noise cancelling earbuds

[martin_14]

I've been using el cheapo Panasonic RP-HC55 (I paid 60 USD in Amazon 4 years ago) with good results under my two Shoei helmets (XR-1000 and Neotec). They are as good as earplugs from good brands (3M, Ohropax), and depending on my mood I either hear music on them or just the music of the 1352 cc OEM Kawasaki stereo system  (plus that Remus Hexacone sweetening things up  )

But after trying the concept of wearing NC earbuds, I'm hooked and now look for something better in both sound quality and NC, although as I said, the Panasonic are "good enough". So of course after a bit of research I landed on the Bose QC20.

Thanks again to Amazon and the 30 days return policy, I'm going to try them and if they don't perform just send them back, but I still want to ask you guys if any had experience with them, and if you also had experience with other NC headphones and how the QC20 stand up against them.

I have an intercontinental flight next week and I'll be back in 2 weeks, so I'll have time to do the 3 tests that I need: at home (subway, cafe, etc.), on a plane (babies, engine noise), and on the bike (wind noise, traffic) and in every case with the music on and off. The Panasonic have the strange characteristic that when they are on but no music is playing, they act almost as earplugs, not managing to cancel noises very well, but when the music plays, regardless of the volume, they improve a lot. The Bose models that I tried at the shop always cancel noises and rather well.

The last issue will be with fitting. The Panasonic have a strange shape and it's cumbersome to manage to put the helmet without knocking them off. How would the Bose fare with that? Has anybody tried?

[The Pope]

They do look kind of big.  Not sure if they will fit under your helmet. But anyway I'd like to know if they work.

[VirginiaJim]

BOSE QC20      http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_20/index.jsp&Variant=qc20i&perfsourceid=K2861317&src=K2861317

[Rhino]

Two years back I went to an audiologist and had some custom molded ear buds made for $300. No active noise canceling, just a perfect fit in your ear. I forget the brand but it was the low end of a very high end brand. They are all day long comfortable, sound fantastic but are almost too quiet. With music on, you do not hear anything else even at 80 mph.

[maxtog]

BOSE QC20      http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_20/index.jsp&Variant=qc20i&perfsourceid=K2861317&src=K2861317

Yeah, to me those those just look too large to be useful with helmets.  Plus really pricey.

[martin_14]

indeed. The QC20 are big but the 3 helmets I have are speaker friendly, with a cavity for something like that. Well, at least my not small ears fit with space to spare.
Yesterday evening my girlfriend bought the QC25 for the upcoming flight next week, which I am... ahem... "testing" right now 
They really isolate you from the world much better than my Panasonic, and I'm afraid that driving with them on would be dangerous. The Panasonic do let some noise in unfiltered, just like earplugs, whereas these Bose seem to transport you somewhere else noise-wise. Too good a job for driving, I'm afraid. I'm still tempted to try the QC20, though...

[gPink]

They sound perfect for that quality time with the girlfriend. 

[Rhino]

I got these:

http://www.westoneaudio.com/index.php/products/custom-series/cr10.html

Pricy I know but the custom fit makes all the difference.

[maxtog]

indeed. The QC20 are big but the 3 helmets I have are speaker friendly, with a cavity for something like that. Well, at least my not small ears fit with space to spare.

The main problem with larger earphones is not when the helmet is on, but getting the helmet on and off without them being ripped out of your ears

[OregonLAN]

Has anyone tried these?
http://www.earfuze.com/store.html

You can make your own with some stuff from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Blue/dp/B003A28OW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414779274&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-E100-In-Ear-Headphones/dp/B00L3KSKYY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1414779390&sr=8-15

The problem with the Bose headphones is that they stick out way too far. You need something that's flush and doesn't come out easily.

Sports type earbuds (behind the ear clip/wire) work OK, but I still have a problem with them working lose and falling out over time.

[copdocpvd]

I've used the earfuze and am mostly a fan.  Decent sound on the earbuds, easy to fit, but the cord is really fragile where R meets L--I've ruined two sets by snagging them on equipment at the gym.  Under $40, easy to use, but their customer service is less than stellar.

You can make your own, but I've never been able to do so successfully without having to glue the buds in the mold after with silicone--something on the typical earbud that doesn't like to stick.

[Kawi Ken]

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Noise-Isolating-Earphone-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B000WAHFBK/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1414796672&sr=8-32&keywords=klipsch+noise+cancelling+headphones

Nice & small  and come with a selection of replaceable inserts. Sound really great.
 Bummed i left mine on my tank before trip so i wouldn't forget to put on and drove away and lost them.
 Can't wait to get another set.

[datsaxman@hotmail.com]

+ 1/2 for the Fuze.  I got the red and blue pair.  In case it matters.

Agreed about the wires.  I guess everybody but me gets tired of lugging around huge wires...
BUT a heavy gauge wire is essential for me.  They could be the size of a 120V/10A extension cord and I would not complain.  The thin cheap wires do not last for me. 

 

[Mojoh]

Westone CR1's maybe? Thats what I have and they are great on the connie or on plane rides.

Two years back I went to an audiologist and had some custom molded ear buds made for $300. No active noise canceling, just a perfect fit in your ear. I forget the brand but it was the low end of a very high end brand. They are all day long comfortable, sound fantastic but are almost too quiet. With music on, you do not hear anything else even at 80 mph.

[just gone]

These aren't noise cancelling but rather noise isolating ear buds that while not cheap, they aren't super expensive either
and the cord is replaceable. I use the triple flange tips for best fit and isolation. They take a little longer (for me) to get on
because they only go in one way and the cord goes out the front of your ear and up over the top of your ear and down the back
of it so your outer ear tissue acts as the strain relief to the cord (although that section of the cord is curved and stronger than the rest of it).
The cord itself will unplug from each bud as the ultimate strain relief but I haven't tested that yet to see if the cord can stand the unplugging pull
needed to do the disconnect.
I think someone here recommended these in another thread or maybe the other forum. They work very well for me. The first buds I've owned that I actually
put back in their case instead of just rolling up in a wad when not in use.

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416070818&sr=8-1&keywords=Sure+se215k&pebp=1416070832613

http://www.amazon.com/EATFL1-6-Sleeves-earphones-SE102MPA-Versions/dp/B00275F2GS/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_7_8V81?ie=UTF8&refRID=1GGQNXE6CG3XENM5TP5R

http://bcove.me/wpjpl8qd

[Rhino]

Westone CR1's maybe? Thats what I have and they are great on the connie or on plane rides.

Yup, that's what I got. Love  them. Almost too quiet on the bike.

[Racer Boy]

I've had great luck with my Etymotic Research earbuds. I think they are the ER-6's which are no doubt discontinued (they are around six or seven years old). I think they were around $150 then, but they work great, with very good sound quality, and their earplug-like effectiveness is such that I can ride with my music playing at the same volume level as when I'm just listening to music at home.

It looks like the HF-5 is the comparable model they sell now. When my current ones die, I'll be getting a pair of these.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Portable-In-Ear-Earphones/dp/B000XP8DJC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1416083668&sr=8-9&keywords=etymotic+research

[backwards1]

The main problem with larger earphones is not when the helmet is on, but getting the helmet on and off without them being ripped out of your ears

I find my coolmax summer Balaclava and winter version both do the job for allowing easy on and off of my helmet without issues with my in ear plugs. I run the coolmax one even in the summer and wash it weekly to keep the smells/sweat/skin oil out of the helmet.

[PH14]

I have Bose QC20 earphones, and custom molded ear plugs and the ear plugs work great with the Sena. I can hear the music fine without the wind noise. I had molds done by an audiologist and got three varieties of ear plugs from Westone. The ones I use the most on the motorcycle are the 4RT style, designed for use under a helmet. They reduce wind noise while allowing you to still hear what you need to hear. http://www.westone.com/defendear/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=9&Itemid=114

They also can make custom molded tips for many earphones. I would rather use them than try to stuff the Bose earphones under the helmet. I can't imagine getting them to fit properly with the helmet.

[fc1reed]

I have tried the radians and made my own. The problem I ran into was them coming apart after a year. I have had the iPlugz for a couple of years now and they work great. They are similar to the CR1s. You can have different filters in them to filter highs, mids and bass. I have the two filters in them and cost me around $175. The good thing about the iPlugz and CR1(CR10)s is that they sit close to flush in your ear and dont get in the way of my helmet coming off or going on. I have used them with the Scala Q2 and now with the G9. I have to turn the volume down all the way so it doesnt blast my ears. You can also get an inline volume control to help turn them down more but I dont have that.