I'm looking to add a FM Bluetooth headset device to my HJC IS-17 helmet to get tunes from my Bluetooth IPod Nano. Not concerned too much about voice communication but more so about volume and clarity of the helmet speakers. Sena and J&M come to mind most often. Any experience or input? Thanks

 

I have bluetooth from UClear. http://www.uclear-digital.com/en/
I have speakers in a 3/4 helmet and use earbuds on my half helmet. I pair it with my iPhone and I listen to Pandora radio, iTunes radio, and my downloads. It works great and the thing I like the best, besides no wiring, is the fact that it does not come with a microphone. If you get a phone call while your riding you can touch a button and answer and talk or you can touch a button and return to listening to music. I have had a couple of speaker systems in my helmets before and this one is the first that i can hear the music very well at any speed. I highly recommend this.

 

No complaints about my scala g9x. Maybe has more than you're looking for, but for the things you are looking for it does them really well.

 

Sena SMH10r for the win.

It is small and tidy, doesn't look like a tumor growing out of your helmet like a lot of other models and brands. Has the Bluetooth to my phone so I can do calls and music, if I get with other riders I am not able to do what is called a universal pair with other brands like Cardo. The volume is fine for me in the speakers and can if needed drown out a lot of road noise. The phone call quality is astounding. The other person I tested with could not tell I was riding with the face shield open or closed. Actually said it was a better sound then when I call from our hands free built into our SUV.

 

Don't expect high fidelity audio from these bluetooth headsets. They are great with mid to high frequencies however have little to no bass. I'm using a Sena SMH10 usually for voice audio, podcasts, audiobooks, GPS directions and talk radio which do sound better when played with enhanced mid to high frequencies. When I want to listen to the tunes I'll use the stereo on the Glide.

 

we use the SMH10 with quality earbuds and the music is great ... the helmet speakers are ok for intercom but not for tunes

 

UClear user here. Have the 200 model for past two years. Best thing I have spent money for! Music fidelity is on par with earbuds but dont set expectations to high.

 

I have the Sena SMH10R for my wife's helmet and mine. If you want quality sound ya gotta go with in-ear monitors! One ride with the Sena and I yanked the speakers out of the helmets and ordered the headphone cable and a couple sets of S-plugs from PlugUp. Before the Sena, I'd use my Westone IEM's for music, but the S-plugs are a lot more forgiving when taking the helmet on/off. They are a tad better in isolation too.

 

I use the Sena SMH-10 with my helmet and it is pretty good for listening to tunes on my iPhone. With the HJC helmet, for speeds over about 45 MPH the noise pretty much ruined the fidelity of the music. With my Bell RS-1 helmet it is much better due to the inherent quietness of the helmet. The SMH-10 works well and the limiting factor is how quiet the helmet is.

My review of the Sena unit on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R34V76L...cm_cr_rdp_perm

 

Yeah ... I may have to consider a quieter helmet. I'll also be using the system on a unfaired/unshielded bike, so I realize most fidelity is gone at 60+ mph. Just hoping to hear some tunes, etc. I do not like ear buds after 20 minutes or so...