J&M Elite Headset - Initial Impression
Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 65
From: Tucson AZ
Koala Cowboy ,,,,,
thank you for the great post and no question that the J&M Elite series headsets are the best there is ,,,,,,
however ,,,,, for nearly a hundred bucks less per set, including the lower cord, you can come pretty close using the HS-BCD279-OF-HO headset (((see performance headset page at www.jmcorp.com ))) ,,,,
the differences between the J&M elite series and the performance series, are the diameter of the speakers and the more durable Z-series cords used on the elite series ,,,,,,
JMJOHN ,,, john@jmcorp.com ,,,,,,
thank you for the great post and no question that the J&M Elite series headsets are the best there is ,,,,,,
however ,,,,, for nearly a hundred bucks less per set, including the lower cord, you can come pretty close using the HS-BCD279-OF-HO headset (((see performance headset page at www.jmcorp.com ))) ,,,,
the differences between the J&M elite series and the performance series, are the diameter of the speakers and the more durable Z-series cords used on the elite series ,,,,,,
JMJOHN ,,, john@jmcorp.com ,,,,,,
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JMJOHN,,,, www.Jmcorp.com ,,,, send email direct to John@Jmcorp.com for your HD-Forums VIP Discount Promo Code.
JMJOHN,,,, www.Jmcorp.com ,,,, send email direct to John@Jmcorp.com for your HD-Forums VIP Discount Promo Code.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
I had exactly the same experience. The H-D headset was OK for listening at low levels if sound quality didn't matter (like AM news.) Bought the J&M Elite and it is rock 'n roll. I can turn the volume up until my skull rattles and it doesn't crackle like the H-D headset. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
Good review, thanks.
How does the cord attach with the J&M headsets? One of my pet peeves is that the cord on the Harley model comes loose very easily, and there's no way to lock it in.
Also, will the J&M still work to communicate with the passenger if she's wearing the Harley version? I assume it will, just wanted to make sure. My wife doesn't ride much, so I probably won't upgrade hers.
I wear a helmet all the time and use the headset, but thats a lot of money for an upgrade.
How does the cord attach with the J&M headsets? One of my pet peeves is that the cord on the Harley model comes loose very easily, and there's no way to lock it in.
Also, will the J&M still work to communicate with the passenger if she's wearing the Harley version? I assume it will, just wanted to make sure. My wife doesn't ride much, so I probably won't upgrade hers.
I wear a helmet all the time and use the headset, but thats a lot of money for an upgrade.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
Koala Cowboy ,,,,,
thank you for the great post and no question that the J&M Elite series headsets are the best there is ,,,,,,
however ,,,,, for nearly a hundred bucks less per set, including the lower cord, you can come pretty close using the HS-BCD279-OF-HO headset (((see performance headset page at www.jmcorp.com ))) ,,,,
the differences between the J&M elite series and the performance series, are the diameter of the speakers and the more durable Z-series cords used on the elite series ,,,,,,
JMJOHN ,,, john@jmcorp.com ,,,,,,
thank you for the great post and no question that the J&M Elite series headsets are the best there is ,,,,,,
however ,,,,, for nearly a hundred bucks less per set, including the lower cord, you can come pretty close using the HS-BCD279-OF-HO headset (((see performance headset page at www.jmcorp.com ))) ,,,,
the differences between the J&M elite series and the performance series, are the diameter of the speakers and the more durable Z-series cords used on the elite series ,,,,,,
JMJOHN ,,, john@jmcorp.com ,,,,,,
I considered the "performance" series, but without knowledge of the audio specs and the real differences between the Elite & Performance, I opted to not 'chance' it and bought the best (I really really hate spending money twice). I may buy the "performance" set for my Shoei Multi-Tec modular full-face helmet since there will be less wind noise on the full-face.
Since I think this is John from J&M, a suggestion (you & I've commuicated via email a few times) for you: Put the specs for the products on your site (speaker diameter, depth, audio specs, etc.) so
I definitely like the Elite Speakers, doing just a garage test. Looking really good outside today, so I may have to do a ride (carefully, as there are still some areas where the roads are not quite 100% free of moisture from our recent snow storm).
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
Good review, thanks.
How does the cord attach with the J&M headsets? One of my pet peeves is that the cord on the Harley model comes loose very easily, and there's no way to lock it in.
Also, will the J&M still work to communicate with the passenger if she's wearing the Harley version? I assume it will, just wanted to make sure. My wife doesn't ride much, so I probably won't upgrade hers.
I wear a helmet all the time and use the headset, but thats a lot of money for an upgrade.
How does the cord attach with the J&M headsets? One of my pet peeves is that the cord on the Harley model comes loose very easily, and there's no way to lock it in.
Also, will the J&M still work to communicate with the passenger if she's wearing the Harley version? I assume it will, just wanted to make sure. My wife doesn't ride much, so I probably won't upgrade hers.
I wear a helmet all the time and use the headset, but thats a lot of money for an upgrade.
The connection for the Elite Series cord is, IMO, significantly better than the H-D connector (I have had it disconnect on me a few times and that is VERY aggrevating!!). The connection is much more solid and I don't believe that it will be the annoyance that the H-D connector is, but I'll take a picture and post it later today or tomorrow.
As far as I know, as long as both Rider & Passenger are connected to the INT jacks, they can communicate without issue. I will connect both the old and 'new' and verify, but it shouldn't be an issue.
Also, one of the things that I really like about the Elite Series "lower" cord is the rubber boot that covers the connection point at the console! If it were to start raining, I would have no concerns that moisture would get into the console connector with the Elite lower cord, whereas the HD lower cord has plenty of 'potential' for moisture in the connector (though I have never had it happen, it just 'could').
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
There was a post a while back about a setup around the $50 price-point. After reading through all the posts and reviewing the product, I felt that it was, IMO, not up to par and because I hate spending $$ twice, I opted to just go with what I knew would be the best. Yes it is expensive, however, in the long run, since I now will be wearing a helmet when I ride, it was my decision to be in a position to enjoy the music / comms without having to replace headset / mic multiple times!
We all have our price point that is acceptable and if yours is around the $50 point, then by all means...that product is probably for you!
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I have not been as impressed with my purchase of the J&M elite. I don't hear a significant difference between it and the stock Harley headset that came with my bike. I would not make the purchase again. 
I do understand a little about speaker dynamics. However, the bass response is awful on both the HD and the J&M set. The bass and treble adjustments on the HK radio seem to make no difference as you adjust them. I am usually feeding audio via the AUX port from an MP3 player. The bass and treble controls do make a difference on the faring speakers, just not on the helmet headsets.
I do understand a little about speaker dynamics. However, the bass response is awful on both the HD and the J&M set. The bass and treble adjustments on the HK radio seem to make no difference as you adjust them. I am usually feeding audio via the AUX port from an MP3 player. The bass and treble controls do make a difference on the faring speakers, just not on the helmet headsets.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
I have not been as impressed with my purchase of the J&M elite. I don't hear a significant difference between it and the stock Harley headset that came with my bike. I would not make the purchase again.
I do understand a little about speaker dynamics. However, the bass response is awful on both the HD and the J&M set. The bass and treble adjustments on the HK radio seem to make no difference as you adjust them. I am usually feeding audio via the AUX port from an MP3 player. The bass and treble controls do make a difference on the faring speakers, just not on the helmet headsets.
I do understand a little about speaker dynamics. However, the bass response is awful on both the HD and the J&M set. The bass and treble adjustments on the HK radio seem to make no difference as you adjust them. I am usually feeding audio via the AUX port from an MP3 player. The bass and treble controls do make a difference on the faring speakers, just not on the helmet headsets.
That is really strange! The moment I connected the lower to the bike and turned the radio on, I heard the difference immediately. Wonder if 'maybe' you have a defective set OR perhaps your connectors between the speakers and the base unit are not 100% together?
I would suggest you email John at J&M (john@jmcorp.com) because it really sounds like there is something not right with your headset!
Hope you get your situation figured out so you can enjoy quality audio / comms!