Need Tester

[edsetsdude]

Ed Davis here, owner and "chief engineer" for EdSets, and I need to find a few LT owners of various vintages that have factory audio systems. Because of a large happy customer base in the Goldwing community, I am getting a lot of requests from K1200LT riders for headsets and accessories. As you may or may not know, the Wing and K1200LT use different microphone technologies (dynamic vs condenser) and rather than buying a bunch of BMW's, which would really put a dent in my weekly grocery fund, I hoped to find one or more volunteers to help by allowing me to test a few condenser mics on the various versions of systems BMW has put in their bikes in the past, so I can determine which capsule gives the best performance. I don't need to ride the bike, just plug in the sets and run a few voice tests.

So, if you live in the Dayton, OH area, or are close by and would either bring your bike to my place, or allow me to come to yours, I'd offer a free set of headsets for your trouble once I settle on the best performing microphone to supply for these systems.

If interested, you can call me at 937-271-4077 most any time, or email me at ed@edsets.com.

Thanks,

Ed

[Newf]

Wish I lived close to you.

[kellenbenz]

Hi Ed,

Are you sure that there is a difference in the microphones? Just asking because I am currently using th J&M HS-BCD257 headset that works on many different bikes (Goldwing,K1200LT, Harley, etc.)as long as you change out the lower hookup cord to fit the bike. All of them have the " Aeromike 3"

Check out this link:

http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=12

My intercom system is the BMW Comm system that is standard in the K1200LTE

Ron

[edsetsdude]

On many systems, a dynamic or a condenser mic will work, depending on the auto-gain range of the mic pre-amp, or in cases where both mic pre-amps are available and are auto-switched by the audio system. The impedance of the mic itself can trigger the selection if the designer wanted it to.

Dynamic mics need a LOT more amplification because their typical output signal is around 10mV or less, whereas a condenser mic, which usually has a small single transistor "amp" inside, can produce 100mV signals or more (the line power not only charges the capacitive 'condenser' but also can provide a current source for the FET pre-amp transistor.

At any rate, you're right to a degree: my headsets work great with the Garmin Zumo, the J&M CB2003, and many BMW systems, regardless of what company technicians may say otherwise, it's not really rocket science. My sets also work with many other systems that are technically designed for condenser mics, but some BMW owners have told me the mics won't work at all on their bikes, and some tell me they love the sound. Hence, some testing is in order to see what's different on the bikes.

Appreciate the feedback ... a poor choice of words when discussing microphones...:)