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Headsets for use while driving
With the wind noise, road noise, and radio turned up loud enough hear over the wind/road noise, it's hard to converse while riding in our motorhome, so I'd like to find a pair of headsets that allow my wife and I to communicate easily. Ideally, they'd be wireless, and also connect to the dash radio (or at least the audio output on the Sirius XM receiver). I haven't had much luck finding suitable headsets: the motorcycle and bicycle units seem to work only with helmets, "sports" units appear to focus on music and phone calls, and aviation units are very expensive and block the external noise too much.

Any suggestions?
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #1 –
One important consideration is they must be comfortable for extended periods of time. That question will not be answered unit you have spent a few weeks using them. While working I sometimes wear a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones. I can listen to music via bluetooth and if a call comes in just switch right over seamlessly.

Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II

Now involving multiple headsets listening to music from the same Bluetooth signal seems like a small challenge. When you mix the conversation in I am not sure how that would be accomplished. Honestly, an aviation type of system may be the best solution. I have ordered through Aircraft Spruce over the years with great success.

Aircraft Spruce

Good luck and keep us posted.
Chet in Yorktown, Virginia
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #2 –
This site seems to offer a current digest of the basic laws by state, but I'd check the vehicle codes of any/all states where one plans to drive for headset/earphone prohibitions.

Headsets - AAA Digest of Motor Laws


2003 TK has a new home
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #3 –
I did not know AAA had such a useful index of driving laws, and I've been a member for decades! Skimming it indicates all but three allow it, though a few have some minor restrictions, mainly that it can not cover both ears. I agree with that restriction, and do not want headsets that block most of the sound. As a pilot, I'm aware that aviation headsets will do exactly what I want, but they muffle the outside noise too much (expensive, too). Worst case, a pair of the cheapest over-the-year style headsets and and a basic intercom box might work acceptably.

I did try a pair of Apple earbuds, but they were no improvement, as too much noise got past them.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #4 –

I've never used such a beast but motorcyclists use Sena headsets to communicate bike to bike. This appears to be a non-motorcycling version.

Amazon.com: Sena SPH10-10 Outdoor Sports Bluetooth Stereo Headset/Intercom:...

Expensive and there must be better solutions.

I like our family radios for even talking from front to back of RV whilst on the road. But we're not chatting it up in that case - it's usually "make me a sandwich" or "go make it yourself" kind of thing.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
1996 Twin King
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #5 –
I have a pair of the Sena SPH10 headsets (bought from  'Revzilla' which is a motorcycle accessory vendor in Pennsylvania at same price as Amazon but with faster free delivery).  This is the same headset sold by RVEducation via their website.  They are lightweight and work.  Sena seems to have a decent reputation.  I've had my pair about 6 weeks now so no long-term experience yet.

Bowie John
'Still learning about RVs and looking for the right LD for me.'
John King in Bowie, Maryland
aspiring to own a Lazy Daze
 
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #6 –
Eric-

I've had my eye on the basic Eartec headsets, but haven't bought any yet. I see they now sell a Bluetooth version. Link is here. It appears to be able to pair with a phone; I'm not sure if it would work with as a general Bluetooth receiver.

Mark H
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #7 –
Quote from: LazyMatt  - 
(snip)...
But we're not chatting it up in that case - it's usually "make me a sandwich" or "go make it yourself" kind of thing.


Hmm.  Once you know the answer for that question, you kinda' don't need to ask it again.

One thing you might try is putting a radio speaker right near your head, with a volume control/switch on it.  Radio doesn't have to be real loud to hear it, and you can quickly dim it down to hear what's needed -- navigation instructions, road warnings/sirens, etc.  Plus you can listen 'quietly' while co-pilot sleeps.  Vise versa too, if you make one for her. 

Umm, on second thought, don't sleep while you're driving.
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #8 –
I am in Virginia and I drive with my headphones on quite often since they have active noise cancellation which reduces the background noise while increasing my ability to hear others talk.

In general, man made noises are periodic and tonal. These repetitive noises at discreet frequencies stand far apart from human voices. These man made noises are fantastic in their ability to mask consonant sounds which are a trademark of human speech. Also, there are many detrimental effects that have been documented regarding prolonged exposure to noise so I always have my headphones on when I drive for a few hours. The reason I mentioned earlier that weight and comfort are very important is because these odd contraptions will be on your head for hours at a time. If they are not super light and very comfortable you will not use them. I am sitting in my office right now with mine on and enjoying the peaceful silence.

These new headphones are also able to connect with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, etc. so you can ask for directions to the nearest gas station, what the phone number is to a campground, etc. And they are Bluetooth capable so you can listen to music in the background, make phone calls while the person on the other end enjoys the noise cancellation since they are not hearing the drone of your engine, wind noise, etc.

Pick up a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 II or Sennheiser PXC 550 wireless headphones and begin to enjoy your drive.


Quote from: Eric Greenwell  - 
I did not know AAA had such a useful index of driving laws, and I've been a member for decades! Skimming it indicates all but three allow it, though a few have some minor restrictions, mainly that it can not cover both ears. I agree with that restriction, and do not want headsets that block most of the sound. As a pilot, I'm aware that aviation headsets will do exactly what I want, but they muffle the outside noise too much (expensive, too). Worst case, a pair of the cheapest over-the-year style headsets and and a basic intercom box might work acceptably.
Chet in Yorktown, Virginia
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #9 –
Please tell me how these beautiful and expensive headphones would enable a driver to converse with a passenger?
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Chip Chester  - 
One thing you might try is putting a radio speaker right near your head, with a volume control/switch on it.  Radio doesn't have to be real loud to hear it, and you can quickly dim it down to hear what's needed -- navigation instructions, road warnings/sirens, etc. 

I can already easily turn the radio down, but that often annoys my wife, who is trying to listen to it. I'm thinking an over the ear headset carrying our voices and the radio would let us converse without turning down the radio. The Sena unit looks like it provides the functions I want, but the price is very high at $180 each. I don't need 3000' range or waterproof, so I'm hoping there is a unit that is a lot cheaper, but my searches didn't find anything like it.


2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #12 –
"Please tell me how these beautiful and expensive headphones would enable a driver to converse with a passenger?"

I can't speak to the specific models mentioned, but the active noise-cancelling headphones I owned years ago could be used by themselves--that is, with no music playing through them. When used that way, they greatly reduced repetitive noise of the type Chet mentioned--engine noise in particular--while passing speech unaltered. Switching them on and off was almost like magic: the drone of the engine dropped out while speech stayed the same.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #13 –
Well, you do bring up a good point. These particular headphones are specifically designed to reduce the bacground noise floor significantly while listening to music, talking on the phone, etc. It would be wonderful if they were also designed to permit person-to-person conversations directly between the headphones.

The easiest solution I can think of would be to synchronize your headphones to your cellular phone while your wife does the same with hers. If you wish to talk, press the button the side of your headphone and instruct the assistant to call your wife. Clumsy, maybe. Effective, definitely. You will talk like you are sitting in a quiet room :)

Quote from: dollinsdale  - 
Please tell me how these beautiful and expensive headphones would enable a driver to converse with a passenger?
Chet in Yorktown, Virginia
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #14 –
I may be different than others here,but, I need to hear motor,transmission, sirens, RV sounds and horns while driving. I’m not even fond of loud music or excessive talking while driving. Head phones of any kind wouldn’t work for me. I’d be a terrible school bus driver. I don’t know how those people are able to do that.
Dale from Downey.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #15 –
"I may be different than others here, but, I need to hear motor,transmission, sirens, RV sounds and horns while driving. I'm not even fond of loud music or excessive talking while driving. Head phones of any kind wouldn't work for me. "
---
Ditto!  :D
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #16 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
"I may be different than others here, but, I need to hear motor,transmission, sirens, RV sounds and horns while driving. I'm not even fond of loud music or excessive talking while driving. Head phones of any kind wouldn't work for me. "
I tried a pair of on-the-ear headphones. With the active-noise-canceling (ANC) turned on, they significantly reduced the engine and road noise, but it was not eliminated, just subdued; speech was unaffected. Based on other experience, I think horns and sirens would be heard just as well as without the headphones, because ANC does not diminish noise the same way passive (sound deadening) headphones do - they tend to block the low frequencies, but let the higher ones through. I think I would be less fatigued after a few hours of driving with ANC headphones, compared to no headphones.

It's a very personal balance, of course; that's why I'm trying a cheap pair ($42) to see how much I like them.
2005 Jayco 24SS
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #17 –
It's a very personal balance, of course; that's why I'm trying a cheap pair ($42) to see how much I like them.

For you with decent hearing, count your blessings and protect that hearing to the extreme! It's a far more complicated world for those of us who have to wear hearing aids!   :(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Headsets for use while driving
Reply #18 –
Quote from: l1v3fr33ord13  - 
Eric-

I've had my eye on the basic Eartec headsets, but haven't bought any yet. I see they now sell a Bluetooth version. Link is here. It appears to be able to pair with a phone; I'm not sure if it would work with as a general Bluetooth receiver.

I think the Eartec would work well for my situation, but $335 a pair is too much for the problem I'm trying to solve. I'd like to try them, just in case I'd be wowed by their performance.
2005 Jayco 24SS