Earbuds and helmet?

[DrD]

I see different threads recommending different earbuds.  I have two pair, but I don't use them for riding since neither pair will stay in my ears when I put on my helmet.

Which ones stay in place better?  Or is there a technique one must master?

Also, with ear plugs connected by a cord, whenever the cords is rubbed I hear the sound clearly and it is irritating.  Do the earbuds isolate the cords sufficiently?

[garry]

I've had good luck with the Etymotic Labs ER-6i (discontinued now I think). They stay put and isolate a reasonable amount of wind noise, but not as well as a good foam ear plug IMO. They get buried pretty deep into the ear, so that's probably why they stay put when taking the helmet on/off.

TBH, I don't use them much more unless I know I have many miles of boring riding ahead of me and would like some music to help pass the time.

[three west]

Get yourself a helmet liner, that's what I use when I wear buds to keep them in place

Edit: and by buds I totally mean "in-ear speakers"

[Kootenanny]

I use "sound cancelling" earbuds as hearing protection...yeah, not as good as proper earplugs, but I route my detector tones through them.  I found that if I loop the wires over my ears, although the wires come off when I put on the helmet, there is still enough slack that they don't pull or rub on the helmet.  Works pretty good.

You do have to have pretty low profile earbuds, though.  I've tried some that just didn't work at all with the helmet.

[Dan K]

Get a flip face helmet you can stretch to the sides when putting it on over your ear buds.

- Dan

[HipGnosis]

It also helps to tilt the helmet a bit when putting it on.
That is, hold the right side (for example) slightly lower than the left side.  Hold the right side away from your head & ear as you lower the helmet over/past your right ear.
Then hold the left side of the helmet furthest away...

[Squareman357]

I wear a pair of Shure noise cancelling ear buds that have a very low profile.  I also wear an Under Armor liner pulled slightly down over my ears and makes everything fit nicely.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I use a set of Shures also.  Great headphones and they block out as much noise as my foamie ear plugs do.  It also lets me actually understand podcasts and whatnot when riding down the road.

[cyjo]

In addition to type look for some with interchangeable earpieces. I have small ear canals so I use the smallest set that come with any set I buy. I had the er-6i's but they bit the dust long ago. I replaced them with various less-expensive editions and believe it or not my favorite set is skull-candy. The place that holds the speaker/magnets/whatever is very low profile and they came with different earpieces. Over time I have mastered the technique of pulling the helmet on a certain way but more recently I switched to these:

http://www.lg.com/us/cell-phone-accessories/lg-HBS700-tone

I got them more for off the bike but I find the controls are reachable with gloves and less wires to deal with and on Amazon they are less than $40. Since my music source is now my phone instead of my old click wheel ipod (stolen) I can now more easily skip songs and change volume.

[DrD]

I bought the Etymotic mc5.  With the foam tips on them they fit well.  Not as much wind noise reduction as the orange, foam ear plugs, but the sound is a lot better then the helmet speakers.  Oh, and they are short enough that my helmet goes on with no problem.

Next, a remote control for the iPhone.....  

[hexkopf]

I rock these. Cannot be beaten for the price:

http://www.klipsch.com/image-s4-black-in-ear-headphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/klipsch-image-s4-ii/4505-7877_7-35414226.html

[Flyer]

I've been using Etymotic HF2 for a while now, and while the barrels are somewhat longer than the ER6i, they still fit well under my HJC modular.
Next up, I'm planning on trying these RHA MA450i in ear 'phones, with shorter barrels, and for much less cash than the HF2.
http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/reviews/rha-ma450i-in-ear-headphones-review/

[FJR_ski]

I use S-plug.  They work perfect.

[cyjo]

Flyer reminded me as well that I have a modular helmet so with the face up I can pull the sides away a bit to get some more clearance. More than anything that helps with keeping them in. Experiment with different techniques putting the lid on. I get the sound from vibration as well but I also find that is when the wires are tight. make sure you have some slack and I run them under my jacket to keep them out of the wind.

[endo]

Hmmm, I used to use cheap earbuds and replaced the foam with some of those expanding foam earplugs.  I'd heat a nail on the stove burner and then poke it through the center of the earplug so it would fit the earbud.  Really, it worked great and they were easily replaced.  Now I have an Autocom system with speakers installed in the helmet.

[Carbidetech]

I rock these. Cannot be beaten for the price:

http://www.klipsch.com/image-s4-black-in-ear-headphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/klipsch-image-s4-ii/4505-7877_7-35414226.html

+100 on these puppies!

[Fudge]

I rock these. Cannot be beaten for the price:

http://www.klipsch.com/image-s4-black-in-ear-headphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/klipsch-image-s4-ii/4505-7877_7-35414226.html

I tried these, but I find the Etymotics are considerably quieter.  Could be the fit in my ears, but for me the noise isolation from Etymotics is the best.

[Flyer]

I wonder if the Ety flanged eartips (that seal very well) would fit the barrel of the (unflanged) Klipschs?

[hexkopf]

I tried these, but I find the Etymotics are considerably quieter.  Could be the fit in my ears, but for me the noise isolation from Etymotics is the best.

Yeah what I did was to push the eartips all the way down on the barrel or stem of the earbud. Klipsch says to just push them on about half the way. Then I seat the earbud in the ear canal and seat them into the ear. Works pretty good.

I picked up a new pair last week because I broke my old ones. One nice plus on the new ones especially with a helmet is that the wires are now flat as opposed to round like standard wires.

[builderwill]

Use any pair of ear buds that are comfortable and buy some of this:

http://www.gemplers.com/product/211741-PNK/Radians-Reusable-Custom-Fit-Earplugs?gclid=CKas97aey7QCFYxaMgodb1MAeg&sku=211741-PNK&CID=25SEPLA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=211741&ef_id=UJhoJgAAACHE13OP20130103032434s

Blocks out noise and keeps the ear piece securely in place. I make sure that the frist 1/2 inch of wire gets molded into the silicone to keep them from ever pulling loose. My first pair lasted 2 years. I also use a helmet liner and keeps them even more secure.

[Hickey]

I use S-plug.  They work perfect.

I've tried several different brands and styles, none were as comfortable for me as the S-Plug. I miss the set I wore out.

[Mac]

I've tried several different brands and styles, none were as comfortable for me as the S-Plug. I miss the set I wore out.

I also like the s-plug. Too bad they're so expensive.

[lablank]

I rock these. Cannot be beaten for the price:

http://www.klipsch.com/image-s4-black-in-ear-headphones

http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/klipsch-image-s4-ii/4505-7877_7-35414226.html

+1

[lablank]

I also like the s-plug. Too bad they're so expensive.

How is sound quality?