Quiet helmet - happy rider | GTAMotorcycle.com

Quiet helmet - happy rider

MacDoc

MacDoc

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Once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut.

I bought an oversize helmet and returned it but just in case I could not I snagged this.
Figured neoprene was comfie and keep my earphones snug.
Well damn it works the charm and quieter than my C3.
Screen Shot 2021-09-17 at Sep, 17 2021 1.49.18 PM.jpg
Was a tad tight off the bat on my XL but after 15 minutes did not notice it except for the exceptional quiet.

Shure 215s stayed super snug, helmet on and off with ease. Better than the balaclava and all of $17. Made in the US too.
If your helmet is already very snug then this might not fit....but worth a try.
 
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I wear those disposable foam earplugs you roll in your fingers, don't even notice them and they make any helmet quiet :) With speakers installed under the helmet padding for bluetooth. Can still hear that at a decent volume.
 
So do I when I'm just riding without media. -33db is really quiet.

But I wear Shure215s and they clock in around -26db suppression and while it does not appear to be a big difference due to the way sound is calculated, it is.

So this gives me my headphones and my quieter ride.(y)

Never found helmet speakers with any fidelity.
 
I am a bit confused. When you said -26db suppression, did you mean it reduce the noise level by +26db? Because 33db is obviously more 26db, how can the Shure215s be quieter?
 
-33b reduction is quieter than -26 DB.
So motorcycle at say100 dB drops to 67 with the Howard Leight which is very quiet
and 74 with the Shures which is ....just okay if you appreciate vacuum cleaners.
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what I meant is the the neoprene gets the Shures closer to the Howard Leight but certainly not quieter.
Closer to 70 dB at a guess....noise inside a moving car.
 
Thank for clearing that up. I know how the math works but it was just the way you said it (ie "it is a big difference", "a quieter ride") all seems to imply the Shures is the quieter one.
 
MacDoc said:
Once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut.

I bought an oversize helmet and returned it but just in case I could not I snagged this.
Figured neoprene was comfie and keep my earphones snug.
Well damn it works the charm and quieter than my C3.
View attachment 51292
Was a tad tight off the bat on my XL but after 15 minutes did not notice it except for the exceptional quiet.

Shure 215s stayed super snug, helmet on and off with ease. Better than the balaclava and all of $17. Made in the US too.
If your helmet is already very snug then this might not fit....but worth a try.
Click to expand...

That’s an interesting solution for those who are riding with earbuds. Full marks for “thinking outside of the box” .

For those who use an in-helmet bluetooth speaker setup and earplugs, here’s something that works for me…

I added a pair of replacement headphone ear pads over the speakers within the helmet speaker cavity.

Fills the void around the speaker and to the ear, snug & comfortable on the ears, improves speaker sound, cuts wind noise.

728b6718f983b3f9ef4c210139a8830e.jpg


375b944e1571bcd583adc0b86b41cff9.jpg

3ace3c6a4bf90571b2e2d53f80adc3ad.jpg

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yknow I tried that way back when but could never get a fit. Good for you for making it work as it gives the seal needed for decent sound quality while still blocking ambient noise.
 
MacDoc said:
So do I when I'm just riding without media. -33db is really quiet.

But I wear Shure215s and they clock in around -26db suppression and while it does not appear to be a big difference due to the way sound is calculated, it is.
Click to expand...

I've got Etymotic Isolators and the noise isolation is rated at 35-42dB. Pretty happy with them,

I love my music and I don't think I would ever be happy with listening with the helmet speakers -- especially with foam earplugs in my ear.
 
Robbo said:
That’s an interesting solution for those who are riding with earbuds. Full marks for “thinking outside of the box” .

For those who use an in-helmet bluetooth speaker setup and earplugs, here’s something that works for me…

I added a pair of replacement headphone ear pads over the speakers within the helmet speaker cavity.

Fills the void around the speaker and to the ear, snug & comfortable on the ears, improves speaker sound, cuts wind noise.

728b6718f983b3f9ef4c210139a8830e.jpg


375b944e1571bcd583adc0b86b41cff9.jpg

3ace3c6a4bf90571b2e2d53f80adc3ad.jpg

f6db5ea9d1d6058355b59f554849448b.jpg

d209ddf66a99776de6bc4f82abeff814.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That's an awesome idea. Do you have any issues putting your helmet on and off or with any pressure against your ears over longer rides?

I used to wear the Shure and Etymotic in-ear buds, but they always hurt my ears after 8 hours of riding and get really painful after 10-12 hours. So now I'm using the bluetooth speakers and would like them a bit louder (with more clarity if possible), and what you have done here looks like it might just right.
 
shanekingsley said:
That's an awesome idea. Do you have any issues putting your helmet on and off or with any pressure against your ears over longer rides?

I used to wear the Shure and Etymotic in-ear buds, but they always hurt my ears after 8 hours of riding and get really painful after 10-12 hours. So now I'm using the bluetooth speakers and would like them a bit louder (with more clarity if possible), and what you have done here looks like it might just right.
Click to expand...

No issues at all with getting the helmet on or off, and no pressure on long rides Shane. My helmet’s pretty snug to begin with. The pads sit nicely around each speaker within the cavity. They are a soft foam and super-comfortable.

My only issue is sliding my glasses on after putting on the helmet .

I’ve been doing this for a couple of seasons now. The ones I am currently using came off an old pair of headphones that my youngest stopped using. The pair you see pictured was purchased as a sample/backup through Ali Express for a few dollars.

I ride with a Cardo Q-Solo and the speaker sound is quite good at highway speeds with the pads installed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Anyone tried to use active noise canceling buds, like AirPod Pros or Sony XM4s, on a bike? Are they any good at killing wind noise?
 
Maniac said:
Anyone tried to use active noise canceling buds, like AirPod Pros or Sony XM4s, on a bike? Are they any good at killing wind noise?
Click to expand...
I've used Bose QC20 earbuds. They do a pretty good job of minimizing wind noise, but my pair was exceptionally sensitive and would pop/crack loudly at any kind of air pressure spikes (like buffetting from a windshield or a passing car), making them useless for on the bike. I know at least one other person here has used the same model without the same problem though, so maybe its something that only some pairs suffer from.
 
Robbo said:
No issues at all with getting the helmet on or off, and no pressure on long rides Shane. My helmet’s pretty snug to begin with. The pads sit nicely around each speaker within the cavity. They are a soft foam and super-comfortable.

My only issue is sliding my glasses on after putting on the helmet .

I’ve been doing this for a couple of seasons now. The ones I am currently using came off an old pair of headphones that my youngest stopped using. The pair you see pictured was purchased as a sample/backup through Ali Express for a few dollars.

I ride with a Cardo Q-Solo and the speaker sound is quite good at highway speeds with the pads installed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Great thanks.
I have a spare set of the ear cushions from my higher end DJ headphones and they are sized like yours. So I tried it out and they do fit around the helmet speakers in the recessed cavity, but it seems like the design of the GT-Air2 helmet has the cavity too high, almost near the upper part of the ear, which makes no sense to me. So when I put the headphone cushions in, it meant the speakers have to be way too high in relation to my ear and not that much sound gets in. My comms unit is the Cardo Packtalk Bold w/ the 40mm JBL speakers.

So I removed the cushions and placed the speakers at the lowest point of the cavity and it made a noticeable difference in audio quality, but this means I can't use my cushions due to the low placement of the speakers. I think I will buy a cheapo pair of cushions and cut them up and see if I can get them in there to make a difference, because I don't want to damage these nice ones thatare specific to my DJ gear.

It's a great idea and I definitely think I can make it work to improve the sound, so thanks again for posting that!
 
Lightcycle said:
MK5:

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Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks. I’ve never used corded earphones or wireless earbuds on the bike, they seem to have too much interference when putting on or taking off the helmet for me. I know there are workarounds that members have brought up but this far I just use my in helmet speakers (currently a Cardo system) and some form of ear plugs (currently earpeace which I’m pleased with)


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
MacDoc said:
Once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut.

I bought an oversize helmet and returned it but just in case I could not I snagged this.
Figured neoprene was comfie and keep my earphones snug.
Well damn it works the charm and quieter than my C3.
View attachment 51292
Was a tad tight off the bat on my XL but after 15 minutes did not notice it except for the exceptional quiet.

Shure 215s stayed super snug, helmet on and off with ease. Better than the balaclava and all of $17. Made in the US too.
If your helmet is already very snug then this might not fit....but worth a try.
Click to expand...

LOL. I use a neoprene headband to keep my noise cancelling earbuds in too. Use them when I'm riding my Harley with a 1/2 helmet. I have some dog-ears on my helmet, pushes things more snug. I use Bose Quietcomfort buds, excellent hi-fi sound, much better than a built-in bike stereo.
 
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Hah....there ya go.

hh, thanks. I’ve never used corded earphones or wireless earbuds on the bike, they seem to have too much interference when putting on or taking off the helmet for me.
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The Shures fit very snug inside the ears tho a thin balaclava makes it easier on and off. They are designed not to stick out at all.Screen Shot 2021-09-18 at Sep, 18 2021 11.23.01 AM.jpg

Screen Shot 2021-09-18 at Sep, 18 2021 11.36.50 AM.jpg
 
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