Sena Bluetooth SM10 dongle volume issues

[GuitarPlayer]

When I purchased my 2013 RT Limited, I had the dealer install the Can-Am Sena SM10 Bluetooth Dongle. One thing I've noticed is when I connect the cable from the audio system, the volume stays the same even if I try to change it. This happens both with the radio and with my Ipod Nano. I can hear the radio or Ipod in my Sena SMH10R headset but it's not very loud even though I have the volume on the headset turned up all the way and the SM10 is at it's highest volume.

I did connect up my Ipod directly to the SM10 and the volume is louder when I do that.

Has anyone else seen this problem and is there a fix for it?

Thanks,

Tony

 

[lyonsden]

With the sm10 hooked up and on, double press the big button on the sm10 and it will boost the volume.

 

[GuitarPlayer]

With the sm10 hooked up and on, double press the big button on the sm10 and it will boost the volume.

I've done that, I did get a PM about checking to make sure the speakers in the headset mounted correctly. I'll check that too.

Has anyone been able to use the console buttons to change the volume using the dongle. For me the buttons work when I've got the Spyder's speakers turned on, but they don't work when the speakers are off and I'm listening through the SMH10R headset.

 

[lyonsden]

I've done that, I did get a PM about checking to make sure the speakers in the headset mounted correctly. I'll check that too.

Has anyone been able to use the console buttons to change the volume using the dongle. For me the buttons work when I've got the Spyder's speakers turned on, but they don't work when the speakers are off and I'm listening through the SMH10R headset.

No, the volume control on the spyder doesn't work for the output to the dongle.
I bought a little amplifier off of Amazon to make a garmin louder one time. It worked pretty well. It was about $20 I think.

 

[GuitarPlayer]

No, the volume control on the spyder doesn't work for the output to the dongle.

Well, isn't that interesting. I realize that you can control the volume through the head set but why would Can-Am disable the volume control?

 

[mjw930]

Well, isn't that interesting. I realize that you can control the volume through the head set but why would Can-Am disable the volume control?

Virtually all factory BT outputs are at a fixed volume for 2 reasons, 1, all BT headsets have their own volume control and 2, it prevents the output of the audio system from overloading the inputs of the BT transmitter.

Did you confirm that the volume increased when you double pressed the button on the SM10? Did you update the firmware on the SM10 to the latest V1.1? This version exists to support the audio boost mode to resolve this exact issue.

CHANGES =======
- Audio boost mode Audio boost mode added. The boost mode can be toggled by double tapping the pairing button.

Which BT headset are you using?

 

[GuitarPlayer]

Yes, the volume increases when I double-tap the button on the SM10. I also checked the firmware and it's at version 1.1,

I'm using the Sena SMH10R headset and I have the volume turned up all the way. I'm going to check the speakers in the headset tomorrow to make sure they are mounted correctly.

Tony


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Arr MiHardies]

You may not be able to control the volume, but you can mute it from the handlebars the same way you normally would mute music.
I don't have any problems with it not being loud enough though. definitely make sure the speakers are directly over your ear. cut out some foam in the helmet if you have to.
I do wish it would turn on and off automatically with the bike though. If you don't turn it off the battery in the sena dies and has to get some charge before it will work again.

 

[mjw930]

Yes, the volume increases when I double-tap the button on the SM10. I also checked the firmware and it's at version 1.1,

I'm using the Sena SMH10R headset and I have the volume turned up all the way. I'm going to check the speakers in the headset tomorrow to make sure they are mounted correctly.

Tony


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

To test take the BT out of the link. Unplug the audio cable from the SM10 and plug it directly into the headset (should be a jack at the base of the helmet mount). If its still too low then try a set of standard earbuds connected to the jack on the bike. That should help you figure out what the culprit is.

 

[GuitarPlayer]

Good ideas, I'll try that when I can find some time.

Thanks!!

Tony

 

[GuitarPlayer]

Think I figured out the problem. One of the speakers in the SMH10R headset is not working. Time to contact Revzilla/Sena to see about a replacement.

Tony

 

[lyonsden]

Think I figured out the problem. One of the speakers in the SMH10R headset is not working. Time to contact Revzilla/Sena to see about a replacement.

Tony

Mine did the same thing and the cable that was in the Dongle kit had a broken wire/connector. Rather than uninstall it I wired around it and repaired myself. If you plug in headphones to the cable harness that plugs into the SM10 and you get sound out of only one speaker it is the wiring that came with the dongle. Good luck.

 

[GuitarPlayer]

I think it's the SMH10R head set. If I jiggle the speaker connector, the speaker starts working. It's pretty consistent. I've already contacted Sena about getting it fixed.

Tony

 

[Arr MiHardies]

Think I figured out the problem. One of the speakers in the SMH10R headset is not working. Time to contact Revzilla/Sena to see about a replacement.

Tony

I had the exact same issue. had to get it RMAed through sena as revzilla was all sold out.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

does anyone else with the dongle tend to get some interference/noise when there is no music playing or the music is quiet. Only seems to happen after the bike is turned on.

 

[dsvogel]

More trouble than it's worth

does anyone else with the dongle tend to get some interference/noise when there is no music playing or the music is quiet. Only seems to happen after the bike is turned on.

Yes, I get engine noise when the music is low or quiet. I can hear a hum/buzz with the RPMs, along with shifting noise. It's rather annoying. I added an in-line ground loop isolator that cut the noise some, but I can still hear it. The only true "fix" I've found is to turn up the volume. I use earbuds, so I can really hear it. Maybe it's not that noticeable with the flat helmet speakers.

I also find that the sound quality is not nearly as good from the SM10 as when I'm directly connected to my phone via bluetooth, and I don't consider myself an audiophile. The other annoyance with this is that I forget to turn it off half the time, causing the battery to die. When that happens, it takes a while for it to charge up enough that you can turn it on. I'm thinking of moving it to the trunk to help me remember.

I really wanted this thing to work, but for the price, it's more trouble than it's worth. I only use it for long rides when I know I'm going to be in areas with spotty cellphone coverage and will want to switch to FM Radio.

 

[shelbydave]

does anyone else with the dongle tend to get some interference/noise when there is no music playing or the music is quiet. Only seems to happen after the bike is turned on.

Yes. I also had the same noise with my wired Chatterbox setup, so it's not the dongle itself.

 

[SA_SPYDERRIDER]

Noise/hum dongle kit

Yes. I also had the same noise with my wired Chatterbox setup, so it's not the dongle itself.

Herewith a (chinglish) reply I got from SENA support re: hum from my SM10 dongle. Removing the power supply from the radio eliminates the noise. Bad design of the harness by BRP?


Hello,
And as for the Hum sound. It is because you must have something else powered on the bike other than the SM10, which is causing a Circuit loop. That is causing th Hun sound when he power is connected. The wiring is not correct to power up more than 1 device to the same battery.

Thank you,
Austin Jones
Technical Support Engineer
Sena Technologies Inc.

---

​