Active Noise Cancelling Helmets

[Skub]

MCN and VD are carrying articles on the topic,but I cba dealing with the ad blitz on either platform,so I want you lot to tell me if they are a good thing or not. At over a bag of sand,they'd need to be good.

Shirley using a frequency to cancel out wind noise would still cause damage to hearing? Am I over simplifying when I say stopping/lessening wind noise in the first place is the way to go.....like ear plugs?

Where's Mr. D when you need him?

[Horse]

Am I over simplifying when I say stopping/lessening wind noise in the first place is the way to go.....like ear plugs?

Noise can get into your head via your skull bones.

[KungFooBob]

A bag of sand buys you a lot of Howard Leight Laser Lite's.

[Mussels]

If most of the effort goes into active noise cancelling and passive is ignored then my worry is when the battery is flat or electrics break I'd be left with a horrible helmet.
If the noise is cancelled with an opposite phase then it won't damage hearing..... until it stops working.

[JackyJoll]

If most of the effort goes into active noise cancelling and passive is ignored then my worry is when the battery is flat or electrics break I'd be left with a horrible helmet.
If the noise is cancelled with an opposite phase then it won't damage hearing..... until it stops working.

It might not be a horrible helmet.

I guess I’d charge it from the bike, if it went flat.

[Supermofo]

@Skub He's keen to stress this isn't a full test yet and it's a prototype helmet but good sneak peak.

[Skub]

There's obviously a difference between ANC on and off,the noise is still there,but not as pronounced,or as tiring. A better test would be between the ANC on and a good set of ear plugs. More difficult to replicate,I'd imagine.

[MrLongbeard]

A better test would be between the ANC on and a good set of ear plugs. More difficult to replicate,I'd imagine.

Should be simple enough* to do in a lab.
Use EN 351-2 to determine the noise attenuation from a set of ear plugs and EN 352-2 to determine the noise attenuation from the ANC helmet, compare and contrast.

*but not easy, the acoustic test fixture in EN 4869-3 (average human head) would require modifying as it's designed around testing ear muffs which would not give a representative result for a helmet as the seal points and seal pressure would be in different places.

[Supermofo]

There's obviously a difference between ANC on and off,the noise is still there,but not as pronounced,or as tiring. A better test would be between the ANC on and a good set of ear plugs. More difficult to replicate,I'd imagine.

Having used the rhubarb and custard foam jobs for 20 odd years I suspect I've grown accustomed to their all encompassing noise blocking and will end up sticking with them as that's what I like. I've almost been tempted now and again to try these new fangled ear plugs that only block the wind, but I'm a bit why try when my solution works and I also sort of like blocking the world out. It's only annoying at lights in a group or say in a petrol station but meh. 99% of the time they are perfect imo.

[MrLongbeard]

Yeah, I'll stick with my custom moulded jobbies, not only do they do a good job at blocking out the wind noise, but they also remove the sensation of a trapped insect crawling about in your ear (real or imagined) which is a bugger when you're trying to concentrate on making progress.

[Count Steer]

The only problem with earplugs is the better they are the louder the exhaust people seem to need.

Rhubarb n' custard was my choice. Got a box of a few hundred somewhere.

[JackyJoll]

I’ll be getting one when they reach the market at a reasonable price.

[Supermofo]

Took the bike for it's MOT this morning, as I was chatting I forgot to put my ear plug back in. Bugger me it's loud, no idea how people ride without them, I only rode about 5/6 miles and it was horrible.

[Skub]

Not as expensive as we thought. £519

Who's going to buy one and try it?
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... y8M.SK2Xaf

[fdb]

Why not sleep buds with ANC?

[Horse]

Why not sleep buds with ANC?

Might depend on how the helmet is designed, so ANC earbuds may not be a fix for other helmets.

Elements such as protrusions on the shell, visor fit, and closing gaps around the neck. All of which will reduce noise the electronic system has to manage.

Internally, one of my BMW lids had the inner designed to be a shape like the cups of ear defenders. Again, that would reduce the noise 'load'. This internal shaping might also reduce bone conduction.

[Hot_Air]

@Skub He's keen to stress this isn't a full test yet and it's a prototype helmet but good sneak peak.

Thanks—that bodes well. I’m keen to see the eventual full test.

Not as expensive as we thought. £519

Albeit not cheap, it’s far less pricey than I expected.

[Nordboy]

The reviews will be interesting. I'm probably in the market for a new helmet this year and while I prefer a modular, I'm open to a full face. Due to having an XADV I was thinking adventure style this time around as well, probably holding out for the new Shoei.

So for a similar price to what I expect the Shoei to be, this could be a contender? Also massively depends on fit and availability as well. I guess sports bike shop are probably closest stockist, even though they're quite a distance?

It's already showing as sold out on the Sena website.

[Supermofo]

On the face of it 500 notes doesn't sound bad considering the built in comms unit is £240 on it's own and then it's stuck on the side of the lid and involves pulling your lid to bits to fit it.

Interesting warning on the SBS shop
The ANC function is designed to protect hearing from excessive noise during rides. As it reduces surrounding noise, please be extra cautious for safety while riding. SENA recommend using it in closed circuits only. Please be sure to check local regulations before using it on public roads

Could just be one of those generic catch all warnings, but I wonder if it could block out wanted noises when you are in traffic/town. Personally I find riding silly loud at even 30 so I'd want ANC on all the time rather than just say on a m/way.

[Supermofo]

I guess sports bike shop are probably closest stockist, even though they're quite a distance?

SBS returns are really good in my experience, just drop off at a local shop usually. I've ordered several sizes of lots of things in the past to try on. Admittedly it's easier now they have a shop in Harlow, but if that closed I'd be happy going back to mail order only.