Fitting speakers to a helmet?

[Waipukbiker]

Not sure if this is the right area to put this one but was wondering if anyone has fitted speakers into a helmet that is not (intercom ready) Interested in getting a GPS unit and a Bluetooth unit for the helmet and I prefer the voice directions over watching the screen. I have an HJC IS 16 helmet which I am very happy with.

Cheers

[haydes55]

Best option would be to just put some earphones in your ear. You don't want to start cutting and messing around with the padding (that shit literally saves your head).

Earphones are cheap, easily changed when you change helmet (or if you do). And comfortable if you get some that fit you well. I think plugz4lugz (spl?) Do earplugs with built in earphones

[nosebleed]

I fully recommend you contact Tony at Baehr next time you're in Napier.

He does an exceptional job, and he's done it often.

[Waipukbiker]

Thanks for the replies, ummmm baehr?? Is that short for a firm there?, ooops, Bayview Honda???

[nosebleed]

Info on Baehr here;
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/baehr/baehr-intercoms.htm

"Tony" is the Tony Jericevich mentioned in the article.
I'm not suggesting that you buy a Baehr kit, but Tony does do the installs of the earphones into all sorts of helmets.

So he's certainly well qualified to point you in the right direction.

[vifferman]

Last year I bought a pair of Sena SMH10 Bluetooth intercoms, and also two helmet clamp kits. The intercoms have helmet speakers and a microphone with them, but I bought the optional kits so we could use earbuds instead. The speakers velcro in, and luckily my Shoei has cups in it for that purpose (or perhaps just for big ears?), so there's no cutting of padding required (plus the padding clips in, so it can be removed to run the wires through the helmet. There are pads in the kits that velcro behind the speakers to push them closer to your ears. Even though the headphones work well around town, as I ride with earplugs in on the highway, I decided that earbuds would be better, giving me some wind noise reduction.
The SMH10 works brilliantly with my phone (Nokia N8), and it was easy to answer a call while riding. I've also got an SM10, which is a stereo bluetooth transmitter. With this on the bike, I can plug the Walkman into the SM10, we can both listen to the same music, and if either of us talks it cuts out the music, or we can each answer a phone call. (I can also listen to stereo music streamed from the N8, if I feel like it, and it works well).
Unfortunately, we have yet to test the system together on the bike - just around the house (I've tested it on the bike by myself, listening to music and using my phone).

I did look to buy some high-quality earbuds to go with the Sena, but from all the reviews I've read, it seems most are basically shit, music quality wise, so I intend to use some Sony ones I have until I can find something better. Apparently some guys have had some success converting earplugs for use with earbuds by boring out the centre of the plug with a hot wire, then putting it over the earbud in place of the rubber bits that they came with. I tried this, but it didn't work too well as the earplug was munted. So... the search continues. In the meantime, on the weekends we're going by car everywhere and enjoying multi-speaker surround sound, handsfree bluetooth phone, etc.

[Ram Solutions]

Last year I bought a pair of Sena SMH10 Bluetooth intercoms, and also two helmet clamp kits. The intercoms have helmet speakers and a microphone with them, but I bought the optional kits so we could use earbuds instead. The speakers velcro in, and luckily my Shoei has cups in it for that purpose (or perhaps just for big ears?), so there's no cutting of padding required (plus the padding clips in, so it can be removed to run the wires through the helmet. There are pads in the kits that velcro behind the speakers to push them closer to your ears. Even though the headphones work well around town, as I ride with earplugs in on the highway, I decided that earbuds would be better, giving me some wind noise reduction.
The SMH10 works brilliantly with my phone (Nokia N8), and it was easy to answer a call while riding. I've also got an SM10, which is a stereo bluetooth transmitter. With this on the bike, I can plug the Walkman into the SM10, we can both listen to the same music, and if either of us talks it cuts out the music, or we can each answer a phone call. (I can also listen to stereo music streamed from the N8, if I feel like it, and it works well).
Unfortunately, we have yet to test the system together on the bike - just around the house (I've tested it on the bike by myself, listening to music and using my phone).

I did look to buy some high-quality earbuds to go with the Sena, but from all the reviews I've read, it seems most are basically shit, music quality wise, so I intend to use some Sony ones I have until I can find something better. Apparently some guys have had some success converting earplugs for use with earbuds by boring out the centre of the plug with a hot wire, then putting it over the earbud in place of the rubber bits that they came with. I tried this, but it didn't work too well as the earplug was munted. So... the search continues. In the meantime, on the weekends we're going by car everywhere and enjoying multi-speaker surround sound, handsfree bluetooth phone, etc.



You may want to know that Sena are shortly releasing a new helmet clamp (Sena SMH A0305) which allows you to swap between fixed helmet speakers (supplied) with your own earbuds. A few of us given the choice, prefer using earbuds on long rides, and in-helmet speakers for the short commute. In terms of comfort and effectiveness you can't beat Plugs for Lugz custom stereo earbuds - well worth the money.

[xenothius]

I did look to buy some high-quality earbuds to go with the Sena, but from all the reviews I've read, it seems most are basically shit, music quality wise, so I intend to use some Sony ones I have until I can find something better. Apparently some guys have had some success converting earplugs for use with earbuds by boring out the centre of the plug with a hot wire, then putting it over the earbud in place of the rubber bits that they came with. I tried this, but it didn't work too well as the earplug was munted. So... the search continues. In the meantime, on the weekends we're going by car everywhere and enjoying multi-speaker surround sound, handsfree bluetooth phone, etc.

I use Skull Candy earphones easily the best i have used, good balanced sound, crystal clear and have passive noise canceling (about the same as cheap earmuffs)

[banditrider]

Not cheap, but nice and thin: http://helmetaudio.com/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=TORKX2&sid=8648ssn3kl4wc5k2pb4dm19590j6ownn

[oneofsix]

I have just fitted the Sena SMH10 unit to my HJC IS16. Wires run nicely under the removable pads, speakers are ok under the ear recess padding although it took a few goes to get them in the correct position, the mic sticks on the end of the cheek pad. The speakers and mic are velcro hook coated which is enough to hold them in place in the HJC. I like the surround, background affect of the in helmet music over the in ear earbud effect, I have tried earbuds in the past and they didn't work for me. The helmet to helmet comms worked rather well when I tried it with a copilot, after dropping the pillion off we stayed in communication for quite some distance before it dropped out. Looking forward to trying out the intercom conference function. I haven't paired with the GPS or phone yet although the rider that recommended them to me has paired with their phones and used its GPS function.

[Blackbird]

I think you'll enjoy the SMH 10, the quality of sound is excellent. Had mine for 18 months now and continue to be impressed. In all that time, have never used the MP3 player function or Bluetooth, just bike to bike comms. Battery life between recharging is pretty impressive - ride all day with it on and charge it at night. Great product.

[banditrider]

I think you'll enjoy the SMH 10, the quality of sound is excellent. Had mine for 18 months now and continue to be impressed. In all that time, have never used the MP3 player function or Bluetooth, just bike to bike comms. Battery life between recharging is pretty impressive - ride all day with it on and charge it at night. Great product.

How slim are the speakers Geoff? I've been looking at intercoms too. My new helmet ain't the roomiest - the Torkx speakers I've got seem ok (although I've yet to go for a proper ride with them in) but can't afford them to be much thicker...

[Blackbird]

How slim are the speakers Geoff? I've been looking at intercoms too. My new helmet ain't the roomiest - the Torkx speakers I've got seem ok (although I've yet to go for a proper ride with them in) but can't afford them to be much thicker...

Andrew,
The speakers are 5mm thick by 35mm diameter. They are pretty close in my Shoei and had to fiddle about to position them perfectly, but they're fine where they are. Hope that helps.

[vifferman]

You may want to know that Sena are shortly releasing a new helmet clamp (Sena SMH A0305) which allows you to swap between fixed helmet speakers (supplied) with your own earbuds. A few of us given the choice, prefer using earbuds on long rides, and in-helmet speakers for the short commute. In terms of comfort and effectiveness you can't beat Plugs for Lugz custom stereo earbuds - well worth the money.
Haven't been on Sena forums or website for ages, so no, I didn't know that. Thanks for the "Plugs for Lugz" reference - good to know they're worth checking out. Oh - and thanx too for the stuff I've bought from you; you're great to deal with. :niceone:

[dogsnbikes]

How slim are the speakers Geoff? I've been looking at intercoms too. My new helmet ain't the roomiest - the Torkx speakers I've got seem ok (although I've yet to go for a proper ride with them in) but can't afford them to be much thicker...

Andrew l have them in my shsrk RSI helmet which isnt made for speakers and l dont feel speakers when wearing the helmet

[banditrider]

Andrew,
The speakers are 5mm thick by 35mm diameter. They are pretty close in my Shoei and had to fiddle about to position them perfectly, but they're fine where they are. Hope that helps.


Andrew l have them in my shsrk RSI helmet which isnt made for speakers and l dont feel speakers when wearing the helmet

Thanks guys. From what Geoff says, I don't think the speakers are any thicker than the ones I've got now. Best send a letter off to Santa...

[Gremlin]

Thanks guys. From what Geoff says, I don't think the speakers are any thicker than the ones I've got now. Best send a letter off to Santa...
My Sena gear is still on it's way (just sent a chase up asking to track down the parcel, last update was 2 August), but as I think you know, I did get the Tork upgrade over the stock Sena speakers. I'm certain I will receive both, so hopefully that's timely and I can provide some photos to compare sizes.

As for installing speakers, one option for OP is to speak to Tony, he's pretty local to you, and very good. Also depends on helmet. My new Nolan N104 has speaker pockets provisioned, makes things a lot easier.