| Author | Message | ||
     Brown_e |
What kind of radio hookup does anyone have? I thought I would try the small radio in the tankbag with my portable XM mounted on the handlebar. An antenna would not be needed but I would like to use a helmet headset that would require a speaker cord hookup. I use earplugs on long trips. Another requirement would be an easy to use volume control. I am sure J M would have something but not looking to spend a lot of money. I tried the IPOD thing but did not like it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I just ordered a set of Iasus in helmet speakers and a mini amp. I wanted to be able to wear ear plugs AND listen to music. They are supposed to be louder than others (108db)and are supposed to be clearer. I wanted to drive a lower volume output from the music source but drive full capacity power to the speakers, so I bought the mini-amp. I never liked the earbud thing. I couldn't get them on inside the helmet without pulling them loose. I also didn't like feeling the wires against my head. I like my helmet really form fitting, so I felt every bit of the cable. We'll see what the result is. | ||
| Maximum |
I listen to XM or MP3's through the Garmin Zumo through an Autocom intercom system. I use the intercom speakers on short rides and it is by no means audiophile quality, but it does provide company. I don't think any helmet speaker system will provide great sound quality because the wind noise dilutes the music. If you wear ear plugs when listening to music through helmet speakers, you will lose a lot of the high end frequencies. For longer trips I use the Shure E3 in-ear monitors with the yellow foam tips. I find the foam to be more comfortable than any plastic/rubber tip I've tried, plus it blocks much of the unwanted noise...leaving crystal clear tunage! It's only Rock-N-Roll...but I like it!  | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
I bought an XL883R that had a speaker system, mobile XM or iPod dock on the bars and amp. I stripped it off traded that POS in on a Uly (had a lightning before the XL). Put the XM on the Uly. I spliced the power for the amp in line with the cigarette lighter and mounted the amp on the horn bracket. Was a nice tidy fit. Had the XM antenna on the front brake resivour per magnet. Couldn't ever hear the speakers with any type of helmet on. (mounted the speakers on the top screw of the hand guards). Stripped the speaker and power amp off, used headphones, problem was I found my self perusing through the stations on the radio when I should have been paying attention to the road. Never caused any harm but I sure did make it easy for harm to come my way having that XM on there. I took it all off. Just been doing iPod in pocket since, which is fine, playlists are great. I don't even use that too often as I enjoy hearing the noises on the road, for safety reasons again, piece of mind, and I don't want to get run over by a cop/ambulance/firetruck screaming through the city cause I couldn't hear them because henry rollins was subliminally telling me punch someone! My 2 cents, if you want help connecting the stuff PM me, I just used camper wire splicers to split the power. T1 | ||
| Jackbequick |
Let us know how those speakers work out for you, it will be interesting to hear about it. This is a subject that comes up here fairly regularly. I experimented with XM on my M2 and then again after I bought the Dyna FXD that I have now. And I also used a tankbag for the various bits and pieces of hardware. I found it difficult to acquire an uninterrupted XM signal due to the antenna being shaded by roadside trees, my torso, and bits and pieces of the bike as I rode. I had the standard magnetic XM antenna in about as high and visible as mounting as can be found on most bikes (atop the headlight cover). It was not shielded from a good sky view by its mounting, the problems were a combination of RF shielding by my torso, trees and other things alongside the roads, and a lowish look angle to the XM satellite from Maine (45 degrees North latitude). I gave up on XM and eventually got happy with a MP3 player that has a built in FM receiver. That receiver does well because it uses the headphone/speaker/ear buds cable as an antenna. I also like the "local" flavor of FM radio over the programming on XM. I was in communications in my Navy career and understand signals and antennas. There is no free lunch on receiving signals (i.e., XM radio). You have to deal with the mechanics of weak or intermittent signals by using better antennas and better antenna positioning. Then there is the hearing of the radio once you get it coming in reliably. I tried a set of helmet speakers and they did not have enough output (loudness to work for me). And if I could have amplified them enough to make them hearable, I would have been subjecting myself to punishing listening levels that are guaranteed to result in permanent hearing losses. I already have permanent hearing losses and wear hearing aids, I understand the cause and result and try to avoid any further damage. So I went to ear buds and those worked better but not as well as I liked. As I experimented further on those I came to the conclusion that you have to seal out most of the outside noises in order to listen to an external audio input at reasonable listening levels. And that is pretty much where I am now. I give up quite a bit of the external sound inputs in order to listen to music or radio without having to pump audio into my ears at damaging sound levels. Quite a few other here have found the same thing. Here is a link to a post earlier this year that summarizes the ear buds and tips that worked out best for me: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=1016293#POST1016293 That thread also has some other inputs on various ear buds and audio listening options. That link is from a Quick Board archive, searching BadWeb, the Quick Board, and the KV will give you a lot of info on installing and using various audio inputs. Jack (Message edited by jackbequick on February 03, 2008) | ||
| Trapper |
I have the J & M JMCB set-up on my XB12X that works well for me. I have my GPS also hooked up to that system along with my radar detector, when I choose to run it. | ||
| Rwven |
I tried helmet speakers without much luck. I know they work for most people but my hearing is not what it should be and I have difficulty separating individual sounds out of the background. Earbuds that go into the ear canal work well for me. They block no more sound than standard hearing protection does but having the intercom, CB, nav, cell phone and music directed into the ear canal allows me to hear them clearly without distortion. I try to keep the volume as low as possible, except when some good driving tunes are playing.... Edit: I am now using Shure earbuds with tips similar to the white silicone "barbed" style shown in the Etymotics ad from the thread referenced by the poster above. (Message edited by rwven on February 03, 2008) | ||
| Scud |
It's a little bulky, but this fits in my tankbag well. Have not used it in belt carry mode. It has more than one input (CB, FRS, MP3, etc.) http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=29 I use J&M Elite series headsets, which work well for me. Because they have a modular cord, you can buy a lower cord to match your headset with source devices other than J&M without having to change headsets. For those of you into Bluetooth, try here (Nolan makes a unit, but I believe it only fits their helmets): http://www.jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=30 The earplugs I wear are custom made by Westone. You should be able to have any hearing aid practitioner take impressions of your ears and order these for $150 to $200. They last forever and are much more comfortable than the "one size fits all" type. I like the musician's plugs best; http://www.westone.com/index.php?load=content&page =index&page_id=190 But I also use their motorsports plugs: http://www.westone.com/index.php?load=content&page =index&page_id=196 | ||
| Chopped58 |
I use a sirius receiver, with a mix-it II mixer/amp. I have a Nolan ncom helmet so I bought the helmet speakers for the ncom. Wow was I disapointed. They're not stereo only mono, so I put my 20.00 pair of in helmet speakers in my Nolan. On long trips I use foam ear plugs, and am still able to hear my amplified sirius, and the dircections from my gps. It is clear enough to hear "The Howard Stern Show" as it is all talking, not much music. The mixit II is placed in my tank bag side pocket, and the volume knob just sticks out a bit. It's easy to lower volume, or turn it off completely if needed. I am thinking about trying the starcom setup, but for know this setup works for me. | ||
| Bigkuri |
+1 for scud. Custom in ear headphones are the best. In the UK this lot are popular - I'm sure there are many similar in the USA: http://www.ultimateear.com/motorcycle.htm Hearing protection, plus crystal clear music. | ||
| Bugnut |
Here's my set up.  Behind the Sirius is a Radio Shack amp (Boosteroo? IIRC) all mounted on a Techmount. Tried the Garmin Mp3s but just got bored with my 300 selections. I wanted to listen to Howard, or Big '80s or local traffic. No issues with reception, except under trees at high speed. I use foam 32db ear plugs and a set of Philips head phones hacked up and set into the ear pockets of my helmet. I've tried bunches of speakers and came across these at WalMart. Cheap, under $20, and have a nice thick cord. I run a coiled cord from the amp to the male end of the speaker cord which is just sticking out of my helmet. Good, not high fidelity sound up to 70 or so. Spoken word o.k. up to about 50. Volume controlled within the Sirius, but I never turn it down, just keep it at a level comfortable throughout the ride. Turn it off when I need to talk to somebody. I tried other ear plugs, the professionally molded ones, but they just hurt my ears way too much and didn't knock the decibel level down enough. Could have dealt with the sound level, but not the discomfort. They look nice and all, but just didn't work for my ears. Maybe my ears are...different?  Good luck finding your just right set up. As with everything, YMMV. Mike | ||
| Chrisgrant |
Bugnut, pm me about your adjustable w/s setup. | ||
| Wademan |
Bigkuri posted some slick looking ear buds that they sell in the UK. Anything simmilar in the US? Those look very comfortable on a bike. I have the $100 E2C's and they stick out too much for me to put on my helmet and not have them come out of my ear some. Then when I do get them adjusted the constant pressure from the helmet still having contact with them makes it very painful in about half an hour. Ill have to try in helmet speakers and ear plugs... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have the exact same problem Wademan. That's part of the reason I want to do amped speakers and ear plugs. I will lose some of the fidelity, but I will gain comfort and convenience. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I know it's not in the brief - but this works perfectly for me:  Sony bud phones, clip it on jacket. Easy on off and volume. Lasts full days's riding. (Message edited by danger_dave on February 04, 2008) | ||
| Nipsey |
Based on the pic's of you on your bike - I think that thing in your hand is 6" x 8 " ( I am convinced you are a giant).....  I use a Nano and the squishy in ear Sony buds - seal out the noise and sound good. For good headphone amps and a nice selection of headphones check out http://www.headphone.com/ I have one of their amps and it is awesome and runs on 4 AAA's (Message edited by nipsey on February 04, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
I was told medically speaking 6'5" is where normal stops and giantism starts. So there - I'm normal......bwahahahahaahah! |
