Blues with Bluetooth

[robsryder]

The following posts are largely taken from other locations, most of which were from the BMWMOA forum under the K1600 subsection because that is where the question first arose.
My interest stems from issues that I found shortly after purchasing a 2018 R1200RTW. I started by using a remote bluetooth receiver coupled with earbuds. The audio quality from the bike's bluetooth was terrible. The mechanics at the dealership had little experience with use of bluetooth audio, but agreed that the sound quality was poor (i.e., lots of static and sound frequently broken up). The mechanics thought that the cause could be a short in a wire to the bluetooth unit and that unit was replaced under warranty. While the sound was slightly better with some less static, it was overall unacceptable. As a comparison, I paired my Apple iPhone with the remote bluetooth receiver (again with earbuds) and found the sound quality to be very good.
The following posts will provide links to various videos and information that describe fixes to the BMW RTW audio for better quality sound and in some instances how to make more effective use of the system. I do not use the GPS audio, nor do I have any interest in talking on the phone while riding the bike. I do like listening to music and the SiriusXM radio.

NOTE:  It seems that the process for embedding videos on this forum differs from that on the BMW MOA forum.  I will provide links back to YouTube.  If posting photos is problematic, I will provide links to other forums where they should be able to be viewed.

[robsryder]

This excellent video on YouTube provides a nice explanation on how to pair one's helmet bluetooth with the BMW RTW audio and GPS. This same feller has several informative videos available and it might be worthwhile to view the others he has available. [I found his review of different windscreens useful, for example.]

https://youtu.be/M_qK1zzhh-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... _qK1zzhh-A

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_qK1zzhh-A" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[robsryder]

This is a straight cut-and-paste from the MOA forum. I will go back and paste in links to the video clips as the embed feature is different from that on the MOA forum.
A much less expensive alternative is to obtain a bluetooth receiver and plug your favorite earbuds into that. I've done this; the bluetooth receiver goes into a pocket and the earbuds in my ear. I favor sound-isolating earbuds; normally I wear ear plugs. Links follow for some of the equipment that I have had good success with.
Both of these bluetooth receivers have adjustable volume - set on low before pairing with the BMW bluetooth!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0728GP9XH/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Receiver-Streaming-Hands-free/dp/B008AGQMQC/ref=pd_bxgy_107_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008AGQMQC&pd_rd_r=330c2f4d-5abf-11e8-982e-33b6e1d91df2&pd_rd_w=1L0jP&pd_rd_wg=TgQ8g&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3914568618330124508&pf_rd_r=WA7HN634EETZP184KCYE&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=WA7HN634EETZP184KCYE
Earbud preferences vary widely. My favorites were the Eymotic ER6 earbuds, but these are no longer available.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003S3RFIQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038W0K2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Alas, I have found the quality of the music coming from bmw's bluetooth (2018 RT) to be poor. I have good quality sound when paired with my phone, but when paired with the bike's bluetooth the sound quality is poor (scratchy, frequently broken-up). It seems that others have observed similarly poor audio with the BMW bluetooth implementation. Following is an alternative to improve the bluetooth audio sound quality -
There are a couple of YouTube videos that clearly illustrate how to use the speaker outputs to drive a Sena Bluetooth transmitter and have much improved sound. Links follow -
YouTube
BMW K1600/R1200 Bluetooth audio upgrade Part 1
[size=2px]https://youtu.be/7SQx-dSW37g[/size]
[size=2px]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... SQx-dSW37g[/size]
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7SQx-dSW37g" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
YouTube
BMW K1600/R1200 Bluetooth audio upgrade Part 2
[size=2px]https://youtu.be/XScziTi5GLc[/size]
[size=2px]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XScziTi5GLc[/size]
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XScziTi5GLc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Components used in these videos are:
Motochello audio speaker bridge
https://www.motochello.com/audio-speaker-bridge/

Here is a link to a related discussion on a different forum.&nbsp; A conclusion is that use of an audio bridge (e.g., Motochello or Autocom) would be advantageous.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/rt-series/90481-hard-wired-audio-pictures.html

Sena SM10 dual stream stereo bluetooth transmitter
https://www.sena.com/product/sm10/
Motopower Mini USB Outlet
It was indicated elsewhere that one could use BMW repair plugs "83 30 0 413 580" and "83 30 0 413 581" to make an adapter cable and thus avoid needing to splice and cut into the existing wiring harness. A check with the MAXBMW on-line parts fiche shows -
83300413580 REPAIR PLUG, 8-POLE / 3-POLE - NO. 611651 $32.27
Function: 8-pin/3-pin for anti-theft alarm control unit, power supply.
Part Thumbnail Part Thumbnail
83300413581 REPAIR PLUG, 8-PIN - NO. 611652 $25.51
Function: 8-pin for main plug on anti-theft alarm control unit.
NOTE: [size=13px]The male 8-pin plug (part ending in 580) is a good fit into the Alpine audio unit. Alas, the female 8-pin plug (part ending in 581) "almost" fits into the existing male[/size][size=13px]8-pin plug (which has been unplugged from the Alpine audio unit).[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]The two BMW plugs (580 and 581) fit nicely together. I don't see at present what is causing the interference that prevents 581 from fitting to the wiring harness plug.[/size]
[size=13px]
[/size]
[size=13px]In subsequent posts I will describe what I did to make these plugs work with the BMW Alpine audio unit. I did not have to make any physical modifications to the Alpine unit, save unplugging one connector. It is a simple matter to restore the system to its original functionality.[/size]

[robsryder]

Alas, I am having no success in posting photos. Thus, for the present time I will just post a link to the rest of the information on the BMWMOA forum which contains the relevant information. It should not be necessary to log in (i.e., be a member of the BMWMOA) to view this information.
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.ph ... Blue-tooth

Sorry, but it looks like you can't view the photos on the BMWMOA forum unless you are logged in.&nbsp; I will have to see if there is some other way to make photos available.