Head Sets
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Let's back up a little bit. Before you start thinking about changing to earbuds or bluetooth, let's see if we can make your current headset work a little better. If you have poor sound quality and low volume with the standard Harley headsets, it's probably because the headset speakers are too far from your ears. If the drivers aren't pretty close to your ears you will have no bass response and low volume. Try taking the speakers out and putting something behind them to bring them closer to your ears without actually touching. Experiment with circles of cardboard until you find the right thickness. If that fixes your sound and volume issues, then find a way to permanently mount them and you shold be good to go. You can also go the extra step and custom cut a ring of soft foam to fill in the ear pocket in your helmet around the speaker. This will seal it better to your ear and give you much better bass. I've been using Harley and J&M headsets this way in my full and open face helmets and can't run the radio at more than about 2/3rds volume without blowing out my ears.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
It's fairly shocking how a few millimeters up, down, left or right makes a world of difference.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 204
Likes: 21
From: Boise, ID
Good points... Sometimes even putting your helmet on a little cocked will cause a major volume change.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 258
Likes: 21
From: Florida
I am using Bluetooth headset and it works for CB just fine. There are a few add-ons you can use to make this work wirelessly. The Sierra electronics mod seems to be the most popular but I use a German aftermarket device installed on my streetglide which I added CB to. Works fine but haven't used it too much.
I have a SHOEI GT-Air helmet, there are recesses for the speakers. The HD speakers are just a bit large, but with strategically placed velcro, they stay put, and fit nicely flush on my ears, giving excellent audio quality, both music and communication, including intercom and phone.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Evans, GA
J&M speakers are the best in my opinion. J&M sells a lower cord that has a earbud installed up near the helmet. I prefer the custom molded earbuds myself. Serve 2 purposes, blocks the wind noise and sound quality is much better.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Southern Maryland
I use a set of Sena 10's. Work like a dream, no cord to get in way. I listen to the stereo thru the speakers and the wife and I talk over blue tooth. They will also work with most Bluetooth devices too. ( wife rides her own bike so needed quick and easy access to communication with out extra components etc)
Last edited by Steamfighter; Jan 12, 2016 at 08:38 PM.
I am looking for a head set with smaller speakers then the Harley headset for full face they are to thick and my helmet fits to tight with them
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