i have the Sena 10u Bluetooth headset for my Shoei Neotech helmet. I like the functionality as well as how it integrates with the Neotech helmet. I use it primarily to hear the navigation instructions from my Zumo navigation unit, as well as audio music from MP3 files, on the Zumo, played via Bluetooth to the Sena head set.

I always thought the music audio quality sucked. But, I assumed that with something as well reviewed as the Sena it must be something in my set up.

But. Alas...today I ran across someone with the same headset, and he asked how I liked the audio quality. We both agreed the music sounded like a 1960’s era 3 transistor radio. Whereas the Harley Boom direct connect sounds significantly better.

Whats up? What do you all think of the Sena Bluetooth audio quality?

They sound like crap, not just inferior. The HD hardwired boom is significantly better sounding.

I figured out why my audio quality sucked, and fixed it.

I play my MP3 playlist on my Zumo navigation unit, via Bluetooth to my Sena headset. The Sena supports 2 active Bluetooth channels, I also link my iPhone to the Sena. What I have discovered is the the Sena acts like it has a high fidelity channel and a low fidelity channel...or maybe one is just screwed up. Anyhow...if I follow the following activation sequence, it always links to the high fidelity channel, and I get much better and acceptable audio quality playing from my Zumo to my Sena, I Stumbled into this accidentally, and it took me a while to replicate it.

- Sena turned off
- IPhone on with blue tooth enabled
- turn on Zumo
- move to the audio play menu on the Zumo, and select the song you want to start playing...but don’t press play.
- turn in the Sena headset,
- after all the beeping in the Sena stops, press ignore on the Zumo if a “Bluetooth device disconnected” message comes up on the Zumo.
- press play on the Zumo..

any variation to the above yielded inconsistent results.

oh yeah, I wish the Sena had a power on indicator.

Edit: I can’t tried syncing up the Zumo to the Sena without first linking the iPhone. I’ll have to give that a try after my Sena recharges...