Plugfones - any good?

[MajorMantra]

Anyone use Plugfones on the bike? I'm thinking of these in particular:

https://www.plugfones.com/product/guardian/

I'm mainly interested in listening to podcasts rather than music so I'm not hugely bothered about sound quality as long as it's not dire.

I've seen a few comments about dodgy quality. I don't expect a lot for the price, but I'd like to know if I'm wasting my time.

Oh, and if there are any alternatives I should look at, I'm open to suggestions...

[oj113]

I've been using a pair for almost 2 years now and they're still going strong. For the price they're excellent, musically they're not going to blow your mind although to be honest I mostly use them for audio directions when using my phone for sat nav purposes. They do a great job of killing wind noise, comfortable and never had an issue with them under my helmet.

When my current set die I'll be straight back online to buy more.

[Jazoli]

I used them before fitting my Scala rider and they were great, the worst part is them moving when you put your lid on and pulling them out slightly but that happens to all corded 'phones.

[LiquidGnome]

These are much more expensive, but something to consider:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RHA-MA750-Stainless-Ear-H...

They block almost as much noise as my earplugs, and the over-ear design means they don't get pulled out.

[MajorMantra]

Thanks for the replies.

I did wonder about just using IEMs but wasn't sure if they'd block enough sound. I actually have a half decent set already (Brainwavz) but I've never got them to fit as securely as earplugs.

[MajorMantra]

Thought I'd report back: I bought a set of Plugfones Guardians and I've used them for a few commutes.

Overall I think they're brilliant — I can listen to podcasts at normal volume and audibility isn't an issue under the NSL. (This is on a Street Triple too, so not much wind protection.)

I don't get on with the foam tips but the silicone ones work well for me. The big thing with both these (and indeed any earplugs) is correct insertion technique. As long as I do the tugging-upwards-on-my-ear thing, they sit nice and snug.

The only thing I'm missing is a volume control, as accessing the buttons on my phone whilst on the move doesn't really work. I reckon something like this Griffin Bluetooth adapter looks like a good solution, potentially more practical (and cheaper) than upgrading to Plugfones' own wireless option:



I did wonder if such a thing existed with a bar mount but I haven't seen one, and in any case that would add a trailing cable.

Edited by MajorMantra on Tuesday 29th May 08:55

Edited by MajorMantra on Sunday 3rd March 21:04

[CABC]

snugs.com
10x the price but bespoke. far more lid friendly.

[A993LAD]

I have been using plugphones for a couple of years and have found them very effective.

I used to plug them into my phone to listen to music or radio podcasts.

I've now installed a SENA com's unit on my helmet, but it has an auxiliary earphone socket and I'm still plugging the plug phones into the SENA unit rather than using the speakers installed in the helmet because the wind noise reduction and the audio quality from the plug phones is much better.

So I highly recommend them

[2ndclasscitizen]

MajorMantra said:

The only thing I'm missing is a volume control, as accessing the buttons on my phone whilst on the move doesn't really move. I reckon something like this Griffin Bluetooth adapter looks like a good solution, potentially more practical (and cheaper) than upgrading to Plugfones' own wireless option:



I did wonder if such a thing existed with a bar mount but I haven't seen one, and in any case that would add a trailing cable.

Edited by MajorMantra on Tuesday 29th May 08:55

I picked up a cheapo bluetooth remote off eBay as my solution. There's a bunch on there that are designed for people to clip on to a steering wheel so should clip on to a handle bar. I got this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Bluetooth-MP3... As the bike I had when I bought had clip ons I just got some velcro tape and stuck it to the triple clamp.

[flux]

this is a couple of cheap alternative

https://amzn.to/2shjwNs

https://amzn.to/2H1vPlL


the length of wire going over your ear holds its shape and stops the ear bud falling out of your ears.

Edited by flux on Wednesday 30th May 11:42

[black-k1]

Just remember that anything "in ear" is illegal in the likes of France and Spain so may be an issue if you're planning a trip abroad.

[Mr OCD]

flux said:

this is a couple of cheap alternative

https://amzn.to/2shjwNs

https://amzn.to/2H1vPlL


the length of wire going over your ear holds its shape and stops the ear bud falling out of your ears.

Edited by flux on Wednesday 30th May 11:42

Been looking at those myself. How far do they stick out of your ears as they look quite bulky?

[flux]

Mr OCD said:

Been looking at those myself. How far do they stick out of your ears as they look quite bulky?

They sit flat in my ears and are very comfy. The trick though is using the right size ear tips.

ps. the M6 Pro comes with a pair of foam tip, which I couldn't get used to and were too small for me.

[MajorMantra]

2ndclasscitizen said:

I picked up a cheapo bluetooth remote off eBay as my solution. There's a bunch on there that are designed for people to clip on to a steering wheel so should clip on to a handle bar. I got this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Bluetooth-MP3... As the bike I had when I bought had clip ons I just got some velcro tape and stuck it to the triple clamp.

That could be a good solution, thanks!

[A993LAD]

As mentioned in my post above I use original yellow plugphones and find they work very well and fit nicely in the helmet.

I also bought a pair of these..............

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEE-Audio-M6-PRO-Earpho...

They provide much better audio quality when listening to music than the plugphones and they come with a variety of ear buds, including the plug phone type and also some foam buds that squash and reform like reusable foam earplugs. They also have memory wire built into the cables so you can flex the wire round the back of your ears to keep them in place, when putting your helmet on.

As I say, the quality is very good. They are slightly more prone to dislodge when putting the helmet on than the plugphones because they are slightly bigger.

I bought them after watching this guy doing a video review on YouTube and pronouncing them the best option. It's well worth watching if you have couple of minutes............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U5ArX7J7ps

They only cost £26 of eBay and I was very impressed with the quality of the product.

[MajorMantra]

I saw that very video (that guy is great) and have considered them. I'm not convinced they could block as much sound as proper ear plugs or Plugfones however, the tips aren't constructed the same way.

I might give them a go at some point, but I'm quite precious about my hearing and I hate the idea of damaging it unnecessarily.

I don't have much to compare it to but my Bell helmet is really loud at high speeds, hence my concern.

[MajorMantra]

Thought I'd update this...

I ended up buying Plugfones Guardians and have used them quite happily for 10 months, mostly listening to podcasts. I control volume using a £10-ish Bluetooth remote mounted on my bars:



Unfortunately the headphones started cutting out today and it looks like the wire is damaged internally, probably where it enters the plug. (The straight plug means it's quite vulnerable there.) They're out of warranty but I'm hoping for some goodwill on a replacement.

In any case I've ordered another set and I'm wondering if I might reinforce the cable slightly at the plug using Sugru or something.

[AceOfHearts]

Nice update. For anyone else looking for headphones I have been using Shure SE215 for over 2 years now after being recommended on here and they have been fantastic, well worth the money with awesome sound quality and great isolation of external wind noise.