Active Noise Reduction (ANC) Helmets

[Neal H]

Anyone have any experience of these?

There's the Sena Phantom ANC at £520 or the Schubert C5 ANC at about £1100 as far as I can tell. The Schubert uses Cardo technology and Cardo should have their version (Cardo Beyond) available soon, but that will also be over a Grand.

The Schubert and Cardo are probably more than I'd be prepared to pay, but the Sena at half the price could be an option if it's actually any good. There's very little out there in terms of reviews.

I already use ear plugs, but always really struggle with them so if an ANC helmet actually works well enough, I'd be prepared to spend the money.

[hiccy18]

There's a few reviews of the Sena, none good. I read a review of the Schuberth this morning on Bennett's, seems to work well. I found the C5 a poor fit but very interested in the Cardo, when it finally arrives.

[mrtomsv]

Hopefully this technology will evolve and become effective and commonplace in the near future. It would make a huge difference to some of the faff associated with riding. Not having to put my helmet and gloves on, remember earplugs, take gloves and helmet off again…….

[Neal H]

hiccy18 said:

There's a few reviews of the Sena, none good. I read a review of the Schuberth this morning on Bennett's, seems to work well. I found the C5 a poor fit but very interested in the Cardo, when it finally arrives.

It was that Bennetts review of the Schubert that got me interested. The C5 ANC is about £630 and you then have to buy the Cardo unit for £500.
If it really works, I might well bite the bullet and go for it. I will wait and see though until the Cardo helmet goes on sale before deciding.

The worry is of course that it's a lot of money to waste if it turns out to make little difference.

[Bob_Defly]

I still want to see a scientific study that shows that blasting your eardrums with 100dB of opposing frequencies ACTUALLY protects your ears, and causes the same or less damage than wearing ear plugs.

[cybersimon]

Motolegends in Guildford will (I think) let you borrow one before you buy. They don't seem totally convinced.

[Simon_GH]

Bob_Defly said:

I still want to see a scientific study that shows that blasting your eardrums with 100dB of opposing frequencies ACTUALLY protects your ears, and causes the same or less damage than wearing ear plugs.

This is my concern too. Do the sound waves cancel out each other so the energy is zero or, as you suggest, is it additional energy? I was told it was the frequencies you couldn’t hear which were most damaging.

[Neal H]

Simon_GH said:

Bob_Defly said:

I still want to see a scientific study that shows that blasting your eardrums with 100dB of opposing frequencies ACTUALLY protects your ears, and causes the same or less damage than wearing ear plugs.

This is my concern too. Do the sound waves cancel out each other so the energy is zero or, as you suggest, is it additional energy? I was told it was the frequencies you couldn t hear which were most damaging.

This element doesn't actually worry me. Active noise reduction technology has existed for years and is widely used in other environments, it's just that this is the first time it's been applied to the particularly challenging noise environment that is a motorcycle crash helmet!

From what I've read about it, it doesn't try and mask the sound waves. It cancels them (or partially cancels them depending on how successful it is).

[Neal H]

cybersimon said:

Motolegends in Guildford will (I think) let you borrow one before you buy. They don't seem totally convinced.

I saw that video as well. I think they're trying to manage expectations. If people expect to ride around in blissful silence without ear plugs then they're going to be disappointed!

I don't expect that, but I do want the technology to work well enough to eliminate the need for ear plugs.

[hiccy18]

I don't expect to ride without earplugs: I want to wear filtered plugs on long high speed journeys without damaging my ears. If ANC does that I'll invest in moulded plugs for the comfort and convenience.

[Bob_Defly]

Neal H said:

Simon_GH said:

Bob_Defly said:

I still want to see a scientific study that shows that blasting your eardrums with 100dB of opposing frequencies ACTUALLY protects your ears, and causes the same or less damage than wearing ear plugs.

This is my concern too. Do the sound waves cancel out each other so the energy is zero or, as you suggest, is it additional energy? I was told it was the frequencies you couldn t hear which were most damaging.

This element doesn't actually worry me. Active noise reduction technology has existed for years and is widely used in other environments, it's just that this is the first time it's been applied to the particularly challenging noise environment that is a motorcycle crash helmet!

From what I've read about it, it doesn't try and mask the sound waves. It cancels them (or partially cancels them depending on how successful it is).

I understand the science, and have NC headphones that work brilliantly. But until I see an actual study that advocates for removing proven protection and replacing it with opposing sound waves, I'll stick to foam earplugs.