S-Plugs EarBuds

[Air4Life]

Any of you care to share your experiences, comments, opinions, good or bad about this audio stuff?  Personally, I don't think I'd appreciate speakers.  Maybe you can convince me otherwise...

http://www.cycleaccessorystore.com/category-s/152.htm

[suecanada]

 [smiley=lurker.gif] [smiley=lurker.gif] I hope someone can help us with a comment here too.

I have headphone pods in the helmet cavities from a pair of Koss Sportapros..great sound but would be nice to have something simpler. Getting helmet on and off is an issue.

[Matt Chapter]

opinions,

Ooooo, you want opinions? I got opinions.


I'd like to have music while I'm riding (or would I? can't imagine it would make me go slower!), but 95% of my riding is commuting so I'm not sure it's worth the hassle.

Also, I'm a cheap bastard, so unless it came with the bike or something, I'm probably not going to buy it.

Add in a desire for a quiet ride where I already use earplugs, something that I found satisfactory would be hard to find and $$$$.

[Air4Life]

I'm a cheap bastard

[smiley=2cents.gif]

I am as well.  But I guess I've just gotten pushed to the limit with my patience.  I'll explain.

I don't want my audio capabilities for music around the city as much as I want it for my open road experiences.  I do however want to be able to use the phone when I stop the bike so that I don't have to remove the helmet to make a call, only to put it back on and be stuck having to remove it minutes later when they call back...  I do use my phone from time to time when I'm out and about and that is a real nuisance.  I won't describe the procedure as I'm sure you can visualize the multitude of steps involved.

As far as ear protection.  Gosh, I use those foam "roll your own" (great expression Monte) type when I remember to have them handy.  I have been caught using toilet paper, cotton balls, and tissues as well.  I suppose if I were in a pinch I'd use a piece of cloth from my old t'shirt to carry me over.

[k_enn]

I don't think that those ear buds would be the solution for wanting to use the phone while you helmet is still on.  You would need some sort of microphone system for the phone to pick up your voice.  For phone use, you would probably want one of those old-time ear bud / microphone combinations that they had for phones before everyone went to bluetooth.  

For music audio, I think I would prefer a set of ear buds that has a noise suppression circuit.  I used a set on a long plane flight (14 hours) and they did a great job of blocking out background (engine) noise.

k_enn

[Justin B.]

I have a Parrot SK4000 Bluetooth setup in my helmet.  It will bind to your cell phone so you can make and take calls, has a built in FM radio, and a jack to cable to an MP3 player or other analog audio device.  It has some issues but all-in-all it works fairly well.  

[Matt Chapter]

So the last time (roughly) I was at the dealer, I was waiting for the parts guy to look up / find in the back the parts I'd ordered.  I asked the other clerk what helmet he liked, for a full face with the most noise suppression.

http://www.schuberth.com/en/motorcycle/s2.html

It has an integrated antenna in the shell.  If you buy the add on collar that replaces the stock collar, it has all the intercom, phone, radio, whatever controls in it.

Needless to say, being a cheap bastard, I nearly dropped it on the floor when he said 750$ or whatever for the helmet.  Throw in another 200$ for the add on.

I like my head, but I dunno if I like it that much.  However, if I were in the market, that's where I'd be headed..  spend a little extra and get the right tool for the job.

[k_enn]

I would take a look at the Schuberth bluetooth system very carefully before getting one.  I have heard some mixed reports on the quality of its connection with the phone - some say it is good, some disagree.  Maybe you could take it for a road test?

BTW, I got the Schuberth C3 a couple of years ago.  I think it is a great helmet and worth the price.  It is my second favorite helmet that I have had in 30 years of riding (my favorite was a late 1980s BMW brand flip face that I hear was made by Schuberth back in the day).  They do take a lot of time for the lineing to break in (almost a whole riding season).  

k_enn

[Air4Life]

I appreciate all of your responses so far.  I probably should have included in my original post, nothing more than a one and a half hours worth of BMW service center charge.  I guess that pretty much says it all...

My Samsung phone does have a radio built into it; and for my needs, that is sufficient.  It has  ear buds and a mic rivulet strung along its length.  Wouldn't it be clever to have the same thing only with ear plugs instead of buds?   I don't need to converse while I'm riding, only when I'm suited up.

If you find something that fulfills the above criteria, I will include a additional $10 donation to this site.  Sincerely, Air4life