Audio nirvana remains elusive

Autocom do more powerful speakers that they call "race speakers". These are slightly thicker than the normal ones and substantially louder. Well recommended, plenty of volume on the motorway and the sound is good quality even through those well fitted snot-green disposable ear plugs.
 
Apparently in tests it makes a lot of difference how far the speakers are from your ears (no shit, I hear (ugh?) you say). If they are too deep in the ear pockets put padding under them to move them closer to your ears.

Good speakers (and possibly an additional amp) would be enough to affect your hearing if turned up to max.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/tork-speaker-review/
 
cbritton said:
Apparently in tests it makes a lot of difference how far the speakers are from your ears (no shit, I hear (ugh?) you say). If they are too deep in the ear pockets put padding under them to move them closer to your ears.
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This, and getting them properly aligned with your ear canal. I was amazed at how much difference fine tuning the speaker position enhanced the audio, especially the reduced attenuation at higher speeds.
 
So following my usual path of sending good money after bad, I invested in Torx speakers for my helmet. These are fine, but don't go anywhere near loud enough with my standard Starcom 1, nor with the Amplirider I already had installed. So I bought yet another amplifier with the same disappointing results.

My best set up so far is the Torx speakers (I messed about with the positioning of these, but I didn't notice any great differences) and a separate 12V amplifier, but the quality is not even close to what I'm looking for.

Are my expectations to high?
 
stolzy said:
the quality is not even close to what I'm looking for.
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I think the only way you're going to get that is with in-ear monitors otherwise external noise is going to have a significant influence. A couple of my riding buddies use Shure SE215 earbuds combined with Comply tips and swear that they are the dog's danglies in terms of audio performance. I can't bear the thought of having to deal with the cables, though you loop them over your ears to stop them pulling out as you don your helmet.

Me, I'm sticking with my regular Autocom speakers which work well enough for me. I can hear music, GPS and comms well into naughty speeds though wind and road noise does intrude a little. I think the idea of being in audio isolation whilst on the bike isn't my cup of tea.
 
Never felt the need to have comms on a bike whether for music or talking, always want to take in the road, the view and everything that goes with riding a bike, not distractions like music or someone talking.....must be me.
 
Being tight, I tried everything before I finally splashed out on Ultimate ear monitors. This was around 7 years ago, and they are without doubt the best solution. Plugged into my Sena which is connected to my Zumo, the sound is crystal clear at any speed, with the volume set at around the 30% mark.
At a 100% volume the sound actually hurts.

By the time I'd realised this, I had spent the same on rubbish that didn't work.

Good luck with your quest.................. You would not regret buying ultimate ear monitors once you had tried them.............. But it hurts to part with all the cash for something you hope will work, but are not convinced.
 
Decster said:
Never felt the need to have comms on a bike whether for music or talking, always want to take in the road, the view and everything that goes with riding a bike, not distractions like music or someone talking.....must be me.
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Very helpful. Thanx:rolleyes:
 
Gargy said:
Being tight, I tried everything before I finally splashed out on Ultimate ear monitors. This was around 7 years ago, and they are without doubt the best solution. Plugged into my Sena which is connected to my Zumo, the sound is crystal clear at any speed, with the volume set at around the 30% mark.
At a 100% volume the sound actually hurts.

By the time I'd realised this, I had spent the same on rubbish that didn't work.

Good luck with your quest.................. You would not regret buying ultimate ear monitors once you had tried them.............. But it hurts to part with all the cash for something you hope will work, but are not convinced.
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They've been recommended before, but the torrent of complaints on here and elsewhere about poor quality, fragility and poor customer service have put me off.
 
I've been using custom in ear monitors for a few years now, connected to my autocom. Comfortable all day, made of rigid plastic so easy to clean, just remember to use the included tool to clean the wax out of the ports occasionally. Triple drivers mean great sound and custom fitted means high attenuation of road noise.

With helmet speakers you just keep turning up the volume to drown out the wind/road noise which defeats the point of putting in earplugs.
 
At the momet I am using some small earbuds (Skullcandy Titan 2.0) fitted into a DIY silicon putty wax mold I made myself - total cost £15. Think I could improve the earbuds and have another go at the wax mould, not much to lose for an experiment.
Works pretty well but would like to answer the phone and/or fast forward music tracks while on the move, which you cant do with these headphones.

All this in a Schuberth C3 helmet and was considering thier SRC bluetooth system which fits in the helmet and has controls on the collar.
Has anyone any recommendations for these? Judging by above comments these are helmet speakers and therefor of limited effectiveness,

Maybe the answer would be my homemade in ear buds with an autocom system??
 
stolzy said:
They've been recommended before, but the torrent of complaints on here and elsewhere about poor quality, fragility and poor customer service have put me off.
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UE (or similar) custom monitors are probably the nearest thing to what you need.

just be aware that they will fail someday and you will have to pay to get them fixed, or even replaced. repairs are not too expensive IME, but they are expensive to buy.
 
I have had the same quest for years and tried most things. I now have a Nolan N40 helmet with the Nolan helmet specific audio / comms kit. Superb for radio, GPS and more importantly i-phone via bluetooth. I use Ultimate Ears standard ear plugs and the sound is very good. Works for me.
 
In terms of fragility and repair the Shure SE215 ear-buds I mentioned a few posts ago have user replaceable cables. Shockingly expensive at almost £50 RRP :eek: They're less than $30 in the States, rip off Britain strikes again... :rolleyes: :mad:

You can get the cables on eBay for about £35 delivered from the US but that might attract duty, not sure on the threshold and what they would put on the customs declaration.

Having said all that the two guys I know that use them are still on the original cables.
 
Jayjayuno said:
At the momet I am using some small earbuds (Skullcandy Titan 2.0) fitted into a DIY silicon putty wax mold I made myself - total cost £15. Think I could improve the earbuds and have another go at the wax mould, not much to lose for an experiment.
Works pretty well but would like to answer the phone and/or fast forward music tracks while on the move, which you cant do with these headphones.

All this in a Schuberth C3 helmet and was considering thier SRC bluetooth system which fits in the helmet and has controls on the collar.
Has anyone any recommendations for these? Judging by above comments these are helmet speakers and therefor of limited effectiveness,

Maybe the answer would be my homemade in ear buds with an autocom system??
Click to expand...
Might be worth a try. I have a Starcom system that works well enough and can answer the phone, hear the GPS instructions, intercom/ talkie walkie etc. But its not good enough for music, even with expensive helmet speakers and a decent amplifier.
 
cookie said:
UE (or similar) custom monitors are probably the nearest thing to what you need.

just be aware that they will fail someday and you will have to pay to get them fixed, or even replaced. repairs are not too expensive IME, but they are expensive to buy.
Click to expand...
I really can't be doing with fragile kit and I've heard too many negative reports (especially of their customer service) to trust them

Even Judge got pissed off in the end.
 
My in ear monitors have replaceable cables which seems to be the point most tend to fail. I can buy new cables for £35 which, every 2-3 years isn't bad at all. I can also get the drivers re-shelled if they ever break. Mine are from Alienears.com but there's other places doing them.

Just been reading about this place http://www.inearcentral.com/product...nitors-single-driver-detachable-cable-149-99/
who are doing custom single driver IEM's for $150 which is a bargain. They send you a kit to make your ear impressions and then you send them back to get your drivers made up. As they're detachable cable, that's a bit of a bargain.
 
Despite vowing "never again" I bought a set of replacement UE monitors as I couldn't find a cheaper alternative product of equal spec. Thankfully they are much better made than my original set. A shame Judge has moved on as he was a great help with my original issues.

Using them with my new Sena 20S Bluetooth kit I have clear and crisp wireless stereo music that's capable of hurting my ears if pushed to max, plus intercom, GPS, phone etc.

Not cheap, but my motorcycling is important to me and I like to be able to use the bike when "on-call" instead of putting my life on hold.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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