be listened to at that level .....I'm not BS'ing on this anyone who wants to hear them can call me and I'll play them for you and you can decide .......PM me for further info........Mikeguyver

Not hard to imagine that would happen. I know fm all around is garbage, but my stereo isn't too much better using a high end portable device that plays cd or better quality. I'd love to hear the system, I may need to have a listen to another spyder stereo to compare mine to.

 

[leonml]

opinions on audiphile sound

I knew I'd get the reply of "if you want audiophile sound, stay in your home and put one there" I also like the arguments made about what is better, lp, or cd or how music is meant to be heard from a stage style experience, meaning 2 stereo speakers directly in front of you. I often would argue that music is truly in it's element in a live, open or closed situation, such as a lounch or concert hall or outdoor arena, NOT RECORDED filtered and so pure, but who doesn't like perfect recorded sound? but we then wonder why live is so raw and imperfect. So not that I want to hear a perfect song in a perfect situation considering your on the hwy doing 75. All I ask is the sound to be as pure and perfect, especially at high volume, as possible. Crap distortion and crackling or static only amplifies at higher volume, and it isn't volume that ruins speakers, it's distortion, and many times distortion at higher volumes.

I for one don't blare the stereo when in slow speed situations and for the entire town to hear, I turn it down a little, Hey, who doesn't need to be introduced to new music, right? If it's too loud, your too old.

 

[farmerguy56]

Stereo

The radio in my 2013 RT is stock and works well. It holds a station just as long as my radio in my Chevy truck.

 

[leonml]

In my opinion, if you want LOUD, you should be using headsets. Many people are annoyed by other people's insistence that everyone MUST listen to their radio. Common courtesy should be the order.

Earbuds suck, everyone knows that, and I can't fit my larger headphones inside or outside a helmet. You cannot recreate any type of bass in either situation that is as pleasing as a larger speaker can. Besides, if I have to deal with all the loud obnoxious blubbering of Harleys mufflers all summer, people can deal with loud music, it's far more pleasing to hear.

Courtesy tends to be, if the song is one of your faves and it's loud you usually care less, but if it's not to your liking, that's when people complain, not saying someone driving by the house at 3am, but just passing by. I learned a long time ago to tolerate what I consider crap music and crap sounding stereos that just thump and have no mid or tweeter coming out of the car. I tolerated a lot living in apartments as well, because I could crank some music when I felt like it because people were doing the same having a party at other times, and you give and take. I don't want to be one of those old, "get off my lawn, or turn it down" codgers. Besides, when you get older you have more money to buy a better, clearer louder system to blast them out. :roflblack:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WELL.WELL.WELL

Earbuds suck, everyone knows that, and I can't fit my larger headphones inside or outside a helmet. You cannot recreate any type of bass in either situation that is as pleasing as a larger speaker can. Besides, if I have to deal with all the loud obnoxious blubbering of Harleys mufflers all summer, people can deal with loud music, it's far more pleasing to hear.

Courtesy tends to be, if the song is one of your faves and it's loud you usually care less, but if it's not to your liking, that's when people complain, not saying someone driving by the house at 3am, but just passing by. I learned a long time ago to tolerate what I consider crap music and crap sounding stereos that just thump and have no mid or tweeter coming out of the car. I tolerated a lot living in apartments as well, because I could crank some music when I felt like it because people were doing the same having a party at other times, and you give and take. I don't want to be one of those old, "get off my lawn, or turn it down" codgers. Besides, when you get older you have more money to buy a better, clearer louder system to blast them out. :roflblack:

:hun:..........After reading your past posts on this thread and other posts you have made ..........I'm not sure you are looking for answers.........you just want to RANT about something .....I think you might consider " JUST CHILLIN OUT " and enjoy life .............................I do .......Mikeguyver :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Or are you going to become another case of...

 

[ABQSpyder]

Radio

Mine works fine when I start it up. Listen to the weather and then turn the Dam thing OFF. Go riding and could care less if I had a radio! :yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

I like to listen to the radio, because it gives the voices in my head something to sing along with! :shocked:

 

[Phil]

BassEgg

Get one of these and mount it to your helmet! You'll be amazed....

https://bassegg.com/

but I digress.......

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Ooooohhh...
I could REALLY kill some nerve endings in my ears with those babies!! :2thumbs:

 

[leonml]

Get one of these and mount it to your helmet! You'll be amazed....

https://bassegg.com/

but I digress.......

I'd also look like a giant mouse with tiny ears. Still no bass out of those.

I'm not trolling. Bitching, perhaps, but since when do any of you come on here time after time just to praise what you have? I think the whole point is to gripe and knock heads together for a solution. Trust me, if I had an answer to my own complaints I'd address them and move on. I am a man after all, since when do we look for help till we're backed in to a corner and give up.

I find fm radio to be terrible, but even when my portable player goes dead, I can't get but one rock station, and most all the stations don't come in as well as any car radio I have.

I'm actually surprised by now, that they don't have radio/cd/aux in players that are the size of a slice of bread, I'd just bypass the whole crap radio on the spyder. Everyone says play your mp3 or other player, that's all fine, but have you ever played music from those devices, especially phones and heard the noise coming out of the speakers when music isn't playing? Terrible. Also, the output of a phone jack or a portable device putting out just enough power for headphones has severe limitations in sound quality. Ipod may have an advantage there, but they stink with the low quality recordings you are stuck with. I sure wish the industry would give apple the middle finger and just make all companies comply to an industry standard, like a USB to charge and play music on their devices. No special plug and proprietary software for a player to work. So all players should be usb out to usb inputs.

 

[Bob Denman]

Follow me around in here a little bit... It won't take you long to figure out that I'm about as happy with my bike, as a clam is with wet sand! :2thumbs:
"Griping and knocking heads together", isn't the best way to make friends anyway... :shocked:
Positive shared experiences are just as valuable, as the correct problem-solving tactics can be. :thumbup: nojoke

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I haven't been following this thread, I've been riding, but I will agree that the stereo is junky. I was forced to use it when my Scala and my Iphone decided to quit on me. I had an FM station on for a long time and had no idea that it was country music until I stopped. :yikes:

 

[cyclekid58]

2014 RT Radio

I have a 2014 RT-S with stock radio, I adjusted the fader one notch to the rear, passenger can hear at any volume. Seems to be pretty distortion free depending on the radio station, when hooked to the MP-3 player I can run full volume without issue. I agree with the noise pollution and hearing base blocks away so run the auto volume according to speed and have no problem with cruising down the highway with country music or oldies keeping me and the critters entertained.

 

[ThreeWheels]

It seems something is wrong with your stereo.
Any stereo will distort at the highest setting, but you shouldn't hear any snap crackle and pop.
I generally listen to the IPod because I just got tired of driving in and out of radio station range, not to mention NO commercials.

 

[Bob Denman]

I had an FM station on for a long time and had no idea that it was country music until I stopped. :yikes:

There was a jazz musician (Buddy Rich?), who was rushed to an emergency room... while filling out paperwork; he was asked if he was allergic to anything.
His answer: "
"County-Western Music!"

And then, he died...

 

[AbNormy]

Sunradio KDRP is great here in Austin Tx Americana commercial free!

 

[TicketBait]

My suggestion is to take your bike to a spyder function
and compare yours with others, maybe they are all junk or maybe your ears are :roflblack:

but at least you would know, I see you are in Wisconsin, maybe see if there

is something happening in your state chapter here---->http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?64-Wisconsin

My 2010 radio works great and the reception is very
good in Los Angeles CA. I ride with the speakers muted
and just sound piped in my BRP wired helmet. Sometimes one of
the speakers in my helmet doesn't work

Sometimes I am listening in stereo and most of the time
monitone, it's only a problem when I am running on the freeway.
Oh well