Best way to listen to music without a sound system
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 232
From: Batcave
I spent a small fortune upgrading the bike stereo and would never do that again when good moulded ear phones are so much better for sound quality and for protecting your hearing. And youll save over $1,000
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 5,477
From: Woodlands, MB, Canada
What helmet do you have? Does it have provisions to fit speakers?
I use a Cardo Freecom unit paired to my cell phone. https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4x/ It comes with JBL speakers that fit in the speaker pockets in the ear flaps on my Bell Pit Boss helmet. I've been using it for over a year and am happy with it.
It also comes with a microphone for phone and intercom functions, but I don't use it. It's still in the box. I only listen to tunes and to turn-by-turn directions when I'm using a GPS app on my phone.. The unit clips on the helmet. You can pause/resume, and adjust the volume with your thumb. The battery lasts over 12 hrs. So it's pretty well good for all day on a single charge.
I use a Cardo Freecom unit paired to my cell phone. https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4x/ It comes with JBL speakers that fit in the speaker pockets in the ear flaps on my Bell Pit Boss helmet. I've been using it for over a year and am happy with it.
It also comes with a microphone for phone and intercom functions, but I don't use it. It's still in the box. I only listen to tunes and to turn-by-turn directions when I'm using a GPS app on my phone.. The unit clips on the helmet. You can pause/resume, and adjust the volume with your thumb. The battery lasts over 12 hrs. So it's pretty well good for all day on a single charge.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Local rides I listen to the bike radio. Trips, I have my Cardo and listen to music on my phone. I have also used my Cardo to listen to local FM radio, but reception can be sketchy at times.
My units are set up with speakers in the helmet and the unit connected. My half helmet I have a set of ear buds I use. I "wrap" from the back side of my ear, over the top, and "plug" into ear from front. Never had one pop out or come loose. I'm fairly certain if you find a decent pair of ear buds, these should work just fine. You've had a lot of good suggestions here. Check them out.
And FWI...... sound quality is not important to me when riding. If I can hear the music, that is what I'm after. If I want sound quality, then I'd be listening at home!!!
My units are set up with speakers in the helmet and the unit connected. My half helmet I have a set of ear buds I use. I "wrap" from the back side of my ear, over the top, and "plug" into ear from front. Never had one pop out or come loose. I'm fairly certain if you find a decent pair of ear buds, these should work just fine. You've had a lot of good suggestions here. Check them out.
And FWI...... sound quality is not important to me when riding. If I can hear the music, that is what I'm after. If I want sound quality, then I'd be listening at home!!!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: New York
Hey guys thanks for all the insight and help! I wouldve loved to go with the cardo but I went with the plugphones
https://www.plugfones.com/product/li...SAAEgJLqPD_BwE
i wouldve went with the cardo but this is the helmet I wear and I dont believe I can attach it or it would look a little weird.
https://microdothelmet.co/products/m...-beanie-helmet
https://www.plugfones.com/product/li...SAAEgJLqPD_BwE
i wouldve went with the cardo but this is the helmet I wear and I dont believe I can attach it or it would look a little weird.
https://microdothelmet.co/products/m...-beanie-helmet
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
A contrary opinion, surprise! But if you need to hear music while riding, maybe a motorcycle isnt what one is after?
My bike has a radio, I added a few things but if its not playing I dont care.
I am immersed in the ride. My previous bikes were not stereo equipped.
I try to do long rides in remote places. No radio stations and no cell so it doesnt work anyway.
Now I have a full face with cardo setup. Again, if I think about it, synch it all, cool. If not, I dont think about it. Just me.
Where I am now, Tannassee, spotty cell when off the main areas, and minute I turn off bike, I lose my music off Spotify, hence my USB with over 4k songs. If I must hear music I plug it in.
But as I said, its not why I ride, nor for me and me not you, its not high on my list. As I have aged, I dont even listen at home much. Have a couple of studio monitors that sit. Was a time tho
My bike has a radio, I added a few things but if its not playing I dont care.
I am immersed in the ride. My previous bikes were not stereo equipped.
I try to do long rides in remote places. No radio stations and no cell so it doesnt work anyway.
Now I have a full face with cardo setup. Again, if I think about it, synch it all, cool. If not, I dont think about it. Just me.
Where I am now, Tannassee, spotty cell when off the main areas, and minute I turn off bike, I lose my music off Spotify, hence my USB with over 4k songs. If I must hear music I plug it in.
But as I said, its not why I ride, nor for me and me not you, its not high on my list. As I have aged, I dont even listen at home much. Have a couple of studio monitors that sit. Was a time tho
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 4,200
From: The boonies of northern New England
What helmet do you have? Does it have provisions to fit speakers?
I use a Cardo Freecom unit paired to my cell phone. https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4x/ It comes with JBL speakers that fit in the speaker pockets in the ear flaps on my Bell Pit Boss helmet. I've been using it for over a year and am happy with it.
It also comes with a microphone for phone and intercom functions, but I don't use it. It's still in the box. I only listen to tunes and to turn-by-turn directions when I'm using a GPS app on my phone.. The unit clips on the helmet. You can pause/resume, and adjust the volume with your thumb. The battery lasts over 12 hrs. So it's pretty well good for all day on a single charge.
I use a Cardo Freecom unit paired to my cell phone. https://www.cardosystems.com/shop/freecom-4x/ It comes with JBL speakers that fit in the speaker pockets in the ear flaps on my Bell Pit Boss helmet. I've been using it for over a year and am happy with it.
It also comes with a microphone for phone and intercom functions, but I don't use it. It's still in the box. I only listen to tunes and to turn-by-turn directions when I'm using a GPS app on my phone.. The unit clips on the helmet. You can pause/resume, and adjust the volume with your thumb. The battery lasts over 12 hrs. So it's pretty well good for all day on a single charge.
The second big negative with the Bold units, is oftentimes the voice command feature doesn't work. If I command Cardo to play music, or ask it to tell me the battery status, I get no response. It doesn't matter if I am stopped or not (so not likely a background noise issue), or whether I speak loudly and slowly or not. I can repeat the command until I am blue in the face, still no joy. I have to power the unit down, and turn it back on. Then, the damn thing will finally respond to a prompt. Does your Freecom ever have this issue?
It sounds like when it is time to replace the Bold units, I should get the Freecom.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 805
Likes: 1,510
From: Bloomington, IN
It is 100% possible to absorb and immerse yourself in the riding experience while music is playing. At 40,000+ miles a year, music is on 99% of the time.
Very nice rig!
Last edited by scott7d; Dec 1, 2023 at 04:26 PM.
