Helmets, even full face helmets are noisy. How is the sound from these speakers? Do most wear earplugs and turn the volume way up to hear the speakers?
I've been using the Sena SMH-10 for nearly four years until I upgraded to the 20S this summer. I find that the newer set's speakers sound better than the older ones, perhaps due to improved electronics. However, since the beginning I've been using Klipsch S3 noise-isolating earbuds (bought from Amazon for less than $40) inside my Schuberth C3 modular helmet. They reduce the wind and other external noises by about 10 dB but still allow me to hear horns, sirens or carry on a conversation at a gas pump as long as they don't speak too softly. The audio quality of the Klipsch earbuds is surprisingly good, at least to my 67-year-old ears. I like to listen to smooth jazz music from SiriusXM while riding. The music is quite clear and I can easily understand the nav directions from my Zumo 665. The build quality of these earbuds is surprisingly good and I've been using the same set for around 70K miles of touring these past two years without wire breakage. I've only needed to replace the oval ear-tips a few times.
On occasional short trips, I don't bother with the earbuds and just use the speakers from my 20S. Noises from wind, engine and exhaust are then much louder, but I can still hear the music and directions, just not nearly as clearly.
I wear in the ear fitted wired headset and cannot imagine these speakers surpassing the sound quality I achieve although I do like the bluetooth aspect.
The quality of your hearing may be better than mine, but I find the sound quality through the Bluetooth link from my Zumo to my Sena headsets to be quite good, discounting any ambient noises. It's also extremely convenient to remain in Bluetooth intercom communication with other riders while at gas stops, etc. despite moving away from the bikes.
Can the batteries last for a 700 mile ride? How long does it take to fully recharge the batteries?
I haven't often ridden 700 miles in one trip, but the Sena 20S does last longer than my SMH-10 did, unless I've neglected to recharge it fully, perhaps 10-12 hours. If the battery does run out too soon, I can plug the cigar-lighter power adapter in and recharge the Sena while continuing along normally. Plugged into the AC adapter, it recharges surprisingly quickly. In perhaps an hour or two the red charging light turns blue to indicate fully charged.
Over the years the batteries in my SMH-10 headsets gradually degraded and wouldn't last but about six hours or so, instead of around nine when new. They take perhaps five hours to recharge from the AC charger. I initially bought the dual pack of SMH-10 units to have an extra as a spare or in case I wanted to loan one to someone I was riding with for a while. Now I have two spares...
Don
