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[Midnight Rider]

Can anyone here give me a subjective comparison between the newer J&M 629 "Elite" helmet headsets (corded) and the older version?  If you have them in a Nolan N103 helmet, that would be even better for comparison purposes.  The 279's are good, and I have them in my Nolan N102 helmets, but I'm curious if there is a significant enough difference to justify buying new N103's with the 629 headsets.  I don't need all the Bluetooth stuff available, so don't mind being "corded" to the bike.

[beechflyr]

629's are slightly larger, have better sound, and the mike is improved. Without wind noise, they're pretty good. Wind noise at faster speeds may negate some of the benefits of the upgrade.

[Midnight Rider]

629's are slightly larger, have better sound, and the mike is improved. Without wind noise, they're pretty good. Wind noise at faster speeds may negate some of the benefits of the upgrade.

Thanks...while I don't expect sound like you'd get out of Bose headphones, I would like something a little bit better in quality than what I currently have.

[JMJOHN]

Tcnbham ,,,,,,

the J&M elite 629 series custom integrated headsets for the N103 helmets, give you the high-output AeroMike V, ((best boom mike J&M has ever made)) and the very durable Z-series hook-up cord system ,,, as compared to the performance 279 series ,,,,,

the speakers between the two models for the N103 helmets are the same ,,,,,,

[beechflyr]

Was just passing on the info I got
direct from the guy on the other end of
the phone at J& M.

[Gearheadfmc]

I have the 629 in a Shoei and Arai........

I am not convinced they are even near the quality of the HD set.  Seems when I had the HD set in the helmets, we had better sound quality and better mike performance.

At 70mph, I cannot really hear what my Girl is saying.  As far as fidelity..... I am not impressed....especially for all the cash paid!

JMO....

Gearheadfmc

[JMJOHN]

gearheadfmc ,,,,,

I take more than a small exception to that statement ,,,,,,,

I have had a new Harley Ultra every year since 1989 ,,,,, I have personally tested every single model of helmet headset Harley has ever offered from 1989 to present ,,,,,,

they have NEVER made a headset to compare to the J&M when it comes to on-the-highway sound quality from the helmet speakers, nor have they ever made a microphone to compare to the J&M, when it comes to proper wind and ambient noise cancelling, using the intercom and/or CB radio ,,,,,

you say that you have the elite series 629 headsets installed into an Arai and a Shoei helmet ,,,,,, do you know who performed the installation and exactly which model of 629 headsets they are ? ,,,,,,

I will help you get this right ,,,,,,

[Gearheadfmc]

The headset I have is Elite 629, HS-ECD629-FF-HO.

I sent the helmets to J&M and they did the $75/ea install.  That plus the cost of the headset has me feeling not so good.  The previous headset was the Headset that came with my CVO.  Although the Mic was big and bulky, the sound quality was better, clearer and had much less wind noise.  Really, to talk to my girl on the freeway, I have to scream and talk slowly.  Then, I can barely understand her.

If you know something or some way to improve, your input is much appreciated.

Gearheadfmc

[JMJOHN]

gearhead ,,,,,

what year model is your CVO ? ,,,,,,

if it is 2006 or newer, what position do you have the volume levels each set to, for both driver and passenger ? (((how many little LCD blocks from all the way right, driver row and passenger row )) ,,,,,

what vox sensitivity level setting are you using when in intercom set-up mode ? ,,,,,,,

[dep47]

I agree with Gearheadfmc.  I also have the new J&M head sets, and the mike is not as strong as the HD set, and I have adjusted the VOX and volume.  Good way to hear the difference is using the CB I ride with a friend that has the same J&M head set, and when the volume is adjusted to be able to hear him the volume form the HD sets in our group is overpowering.  I sent a note to J&M advising of my discontent, but heard nothing not even a response.  I ride with half helmets with the HD sets, and HJC helmets made for the J&M sets, and the mike drive difference is evident.  Have to reduce the volume by half and decrease the VOX sensitivity.  The HD head sets are from my 09 Ultra. 

[JMJOHN]

dep47 ,,,,,,,

that is not my experience at all ,,,,

just this past fall I set up my own 2011 RoadGlide Ultra with Harley's latest headsets, and J&M's best, for a head-to-head comparison test, on the CB radio, intercom and music portions of the system ,,,,

prior to the riding portion of the test, I hopped in my truck with CB radio installed and drove approximately 1.5 miles away to listen to the Harley CB ,,,,,, my R&D guys talked over the CB on the Ultra with both the Harley brand and J&M brand elite 629 series headsets ,,,

I could tell NO difference between the two different microphones, as far as modulation strength, at the 1.5 mile mark away from the Ultra ,,,,,,,

I COULD tell a big difference between the amount of ambient noise that the two mikes were picking up, with the Ultra's engine idling, during the TX test, as the Harley brand mike was picking up far more of this ambient noise ,,,,,

Then I hit the highway for the high-speed evaluation of each mike's ability to separate speech from wind & ambient noise, on the music and intercom portion of the system ,,,, and the ability for the vox system to properly transition back and forth between intercom and stereo music into the headsets ,,,

I set the intercom volume the same for both headsets, front and rear ,,,,

the vox sensitivity needed to be adjusted 2 little blocks LEFT of center for the Harley brand mikes, or the music would constantly be muted, by the wind & ambient noise,, but at this vox position with the Harley mikes, it was very difficult to get the system to activate without almost having to yell ,,,,

with the J&M brand headsets, you could set the vox sensitivity two little blocks to the RIGHT of center, the wind and ambient noise would NOT mute the music at this vox setting, but it was easy to get the system to vox with normal speech ,,,,

I have done very extensive on-road testing between the J&M headsets and the Harley headsets, almost every year since 1989 and the results are always the same ,,,,,,

And when comparing helmet speaker sound quality and performance between the two headsets, the results show a very dramatic difference, favoring the J&M helmet speakers, at any speed or condition ,,,,

I cannot tell you why YOU are experiencing just the opposite with your J&M headsets, but if you send an email to me at John@Jmcorp.com , you and I will figure out why ,,,,,,

Also ,,, I never ignore a customer’s email regardless of the subject, I always give the customer the courtesy of a response ,,,,,,

[dep47]

John just for reference I am using the head sets form my 09 Ultra for comparison.  And I agree the VOX sensitivity has to be increased to use the J&M head sets.  That was why I had sent the e-mail to J&M to see if there was something wrong with my new head sets.   I can see no difference in wind sensitivity between the two when the VOX is set correctly.  Again my discontent is with the drive of the microphone.  This is manifest when riding with a group of Harley riders using the 09 head sets and the J&M.  The volume of the CB is so much lower that the other riders have to increase the CB volume to hear me, and the volume of the other riders is then so loud that it is almost uncomfortable.  Try your test with the 09 Ultra head set using the CB with the push to talk feature, and I hope you will see what I am talking about.  I have not used newer HD head sets, so I can't comment on there performance.  One thing I do know is the HD set I have use a dynamic mic, and the J&M seems to be using some type of condenser mic.  Could this be the reason that the mic lacks drive?  I am sure you respond to all e-mails, but in my case I received no response to my complaint about the microphone.  Questions were answered promptly during the buying process.  I am happy with the way the new head sets fit in my HJC helmets, and the overall quality of the equipment.  The fit into the helmet and J&M's good name is why I purchased these head sets.

[Gearheadfmc]

JM John.....  I am on a 2011 CVO Ultra. 

I am not trying to create an issue.  I heard and read a bunch about the JM headsets and wanted the best.  That is why I spent the cash even though I had the HD headsets.

I have adjusted the VOX at many positions.  Seems like I have to set it a one block BELOW the OPEN to be able to talk without yelling.  Also..... I have to set the TREBLE to 1 block(MIN) and the BASS ALL THE WAY UP TO MAX to be able to understand my girl.  One helmet set clicks and clacks pretty bad no matter which cord is used or which position it is connected (front/back).

Here is one thing.  I looked at the install in both helmets and in both helmets, the helmet ear padding is blocking half the speaker!  I don't know if this is correct......is it? Again, I had both sets installed by JM so I expect this must be correct.  But, this may be why the sound quality is not that good.  I don't know I wait for your input.

Maybe I just expected more or unrealistic results

The good news is that I called JM CS and they were very nice about the situation and urged me to send at least one helmet back to check.  So, this week, I'll send the clacking one in for a check.

At least for now, with my old ears, it seems that the HD speakers have a little bit better quality.

Gearheadfmc

[beechflyr]

2003 ultra using 584 in shoei rf-1000 x2(wife)
Same setup used in 2008 ultra
Now moved to 2011 CVO.
Never any issues. No more than slight vox/ volume adjustments. Windscreen sufficient to get airflow over helmets.
Moved to 629 in arai rxq. Works as well. Better ventilation than the shoei.
Never use CB so can't comment there. Issue specific to that particular radio?

[JMJOHN]

gearhead ,,,,,

please send an email to me at John@Jmcorp.com with your actual name so that I can follow-up on your headset installation quality when your helmet arrives ,,,

thanks ,,,,,