Loudest/best sounding A2DP bluetooth helmet device

[Dan K]

I currently love my parrot sk4000, but it's a bit quiet on the highways.  Enough so that the features don't make up for the lack of sound.

SO - what helmet phone/music system (don't need intercom) provides the clearest, loudest sound?  I'd love to not have to max out the volume, with out without ear plugs.  (Yes, my hearing is fine).

I just don't like ear buds with a helmet on.  Never been too comfortable that route, but I acknowledge that solves the problem.

Would love opinions - I like my riding, even more so with music.

- Dan

[Cablebandit]

I just don't like ear buds with a helmet on.  Never been too comfortable that route, but I acknowledge that solve's the problem.


- Dan

You've answered your own question.  Find a pair that fit and get used to them.  I set the volume in the garage and never have to raise it regardless of speed.

[Dan K]

Would like a wireless solution. I do errands on the bike, get on and off.a lot, prefer no wires.

[Cablebandit]

Goldwing with a stereo?  

[Dan K]

It's definitely a wireless option.  

But I was thinking high volume bluetooth....

- Dan

[cognosticator]

The new Sena SMH10 should do the trick

[Rincewind]

My Blueant F4 is plenty loud.  I'd read the webbikeworld reviews.  As I recall, the latest Sena model has gotten good marks in sound quality.

[Cablebandit]

Also look into a quieter helmet, and make sure not to use earplugs with a 36db rating.

[Dan K]

Also look into a quieter helmet, and make sure not to use earplugs with a 36db rating.

I don't even wear plugs on my commute - only longer, dedicated rides.  My Parrot is great, just need to hear it better.

I use it obn my Arai Corsair, which is pretty quiet.  Maybe I'll move it from the Arai to my Scorpion EXO 1000 (that I got for $99!!!) ....see how that works...

Everyone seems to like the Sena, but I don't think it's going to be loud enough.  

- Dan

[Cablebandit]

I have the Sena's but use the earbuds.

I have however tried the speakers in a Shoei RF1100 and Multitec.  The RF1100 was adequate but the Multitec is way to loud to hear anything at speed.

[Dan K]

Can anyone attest to the volume on the Sena being louder than the Interfone f4?

- Dan

[TBone]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/uclear-hbc-100/

They seem to love it.

[HipGnosis]

I have an Acoustic Research ARWH1 Stereo Bluetooth 'Headset'  I use it with my er6i earbuds and pair it with my Nuvi 765t. I listen to the Nuvi directions and music via bluetooth.
The ARWH1 goes in an inner jacket pocket.
I seldom touch the volume after turning it on (and pairing).  It can be louder than I can stand.
They make all kinds of 'tips' for the er6i's.

[bluespecv03]

I can hear my Sena just fine at highway speeds.

[darkstarmoto]

I have the BlueAnt F4 (thanks to Rincewind for the review that convinced me) and have no trouble hearing my music while wearing Hearos NRR22's (and that was while I was riding my Speed with the GP canister exhaust which was ridiculous). Another plus is the battery life (YMMV) I had music playing from the time I left Meadows of Dan VA all the way home to Gap PA and we took a long scenic route of nearly 10 hours ride time.

Very detailed review: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/interphone-f4/

[Dan K]

I have the BlueAnt F4 (thanks to Rincewind for the review that convinced me) and have no trouble hearing my music while wearing Hearos NRR22's (and that was while I was riding my Speed with the GP canister exhaust which was ridiculous). Another plus is the battery life (YMMV) I had music playing from the time I left Meadows of Dan VA all the way home to Gap PA and we took a long scenic route of nearly 10 hours ride time.

Very detailed review: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/interphone-f4/

If I can't figure out a way to get the Parrot sounding better, that's likely the replacement right there.  I just love the features on the Parrot - the handlebar remote control rocks, the voice prompts, it all rocks.

- Dan

[MrMoto]

Also look into a quieter helmet, and make sure not to use earplugs with a 36db rating.

The highest rated earplugs I've found are only 33 db. What are you using that get a 36 db rating?

[Cablebandit]

I'm just making a point.

I use etymotic er6i's so don't need to crank the volume to 120db to hear it through earplugs / wind noise.  

[MrMoto]

I'm just making a point.

I use etymotic er6i's so don't need to crank the volume to 120db to hear it through earplugs / wind noise.  

Thanks for the info.

[John_Atkinson]

I have the Sena's but use the earbuds.

I have however tried the speakers in a Shoei RF1100 and Multitec.  The RF1100 was adequate but the Multitec is way to loud to hear anything at speed.

So the Sena can be used with EITHER the helmet speakers or earbuds?

How big a deal is it to change between the two?

[darkstarmoto]

Another tidbit I noticed on the BAF4, when not listening to anything and the unit is mounted I noticed an increase in wind/turbulence noise on that side. It's not horrible but probably worth mentioning.
The previous version of BA's Interphone didn't have as much noise, I suspect it's because the old version had a more organic rounded form that cut thru the wind better.

[Cablebandit]

It's a separate base for the earbuds.  If you wanted both connected at the same time you'd need to cobble together a splice.  That said it takes me about 30 seconds to put the speaker base and speakers in a helmet.  That all depends on the individual helmet though.  If it has a removable liner it's cake.

[radon222]

Since no one else has mentioned it... I'll ask the stupid question    Have you played around at all with the positioning of the speakers in your helmet?  Getting those suckers lined up with your ear canal is key.  Sometimes moving the speaker just a few millimeters can make a world of difference.

[Dan K]

I did when I installed it, but I can't really remember my entire thought process at the time.  Pretty sure I moved it, within the helmet's ear pockets, as close to my ear canal as I could get it.  Maybe there' a way to get it closer, maybe it's already right on...need to check.

- Dan

[radon222]

I learned that lesson with a set of Motocomm speakers.   I could never get enough volume out of them in the first helmet I had them in and resorted to trying boostero's etc to amplify the sound.   When I had to swap them into a new helmet (same make and model as previous) I quite by accident get the speakers positioned in the sweet spot.....and nearly blew out my ear drums the first time I pumped music into them...

And hey at this point....it doesn't cost ya anything right?