Tunes

[tkm]

I'm thinking of adding a little music to my ride by way of helmet mounted earphones. Problem is I don't have any experience with anything like this and was wondering if anyone out there might be able to give me some advice on the subject.

[TicTac50]

I like to ride with the tunes too and had a really hard time setting it up right. First, I got an Apple IPOD which came with the really flimsy earphones. I spent another 50 bucks for the sony earphones, the ones that go into your ear canal. It worked fine but the wire became completely striped just after one trip to the Rally. I have tried many things and finally I think I got it right. I was at the TARGET store and stumble upon Philips Headset model SHS5200. Since it is rated at 106db/100mlv, for $14.99 http://www.consumer.philips.com/consume ... S_CONSUMER
I've decided to take a plunge. I cut the plastic band of the headset and left only wire and 2 speakers. I installed the speakers into my Nolan 102 helmet. It worked fine in the house but on the road I needed more power. Radio Shack sells the Boostaroo for $29.99, which doubles the sound volume. Now I have less buffering in the helmet and the sound is really nice.
Good luck.

[Canyon Runner]

I have a feeling you can run a HUGE gamut with respect to this issue, and I am sure others have a lot of valuable motorcycle specific advice on integrating the sound system. But as someone who makes their living around audio, I have a couple of ideas and cautions to offer....

First the idea...

http://www.bigearinc.com/index.cfm?fa=m ... &prod_id=6

This company was at an event at my BMW dealership. I must admit that I haven't used their product, but the rep described their line, which runs from the run of the mill single transducer per ear earpiece that is commonly found (except theirs is isolating and made to be under a helmet), to custom molds that are triamplified (seperate tranducer (or reproduction element responsible for) low, mid, and high frequencies.) He sounded knowledgeable, which was a pleasant surprise. I don't know if the same could be said of this company in your nick of the woods.

These devices, or course, also run a wide range of prices. There are actually quite a few companies that do this out there, I imagine. And I believe there are some helmets wired specifically for sound, although I don't know any names or model numbers, etc.

I don't actually ride with tunes (yet)... I still consider myself in the range of rider that needs all of his attention on the task at hand. But I do use hearing protection on longer runs, as the wind noise at 80 mph over several hours is fatiguing to mechanics of our hearing system, and I need mine for a while yet.

Which brings me to the advice part. If you have the money to invest, I would consider some sort of custom mold, or higher quality earpiece that has the dual characteristics of isolating your ears from external noise AS WELL AS providing you with music for your ride. Some may object and say that is crazy (why isolate yourself further?) but I would argue that people who want to hear their tunes are going to turn them up over the noise level, no matter what the noise level is.

So, the equation is basically whether you are turning up the music to overpower the background (wind, etc) noise without any isolation, or if you are first knocking down the wind noise to a more reasonable level with custom molds (or at least earphones with an isolation characteristic), and then turning the music up above that. The difference can be quite a few dB, and that can translate into a longer time frame before you start to experience ear fatigue in the short time frame, and hearing damage in the long.

Please forgive the emphatic reply, especially since I can't speak directly to your set up question, but my passion comes from experiencing the world of in ear stage monitors (for bands, etc), where a lot of the same arguments hold true. And musicians (as should we all be) are increasingly concerned about their hearing. As another idea, here is a site for Shure, which has a few "pro" earphone types on it... pricy, but robust:

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/ ... /index.htm

If you ever have a chance to hear them ( or some like them) you will never want to go back to "standard" plugs. I'm not sure what music you listen to, but the money spent here will buy levels of fidelity well beyond the average mini earplug. You might even find yourself listening to them at home.

Another positive of the custom molds (even if you don't get amplified custom molds) is that they generally attenuate sound in a fairly even manner with respect to frequency. A lot of the foam type ear plugs have a very uneven frequency response with respect to attenuation, which can result in an unpleasant pscho acoustical environment for the wearer, or, worst case, frequency specific fatigue and, unchecked over a long period of time, possible damage.

Of course, all of these things are more expensive than the equipment you will find easily at the local electronics store, which will also do the job. Tic Tac has an interesting mod in that the speakers don't sound to be directly in the ear canal, whch can be better in terms of amplitude, but still has the lack of isolation challenge. It would be interesting to know how loud his highway setting sounds when he is at home.

Anyway, whatever you choose to blast the tunes in, I would suggest considering figuring out something that also locks a little bit of the road and wind out. Just so you can still hear the roar of the crowd in 20 years, you know?



Just 0.02.

[RRDallas]

I have tried many in-ear headphones, and Shure is by far the best. They have several different models, probably ranging from about $100-$150 on the low end to about $450-$500 on the high end. The cord is sturdy and plenty long, and they come with several ear covers of different sizes and materials so that you can find the right fit and feel.

Just be careful. I always worry that loud tunes in your ears might distract you or cause you to miss some audible warning.

[towerworker]

Canyon Runner--

My thanks for the informative and well thought out reply! I too enjoy listening to music while riding especially on long rides. I last year bought a decent mp3 player and have been using Koss Ear Plugs ($20) which work very well and do a good job of keeping road noise out too. But will not stay in my ear with pulling on a full face helmet. I wear a trooper style for the summer and full face when temps cool off. (I know I will get some flak for that from some members of this board)

I have another pair of Koss ear speakers that are foam covered and would clip over the ear. I removed the clips and installed them into my full face helmet by pulling the lower padding and fabric out and installing the speakers into the ear depression itself. (under the fabric) I still have some adjusting to do but I think it will be a workable solution.

For what it's worth---I have a friend who rides BMW's and is a Va State Trooper. He told me that ear phones while driving or riding a bike are not legal in Va. Helmet speakers are ok however. He runs speakers in his helmet while riding. What the chances are of getting pulled for running ear phones I don't know. Probably minimal but it may add an additional ticket if you're pulled for another violation.

I'm sure the options you have mentioned are probably the best but too pricey for my budget.

Wayne
04r

[WileyRufus]

When I listen to music while riding, I've been using the Shure E2C earplugs with an iPod. They block the wind and buffetting noise pretty well. as far as volume goes, I set the iPod volume about the same as if I was in the house, about 1/8th of the range. I can hear the music well enough, and still hear car tires coming up behind me, so I don't think there is too much isolation from trafic noise. I paid $62.00 for the Shures from a web site, if I remember right, was discountearphones.com.
Jerry

[Max Continuous]

It has been my experience that any sort of earbud will not work as it is a pain getting them positioned while putting on a helmet.

I use these http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

Comparable to the Shure E2C which is also a quality earphone.

They are great and sit in the ear canal without protruding outside the ear. You can actually lie on your side with your head on a pillow without any conflict.

Sound quality is great and I gottem on ebay for about $60

[tkm]

Thanks all for the very informative replyes. I think I will try some helmet speakers to start with. Riding with ear buds is not legal here in Ca and I need to be aware of my surroundings while riding in traffic. Being an old fuddy duddy I'm afraid that I don't have a clue as to what I-pods and mp-3 players do hoping some one can enlighten me on that subject as well.

[Canyon Runner]

Over simplification for the sake of clarity... I can provide more resolution if you would like:

IPods are a specific kind of media playback device, made by the Apple computer corporation.

MP3 player is a generic name for a similiar device.

These are the devices that are used to store and playback the music files that you have. So, as opposed to radio (broadcast) these devices are more along the lines of what used to be the Walkmans of the world (portable tape decks or CD players), where you bring along recorded tunes to play back. You could probably work toward a radio rig as well, but I would not be the one to ask.

MP3 is a specific kind of compressed data file that is commonly used for storing and playing back audio. There are a lot of programs that allow you to copy your CD's to MP3 format, or you can download MP3 files directly from the net.

Most folks are carrying their own tunes with them, these days, I think, as opposed to dealing with antennas, etc. But it can be done, I am sure.

Cheers!

[Max Continuous]

Ear plug type music phones will no doubt reduce the outside noise you hear. Some would say that in itself, reduces your situational awareness. I would buy that because when I started wearing just ordinary ear plugs, I was concerned about reducing the ability of one of my bodies defense senses.

I quickly found however, that I adapted my riding style. With reduced hearing, I do a lot more looking around, which is a good thing.

When I introduced music, I kept it at a very low volume and still do. Just enough so I could have someone sing to me rather than me singing to myself!

I have an intercom with speakers in my headset but the volume must be increased substantially to overcome all the road and wind noise. The sum of that equation is a very loud helmet. So when I am solo, it is the ipod and ear phones for me. I can still hear ok but without all the noise. I find also that you can really " feel " the bike too.

It is purely a personal thing and this topic could be debated for quite awhile with good arguments on both sides. Try it with helmet speakers and try riding with ear plugs. Only you will know what best fits your comfort level.

So is riding with ear protection illegal in California? Or is it the music that makes it illegal?

[tkm]

Thanks again for the input guys. I have quite a collection of CD's and cassette tapes so I might go with the mp 3 player so I can record onto that. Wearing earplugs of any sort while driving or riding is indeed illegal in CA though most cops will look the other way if its just for hearing protection.
Keep the shiny side up.

[Sunbeemer]

tkm - I have been considering adding tunes to my ride for quite some time now, but was concerned about the excessively loud noise levels required to overcome the wind noise I experience on my RR. I agree with Canyon Runner and Max Continuous about the need to isolate the music from the road & wind noise to allow lower listening volumes, and believe it will save your hearing. I use ear plugs when ridiing above 50 mph to preserve my hearing because if I don't, my ears start ringing - tinnitus - and it's a harbinger of permanent hearing loss. Try to keep it down!

[NCPadgett]

I just started listening to my iPod a couple months ago, and I really enjoy the ride more. The biggest problem I have is keeping the earphone in when I put on the helmet. Before the iPod was earplugs, so I wasnt concerned about the reduction in "traffic" noise.

[snowprick]

The biggest problem I have is keeping the earphone in when I put on the helmet.

Put the earphones on and then tape over your ear with Duct Tape. Pull on the helmet and off you go.

[tkm]

I don't know if I'd want to put duct tape on my ear.

[Just-Beeming]

I agree with the whole situational awareness thing.

BUT....

I crank it.
Well, not to a blaring level but plenty loud enough.
I sing along, I nod my head, I dance in the saddle. I rock out.
I carry a monster remote for pausing if I need to have my attention
re-directed..ie gas stops, conversations etc.

I can still hear traffic some but Music overrides that low level droning tone that lulls the brain to sleep. I have less drowsiness with music playing.
I believe it makes me a better rider. I am more in tune with what I feel than what I hear.

I wear the custom molded kind of plugs that ear inc sells. I got them at a rally from Arizona Al.
Spendy yes. But worth it.
As for the ear plugs poppping out. Wear a slick over the whole system. Your helmet will glide over the slick and leave the plugs alone.


The next best thing next to riding a motorcycle is riding one with music..The ride becomes the music, the music becomes the ride.

OH and if you ever ride accross Iowa and Nebraska in a day and half.... ...you need audio books on ipod. It will save your sanity.

JB

[The Velvet Monkey]

I've been using the Shure E2c earbuds with my Ipod everyday for several years now and really like the Shure sound isolating system. The Shure buds have small replaceable (if they get ganky) buds that you compress and place in your ear canal. Like foam ear plugs, they expand in your canal to isolate exterior noises. To keep the buds in my ear when I put on my helmet, I use a silk helmet liner that covers my ears.

My only issue is that the volume on the Ipod is impossible to adjust (for me at least) once I'm underway. I'm also a little worried about the cummulative effect of using the earbuds. Even with the isolating effect of the earbuds, I still need to turn the volume up a little more than if I was sitting in my living room. Even using the best ear plugs I've noticed that there is still quite a bit of wind noise or vibration that effects your hearing. I really try to keep it at the minimum possible volume.

[Rockosmith]

I have tried several kinds of earbud speakers including custom molded (very pricey) but have for the last 18 months been very happy with my current setup of XM playing through a Mix-It2 amplifier to helmet speakers from Cycle Gadgets.com. To combat hearing loss, I always use inexpensive foam ear plugs. I have found that with this setup, a comfortable volume while stopped is still usable up to about 80 mph. Any faster than that--rarely--I do have to turn the volume up some. Also, the Mix-It2 has inputs for three other sources...GPS, radar detector etc.

[Gary C]

I'm going to hijack this thread just a little. I am curious to those that have intercom systems in their helmets. Do you ride with ear plugs in? If you do, and if you want to listen to music, do you use a device to boost the signal?

I realize that it is counterintuitive to try to protect your ears only to require to boost another noise so you can hear it.

Cheers