Crash Listening to the Clash

August 14, 2008 4:23 PM

I'm considering getting a bike helmet with built-in speakers like this one. Anyone have experience with such a helmet?

Two issues concern me.

A.) Is it too loud? Will I still hear ambient sounds?

B.) Is it loud enough? Can you hear anything, especially when riding fast?

I suppose I'd also like to know if they're comfortable and structurally sound. I'm not all that interested in if you think it's a good idea to listen to music when riding, really I'm looking for anyone with experience with one of these.
Thanks.

posted by Toekneesan to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

Something about the headphone jack in the back of the helmet just streams "danger will robinson".

I personally ride with $10 sony over the ear headphones that can sit comfortably outside the ear. They are loud enough to be heard, but being outside the ear remove much of the bassiness that I attribute with drowning out other sounds. I feel as though I can still listen and enjoy music, but hear 95% of what is going on around me. They work just fine trucking along at 24mph, and I can still hear the hum of a hybrids tires approaching at 50mph.
posted by SirStan at 6:38 PM on August 14, 2008

steams = screams.
posted by SirStan at 6:39 PM on August 14, 2008

As a touring motorcycle rider that often listened to music at 60mph -- and will be listening again as soon as I regain an operable set of two wheels -- my recommendation would be to work for a setup that permits you to silence one ear at need and doesn't act like an earplug. The easiest way to do this from my experience is to use regular ol' over-ear or in-ear earbuds... and if you need it to be louder, just get a $5 in-line amp from radio shack.

This, of course, is assuming you're riding in traffic and not in a controlled environment like a BMX course. If it's the latter, I'd really recommend that you work for something like these earbuds from Amazon -- excellent sound quality, you can tuck the cord inside your shirt and it's designed for people who are exercising heavily. This way you won't have something that can, say, penetrate your skull if you take a spill.
posted by SpecialK at 9:23 PM on August 14, 2008

Well following SpecialK's advice, I actually only use one earphone at a time. IT allows you to enjoy the music without being completely shut off from the world. And if you are riding on the street, thats a big plus.

I've never used that kind of bicycle helmet, but I ski with a Giro helmet with music built in and they are more than loud enough. Too loud I would think for bicycle riding, that's why I would suggest the above advice.
posted by wile e at 10:55 PM on August 14, 2008

I own said Azonic helmet. It's pretty shit, to be perfectly honest with you. Very tinny, very poor sound quality.

Aside from sound quality issues, it's a fairly well constructed hard-shell BMX/Skate style helmet. Its shape is more oriented to people with round as opposed to oval shaped heads. Minimal ventilation, as is the norm with this style of helmet.

I bought it when it was on special from an online bike vendor and I'd already qualified for free shipping on my order. I don't regret having bought it, as it is a perfectly serviceable helmet, but if you're really pinning your hopes on surround-sound biking, I think you will be disappointed.
posted by tim_in_oz at 3:10 AM on August 15, 2008

Not sure if you'd be interested, but what about an alternative sound system like this one?

You'd get the music without impeding your ability to hear that Hummer bearing down on you.
posted by altcountryman at 1:25 PM on August 15, 2008