Moulded earplugs/earphones with sound?
Moulded earplugs/earphones with sound?
Author
Discussion

Condi

Original Poster:

19,226 posts

190 months

Wednesday 8th October
quotequote all
As I'm getting older it seems like a lifetime of raves and gigs is catching up with my ears, so much so that half an hour on the motorway is causing them to be quite painful due to wind and bike noise. However, I do like to listen to things when I ride, and bought a Cardo a while back which unfortunately is next to useless above 40/50mph. I've seen people use moulded earphones in the past, which I believe I can connect into the Cardo giving the best of both noise reduction and sounds.

These things are quite expensive, and presumably non returnable so which is best? Ideally I want something with good noise protection, decent sound quality for music and podcasts, will stay in the ear when taking the helmet on and off, and don't protrude too far so that the helmet pushes against them and into my head.

Budget is not unlimited, but reasonable for the right product.

archie456

470 posts

241 months

Wednesday 8th October
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There's already a thread about this here


Condi

Original Poster:

19,226 posts

190 months

Wednesday 8th October
quotequote all
Thanks, I knew there was one somewhere but couldn't find it.

s p a c e m a n

11,436 posts

167 months

Wednesday 8th October
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Have you tried using normal disposable foam earplugs? I find wearing them cuts the wind noise which gives the speaker more clarity, I'll listen to news on the way to work but struggle if I haven't got earplugs in.

CHLEMCBC

909 posts

36 months

Wednesday 8th October
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I use Artevive plugs with my Cardo. Plenty loud enough for music, podcasts and audio books

FoolsErrand

38 posts

23 months

Thursday 9th October
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Have you not been using earplugs of some kind already? If not that can cause every bit as much damage as any loud music.

Freakuk

4,215 posts

170 months

Thursday 9th October
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Years ago I had a similar thing to Cardo, effectively small speakers that velcro'd into your lid, as you say pretty useless above 50mph. But when you put earplugs in a lot of the wind noise vanished so you could hear music up to 70 or so quite easily.

Have you tried that before going down the molded earplugs route?

Nothingtoseehere

4,726 posts

206 months

Thursday 9th October
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These are an excellent foam ear plug. Make sure you insert them properly. As with all foam ear plugs this is essential.
You'll still hear what you need to hear, including any intercom (if turned up).

https://www.screwfix.com/p/howard-leight-laser-lit...

I've moved to custom ear plugs with audio (wired). They are similarly good and I plug them in to my Chatterbox X2-Slim P radio. I needed to add an inline volume control though as the intercom appears to be set up to be used with earplugs rather than in-ear speakers!

https://ultimateear.com/product/soundear-motorcycl...

Condi

Original Poster:

19,226 posts

190 months

Thursday 9th October
quotequote all
FoolsErrand said:
Have you not been using earplugs of some kind already? If not that can cause every bit as much damage as any loud music.
No I've never worried about it before, so new territory.

I see Ultimate are at the NEC bike show in a few weeks time, and apparently will do impressions there saving the cost of getting them done elsewhere. Seems a good excuse to go.

the cueball

1,616 posts

74 months

Thursday 9th October
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I used the ultimate ear ones for year snow, really good quality.


TheInternet

5,046 posts

182 months

Thursday 9th October
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If you haven't been using even basic foam ear plugs I'd start there.

John D.

19,682 posts

228 months

Thursday 9th October
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I've got some ultimate ear plugs with Bluetooth speakers. No complaints over last 6 months.

darkyoung1000

2,331 posts

215 months

Friday 10th October
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An alternative to consider might be the cheap ear plugs as suggested, but with a set of bone conducting headphones worn outside of the ears.
i have a set of the Shox that combine nicely with silicone ear 'pine trees' in an open face helmet.

the cueball

1,616 posts

74 months

Friday 10th October
quotequote all
John D. said:
I've got some ultimate ear plugs with Bluetooth speakers. No complaints over last 6 months.
How is the battery life / sound quality with them in real life?


John D.

19,682 posts

228 months

Friday 10th October
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the cueball said:
How is the battery life / sound quality with them in real life?
Very good. I only use them every now and again when I drive my Elise. Rarely have to charge them. Must have used them for at least 2.5hrs without a low battery warning. Same battery life as any other Bluetooth earpods I have really. I don't use them on the bike (I have some non-speaker ones for that), but they are bike spec protection.

They're not cheap but they feel like a good quality product.

the cueball

1,616 posts

74 months

Friday 10th October
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Cheers for the info.

Nothingtoseehere

4,726 posts

206 months

Monday 13th October
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I have the wired ultimateear earplugs as I plug them into my comms kit.

I have however just ordered a Bluetooth adaptor to use them in my car, with my phone, too https://amzn.eu/d/32GnevA. I can clip it to my harness. I currently use large overhead cans which have a wired connection to a radio but they're not overly comfortable on long trips.

If it works well, it's a good way to add flexibility to the ultimateear product.

archie456

470 posts

241 months

Monday 13th October
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I use a Fiio BTR3 bluetooth amp for my wired ultimateear plugs on my bike, it works very well.