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Sena50S speakers crushing ears: how to manage?

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9.8K views 60 replies 22 participants last post by  ArthurY  
#1 · (Edited)
Just put on my 1st Comm (ever) on my Shoei RF1400 (medium) helmet.
I'd say my Helmet is a good fit helmet.
But, with the Sena50S speakers, the hard plastic crushes (physically) my ears when I put the helmet on.
There's also continuous pressure (due to the hard plastics of the speakers) and the hurt is unbearable after 5-10 mins.
The process of removing the helmet also hurts the ears tremendously due to the hard plastic crushing my ears.

If I were to increase the size of my helmet by 1 size, would that help ?
The thin sponge on the speakers simply do NOT help at all in cushioning the ears.
What are your experiences with speakers and helmets?
 
#2 ·
Speakers inside a helmet should not touch your ears.......they should be mounted in the helmet ear pocket and may touch when putting your helmet on but once on, they should not touch.
I use IEMs but still have the Sena 50S speakers installed inside my Arai XC-W OF and they do not touch my ears at all even with the IEMS in my ears.
Helmet speakers touching your ears, even slightly, will eventually cause irritation and discomfort.

Not familiar with the Shoei helmet headset mounting options......
 
#5 ·
Brian_Fenner said:
Speakers inside a helmet should not touch your ears.......they should be mounted in the helmet ear pocket and may touch when putting your helmet on but once on, they should not touch.
I use IEMs but still have the Sena 50S speakers installed inside my Arai XC-W OF and they do not touch my ears at all even with the IEMS in my ears.
Helmet speakers touching your ears, even slightly, will eventually cause irritation and discomfort.

Not familiar with the Shoei helmet headset mounting options......
Click to expand...
I'm not familiar with IEMs; so, please bear with me.
I'm just wondering how the IEMs can help to cushion my ears from the hard plastics of the Sea speakers crushing my ears while wearing the helmet.
Could you kindly elaborate a little, please?
 
A
#3 ·
Same problem, different helmet. First, dumb question - are the ear pads removed on the RF1400? I think there are ear pads to fill in the void when the speakers are not installed. On my helmet, my speakers sat to high up on my ears causing pressure on the tops of my ears - I had to dig the helmet foam out to lower the speakers. I had previously thought the speakers were well centered, but after removing the helmet liner so I could feel around where the speakers actually were with my fingers, that was when I found they were not centered, but high up towards the top of my ears.
 
#6 ·
almostretired said:
.. are the ear pads removed on the RF1400?
Click to expand...
There were removed (at first) but the Sena sponge on the speakers did not cushion the ears enough so I put the SHOEI sponge over the speakers to help lessen the pain.

almostretired said:
I think there are ear pads to fill in the void when the speakers are not installed. On my helmet, my speakers sat to high up on my ears causing pressure on the tops of my ears - I had to dig the helmet foam out to lower the speakers. I had previously thought the speakers were well centered, but after removing the helmet liner so I could feel around where the speakers actually were with my fingers, that was when I found they were not centered, but high up towards the top of my ears.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, sounds like you are saying I have to custom-cut the SHOEI helmet protective foam to allow the speakers to sit lower?
 
B
#7 ·
You should have pockets the speakers fit in. They have a bit of padding in the speaker pocket that comes out when you put the speaker in. I have found it is easier to removed the cheek pads completely when installing the speakers. The speakers nor padding should press on your ears.

Image
 
#11 ·
I've had the problem on previous helmets. Had to use a dremel and excavate the Styrofoam under the speakers till they sat flush with the surrounding area. As long as you don't excavate into the outer shell it won't hurt the integrity of the helmet. Make a small channel for the speaker wire. Keep the edge tight for press fit for the speaker.
 
R
#12 ·
Since it was your first headset install, what instructions did you use? Did you follow a youtube video?

I don't believe the RF1200 I have is much different than your RF1400. I doubt the Packtalk Bold speakers I have are much different than the Sena speakers you have. I have a feeling your speaker installation is the problem. You just did it wrong.
 
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#13 ·
remoandiris said:
Since it was your first headset install, what instructions did you use? Did you follow a youtube video?

I don't believe the RF1200 I have is much different than your RF1400. I doubt the Packtalk Bold speakers I have are much different than the Sena speakers you have. I have a feeling your speaker installation is the problem. You just did it wrong.
Click to expand...
I followed the instructions on the Sena 50S Owner's Manual.
 
#14 ·
I have removed the speakers.
Pull out all the cheek paddings.

Re-installed the speakers into the socket and made sure they are flushed.

When putting the helmet on, it's OK now.
After the helmet is ON, it is alright now.
Removing the helmet needs to take a different route. I need to pull the helmet to the side, one side one pull and do it a couple of times while I shifted the helmet upwards.

Painful experience but learning.
 
R
#15 ·
ArthurY said:
When putting the helmet on, it's OK now.
After the helmet is ON, it is alright now.
Removing the helmet needs to take a different route. I need to pull the helmet to the side, one side one pull and do it a couple of times while I shifted the helmet upwards.
Click to expand...
A head skin may also help you, but you have to find one that covers your ears. That way your ears don't get caught on the speakers whether donning or doffing the helmet.
 
#27 ·
Some of our helmets had these issues.

I removed some of the foam material using small die grinder bit.

Clear area, mark where you want the speaker(s), remove cheek pads etc. and grind away.

I would suggest you put on your helmet, stick your finger in to helmet to "feel" where approximate center if your ear opening are on the helmet side and scrape is so you can easily identify it after removing the helmet.

Suggest bit larger area to allow for precise positioning. Use whatever means you want to secure it there. I used 3M double stick tape.
 
#33 ·
You can get an inexpensive IEM for $60 or so...

MEE audio

Founded in 2005 by a group of audio enthusiasts with the goal of making high-fidelity portable audio attainable for every music listener, MEE audio has been winning acclaim from casual listeners and audiophiles around the world for over 15 years. Since 2013, we have expanded our mission to...
www.amazon.com

You can try the M6 Pro for $50. Along with a helmet liner to keep 'em in place as you put your helmet on, you'll be amazed at the sound improvements.

I'm partial to these helmet liners: Helmet Liner w/Ties & Tail New Sizes

I'm using the MX1 Pro version, along with their custom earpieces - work great.
 
#30 ·
You can try a pair of these. Inexpensive, fit in the ear, and provide some noise protection. I myself use use Big Ear monitors. They were quite expensive, but for the past 4 years have worked flawlessly and are very comfortable. I have always liked the added noise protection of IEMs.

www.ebay.com

Orange Plugfones NOISE ISOLATING, EARBUDS EARPLUGS HEADPHONES HEARING PROTECTION | eBay

At Plugfones, we believe that work should be enjoyed – so we created an earplug-earbud product to help you do exactly that. Unlike traditional earplugs, Plugfones allow you to hear outside low-level noises while listening to music, audiobooks, or podcasts.
www.ebay.com
 
D
#31 ·
The speaker pockets weren't big enough on my HJC for the Cardo JBL speakers. I ended up enlarging the pocket until the speakers fit without touching my ear. My Sedici Strada has nice big ear pockets and the JBL's fitted great without modification.
 
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#36 ·
Another recommendation for these headliners. Great for hot weather riding.

ldcomfort.com

Helmet Liner w/Ties & Tail New Sizes

This helmet liner will keep your head dry and cool. Adds warmth in the cold. 2 Sizes.
ldcomfort.com ldcomfort.com
 
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K
#37 ·
The one-size-fits-all helmets we get to choose from... don't.

Each head is different, and our ears and their orientation on our heads are different as well. I have forever fought with my helmets because of this. I've had several, and none of them line up with my ears. Each helmet is manufactured with some sort of ear pocket. However, the location of these pockets is always a problem for me. My ears sit well below the pockets of all my helmets. Solution? I've used in ear monitors with some success, but even they have problems. I had them custom molded to my ears and they fit perfectly... until I put the helmet on. I guess it changes the shape of my ear canals and in a few minutes, the in-ear monitors begin to hurt. Without the helmet, they are fine... for hours. But once the helmet's on, they hurt. Guess ya live and learn. Sad that I have a wonderful set of 400 dollar IEM's that I can't wear.
Speakers? Always feel like they're grinding on my ears. Seems like can't win.
 
#38 ·
Great sharing of information from real life experiences. I'm grateful for this.

Perhaps, we are not meant to listen to music when riding on a motorcycle. :giggle:
But, I'm more interested in CarPlay's map verbal cues, or receiving urgent phone calls ...
 
M
#40 ·
Hello,

I’m a musician and suggest the following. These are amazing sound multi driver IEM. Added links for a better tangle free cord and memory foam rips which really help sound isolation. This setup gets amazing reviews from bass players:).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKYTGH9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQ77BLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IEE9D0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
#42 ·
Mike O said:
Hello,

I’m a musician and suggest the following. These are amazing sound multi driver IEM. Added links for a better tangle free cord and memory foam rips which really help sound isolation. This setup gets amazing reviews from bass players:).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKYTGH9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RQ77BLM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IEE9D0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
Those would never work for a lot of motorcyclists and definitely not for me.....
They stick out way too far and make helmet use nearly impossible, falling out or ripping your ear off when putting on or taking off your helmet.
A properly fitting helmet fits very snug...

Look at the IEMs posted earlier in this thread, recommended by DaveFromDenver......only thing exposed is a thin wire....the rest is inside your ear. Probably close to the best fidelity you're ever going to get on a motorcycle.
 
#41 ·
These are what I call earbuds. In-ear monitors go into your ear.
 
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#43 ·
I have the SENA 50S installed in my Bell Qualifier MIPS helmet. I do have light contact on my ears but they are comfortable with the speaker pocket padding. I wanted the speakers tight to the head, but comfortable. No issues pulling the helmet on or off. I'm happy with the setup.
 
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#51 ·
Got my Arai XD-4 that's one size larger than my current helmets.
I cannot believe that all this time, I was wearing helmets that were too tight for the shape of my head, even though I measured the head size.
The L size fits snugly but was significantly more comfortable than my SHOEI RF1400.

Now, waiting for my Cardo to arrive to test out the connectivity setup.
 
#52 ·
One thing I have had to do, is to adjust the speaker pocket in the foam to move it slightly so it lines up better with my ears. Makes a huge difference in comfort and sound quality/level. Once you have them lined up properly, you can turn the volumes way down (even with noise filtering ear plugs in like Earpiece). I just used a utility knife and sharp wood chisel to do the mods. Takes several attempts to get it lined up. I did it in small increments. Once I was happy, then I applied the Velcro to the helmet to hold it in place.
 
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