music to my ears

[Flat6Valk]

I am looking for testimonails with regard to handlebar mounted speakers, ie j&m or mh instruments.  I have a j&m cb but I am not happy with the headset sounds.  I use a half helmet.  I know both are pricey but I need to hear music a whole lot better than I am getting now.

[humshark]

I have played a lot with music and riding, and up to know the best setup has been EARPLUGS WITH my HEADSET.  My headset uses high end drivers that I can push hard without distortion.

I also have learned that PLACEMENT makes the MOST difference.  I have added foam behind the drivers to gently push them against my ears.  I usually have to slide a finger over them as I put my helmet on to keep them from catching my ears.  Once on, the tone and clarity is great.

I am still going to figure out an e.q. eventually, but for now this works.  I have pondered modifying my BOSE headphones for my new helmet, but I may just design my own "in-ear" type system. 

The key of course is to eliminate the drone of the bike and wind noise, so that your music can be enjoyed!  My last trip it was like a "magic carpet" with no bike noise and ONLY the music.  The feeling of accelerating without the sound of the bike was strange at first!  But the music at volume was heaven!

Custom "in-ears" can be expensive - but I've not heard of a bad report - ( excluding costs )

[Puffs Daddy]

Personally, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I've never understood the value of bike mounted speakers. When I want to listen to tunes I use Shure E3C earbuds with the optional "flange" (in ear) end pieces. These are effective earplugs when I don't turn on the IPOD, stay in place when I put on/take off my helmet, and provide a concert hall listening experience. I've even stopped carrying my expensive noise cancelling earphones on plane trips in favor of them. They effectively eliminate virtually all ambient noise.

A couple of downsides that bear mentioning. With the tunes turned up the Shures are so effective that they can literally prevent you from hearing a semi honking at you from 50 feet away. For that reason, I suspect, their use is sometimes considered illegal. Why equivalent isolation from external sounds in a cage is not treated as illegal is a mystery left for the reader to contemplate.

Finally, I'm not sure if it's a positive or a negative, but I find that I ride significantly slower when I have the tunes on. Though I consciously pay attention to the ride rather than the music, there's no question that the latter is a major distraction.

[Flat6Valk]

PUFFS DADDY, WHERE DID YOU ACQUIRE E3C MODEL.  I AM UNABLE TO FIND.  THERE ARE OTHER ONES LISTED THOUGH.

[Bob E.]

I got the system from www.motorcycletunes.com and I'm happy.  this was the least expensive system I could find and the sound is good up to a point.  At highway speeds, if you are alone (no traffic) and it isn't real windy, you can hear it pretty well.  But if you are around other cars and you are getting alot of wind blast, it gets tough to hear.  But like I said, I'm real happy with it.

I also agree that headphones are the best.  But I end up getting a headache from them after a while.  So I really prefer the open air speakers.  Also...headphones are illegal in PA.  I have used them for years and never had a problem.  But find a prick cop and who knows...?

[fudgie]

I got some on ebay from cycle sounds. $300. I can hear them really well. Kit can hear it in town but just hear the beat on the hiway. Sometimes it gets to loud for me at times, esp in town. Hiway is just right. I normally don't wear a lid but still can hear the music with my 3/4 on, sometimes better.

[bigvalkriefan]

I have these and they work very well but I am considering going to earbuds. I want to clean up the handlebars a little.

http://www.uniqcycle.com/

[Karen]

Ditto on the uniq cycle setup, I can hear them fine at highway speeds on my scooter and the subwoofer under the seat helps also...