Earplugs & Intercoms
Discussion
I'm sure this has been covered many times but I wanted to ask about my specific scenario.
I always use the Howard Leight Max lite earplugs and have done for years, SNR34, I obviously like the lack of noise with a high SNR.
I've got a Shoe Neotec 2 with Sena SRL intercom and have been using it for a few years for Nav and music. The problem is because of the high SNR of the earplugs I have to max out the volume on my phone and Sena most of the time. It's generally been OK but not ideal, sometimes it's not loud enough or it's just distorted and without earplugs it's very loud but I can't handle the wind noise (I already have tinnitus, I don't need it to get worse)
I had some custom plugs made from the bike show a couple of years ago, I don't recall the SNR but I'm certain there were 2 options and picked the highest but I just haven't been able to get on with them. I don't feel they are well located in my ears, feels like they dislodge when I put my lid on and therefore they are letting too much noise through.
Given custom plugs aren't cheap I don't want to waste money trying another brand. I thought about in-ear headphones designed for bikes but again they are considerable cost and I'm not sure if using the Sena will work for the mic and separate headphones and I'm making it too complicated.
I'm fine to spend the money if it solves the problem but I want to try first where possible.
I was thinking of a couple of options:
1.I just need to try a lower SNR of earplug and get used to the extra noise, any good recommendations?
2.I keep seeing adverts for different speakers for lids, is this the usual FB rubbish or would that improve the sound maybe bringing it closer to my ears?
3. Should I try different custom plugs, have I been unlucky with fitment?
Cheers.
I always use the Howard Leight Max lite earplugs and have done for years, SNR34, I obviously like the lack of noise with a high SNR.
I've got a Shoe Neotec 2 with Sena SRL intercom and have been using it for a few years for Nav and music. The problem is because of the high SNR of the earplugs I have to max out the volume on my phone and Sena most of the time. It's generally been OK but not ideal, sometimes it's not loud enough or it's just distorted and without earplugs it's very loud but I can't handle the wind noise (I already have tinnitus, I don't need it to get worse)
I had some custom plugs made from the bike show a couple of years ago, I don't recall the SNR but I'm certain there were 2 options and picked the highest but I just haven't been able to get on with them. I don't feel they are well located in my ears, feels like they dislodge when I put my lid on and therefore they are letting too much noise through.
Given custom plugs aren't cheap I don't want to waste money trying another brand. I thought about in-ear headphones designed for bikes but again they are considerable cost and I'm not sure if using the Sena will work for the mic and separate headphones and I'm making it too complicated.
I'm fine to spend the money if it solves the problem but I want to try first where possible.
I was thinking of a couple of options:
1.I just need to try a lower SNR of earplug and get used to the extra noise, any good recommendations?
2.I keep seeing adverts for different speakers for lids, is this the usual FB rubbish or would that improve the sound maybe bringing it closer to my ears?
3. Should I try different custom plugs, have I been unlucky with fitment?
Cheers.
I'd highly recommend trying the variety packs of ear plugs off eBay or Amazon
Wide variety between them and no one can recommend what will fit your ears the best. I tried probably 20 sets before I found one the ones that suit me
I bought the bigger speaker option for my Cardo - I presume they, or the equivalent sena ones might be worth investigating too
Wide variety between them and no one can recommend what will fit your ears the best. I tried probably 20 sets before I found one the ones that suit me
I bought the bigger speaker option for my Cardo - I presume they, or the equivalent sena ones might be worth investigating too
I use a Cardo PackTalk Bold with JBL speakers and use Howard Leight disposable plugs, so a similar set up. The volume on my headset is only very slightly louder than when if not used earplugs.
What I did find was that the positioning of the speakers in the helmet was extremely important. Just a few mm out of alignment can make a huge difference to both volume and clarity. If you've not done so already then it may be worth spending some time testing different speaker locations while keeping volume at a constant level.
What I did find was that the positioning of the speakers in the helmet was extremely important. Just a few mm out of alignment can make a huge difference to both volume and clarity. If you've not done so already then it may be worth spending some time testing different speaker locations while keeping volume at a constant level.
I'm using same as Black-K1 and its fine for comms. Those rhubard and custard things with Sena SRL2.
But I did use some other ones off amazon (Apline motosafe) and they were better for music.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-MotoSafe-Race-Plug...
But I did use some other ones off amazon (Apline motosafe) and they were better for music.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-MotoSafe-Race-Plug...
I have auritech custom plugs, but they just aren’t as useable as my Moldex Foam that work perfectly well.
The most disappointing thing about my custom plugs with a filter is that I couldn’t have conversations with the helmet on when stationary, any more distinct than with the foam plugs.
The most disappointing thing about my custom plugs with a filter is that I couldn’t have conversations with the helmet on when stationary, any more distinct than with the foam plugs.
Thanks all, some good ideas to try out. I had no idea the Sena SRL speakers were known to be so bad, a quick Google shows a number of people have replaced them with JBL ones so I can give that a go and mess about with placement too.
I'll try some other plugs too, I did this when I first started riding and settled on the max lites but makes sense to try again.
My moulded plugs are from Mercury custom plugs, I'll have to try them again, it's a waste of about £80 otherwise.
I'll try some other plugs too, I did this when I first started riding and settled on the max lites but makes sense to try again.
My moulded plugs are from Mercury custom plugs, I'll have to try them again, it's a waste of about £80 otherwise.
I also have the Sena SRL but in a GT Air. I've tried many earplugs but for the last couple of years have been using Earpeace Moto. I think they're really good. Cut out a lot of wind noise but not only can you hear the Sena they make it sound better! I find the Sena unit quite tinny sounding (even though it has Harman Kardon speakers) but when using the Earpeace plugs it sounds much more rounded. Must be because they cut out higher frequencies. They're basically soft rubber plugs that come with 3 changeable filters 26, 20 or 17 SNR. I've found SNR 20 is the best for me when listening to the radio. High recommend. They also do something called Earpeace Moto Pro which has a more trick filter but I like the switchable ones.
Edited by Gixer968CS on Friday 14th March 11:41
Had a revelation on Sunday, went out determined to persist with my mercury custom plugs and discovered the screen is the biggest problem, when I get my head well above the screen into full-on wind the noise drops by over 80% so the biggest problem is screen turbulence. I've adjusted it up and down but doesn't help.
After a google I've bought a cheap clip on spoiler to see if that makes a difference, when I get a chance I may try taking the screen off completely just be sure it's not the mirrors too. At least I have a couple of things to work through now.
After a google I've bought a cheap clip on spoiler to see if that makes a difference, when I get a chance I may try taking the screen off completely just be sure it's not the mirrors too. At least I have a couple of things to work through now.
Mags said:
Had a revelation on Sunday, went out determined to persist with my mercury custom plugs and discovered the screen is the biggest problem, when I get my head well above the screen into full-on wind the noise drops by over 80% so the biggest problem is screen turbulence. I've adjusted it up and down but doesn't help.
After a google I've bought a cheap clip on spoiler to see if that makes a difference, when I get a chance I may try taking the screen off completely just be sure it's not the mirrors too. At least I have a couple of things to work through now.
I have never found a good screen yetAfter a google I've bought a cheap clip on spoiler to see if that makes a difference, when I get a chance I may try taking the screen off completely just be sure it's not the mirrors too. At least I have a couple of things to work through now.
Every bike I've had with one (sports bikes excluded) I've ended up either removing them completely or cutting them down an inch at a time, until my helmet is in clean air
KTMsm said:
Every bike I've had with one (sports bikes excluded) I've ended up either removing them completely or cutting them down an inch at a time, until my helmet is in clean air
Out of interest how low does that end up being? I can't help but feel that the noise/buffeting is more irritating and fatiguing than the arm strain if I just binned/cut down the screen.I had a Sena intercom in my Arai it was hopeless couldn’t hear a thing due to wind noise, so retired it into some ear defenders I use when doing jobs in the garden, have been tempted to try some wired in ear speakers which can be plugged into the Sena unit to see if they solve the problem, anybody gone down this route?
It varies but generally sub 6" above the headlight
There's no extra arm strain but depending on the bike, your helmet and the speed, your helmet takes more pressure
I don't do motorways as I fall asleep and having pressure on my helmet encourages me to keep my speeds lower
With my 990SM which is very upright 70 - 80mph is comfortable all day, with my tight fitting shoei 90+ isn't an issue but my looser Scorpion gets pushed into my forehead and I wouldn't want to do 90+ for long
If you want to do 100+ then you have to hunch down or it gets uncomfortable
Here's my 990 - I've cut about 3" off the standard "touring" screen
If you don't want to cut it down, you can try spacing it away from the bike by about 10mm that can help or buy a used / aftermarket screen off eBay
There's no extra arm strain but depending on the bike, your helmet and the speed, your helmet takes more pressure
I don't do motorways as I fall asleep and having pressure on my helmet encourages me to keep my speeds lower
With my 990SM which is very upright 70 - 80mph is comfortable all day, with my tight fitting shoei 90+ isn't an issue but my looser Scorpion gets pushed into my forehead and I wouldn't want to do 90+ for long
If you want to do 100+ then you have to hunch down or it gets uncomfortable
Here's my 990 - I've cut about 3" off the standard "touring" screen
If you don't want to cut it down, you can try spacing it away from the bike by about 10mm that can help or buy a used / aftermarket screen off eBay
Mags said:
I will try just taking the screen off completely soon, I'm sure just having clean air on my lid will be much quieter, just won't be any good if I'm doing a longer journey with M'ways etc. If this is good I know you can get small sports screens for Adventure 1190's.
1190 Adv S is my other bike 
It came with a the std screen and a spoiler - was useless
I then tried the smaller R screen, still no good, cut it down and it was better but looked awful
So I bought a small aftermarket screen, spaced it away and cut it down - now perfect for me
Edited by KTMsm on Monday 17th March 16:17
KTMsm said:
1190 Adv S is my other bike
It came with a the std screen and a spoiler - was useless
I then tried the smaller R screen, still no good, cut it down and it was better but looked awful
So I bought a small aftermarket screen, spaced it away and cut it down - now perfect for me
Thanks, good to see!It came with a the std screen and a spoiler - was useless
I then tried the smaller R screen, still no good, cut it down and it was better but looked awful
So I bought a small aftermarket screen, spaced it away and cut it down - now perfect for me
Edited by KTMsm on Monday 17th March 16:17
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