BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I realize this isn't a specific R12R topic, but would appreciate your help.

I've been using Shure's E3C headphones. The sound is great, noise isolation is great but with the slight pressure from the helmet on the plugs against my ear is causing discomfort at the end of a long day.

I've made the decision to buy a good set of headphones for the bike now too. Problem is, last time I went down this road I got micro buds that didn't stay in place and the sound was terrible.

What does everyone else use? Anything you would recommend? What about custom molds?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I use the Etymotic ER-6i connected to my GPS/XM via an Autocomm. These are the best earphones I have ever used, and I have been through a lot. The are far better than the Bose In Ear phones I had previously.

ScooterCop wrote:I use the Etymotic ER-6i connected to my GPS/XM via an Autocomm. These are the best earphones I have ever used, and I have been through a lot. The are far better than the Bose In Ear phones I had previously.

\+1

The Shure E2Cs will fit much better in your ears. I have done a side by side test of them with the Etymotics and found them to be better sounding. They isolate noise so well that I listen to books on tape while on long trips.
Mark

ScooterCop wrote:I use the Etymotic ER-6i connected to my GPS/XM via an Autocomm. These are the best earphones I have ever used, and I have been through a lot. The are far better than the Bose In Ear phones I had previously.

+1 for the Etymotic's. They fit deeply enough into my ear that there is no pressure from the helmet.

The only tricky bit is the cord - but that's a trick on ALL earphones. I added some velcro tabs to the cord so I can stick it to velcro spots on my Aerostitch Roadcrafter - keeps it from blowing around.

Excellent earphone. One caviat - they actually can be too sensitive when used with a Garmin. I tried using it at 10% output power (the minimum that Garmin has) and found the voice rather loud, and the background electronic noise at an annoying level.

The fix was a passive mixer/attenuator that John Brown of MixIt products made for me - the "miniMi" - has two inputs (Garmin and an Ipod) - attenuates the signal about 60% (which is fine for both the Garmin and the Ipod - puts the background electronic noise down where I can't hear it), requires no batteries and simply sits inside my tankbag. It does some electronic isolation of the Garmin which is a problem for bike powered Garmin's - it takes care of the problem.

I understand the non "i" model Etymotic isn't as sensitive - so that might be a better bet for most people if you don't want to add attenuation.

ScooterCop wrote:I use the Etymotic ER-6i

+ another 1

ScooterCop wrote:I use the Etymotic ER-6i...

Me too, but with an iPod and not my GPS. But I do not find them that comfortable for long distances. Maybe my ear canal is a little small.

BTW I found listening to my iPod whilst riding a little....um....pedestrian. As soon as I took them off I found my senses were sharper and my riding a lot better.....albeit a little faster maybe....but still no speeding fines to speak of, touch wood.

ScooterCop wrote:
...
BTW I found listening to my iPod whilst riding a little....um....pedestrian. As soon as I took them off I found my senses were sharper and my riding a lot better.....albeit a little faster maybe....but still no speeding fines to speak of, touch wood.

I find that keeping my volume to "bacground" listening level I get the best of both worlds. I find that at times I don't even recall the last few songs that were played because I was concentrating on riding. When it is too high I agree with ScooterCop.

By the way...ScooterCop...Does the "Cop" part of your nickname imply a career choice which would in turn contribute to the fact that you haven't gotten any tickets? I have found (unfortunately not experienced) that they usually don't give their own.

Scootercop , Have you tried the Shure EC2s?
Mark

r12r-don wrote:

By the way...ScooterCop...Does the "Cop" part of your nickname imply a career choice which would in turn contribute to the fact that you haven't gotten any tickets? I have found (unfortunately not experienced) that they usually don't give their own

Yes, I am a cop, but in order to not get tickets, you'd have to get pulled over. I have only been pulled over once in Upstate NY, for 65MPH in a 50 (I think). I did not get a ticket. This would be a completely different story in Virginia though, as the cops hate everybody, especially New Yorkers, even cops.

r12r-don wrote:

ScooterCop wrote:
...I find that keeping my volume to "bacground" listening level I get the best of both worlds...

I'm brand new to experimenting with music while riding so please excuse what may be a dumb question...

How do you adjust the music volume while you're riding? Is there something you can buy and attach to the handlebar or what?

Thanks!

If you are using an Ipod an "Air Click" will do the job.
Mark

rtallent
How do you adjust the music volume while you're riding? Is there something you can buy and attach to the handlebar or what?

I am using the Garming Zumo 550 and love it. I lower the volume using the master volume setting and also set the GPS voice to be less than 100% otherwise I also find the voice a bit piercing and too loud.

I use the Etymotic ER6i with my Nano ipod. Set up with the Monster remote - a receiving unit plugs into the nano and the remote dial is velcro mounted on fork crown. It's big eough to use with gloves on. Like it a lot.

ER6 with the Zumo 550 is my setup. You can adjust the music/turn instruction volume ratio so that Mrs. Zumo doesn't blast in while your listening to your music. My right ear canal is smaller than my left, so it starts to get a little sore after about 500 miles. It's also important to really wet the ear plug before inserting them.

Speaking of earphones, does anyone know of a website that lists the various states' laws regarding using earphones while riding? I've found a lot that include helmet laws, but none for earphones or helmet speakers.

thanks,
adam

I use Ultimate Ears (UE), which are the best I've ever tried. http://www.ultimateears.com. I have the Super.Fi Pro which block a lot of outside sound, allowing me to keep the volume lower on my iPod.

http://www.ultimateears.com/_ultimateea ... iption.php