Bluetooth helmet volume
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
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Bluetooth helmet volume
I bought a Bilt modular helmet with Sena Bluetooth for my Sturgis trip last year. It was plenty loud and clear for phone calls, but…. I was a very disappointed with the volume level for music and podcasts. So much so that I switched over to the bike speakers, and at 80mph they will always fall short. Do any of you recommend a particular helmet with Bluetooth built-in that’s loud enough for music and podcasts? I don’t want to break the bank but realize quality ain’t cheap. I’m open to modular, full face, and 3/4 helmets.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
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From: Omaha
I bought a Bilt modular helmet with Sena Bluetooth for my Sturgis trip last year. It was plenty loud and clear for phone calls, but…. I was a very disappointed with the volume level for music and podcasts. So much so that I switched over to the bike speakers, and at 80mph they will always fall short. Do any of you recommend a particular helmet with Bluetooth built-in that’s loud enough for music and podcasts? I don’t want to break the bank but realize quality ain’t cheap. I’m open to modular, full face, and 3/4 helmets.
I don’t think there is a sound system out there that is loud enough to be able to fully enjoy music at 80 miles an hour regardless of the helmet or the exhaust you have.
That being said one option you may consider is upgrading the Sena speakers.
My Heritage has a pretty much open exhaust so it’s very loud and my Freewheeler has stock exhaust so it’s fairly tame.
While wearing my Shoei II helmet with upgraded Sena speakers I can hear music pretty well especially while riding the Freewheeler.
Below is the link to the upgraded speakers depending on which Sena unit you have.
Don’t expect a huge improvement in the volume, but the upgraded speakers IMO are just a bit louder than the stock speakers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,083
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Are you receptive to using bluetooth earbuds? Most are small enough to fit nicely under a FF helmet, reduce noise and are excellent for music.
I've had my modular helmet now for about 6 years and is a great helmet. Has built-in speakers and a comm. It's good for bike-to-bike com, and it's just okay for music. I ride a King and I listen to music 80% of the time, so earbuds are my go-to. I started out with the wired ones and they reduce the wing-noise significantly and music is excellent. The bluetooth and noise cancellation have come a long way, so I have those now. They're even great when wearing 1/2 helmets.
The better ones are pricey, but I've used for awhile now. They have a newer and smaller version now, and even the Bose are good.
Not sure if a com is more important to you, but even with better speakers and turning up the volume, me thinks you're just increasing crappy sound over wind/road noise. Others can chime in on this.
I've had my modular helmet now for about 6 years and is a great helmet. Has built-in speakers and a comm. It's good for bike-to-bike com, and it's just okay for music. I ride a King and I listen to music 80% of the time, so earbuds are my go-to. I started out with the wired ones and they reduce the wing-noise significantly and music is excellent. The bluetooth and noise cancellation have come a long way, so I have those now. They're even great when wearing 1/2 helmets.
The better ones are pricey, but I've used for awhile now. They have a newer and smaller version now, and even the Bose are good.
Not sure if a com is more important to you, but even with better speakers and turning up the volume, me thinks you're just increasing crappy sound over wind/road noise. Others can chime in on this.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
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From: Ontario, Canada
My wife & I use Cardo PackTalk comm units with their JBL speakers. Comm & music is supper clear and plenty loud enough as I can't run the comm unit at full volume.
I use mine in a Shoei Neotec II Modular helmet and my wife uses hers in a Harley issued 1/2 helmet. She has the same Shoei as I do but finds the weight a bit much so her go-to is the 1/2 helmet.
I use mine in a Shoei Neotec II Modular helmet and my wife uses hers in a Harley issued 1/2 helmet. She has the same Shoei as I do but finds the weight a bit much so her go-to is the 1/2 helmet.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 31
Likes: 9
From: Tasmania
First thing I would do is talk to a Sena tech. I have a Cardo and had a very similar problem, finally rang a Tech and they explained that some of my settings were wrong causing the issue with the lower volume for music. Once adjusted to correct settings the problem disappeared.
Also worth checking the settings on your phone to see if there is a safety feature to limit the music volume when using a headset. If so turn it off. On my iPhone it is under:
Settings/Sounds & Haptics/Headphone Safety
Also worth checking the settings on your phone to see if there is a safety feature to limit the music volume when using a headset. If so turn it off. On my iPhone it is under:
Settings/Sounds & Haptics/Headphone Safety
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,736
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From: North Carolina
My wife & I use Cardo PackTalk comm units with their JBL speakers. Comm & music is supper clear and plenty loud enough as I can't run the comm unit at full volume.
I use mine in a Shoei Neotec II Modular helmet and my wife uses hers in a Harley issued 1/2 helmet. She has the same Shoei as I do but finds the weight a bit much so her go-to is the 1/2 helmet.
I use mine in a Shoei Neotec II Modular helmet and my wife uses hers in a Harley issued 1/2 helmet. She has the same Shoei as I do but finds the weight a bit much so her go-to is the 1/2 helmet.
More than loud enough.
My first thought is the phone volume is not turned up. Many phones automatically default to half volume on blue tooth to protect your ears. I would hook everything up, pick a song and double check the volume control on the phone. This has happened to me before.
Cardo with the larger optional JBL speakers is the cats meow.
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