What kind of headphones (earbuds) do you use when riding?

AL3RT

AL3RT

Well-known member
Forum Sponsor
What kind of headphones do you use when you ride? For inside a helmet and for music that is.
Earbuds or in-ear headphones? Noise cancelling or noise reduction? What brands?

I myself tried over a dosen different ones. Still searching for a perfect set...
 
What have you tried and what are the reasons for them not working?

I've got a pair of noise isolating ear buds from monoprice that sound great for $10 ear buds, but the design is too big and it hurts like hell when I take my helmet off to quickly and not carefully.

In the meantime I'm using the ear buds that came with my wife's Samsung S4. They don't have much bass, but sound reasonable and block out a lot of wind/motor noise -- at least until I find something better.
 
I've tried many and am still looking too. The apple ones work ok. I'd love to find an over the ear set but all the ones I've tried are impossible to keep on while putting your lid on. Sucks
 
The newer iPhone 5 apple earbuds are a different design than previous. Fit most ears better. Much better sound. Great $35 earbuds.
 
jvc air cushion earbuds, are really good. they are flat and sound good. I am far from an audiophile, but I can tell skullcandy sucks :)

41EyEZHlhpL._AA300_.jpg
 
My main concern is the sound quality. I'm picky about it.
A lot of earbuds can't handle higher frequencies due to cheap materials used. And a handful of those that can - unable to deliver deep bass.

Ergonomics are important too. The design must be somewhat flush enough to fit and stay intact inside the helmet, even if pulled by the cord.
And features like integrated volume controls and a mic - would be nice to have.
 
BTW anyone experience weird sound problems with iphones and headphones that have a microphone?
 
daught said:
BTW anyone experience weird sound problems with iphones and headphones that have a microphone?
Click to expand...

Yep. The odd time it's almost "muted" gets very quiet even at full volume. Unplug headphones for a second. Plug back in and start your mp3 again and all is well. Happens all the time to me :dontknow:
 
113d_klipsch_s4_series2_earbuds.jpg


comply-foam-tips-with-ue10.jpg


Klipsch S4i with Comply Foam Tips. Can't recommend these enough. They are in ears that block out sound very well, but don't have much trouble hearing things like sirens and stuff. Stay fit and snug in the helmet perfectly and I don't need to blast my mp3 player to hear my music. The remote is also great for adjusting volume and skipping tracks. Not too hard to find the IEMs for under 60$ and the tips for around 10.
 
JBL Reference. I've used them for the past 3 years as i bought two sets after finding I liked the first pair (I beleive they've changed them now though).

I may order a pair of the Klipsch though to have on hand as I'd like as I'd like something with the remote buttons on it.

I need good sound as well but I'm hard on earbuds so I weigh price/longetivity and go with $100 options.
 
Last edited:
daught said:
jvc air cushion earbuds, are really good. they are flat and sound good. I am far from an audiophile, but I can tell skullcandy sucks :)

41EyEZHlhpL._AA300_.jpg
Click to expand...


These JVC HA-FX67 are amazing. (Discontinued)
The comply foam suggested above is a must.


I use these headphones for any type of activity. (Gym, Ride, Rollerblade, Run...)

Jaybird Bluebuds X - Lifetime warranty - Bluetooth - $169
shift-premium-bluetooth-audio.png
 
Last edited:
By far the best in the market for riding. etymotic ER 6-i. The only issue is that they're discontinued now. Been using them for the past 5 years with my somewhat loud Shark helmet.
er6i-side_old.jpg
.

A little on the pricey side, but check out their selection if you really want to get the most out of your music while riding.
http://www.etymotic.com/
 
I just bought the $125 klipsch? They sound realy good, noise cancellation, there like ear plugs! Also for $39 I got a 2 year over the counter warranty, even if I rip the earbud off remivibg my helmet its covered

It also has a lot if controles with just 1 buttin and made for android.

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk
 
Slao great sound quality for phone calls for me and the caller. Good up to abput 125 kmh

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk
 
Shouldn't the sound around you be your main concern? You know your rpms dropping when your rear end locks up, rpms jumping when you hit something slick and the rear is spinning, sound of gravel hitting your fenders etc... firetruck, ambulance, idiot next to you coming just a little too close for comfort?

By listening to music you eliminate all of the above early warnings and then some...
Plus whats the point of a full exhaust and a custom tune when you're listening to music while riding?
 
Paul1000RR said:
Shouldn't the sound around you be your main concern? You know your rpms dropping when your rear end locks up, rpms jumping when you hit something slick and the rear is spinning, sound of gravel hitting your fenders etc... firetruck, ambulance, idiot next to you coming just a little too close for comfort?

By listening to music you eliminate all of the above early warnings and then some...
Plus whats the point of a full exhaust and a custom tune when you're listening to music while riding?
Click to expand...

Good point, hearing what's around you is a must to survive.
All of the earbuds I've tried so far allowed me to hear things like sirens, honking and a random chick screaming in my passenger seat. As far as RPMs go - I feel them through vibration allright.

Being alert is one thing, but then riding under your favorite tunes makes a day a whole lot better! :thumbup:
 
For those that want to reduce the decibles without stuffing ear plugs, there are non-audio buds available that cut out the super highs and lows, while still being able to hear a conversation--for musicians and those that attend big concerts often (beit working at venues or otherwise).

I have a set of v-moda faders http://v-moda.com/faders-vip/ and they work extremely well for big shows.
I'll probably use them once I throw on my loud exhaust.. I wore them for 8+ hours at a festival in Vegas, and they don't stick out too much to interfere with my helmet.

Too bad I don't have a straight-piped bike to give a more accurate review..
 
Paul1000RR said:
Shouldn't the sound around you be your main concern? You know your rpms dropping when your rear end locks up, rpms jumping when you hit something slick and the rear is spinning, sound of gravel hitting your fenders etc... firetruck, ambulance, idiot next to you coming just a little too close for comfort?

By listening to music you eliminate all of the above early warnings and then some...
Plus whats the point of a full exhaust and a custom tune when you're listening to music while riding?
Click to expand...

I agree with you but I keep it low enough I barely hear it. I hear my bike and surroundings more than the music. To ride with them blaring would just be dumb. Also for those that do.... don't forget while riding with ear buds in is not illegal, messing with a handheld device is so even adjusting your volume would probably be enough to at least get you pulled over. :dontknow:
 
I used the Etymotic ER-6i's for several years until the cheapo cord finally gave away. They are excellent and I still have my broken pair in the hopes that one day I'll stop posting here and get around to fixing them.

Prior to these, I was using the Shure E5's which were too good for riding and more for use as high end monitors.

For a much cheaper pricepoint and still reasonably good audio, I now use the Logitech Ultimate Ears 350vi Noise-Isolating Headset. They are very small and do not interfere with the helmet at all. They also have inline controls, which they Etymotic didn't have and only cost me $25. They block out significant wind noise and allow me to hear the important stuff.

And as much as I like to hear the exhaust and blah blah blah, I prefer the sound of music, especially when I'm on the highway.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom