I have the cardo pack talk. I haven't used anything else, so I can't compare, but I'm very happy with it. I use a jumper to get carplay. I've never had any issue at all. I have not upgraded the speakers, but I'm happy with the sound that I get from the OEM ones.

 

I've used Sena, Cardo, and Lexin. Lexin is the base, Sena is the middle guy, and Cardo with the JBL speakers is the best sounding. Cardo is loud enough to hear with ear plugs in as well. Price is the same as the quality. Each device's speakers are pretty thick so I find myself tucking my ear in. Sena does have a slim speaker which I used and made the ear situation better but had a hard time hearing things. I've been using the Cardo pack talk for quite sometime now. It's moved from HJC, to Icon, and now to an HD Pilot 3 in 1 which is the Scorpion covert helmets. (Editing for battery life.) Cardo trumps all the others on battery life and the unit can be removed to charge which is convenient. I'll go on 4-5 hour rides and it's still good to go.

 

This is pretty interesting, though it seems bulky. I'd like to hear it in action though before spending that kind of money on it.

 

I don't think that you will want to change helmets, I've got a Neotech II which I use for longer rides and it is an awesome helmet, so once you ride with it I doubt you will want something else. I haven't gone wireless but put a J&M wired headset into the helmet. I just found that the wired headset was louder (as I wear earplugs) and doesn't run out of battery life when I'm doing longer days on the bike. I had a Cardo on another helmet but at highway speeds I couldn't hear anything from it hence why I decided to be wired. Good Luck

 

I have the Cardo JBLs in my NeoTec II, I don't have anything to compare them to, but they work well.

 

Sena 5s in Arai full face helmet.Totally happy with the sound. The speakers lay inside the special pockets and are very comfortable. Tried earbuds but my ears wouldnt have it, felt pressure
Sena's new HD speakers really deliver. I use the voice command system alot.....change volume, track, answer phone, make calls etc. (Though I stay off the phone for most part, too distracting) Never havev to go full volume even with my VH decatted br 2:1. Also mounted Chubby Buttons on left side of handlebars for another control option and can quickly stop all sound

 

+1 on the J and M wired helmet headsets,been using them for a very long time!

 

Might not be conventional and not exactly apple but lemme explain what I did. I have Samsung Android. So I purchased thos mold your own earplugs. I pulled rubbers off my Samsung headset. I then used the mold your own to mold them around my Samsung headset. I farming love them. Quiet noise but great sound.

 

Yep...been using J&M for 27+ years, only bought 1 replacement cord. Didn't buy it on a whim...