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Stereo headphone solution for 2014 FLHTK

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  #1  
Old 06-29-2015, 04:24 PM
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Default Stereo headphone solution for 2014 FLHTK

This is a no-name Bluetooth headphone/FM mic solution for those who don’t wish to plug into their bikes. I use a Bluetooth transmitter to connect to my headphones and a
FM mic to transmit my voice back to Boom!. The audio signal to the headphones is 100% stereo all of the time.

The Bluetooth transmitter (headphones) and the FM receiver (mic) are both inside the glove box (plus my 32gb USB stick). They are connected via audio extension cables which run from the glove box along the backbone under the gas tank to the area under the seat where they connect to the gas tank console's 7 pin connector via an adapter. I set all audio routing to the Headphones and then paired the Bluetooth transmitter with my Bluetooth headphones. The Boom! operates as though I am running a wired setup. My lapel mic is wired to the FM transmitter which I have in my jacket pocket so it is not 100% wireless but I do not need to unclip anything before dismounting my bike. For the most part I do not bother wearing the mic.

You can do this for as little as $100 not including Bluetooth headphones which would add another $50 plus depending on what brand you go with. I use Backbeat 903+ headphones which are still available on eBay. Your Bluetooth headphones only need to support the A2DP protocol which they all do. This solution does not need a specific brand for any component, nor does it require any modifications via Digi Tech.

My main objective was to listen to stereo music and get Navi prompts via my Bluetooth headphones. I have my Samsung S5 phone connected to Boom! via Bluetooth so I can listen to music from either the phone, the USB stick or the Boom! radio.

I went with the FM mic to replicate all the wired voice functionality. The volume level to my headphones is controlled by the left-hand joystick. I can quickly remove the BT transmitter, FM receiver and USB stick from the glove box if I so desire.

I have not taken phone calls or tested voice functionality at highway speeds but I will endeavour to do so and post my findings back to this thread.
 

Last edited by john31224; 07-01-2015 at 12:16 PM. Reason: Will update after further testing
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Old 07-01-2015, 12:40 AM
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Are you asking a question, or making a statement?
 
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Old 07-01-2015, 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by 58sniper
Are you asking a question, or making a statement?
Looks like he needs to do some more testing before he posts the link, per his edit notes.
 
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Old 07-01-2015, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 58sniper
Are you asking a question, or making a statement?
Sorry about that. I was altering my post and would have deleted it if I could have figured out how to.
 
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Old 07-01-2015, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by john31224
This is a no-name Bluetooth headphone/FM mic solution for those who don’t wish to plug into their bikes. I use a Bluetooth transmitter to connect to my headphones and a
FM mic to transmit my voice back to Boom!. The audio signal to the headphones is 100% stereo all of the time.

The Bluetooth transmitter (headphones) and the FM receiver (mic) are both inside the glove box (plus my 32gb USB stick). They are connected via audio extension cables which run from the glove box along the backbone under the gas tank to the area under the seat where they connect to the gas tank console's 7 pin connector via an adapter. I set all audio routing to the Headphones and then paired the Bluetooth transmitter with my Bluetooth headphones. The Boom! operates as though I am running a wired setup. My lapel mic is wired to the FM transmitter which I have in my jacket pocket so it is not 100% wireless but I do not need to unclip anything before dismounting my bike. For the most part I do not bother wearing the mic.

You can do this for as little as $100 not including Bluetooth headphones which would add another $50 plus depending on what brand you go with. I use Backbeat 903+ headphones which are still available on eBay. Your Bluetooth headphones only need to support the A2DP protocol which they all do. This solution does not need a specific brand for any component, nor does it require any modifications via Digi Tech.

My main objective was to listen to stereo music and get Navi prompts via my Bluetooth headphones. I have my Samsung S5 phone connected to Boom! via Bluetooth so I can listen to music from either the phone, the USB stick or the Boom! radio.

I went with the FM mic to replicate all the wired voice functionality. The volume level to my headphones is controlled by the left-hand joystick. I can quickly remove the BT transmitter, FM receiver and USB stick from the glove box if I so desire.

I have not taken phone calls or tested voice functionality at highway speeds but I will endeavour to do so and post my findings back to this thread.
Very interesting, look forward to hearing more about this setup...
 
  #6  
Old 07-02-2015, 07:51 AM
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Very interested. Been researching a similar solution myself. I was thinking of running only stereo bluetooth headphones into helmet for music via connecting a bluetooth transmitter, 7pin to 3.5MM adapter, into the HD 7 pin set-up and running the 7 pin inot the back of the glove box then stuffing the transmitter in there. I was also going to add in a USB charging port connected to the lighter socket (which I don't use) to run the transmitter off of.

Something like this



powered by this


Connected to this

 

Last edited by babygorilla; 07-02-2015 at 07:57 AM.
  #7  
Old 07-02-2015, 01:14 PM
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I tried charging while transmitting both with a USB hub and with a 12v USB adapter plugged into the cigarette lighter socket but found that static was introduced into the audio so I just carry a spare charged BT transmitter. I use 7 pin to 3.5mm (1/8”) adapter with 1 jack for audio and 1 jack for mic eBay item #111596934907 $25. I would be interested to know whether your charging circuit is clear. Its not like I could hear the static when tunes were playing but the signal was not as clean when they weren't.
 

Last edited by john31224; 07-05-2015 at 11:31 AM. Reason: add a couple lines
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Old 07-04-2015, 02:47 AM
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Here's a thread I made for an off the shelf item from Germany that'll do some of what your looking for.

Then there's the Sierra electronics device if ordering from overseas isn't your thing

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...h-ake-hc2.html
 
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Old 07-04-2015, 09:03 AM
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Yeah, difference of almost $100 for the AKE. Well aware of it and the SENA adaptation. Both are not worth it to me and the SENA is VERY cumbersome. I also could care less about voice communications. I ride alone and if the wife is on the back she head butts me and points to tell me what she wants, lol.
 
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by CPT_Carrera
Here's a thread I made for an off the shelf item from Germany that'll do some of what your looking for.

Then there's the Sierra electronics device if ordering from overseas isn't your thing

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-r...h-ake-hc2.html
I did see those threads thanks and have no problem with ordering stuff overseas. I thought it would be more fun to come up with an inexpensive home-built solution that the average person could do.

As far as my testing voice commands & phone calls at highway speeds go, the FM voice transmitter functioned perfectly but I did not find either mic compatible with my half helmet and the amount of wind I get. There was no extraneous noise sent but neither were practical for my setup. The mics tested were the inexpensive units which came with the FM transmitter/receiver and with different helmet/wind exposure someone else may find them adequate. Both of them certainly did the trick when stationary.

I am now going to buy and test a throat mic which I will again plug into my FM transmitter. I plan to get one in the $25 to $50 range, though one can spend less than $10 all the way up to $160 and probably more.
 

Last edited by john31224; 07-05-2015 at 05:29 PM.


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