[Torque-ative]

I would highly recommend the "Cardo Pactalk" JBL Version , crystal clear sound, both for Comms and Music. Great Battery life too. Been using it for 2 years now.

[SJ410]

Try the Bose Quiet Comfort 20. Pretty steep on the price but nothing can match it out there.

[anshumandun]

This is probably the most expensive solution. Get a BMW 1600GTL and enjoy the lovely symphony of the inline 6 engine plus the music from the factory fit audio system.

[tweaker]

Although I would agree with fellow bhpians here and advise against using any earphones during riding, if you absolutely have to get a pair, do check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live. I have a pair and don't usually recommend it due to its pairing issues with Windows laptops but for your particular use-case these might be a good fit.

Pros:
1. Size. They sit neatly in the contours of your ears which makes it easier to wear a helmet.
2. They don't block the ambient sound since these do not go inside your ear canals. They are more of open back earphones similar to wired apple earpods.
3. Pretty good sound quality for the type of earphones that they are. They pump out good bass even though they are not the isolating types.
4. Work seamlessly with any phone (iOS or Android).

Cons:
1. The noise cancellation tech is a joke. Since they don't seal your ears, the noise cancellation doesn't work as intended.
2. The fit is a hit or miss. My ears pained for a week because of the design.
3. Not the best connection stability. Tried running with these on and there were frequent dropouts. Shouldn't be a concern when riding though.

[shabih]

Here's a personal recommendation - try the Jays - a-Six wireless. It's so tiny in size yet so well balanced & neutral in sound quality. Once inside your ear, there is no way that putting on the helmet will slip it unless you deliberately pull it out.

The only downside is that the microphone picks up a whole lot of ambient noise and the person on the other end of a telephone call will hear only wind-noise. I usually have to stop and take calls for better communication (without taking the helmet off).

The other reason I prefer this over any truly wireless earphone is that this one has a remote dangling outside of your helmet to control your music on the go. And it lets traffic noise in just enough for you to not be completely unaware of your surroundings. Been using it for the past 5 years and have no regrets.

[Stribog]

Originally Posted by Deeps

Try wearing a balaclava under the helmet. Thats what'll solve the problem with earphones getting displaced while putting on or removing the helmet. It'll also be beneficial to absorb dust and grime. I was never able to use a helmet without a balaclava once i started using one.

This is the right answer folks,

Balaclava + wired in ears = you can save a lot of money on whatever alternative solution you think of.

I have one of those Decathlon do-rags round my neck and pull it up to my face, and have the earphones (wired) worn inside of it, and then comes the Balaclava on top.

No sweaty / stinking helmets, dust pollution is almost negligble when you breathe and earphones are both snug and filter out most of the sounds.

I listen to podcasts with these on and never faced a problem.

Edit -

OP I saw you asking for Balaclava recos, I use 2,

BYKEIT Balaclavas and random cotton ones I get off Amazon, both work well.

I do prefer White ones as I look like Storm Shadow from GiJoe though

[Warlock]

Have had the experience (a few times) of the police stopping a rider playing music from a Harley Boom Audio System on a faired touring bike. It does happen, so a speaker system (even if it comes stock) can attract attention better avoided.

I think the Sena 20S Evo is better than the 30k (which I now use) and the 50. Principally because the 30K and 50 seem to be more limited in terms of connecting with others on the 20s. If the aim is music, then you don't feel like you are paying too much more for communication.

I've always worn a balaclava on rides. For all the reasons mentioned on this thread - filters dust, keeps the helmet smelling fresh longer, and also because it holds my earplugs in. I use No Noise earplugs and have found them to be wonderful. Keeps the wind noise out, but does not hamper either the Sena or the audio cues you get in traffic of things happening around you as you ride. My favourite has been the Dainese Balaclava, but I did have good experiences with the Le Gear balaclava from Amazon.

One caveat before I go, I don't listen to music on rides other than very short breakfast rides. I find it distracting and the fidelity is never as good as the car stereo. I do however ride with groups that use the Sena, and frankly, some really long hauls (like rides to Calcutta and Jaisalmer) have been made much richer because of the banter over the airwaves as we rode.

[nutcracker]

Originally Posted by Warlock

I think the Sena 20S Evo is better than the 30k (which I now use) and the 50.

What difference is there in terms for sound quality for music between the 20s and 50? Also, is the 20s really that that bad for music? I'd like to know more on how it sounds.

I tried my Shure SE846 with a balaclava and it does make a hell of a difference! I used the pictured SpinFit tips (great tips for in-ears, the difference in fidelity and getting a seal is day and night versus silicon or olive tips). With the balaclava I was able to get a good seal. And when I removed the helmet, they kind of stayed in their place and didn't scrape off my ears!



The great thing about the Shures is they're high impedance cans so they're pretty sensitive. They sound amazing on low volume. I use a maximum of 40-50% volume on my iPhone with the Shure Se846. With something like Sennheiser HD650 even 100% sounds incredibly muffled. In the Shure, the sound maintains details even on low volumes, and I can hear horns/beeps from the street. Still, this level of isolation I think is dangerous for the highway. If I bump up the volume I wont be able to hear any external sounds, including horns.

Still, the earphones will work just perfect if I use them to listen to podcasts and similar content. For music, they're too risky I suppose, as I've been warned in this thread. One never knows what might happen next on a sub-urban Indian street.

I'll use this set up for a couple of days and see how it works out. If it doesn't, the 20s/50s it is. I get the benefit of using Voice Commands and taking calls. Let that not take away from the fact the music is the still the more important aspect I am seeking than voice commands and calls.

[VijayAnand1]

Personally, not a big of listening to music while riding. The stakes are way too high, especially in India, barring highways where there is nothing but straight smooth roads as far as one can look. Listening to music in a car is comparatively different than doing the same riding a motorcycle. Situational awareness and mindfulness are 2x required while riding when compared to driving.

The mind is already pre-occupied with so many judgmental and instinctal moves, music can unknowingly overwhelm these finer senses and cause adrift. I have personally experienced this. YMMV.

Nothing wrong per se listening to music while riding, the key is being mindful and situationally aware, which music does to cause to adrift.

Cheers!
VJ

[Warlock]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

What difference is there in terms for sound quality for music between the 20s and 50? Also, is the 20s really that that bad for music? I'd like to know more on how it sounds.

Hi, I haven't yet experienced the 50k / 50S yet. Though I couldn't really make out the difference between the 20S Evo and 30K. In some instances, I actually thought the 20S Evo was louder (but maybe I just owned it for longer and hence was biased). On the 20S Evo, I thought the music sounded just fine, and I'd probably suggest this if communication (and Mesh) is not a big consideration.

[rahul4321]

I have done my 40 thousand kilometers on my 3 motorcycles using light music played in ear. Since my playlist is heavily curated and I only listen to the 200 songs which I know by heart, I don't need loud volume as I am not listening to the songs or the lyrics. I already know the beats and lyrics by heart. I just need to hear a little bit of music at low levels to keep me humming inside my helmet.

Even a short burst of a Splendor Horn in the traffic behind me is completely audible at the volume I listen to. The low level music is not enough to fill up my ears -but it's just enough to fill up my head and keep me humming. And since I already know the songs by heart - the low volume beats I have heard hundreds of times earlier are more than enough to keep me humming away in the background. I do this because an empty mind is a devil's workshop and my workshop is pretty ummm... atmanirbhar so I always try to give my mind something to do

I use Sony Wi-C300 headphones connected via bluetooth to my phone as well as my dashboard.

Change songs, skip songs, Pause, Play increase/decrease volume, pick up calls - I can do everything on the KTM. On the Electra and the Himalayan - It's a different matter altogether

[poised2drive]

I am not sure if it suits you, but https://www.amazon.in/Bose-Soundwear.../dp/B0791CKXD9 ( Bose Soundwear ) offers the same purpose for me while I ride my bike , without the danger of muting out the surroundings.

Bose Soundwear is a wearable speaker which can be worn worn around neck and the quality of the sound is quite "Bosish" ( Deep and Rich) . Of course, since they are not in-ear pieces, you'd not get that feel , but suffice to say it caters to the need of listening to music while riding !

I am not sure about its performance on high speeds , but at around 70-80 kmph, they are loud enough . I must say they are perfect on bikes and are quite sturdily built .

Further, these are a boon in the office too where we can listen to the music while working without muting the surroundings .

[nutcracker]

I think I have found the perfect solution, but this solution works with Shure IEMs only.

I was doing some research and came across the Shure True Wireless Secure Fit Adapter.



This will fit my Shure SE846 perfectly, since they come with removable cables.
It's amazing how Shure managed to give a true wireless solution for audiophile listening. The SE846 was launched around 10 years ago, and I purchased it 3 years ago. Now I can simply convert it to True Wireless, and if desired, I can use it cabled. This level of modularity even when the entire technology has changed is amazing.

An off topic note: high end IEMs do not depreciate in value. When Shure launched the Se846 10 years back, its price was $1000. Even today, if you look at the Shure website, its price is $1000. Amazing!

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

I think I have found the perfect solution, but this solution works with Shure IEMs only.

I was doing some research and came across the Shure True Wireless Secure Fit Adapter.

25k? Did I get that right? Goddamn! And the earphones are extra.

Let us know how this works out.

[DH82 Tiger Moth]

Hey Nutcraker,

I feel you man! I've been looking for a solution too and when I saw this thread I was excited. Unfortunately, I've been staying away from the Sena's and other motorcycle communication systems because of the same reason. Sound quality. I personally prefer sound with more of the lows (bass) because of the type of music I listen to and here is what I have as a solution that works for me.

Totally agree with the others on the awareness part, music at volumes where it cuts out the ambient noise totally can get you into some really dicey situations. So please proceed with caution and safety.

1. Wired solution - After destroying several pairs of headphones, believe it or not, I've actually settled in on the AKG wired in ear phones that were provided with my samsung s10. They're not the greatest with sound quality and such but they are far better than any of the mc communication systems and it also has a mic that when hidden under my jacket seems to carry my voice pretty well when talking or receiving a call.

2. Bluetooth - I use a sol republic that seems to fit perfectly.

The tricks that helped it work. I happened to find several sets of earplug seals of different sizes with a friend and chose ones that gave me the best seal and fit for my ears. It's worth hunting for a pair that gives you a good fit.

I also try to wear a balaclava as much as possible so that my earphones stay in place and I've found it really helps the helmet slide over smoothly too without breaking the seal. The downside however is that you always spend a bit more time adjusting yoru helmet and balaclava when putting it on.

Music volume - personally and agreeing with the safety gurus, I have settled in on a volume that I'm comfortable with in terms of hearing the music as well as letting enough ambient noise in so that it gives me some awareness of vehicles around me. Mind you, awareness is still compromised but at least you fins a happy medium that allows you to enjoy music too.

Unfortunately there isn't anything out there for us audiophiles in terms of a helmet with great speakers as yet or maybe I just haven't researched enough!

Hope this helps you. Safe rides, brother.