...that function reasonably well on a bike. I picked up a set of Logitech UE (Ultimate Ear) 350s at Costco last weekend. They were $39.99, and come with a hard case and multiple sizes of plastic ear buds and one set of compressible foam ear buds. After a couple of test rides I've come away very pleased. I ride a RK - mostly w/o the windshield on, and that's been the case thus far when trying-out these UE350s. It should also be noted I ride with a novelty 1/2 lid, so wind noise to me is a major factor.

They come with an in-line volume adjustment on the cord that can be useful (but really just serves as a limiter for the output coming from your connected device) as well as a clip you can use to attach the cord to your clothing to limit the cord from pulling on the buds. I've been using an iPod Nano (latest gen prior to today's Apple announcement...) which I either tuck in my jeans pocket or inside my jacket pocket.

Sound quality and isolation is better than other lower-priced brands/models I've tried (e.g. Apple ear buds, Skull Candy, etc). I have not spent big $$ on brands like Shure or Westone, so YMMV with higher-priced units. I may shell out for those one day, but they'd have to be much better at-speed than these to make me pull the trigger.

Sound reproduction comes through very well and balanced - with good, but not overpowering bass - at slower speeds. Once I hit 60 mph, the wind starts to enter the equation somewhat - but nothing like with other ear buds I've (briefly) tried. At 70 mph I can still hear the music fine, but do notice wind noise more than when I'm wearing foam earplugs.

Riding with music is a new experience for me - due mainly to not finding anything previously that was comfortable, sealed wind noise sufficiently, and was affordable. It's a nice alternative to having that one, annoying song running through my head over and over on long rides. And an added benefit is I only hear the transmission "clunk" when I shift in-between songs.

 

ive been waitin for a thread like thia ..mine sucks...i have to have the ipod allllll the way up to be able to semi hear the music

 

Good write up on these...

As another alternative I have found the Skull Candy 50/50s to be really good as well... At ~$50 for the pair (don't remember exactly how much but in that range)

The 50/50s have the in line volume control, pause, skip and back Ipod control features and three differnet sized rubber ear pieces... Sound quality is pretty good and they block out most of the wind noise as well (as long as you get them seated in your ears properly.... They can also be used as a hands free device for the phone (if you don't mind having it attached by a cord).

Hope you don't mind me adding my ear bud review to your thread...

Good on ya

Jr

 

I got Skull candy noise reducing buds, and they worked so good, then I wanted a deck and speakers.
Shortly after that I bought a $18,000 stereo called a Streetglide

Having the iPod with playlist to suit my mood is even better.
I have playlist like... up beat, favorites, oldies, country, chick rock, stoner music (a.k.a. '70's), acoustic, blues, metal, etc.

 

My son wants new earbuds for his birthday, I have no idea of where to start.
I have a cheaper set of skullcandy's, but he says they are not loud enough for him.
I think he may have damaged his ears by using earbuds all day long in the sheetmetal
shop where he works. I would hate to buy him something that is going to make this worse.
Hopefully a more expensive set would sound better so he won't have to blast it all the time.
I am worried about his hearing, is this the wrong thing to buy him for his birthday?
I know he will use whatever he has, but I don't want to add to his ear damage by buying
something that will be so load it will hurt his ears more than they already are.
any suggestions?

 

I use the iLuv ones at 8.99 cant beat it, plus my FF helmet holds them in my ear.

 

One alternative I've read about are the Westone earbuds, which you can get custom fitted to your ears by a (local) hearing center they partner with. They are more $$ than what I've spent, but the potential is that a full seal in the ear canal could allow your son to keep the volume lower.
http://www.westone.com/

Another option are the Monster in-ear buds that have a type of inside-the-ear clip feature that's supposed to work well for active use. I found them on sale at Office Depot last weekend for $100 (reg $150). Looked like a cool idea to keep 'em in place, but didn't want to spend that much on my experiment.

One thing I've found with earbuds - YMMV - is that I insert them 'upside down' in my ear, and run the cord up and around my outer ear, then down the back. I seem to be able to get a better seal this way, and the added advantage is that minor tugs on the cord don't mess with the seal. This approximates the benefit of some ear buds with some sort of over-ear clip/attachment - and doesn't interfere with wearing sunglasses.

As I said, I run w/o a windshield as much as possible, and with a half helmet, I encounter a lot of wind around the ears so I don't expect perfection. But these UEs seem to be doing the trick. Less expensive than an $18K stereo system and I've never ridden a bike with a stereo, so don't know how the wind vs. stereo experience is "at speed"?

 

I have gone through several different earbuds. I like my 2 pairs of KOSS the best

 

Skull Candy
I have the ~$17 pair (cheapest they have i think) and i love them. Theyre like ear plugs and seal out all sound, and have excellent base. I wore them last weekend when i went on a 4-5 hr ride. Theyre not plastic, theyre like a rubber type seal and come with a couple different size rubber peices to put on if the reg ones dont fit your ear. I'd highly recommend them to anyone not wanting to spend $40 on earbuds

 

before I got the $18k stereo (thanks for that line BTW) the wife and I used the BOSE ear buds

they have the volume control, also can forward select or reverse select songs on an MP3 player like an ipod or something like that, and if you use them with your iphone or other phone running pandora or something like that, and you needed to, you can answer a incoming phone call with 1 push

they are pricey, not a throw away version, but well worth the money

these are the ones we have

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/...=mie2i_headset