best way to listen to music while riding - besides earbuds?

[mace]

anyone use in the helmet speakers or something besides earbuds to listen to some tunes while riding?

i usually listen to my iPod on a low volume while riding but my new helmet fits better and is tighter along the ears.. making earbuds painful.

any thoughts/help?

[Kazinator]

bluetooth set-up to speakers mounted in helmet....

[mace]

bluetooth set-up to speakers mounted in helmet....

that would work - any recommendations for in helmet speakers?

That is what i had in mind but wanted to hear some first hand experience if they work/ which to buy etc.

[aldend123]

You can squeeze headphones in to your ears and slide the helmet on, otherwise there's a whole host of products designed to be put in to the helmet.

From there, you either wire to your ipod (pain in the ass), or use a bluetooth wireless device between the two. This piece doesn't have to be motorcycle-specific, it should just have a transmitter that plugs in to your music device, and a receiver that the headphones plug in to.

I've *read* that some of the bluetooth-based intercoms allow streaming music from a bluetooth transmitter, but I haven't had any personal experience. I've actually been reading about this stuff lately, because I have the same interest. It really looks like the most reliable way is to get a helmet that is designed around an intercom or speaker set, but since you just bought a new helmet I think that's out.

[NobodySpecific]

bluetooth set-up to speakers mounted in helmet....

Yup, same here. I've got the Chatterbox GMRSX1, which is admittedly gigantic, but it works well so I have no real complaints.

[duey]

http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider

Been using their products for years. Work great for what I use them for.

[WordTooYoMamma]

http://www.cardosystems.com/scala-rider

Been using their products for years. Work great for what I use them for.

Used the team set with me and the ex girlfriend for 2 seasons. The only problem was the girlfriend.

[LaRNZ]

Could it be as simple as just switching to an earbud that has multiple inserts to find one that's fits comfortably? For example skull candy kills my ears, but sonys fit nice and I can switch inserts out depending if I'm wearing a balaclava or something else, or another lid.

[RandyO]

I have an Autocom system but if I were buying it today, I would go with Starcom, a couple years ago Tecstar Electronics that makes starcom aquired Autocom so now Starcom has the Autocom technology

afik, there are no bluetooth systems that have noise cancelling like Autocom & Starcom. the wire is not a big deal, sound quality is excellent at ANY speed

[Kazinator]

Yup, same here. I've got the Chatterbox GMRSX1, which is admittedly gigantic, but it works well so I have no real complaints.

Used that and for that purpose i believe its one of the better products out there. Had it for a couple weeks and decided to sell it as I realized I wasn't into the whole music while riding thing.

[nhbubba]

I have a Scala G4. Bought it because of its bluetooth integration with the iphone. No wires and it controls the phone from the controls on the side of the helmet, meaning I can pause, play, skip, etc. I stream pandora pretty much door-to-door when commuting. I like that.

Sound quality is okay. Not the best.

My big beef is volume. Without ear plugs the volume level is just okay on the 'slab. With plugs you have to crank it to hear it. Or at least I do.

Many here use that chatterbox with the GMRS radios built in. That's nifty. I can't comm with those guys as the Scala units use a proprietary bluetooth link for bike-to-bike.

The device is really easy to mount and use. Once mounted you will never have to screw with it again. Unlike ear buds.

[NHFighter S]

I use to do the ear bud thing. I have to say that my exhaust note is the real music to my ears. If I want music, I just jump on my bagger and turn up the tunes. Sport bikes make music all on their own.

[jtryz]

ii cant wear ear buds, they hurt my ears. I went to
http://helmetspeakers.com/

which came with a volume control.

i use a

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...uctId=2732095#


i have them velcrod to the bike so easy to use, not in my way and with the booster i can cruz at 80mph and still hear music

[G21forme]

I'm going to try the custom made ear mold diy ear buds.

[gamorg02]

i got a sena smh10 for xmas and just got to use it this week. awesome so far infact the few people i've called asked what i was doing as they couldn't tell i was on the harley going 50 mph.

music quality is good too. haven't tested above 75-80 mph yet on music and not above 55 mph on phone call. worth the money i'd say tho. 2 second install on my hjc helmet.

[01xj]

I know you said no ear buds. I felt the same way until I tried these.
http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-.../dp/B0038W0K2U

I tried them on a whim, figured for 20$ it's no big deal if I don't use them for the m/c.

The wrap around my ear helps in getting the helmet on and off immensely. They stay seated in your ears where you put them. And they come with different tips so you can size them. I like the three teired tips. They fit my ears very well, isolate road noise and let me lsiten to music without it being 100% volume that would kill my ears.

[mace]

I know you said no ear buds. I felt the same way until I tried these.
http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-.../dp/B0038W0K2U

I tried them on a whim, figured for 20$ it's no big deal if I don't use them for the m/c.

The wrap around my ear helps in getting the helmet on and off immensely. They stay seated in your ears where you put them. And they come with different tips so you can size them. I like the three teired tips. They fit my ears very well, isolate road noise and let me lsiten to music without it being 100% volume that would kill my ears.

yea, for 20 bucks - Maybe I will give them a shot. The only reason I am saying no earbuds is because the current ones that I am using - the standard apple ones - are being PRESSED into my ears with my new helmet on. My helmet fits perfect --- tight everywhere without being too tight --- but also not room for the buds sticking out of my ears.

[mace]

actually, I think I am going to try these instead:

http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.ph...how&ref=TORKX2

thanks JTRYZ for the link - just read a few reviews about them and people seem to be happy with them. Should do what I want with less ear pain.

[ff36buell]

I went with the Bose MIE2i headphones last year after trying some others. I will never go back to the others..... They are comfortable, stay in place, sound great, and you can control your iPhone or iPad with them. You can even answer calls with them but that would be pretty hard while riding the bike since the microphone is mounted below the helmet/jaw line. They come with five different gel/silicone inserts to custom fit them to your ears. They aren't cheap, but I think they were well worth the cost.

Nick

[nhbubba]

I almost bought a setup like that from helmetaudio.com before I bought my Scala. Post back on whatcha think of 'em.

[Mike Qube]

actually, I think I am going to try these instead:

http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.ph...how&ref=TORKX2

thanks JTRYZ for the link - just read a few reviews about them and people seem to be happy with them. Should do what I want with less ear pain.

I have cheap chinese knockoffs of those that I think I paid $5 for. They're pretty good.

[JettaJayGLS]

I've tried a lot of things...and the best I've ever used have been the regular iPhone headphones. Being able to pause, skip songs, change the volume and all of that is excellent while riding. Also, being able to pull over and answer or make a call without removing your helmet is very convenient. I've used skully candy ones that are sound deadening and go in your ears, but I feel they quiet everything else a bit too much while riding.

My roomate has the Scala kit. While its functionality is really nice, since my helmet fits snug, the actual ear pieces crushed my ears and killed them after about 5 minutes. I moved them to a few different spots that had more breathing room, but then I couldn't hear them.