Noise canceling ear buds for helmet use

[Derivative]

I've had a search for the thread in which someone posted these, but not really managed it.

I have some headphones that hook over the ear (a bit like these: https://s4ecfe52d4a845.img.gostorego.com/802754/cdn/media/s4/ec/fe/52/d4/a8/45/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/j/v/jvc_-_sports_-_black.jpg).

The problem is, not only does the noise blocking not work that well, they get pushed out of my ear. Once the seal is broken, they're pretty much useless.

I don't want to have to turn the volume up to ridiculous levels and damage my ears - I wear earplugs for journeys under an hour or so, but I find 2+ hours motorway work to be too monotonous really.

Does anyone have a set of earbuds that actually work for this purpose?

Cheers.[/url]

[BigDan1190]

Yup.

These are the ones you wan't mate;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soundmagic-PL30-In-Ear-Headphones-/281042937319?pt=UK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Headphones&hash=item416f76e5e7

Swap the rubber tips for the provided foam tips. The wire hooks over your ear, but the best bit is the earphone itself sits in your ear canal and the rest of your plastic fit in the rest of your ear - if you understand my meaning. They sit flat against your head, so the helmet won't push them in any further.

I always wear mine, then wear a balaclava/neckwarmer over my ears so when putting the helmet on it won't pull them out. I've tried several earphones and those ones right there are the best of the best.

Cheers,
Dan

EDIT: I didn't find you the best price there, so be sure to search the net before buying. Soundmagic PL30.

[mysterious_rider]

I just use normal samsung mp3 popper earphones. If you really want them to stay in, wear a neck scarf over them and pull it from the back of your neck, to your forehead. That way the helmet wont pull the earphones out.
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KAWASAKIIIII

[Rogerborg]

£3.40 of silicone putty, mould those puppies (plus at least one more set) into your lugs, job done.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[BigDan1190]

rogerburg, read OP again. He doesn't want ear plugs. He has earplugs.

He wants earphones.

[Derivative]

It seems like the putty in combination with earbuds could be viable if you stop it from getting into the speaker somehow, though. Perhaps some tape and a knife to cut a hole in the end.

[BigDan1190]

Yeah, someone has done it before on a forum I used to frequent (which I won't post here, as its gone right down the pan).

Honestly though mate - Its really not worth the trouble. I have some of those putty DIY mouldable ear plugs and they're not comfortable without trying to bodge it into an earphone.

Trust me, try out a pair of the Soundmagic PL30s as in my first post.

[moppy]

Not tried the PL30s, but can recommend Soundmagic, I have the PL50s which are supposedly a bit better and they are very good earphones, and have lasted well.

[Walloper]

Are you confusing Noise Cancelling with Noise Isolating?

Two different dogs.

Cancelling assumes there is 'active' noise cancelling where an opposing noise is produced to 'cancel' the noise you do not want to hear. But not affect the noise you want to hear. They really only work for repetitive noises such as engine drone. Boom boom boom. But not so good for wind noise. Ssssssh ssssh sssssh..

Noise Isolating blocks out external noise by filling your ear canal with rubber/foam which will block outside noise and by flexing will absorb some noise too.

Noise cancelling are much more expensive than isolating but the cancelling system can be overwhelmed by wind noise so you can get interruptions and poor sound quality when worn inside a helmet blasting through the air.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[barrkel]

I have some Soundmagic earbuds - not exactly the same style linked here, but somewhat similar, PL50 - and they are by some distance the worst headphones I've ever listened to music on in my life. Appalling sound quality, tinniest wateriest piss dribbling out into my ear canal.

Only place I use active noise cancelling is on planes, where I use Sennheiser PXC 450s. Expensive (I paid 200 for mine), but they work. I used to have to do transatlantic trips for my job, well worth it.

My current go-to earbuds for sound isolation and music under a helmet are Sennheiser CX 500s, which were linked to by someone here on BCF. Much much better sound quality, and fairly decent isolation (but not active cancellation). And cheaper than the PL30 linked above.

The PL50 was so bad I suspect the company that makes them either changed production methods, or has serious QA issues. Read the 1-star reviews on Amazon that describe them as having no bass whatsoever. That was my experience with them. If they had cost 99p I thought they would still be overpriced. The PL50s are also a poor shape to fit under helmets; the wire needs looping over the back of the ear, and it hurts after a few hours of being pinched there. Hours of wearing earphones is, naturally, my primary use case - boring motorway riding.
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[Walloper]

[Benno]

I just use normal earbuds. Putting on the helmet tends to dislodge them a little but I can stick my finger in and adjust them. The only tip I can really give is make sure they have a flat back rather than a round or pointy one, because with a flat back it is easier to push them in or adjust them with the helmet still on. Unless you have fat fingers.
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I'm autistic. That means I'm smarter than you.

[Dean-J]

Im with Rogerborg on this, i moulded a set of standard samsung earbuds into some putty, comfortable and keep them firmly in place. Also has the benefit of removing the outside noise from the equstion so you can listen to the music at much more sensible levels

[Rogerborg]

[Maruchino]

Etymotic ear buds are what you want for proper noise isolation. Work a treat for me.

https://www.etymotic.com

[Walloper]

[Maruchino]

[barrkel]

[Walloper]

[BigDan1190]

Oh my god... Why the fuck are we overcomplicating this?

Yes, noise cancelling is different to noise isolating. Who gives a fuck for this application?! The guy wants something that stops the wind noise, and plays music. We don't need to preach about the specific technologies, and we don't even need to discuss sound quality that much - incidentally, the PL30s I linked to above are excellent sound quality, and very comfortable. Perfect for wearing underneath a bike helmet - this is a thread about recommending headphones.

Also, in reply to rogerborg, yet again you've missed the point. We want EARPHONES, not EARPLUGS. Your £3.40 x 2 doesn't include the cost of some extra headphones to bodge into the putty.


Seriously. Stop the overcomplication.

[Walloper]

[BigDan1190]

Lol, clearly you haven't seen the majority of my posts. I'm not the threatening type.

[Walloper]

[Rogerborg]

[Walloper]