Best headphones/ headset for under helmet?

[ReadySalted]

Hi all,

Wearing my ipod headphones so I can listen to music is getting rather annoying now. Especially as every time I stop I have to yank them out of helmet, and usually after about 20 minutes of wearing them, they make my ears hurt.

It's also annoying that I can't answer phonecalls, etc.

Ideally, I want a headset/ headphones/ whatever, which will allow me to listen to music from my ipod just like normal headphones (with a normal headphone jack), but then have bluetooth capability so that if somebody rings me, I can answer, and then have a conversation through a mic in my helmet.

Not sure if such thing exists?

Theres alot of cheap shite on ebay which I'm not trusting of, and then theres alot of rider to rider/ pillion intercoms which seem to cost in the hundreds!?

Can anyone help?

[Pigeon]

I got one of these for £35
It worked so well, I bought another.

Sound quality is poor compared to in-ear buds. But they will all be like that unless you pay mega bucks.

Use it for music + listening to GPS commands predominantly, but have received calls and the sound quality is very good.

Basically, they are overly trebbly and have little bass. Making phone calls great and listening to music less so. But interestingly, I've found that ear plugs improve the sounds quality for music! They cut out the trebble and you are much more aware of the bass.

One charge and they do 6 hours.

[barrkel]

I like my Scala G9. Bulkier than my old Q2, but slightly easier to use because it has more buttons - less doubled-up functionality.

150 quid for a solo kit on Amazon. More than 4x the price of Pigeon's option, but I expect the sound quality is much better. Certainly doesn't lack in bass.

Battery life is 13 hours, and charges using micro-usb, so you generally don't need to have a separate charger. If it runs out on my commute, I can charge it at work off my PC.

I attach it to my helmet using the glue-on mount, except I don't use glue, I use 3M dual lock, so I can easily remove it or shift it to another helmet. Comes with two microphones, one on a cable and one on a boom, I use the boom because it works better with my flip-up.

Can be wired in to an audio player with 3.5mm jack, but it's normally easier to put music playlist on phone and play over bluetooth A2DP.

Phone calls work well - both sides can hear and be heard clearly. Don't use this feature often though. With my Android phone, I can call someone by saying their name after pressing the phone button, but I've done that exactly once, testing it in the comfort of my living room.

Has gimmicky features like a voice menu, does things like say your name when you turn it on, etc. Mine was in French until I switched the language!
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[kramdra]

I like phillips SH7800? series in ear ones. Quite comfortable under lid.


Id like to try a bluetooth thingy, I assume it would save some time when putting lid on and not having a cable down my jacket.

[PT1989]

Http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251615563371&alt=web

I've been using this one a couple of weeks now and fairly happy with it so far, controls are simple & easy to use with gloves, has a big wheel. Hold it anti clockwise/clockwise to change volume, quick flick to change track forward or back and a button in the middle to answer calls, play or pause music.
The quality seems as good as anything else I've used (haven't tried the premium brands, but I've paid more for less)

Really useful for sat nav/music/answering calls, haven't actually tried to make a call yet though.

Unfortunately it's a proprietary charger though, which is slightly annoying, as it's a similar size & shape as micro USB, so I wish they'd used that instead.

I do find myself listening to more music with Bluetooth and wouldn't go back to headphones on the bike, it's so much easier at each end than having to plug in & route cables.
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Currently riding; 1991 Yamaha XJ900F

[PT1989]

Also worth mentioning, if you decide to go for one of the £20-50 ebay options, go for one that someone has actually recommended, you've been recommended a couple so far, I'm sure more will follow.

Reason for this being a lot of them are shite. "Waterproof" is often water resistant ish. Some of them come with absolutely enormous speakers, they will slowly crush your skull on a long journey. And before you go anywhere, give it a good tug on the helmet, make sure the clamp is secure enough. Otherwise the first time you hit a pothole it's gonna fall off, and if the cable is secure it will try and take your ear off with it!
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Currently riding; 1991 Yamaha XJ900F

[kramdra]

Very tempting but I know I couldnt live with in-helmet speakers - id have to chop my earphones cable to fit.

[BigDan1190]

I've had this problem in the past, and have found that the only pair that ticks all the boxes, is a little known Chinese company called SoundMagic.

Google SoundMagic PL30s, they're about £30 or so, when you get them - use the foam ear pieces rather than the rubber ones. They are so good because they are really flat against the ear (so don't get pushed in by your helmet), the foam is super comfortable and blocks out extra bike noise, the wire goes up and over your ear by design (which keeps it tidy and unlikely to pull your earphone out when putting your helmet on), and they're actually really good quality soundwise. Great bass.

A handy hint is to wear a thin neck tube over your head/ears. Helps your helmet slip over the ears without pulling anything or making them uncomfortable.

Enjoy!

EDIT: Forgot to note about durability. These are by far the best set of earphones I've ever come across - my current pair is three years old. Has been through the washing machine TWICE. Absolutely nothing wrong with them. So epic.

[_Iain_]

I buy whatevers cheapest and looks like this;

https://ipods.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Skullcandy-Ink.jpg

Where the back part is so tiny it doesn't catch on the lid & thus doesn't hurt or irritate. I use £2 tesco own brand thingys as I refuse to pay the extra for pretty coloured Skullcandy.

https://www.thebestearbuds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/earbuds.jpg

Ones like this are shit as the "Tail" digs into the helmet liner and irritates.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[map]

If going for in-ear see also this recent thread on making them earplugs with putty. I believe they stay in place easier too.

...or from here

[iooi]

[natefz6]

+1 for Sound Magic I have the e10m that work as a headset with mic etc.

The work really well round town but at speed (80+) they can cut in and out a little, not quite worked out what it is but I think its something to do with wind hitting the mic part.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"