Helmet Speakers
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: Newark OH
Are helmet speakers actually headphones? I think not. Headphones are only headphones when they are in contact with your ear and covering it. Helmet speakers do not in fact come into contact with your ear nor do they cover it thus blocking ambient sound. Headphones do come into direct contact with your ear (usually via an ear pad) and without any sound input block ambient sound. Therefore there should be no way that a speaker or set of speakers mounted in a helmet could or should be considered headphones. Especially if installed correctly, as I dont want the speaker rubbing my ears during a long ride.
I have found that on long trips that music either through headphoens, earbuds or speakers actually INCREASES my situational awareness as I am less fatigued and have more than wind/pipe noise. Granted to do this one has to use common sence and use appropriate volume settings. Much like you would need to do if in a car. If you crank the music in a car too loud it decreases your situation awareness and blocks ambient sound. Hoever if you have the music set to a reasonable level and use common sence it makes the trip much more enjoyable and less tiring.
MH
I have found that on long trips that music either through headphoens, earbuds or speakers actually INCREASES my situational awareness as I am less fatigued and have more than wind/pipe noise. Granted to do this one has to use common sence and use appropriate volume settings. Much like you would need to do if in a car. If you crank the music in a car too loud it decreases your situation awareness and blocks ambient sound. Hoever if you have the music set to a reasonable level and use common sence it makes the trip much more enjoyable and less tiring.
MH
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, Fl.
I use earbuds and ride an Ultra. I cut off the original speakers for the mic system, soldered a mini female plug onto the wires that the original speakers used. I also use my communication cable that plugs from the helmet to the bike. I have full control of the volume at the touch of a button, but like someone above suggested, it would be stupid to ride with anything in your ears if it was turned up real loud. The fidelity is great without being loud, and keeps the noise from the wind from ruining your hearing... my .02
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Great, the noise canceling offer good sound and still not damage the ears because they don't have to be as loud...
But U will lose some of the surrounding sounds while riding...
As a safety rep for the last 7 yrs of work, one of my jobs was to keep the noise in the shop and new machines down below Our standards which where even better (lower) than the OSHA standards.....
Studies have shown that ear plug type headphones do and will cause permanent ear damage over time when they are turned up to loud...
30-40 yrs ago in the factory we didn't have ear protection and now My ears rings 24-7 because of the jobs I used to have to do....Believe me its not good to have to turn up everything just to be able to hear..
Found these charts for noise and they are worth looking at if interested in what the different limits and levels of noise are...
http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.ed...earing_art.htm
But U will lose some of the surrounding sounds while riding...
As a safety rep for the last 7 yrs of work, one of my jobs was to keep the noise in the shop and new machines down below Our standards which where even better (lower) than the OSHA standards.....
Studies have shown that ear plug type headphones do and will cause permanent ear damage over time when they are turned up to loud...
30-40 yrs ago in the factory we didn't have ear protection and now My ears rings 24-7 because of the jobs I used to have to do....Believe me its not good to have to turn up everything just to be able to hear..
Found these charts for noise and they are worth looking at if interested in what the different limits and levels of noise are...
http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.ed...earing_art.htm
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