| Author | Message | ||
     Okc99 |
I want to build a bar chart and post it, but first I need to get some votes. Please reply with at least 2 models so that we can capture as much info as possible. I'll start ************************** Shure: Best Zune (came with Zune): 2nd Best | ||
| Natron |
Shure e2c: very comfortable but not great at delivering sound while riding Etymotic er6i: great sound while riding while using either the plastic flange or foam earbuds, but less comfortable due to interference with helmet while removing helmet. Overall, I would put the Etymotics as best and shures as second best. | ||
| Court |
I'm using Bose now and fairly happy with them. I've limited experience and have only used the Bose and a pair of Apple (not the one that came with the iPod but the next step up) so I'd have to put Bose #1 on my list. I went and got fitted (lucky thing here in Manhattan is that one of the members of the Porsche Club is the Audiologist to the stars) for a set up high end custom molded ones. The Dr. did the entire hearing exam and the things are fitted, physically and acoustically. I need to pick them up. Will report. | ||
| Brakes2late |
Best: Etymotic er6i 2nd: Shure e2c | ||
| Seanp |
I've only ever used the er6i's, before I got the Autocom, and they were great. I always wear ear plugs anyway, so it was fine having something stuck in my ear. The sound was good, and I could keep the volume down due to the noise protection factor of the in-ear buds. Now I have an Autocom, and it has speakers built into my helmet. I wear ear plugs, and the speakers are still loud enough that I can hear the music just fine. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I've used the iPod buds, with my old Firebolt helmet,and they worked just fine as if I wasn't wearing them inside a helmet. My new Arai pulls the buds out of my ears as I'm putting it on, so no tunes for me with that helmet yet. I'm leaning towards some specific helmet-speakers, that velcro into the liner. Anyone used anything like that? | ||
| Rwven |
I haven't used the Etymotics. I really like my Shure's with the barbed style silicone ear pieces. I just got 2 pair if Icemat Siberias off of Woot (Twofer Tuesday) for 19.99 + 5.99 shipping to have as a backup. They sound as good as the Shure's do to my tin ears, I haven't tried them on the bike yet though. I'm a big fan of in the earcanal earbuds vs. helmet speakers and ear plugs. My hearing is not great and the sound from helmet speakers just seem to get lost in the wind noise. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
I've only used the Etymotic er6, and like it. . | ||
| Nipsey |
Sure SE310 fit great with a helmet, and sound very good too. | ||
| Inkedfireman |
My experience has been that the custom ear molds don't block the wind noise as well as the soft flanged "christmas tree" style ear buds. The etymotics are nice and small, no interference when putting on the helmet but the sound is a bit thin, not much bass. The cheapo Koss earbuds work pretty well sound-wise when you get the flanged christmas tree bud tips for them, but they are a bit bulky and you have to be careful putting on your helmet. I liked the feel of the Etymotics, but mine died after a short time (one side cut out) and I didn't have a receipt (eBay purchase) to send them in for warrenty replacement. I went back to the Koss' for $17 rather than the $75 price on eBay for the Etymotics (list is like $139!) YMMV, Denny | ||
| Edgydrifter |
Best: Custom plugs with molded-in transducers 2nd Place: Shure e2c | ||
| Armymedic |
I use the Koss, cuz I'm too cheap to spend a lot of money on such a thing. Maybe one day... | ||
| Yo_barry |
1) Etymotics er6i (the best I've tried) 2) 3) ... 7) Apple earbuds 8) Sony in your ear (helmet pulled them out) 9) Koss in your ear (didn't fit my ears) I wasted a lot of $$s buying cheap headphones looking for the right ones. Finally sprung for the Etymotics after sending enough on cheap ones to have just paid for them. | ||
| Xb12lp |
I have the custom fitted ear speakers and have found that they are the best piece of equipment I have purchased for my riding. I would not do without them. | ||
| Rr_eater |
Look at CEPs, I have had them for 5 years now and LOVE them. They are not for audiophiles though, but sound great none the less. They also offer hearing protection, as they are antenuators as well as headphones, and as such even improve battery life as you dont have to crank them up so loud. The refills on the foam can be a bit expensive if you dont shop around, or cant get them from your local DOD supply department  http://www.cep-usa.com/id39.htm Bottom of the page, Stereo receiver CEP And they are FANTASTIC people to deal with!! Huh Odie??!! Bruce | ||
| Billg |
Shure SE210 - 9 (out of 10) Sony MDR-EX71SL - 8 Skull Candy - 4 all are in-the-ear Source is 30G Zune or Mio GPS | ||
| Naboyd |
Another option to consider... I have never found a pair of ear buds that would stay in place as I put my helmet on. I like my helmets tight! I use speakers mounted in my helmet. Then, I can use traditional earplugs to kill the wind noise. Equipment: Shoei RF-1000 Tork X-Pro Helmet Speakers: http://www.bikeintercom.com/products/x1.htm Iasus Applifier: http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=IA44&sid=od5cg127a4c5g062tlwco0h50gr7pgxa Garmin Zumo 450 4 Ft 1/8" Male to 1/8" Femal Cord This is what the setup looks like:    | ||
| Court |
Tell me more about those helmet speakers. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
+1 on the Etymotic er6i's. Once you find the right earplug to fit your ear they are awesome.They block out almost all of the road noise. They do irritate my ears after awhile though. That's just inherent with ear plugs. | ||
| Nutsosane |
Try this; a genuine wealth of information. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28 9280&highlight=headphone | ||
| Naboyd |
Court: Not much to say except that they work really well. They come with a thin piece of velcro that keeps them in place. They are so thin that my ears do not occupy the same space as they do in the helmet. I have had a few sets (H-D Style) that I had to cut into the foam of the helmet (bad idea) so that it would not hurt the ears. not so with these. Quality wise, is really like them. I play music and sing in two different bands so I want good sound and I always have music playing through the Zumo. Even on short trips. they work really well. Not sure if it is the speakers or the Zumo, but the little amp is necessary to hear well with full face helmet, earplugs and 80 MPH. By the way, this is a picture of the ULY before the Outdoorsmen bags where installed, in case you were wondering. | ||
| Jaybirdxb12x |
I am currently using JVC marshmallows. And they are great. Nice short stalks were the wire leaves the speaker, heavy duty looking wire, good at blocking wind noise and nice sound quality. Very comfortable I highly recommend the best of all only $20. I have also suffered with standard apple I pod, Samsung, and Ear Candy buds. The candy's have the best sound quality but only when not used with a helmet, they are also the most uncomfortable | ||
| Gusmiami |
My problem was always that regular headphone don't stay in my ears AT ALL. As soon as I would try and slip my helmet on the cheek-pads would pull them right out. So by FAR the best solution I found was to have a custom set of earphones made. These are what you see musicians wearing on-stage. They are flush so they won't come off when putting your helmet on. Mine are made by WESTONE. They serve as both headphones and earplugs (I believe they offer 25 db of sound reduction). To get these you have to go to an audiologist to have an impression of your ear made. They send that to Westone and you have the headphones back within a week or so. BY FAR the best investment I made other than the bike itself!!!! The sound quality and reproduction is better than any headphone I have ever had. They're expensive as SH#T, but I looked at it as if one were buying a stereo for a car. If you look at it that way, it's cheaper!!!!  (Message edited by gusmiami on November 20, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
$50 Sony buds work great for me. Usually last about 18-24 months and they get a lot of abuse - I rarely ride without music. The first 5 minutes on a test bike then 11 all the way. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Best: Etymotic er6i Worst: About 6 pairs of sub $20 earbuds, I tried all of the cheapies, never found one worth using. I finally bit the bullet and just bought the Etymotic ones, they're GREAT! | ||
| Bosh |
V-Moda Vibes are pretty good and only about $65.00. Lots of reviewers like them more than the much more expensive Etymotic or Sure's. I still prefer the custom molded kind for riding though. I got mine from the earplugstore.com. You make your own moldings from a kit they send you. Your just mail it back to them and they make your custom set. Saves the time and expense of an audiologist. | ||
| Fast_eddie_1956 |
The best are the molded musician ear plugs. The problem with them is the cost and it seems I only get a years worth of riding with them before they crap out (about 20K a year). I've used the Etymotic ER6i for the past three years, riding and for yard work. Great for cutting down on noise and good quality sound. I had to order the smaller flanges since the larger ones hurt my ear. They still tend to bother my ear on 10 hour rides. I've also used the Sure's, which are more comfortable and cheaper but they do not cut out noise as well and hurt my ears when I put on or take off my helmet. I'll probably try molded plugs again next year but the Etymotics will always be in my tank bag. | ||
| Paulync |
Having played with a few different ones I real like the Comply NR-1 High-Performance Noise Reduction Earphones. It has a larger foam earbud, and fit with my helmet. The silicone in some of the other I have used have collected to much moisture and caused otitis on long rides. P |
