Why can't earmuff's be built into helmets??

**Usarka** · 12th October 2007, 20:57

Interestingly if you put earmuffs on the outside of your helmet it makes it a lot quiter. something to do with how it compresses the helmet and removes the "space" inside which is what causes the noise. Try it.

**xwhatsit** · 12th October 2007, 22:23

Originally Posted by NZsarge

Quiet is the key, at the moment my Arai is a smidge to noisey to put up with sounds for too long, thats why i'm keen to get my mits on some of these "Plugz for Lugz" sound equiped ear plugs so I don't have to play the music too loud and risk hearing damage.

I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

**NZsarge** · 13th October 2007, 00:00

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

Ok, i'll go have a look-see, cheers.

**Reckless** · 13th October 2007, 00:48

I tried some ear plugs bloody hated them. Mind you I've always had expensive helmets that fitted properly. Tried the mp3 thing as well hated that to. When I ride I like to hear the bike as someone mentioned above. I reckon the difference is the quality of helmet. My last 2 (over 10 years) Cost about a grand each, Shoei and Shark. They fit around the ears (automatic ear mufflers) and the wind noise is almost nil. So they are well enough designed not the have to quieten down bad visor or air noise with ear plugs, I couldn't stand not hearing anything at all. And is it a safety issue bearing in mind you are taking away one of the senses that should be available, especially if something may be going wrong with the bike itself!

Each to his own though!

**Ruralman** · 13th October 2007, 14:02

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

Me? If I'm going on a long open-road ride by myself (riding around town I need my ears as much as possible), I wear my EP-630 canalphones, which not only isolate one hell of a lot of noise, but produce some very reasonable sound considering the price.

Thanks for that link - if you turn off the music how well do they eliminate the windnoise? I often have trouble with plugs coming out a bit on a long ride (and yes I do know the correct procedure for putting them in), have you had the same with these things? They certainly look like good buying IF they do the job.

My helmet is a flip front which probably tend to be a bit noisier than a fixed front helmet as well.

**Ruralman** · 13th October 2007, 14:05

Originally Posted by Usarka

Interestingly if you put earmuffs on the outside of your helmet it makes it a lot quiter. something to do with how it compresses the helmet and removes the "space" inside which is what causes the noise. Try it.

You have got to be taking the piss.................

Originally Posted by oldrider

You won't need ear protection when you get your Tiger, soooo quiet!

Cheers John.

Thats the trouble with pussy's,they lull you into a false sense of security and then if you don't use protection you get long term trouble!!!

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 13th October 2007, 20:05

......... you get what you pay for. Each to their own choice on quality and reliable comfort. We can't comment on your alternative suggestions as we haven't tried those personally, but feedback and recommendations to date from hundreds who have bought our wired sets has been positive and confirm our own personal use of our sets. Cheers Sue

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

**mbazza** · 13th October 2007, 20:19

I've said it once and I'll sy it again! I love my 'Ear Moulds', music turned down so low, still hear car horns, sirens etc. Know what you mean, why cant's all this and quiet stuff be built into a reasonable priced helmet?

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 13th October 2007, 20:24

These 'buds' are possibly fine for some riders but with our experience of making the personal molded earplugs, ears are vastly different in size and many people can't seat these buds comfortably for any length of time, in or out of a helmet. Custom molded earplugs form a skin-to-skin fit with no 'rubbing' discomfort. (Thousands of riders across Australasia can't be wrong recommending them for comfort).

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Thanks for that link - if you turn off the music how well do they eliminate the windnoise? I often have trouble with plugs coming out a bit on a long ride (and yes I do know the correct procedure for putting them in), have you had the same with these things? They certainly look like good buying IF they do the job.

My helmet is a flip front which probably tend to be a bit noisier than a fixed front helmet as well.

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 13th October 2007, 20:25

...... cheers for the confirmation on behalf of all satisfied riders to date. Cheers Sue

Originally Posted by mbazza

I've said it once and I'll sy it again! I love my 'Ear Moulds', music turned down so low, still hear car horns, sirens etc. Know what you mean, why cant's all this and quiet stuff be built into a reasonable priced helmet?

**smoky** · 15th October 2007, 21:21

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

**Reckless** · 15th October 2007, 21:45

Originally Posted by smoky

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

Right on buddy!

Makes me weird as well.

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 16th October 2007, 05:28

We've had riders say they can actually hear their bikes better since the plugs cut out all the wind noise. One rider even identified the whereabouts of something wrong in his motor that he couldn't 'put his finger on' to have fixed beforehand. The earplugs cut out wind noise, not make you deaf.

Originally Posted by smoky

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

**smoky** · 16th October 2007, 06:37

Originally Posted by Plugz 4 Lugz

We've had riders say they can actually hear their bikes better since the plugs cut out all the wind noise. One rider even identified the whereabouts of something wrong in his motor that he couldn't 'put his finger on' to have fixed beforehand.

They sound like some pretty freaky ear plugs man, or pretty rattly motors

I've heard the expression 'machanic in a can' before, but .... in an earplug!

**vifferman** · 16th October 2007, 07:52

Originally Posted by smoky

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

It's not too do with wanting "quite" [sic]. The wind noise can be very loud, especially if your bike has a windscreen as this accelerates air past your helmet. I had tinnitus in my ears twice (lasted several months) and have reduced hearing in my ears after riding without plugs on long trips (Hamilton to Chch and Chch to Tauranga).

Most of the wind noise is from the airflow around the bottom of the helmet and the neck of your jacket, but on some helmets there is whistling from the vents and/or visor. A snug (or tight!) fitting helmet will cut out more noise, and you can get accessories that help (like Shoei's 'whisper strip"), but a pair of earplugs is still the cheapest and most effective form of protection (apart from travelling at less than 80km/h...)