Improving The Earbuds (Headphones)

[Ves]

So, I'm venturing into the world of GPS and got this Navigon unit. Here's a couple shots next to my cellphone to give you an idea of size:




But that's a whole separate report... The point is this. I stick this baby in my pocket, plug in some earbuds and I'm off. It has voice command with increasing volume based on speed.

Question was what earbuds to use. I did some reasearch and figured I didn't want to pay for noise canceling. The best one's on the low cost scale seemed to be these JVC units.



The covers are foam and can be removed/replaced.



Good idea, but the foam is too dense; it doesn't conform and it lets some sound through. I want something that conforms to my ears, doesn't put pressure on them, and blocks sound better. So, I got to thinking... ... I use these all the time:



They are very squishy, conform, and really block the sound. So, I cut a couple of them to length with scissors. When you cut them they deform, but they come back to shape.



I then tried various ways to drill a hole in the center of each foam piece... without much success... Then I had a brainfart.... I took a decent size nail, grabbed the nail with a pair of vise grips, heated the nail up by putting it in a flame on my stove, and when it was hot enough I gently pushed it through the center of the foam piece. The result is the correct size hole for the foam to fit on my earbuds



I used just a drop of water on the inside of the foam to act as a lubricant to slip them on the earbuds.. and we have the finished product:



They fit great and block sound much better, and I can get replacements for pennies...

Just a note, if you try this. Heat the nail gradually to the temperature you need. If it's not hot enough it will not penetrate the foam. If it's too hot it will still work but you'll get more smoke as the nail goes through. And of course, do this in a well ventilated area and keep your face out of the smoke. No.. there's no fire.. just smoke, as the foam/plastic that comes in contact with the nail melts and overheats. Yeah, you may need a few foam pieces to experiment with.

[Lost Rider]

Brilliant!
I was getting tired of paying outrageous prices for replacement earbuds.

Mods could move this one into the main forum to get it more views...

[Ves]

Brilliant!
I was getting tired of paying outrageous prices for replacement earbuds.

Mods could move this one into the main forum to get it more views...

I hear ya... I've never been an "i-pod" listener, so when I started looking into these things I couldn't believe what they charge for earbuds and replacement tips.

Enjoy.

[mad1150]

Cool, Ves!

I even have the same ear buds. I bought a pair of Koss too, just to try them out. But the JVC's sound much better.

As an added bonus, I can get the Earplugs from work for free!

[mcooperstein]

Ves.. you are a veritable genius!!!!

What is the model number for the JVC earplugs?

Mark
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member #3

[R4R&R]

I've used low price KOSS earbuds ($20), high priced custom plugs (<$200), and mid-priced ear buds ($80). My opinion on all three:

KOSS: Great for around town/not on the bike, but difficult to get a good seal. Even when sealed, they passed a lot of road/wind noise so the volume had to be cranked up. Easy to dislodge while putting on the helmet.

Custom plugs: Most comfortable fit, did a good job of sealing out road/wind noise. Eventually one stopped working, so they were replaced with the next choice. I used them almost daily for almost three years. Pricey, but overall worth the money.

Mid-priced earbuds: I bought a pair of the Etymotic ER-6i earbuds for around $80, and while they aren't as comfortable as the custom plugs they do just as good a job of sealing out road/wind noise. They're hard to dislodge while fitting the helmet and so far have been working for about two years. A friend bought some of the the higher priced ER-4 along with the less expensive ER-6 and said the 'cheapers' ones worked as good as the ER-4, and were a little more comfy in the ear.

I'm not sure how much you need to listen to GPS driving instructions, but music may be a little more enjoyable for the long rides.

I hope that helps.

[mad1150]

I got the JVC HA-FX33 at Wal-Mart for less than $20! I doubt all Wal-Mart stores have them though.

[Ves]

I got the JVC HA-FX33 at Wal-Mart for less than $20! I doubt all Wal-Mart stores have them though.

Yup, those are the one's I bought... got mine at Walmat also. Lots of places sell them... JVC calls them the "marshmallow" models. They come in five different colors actually. You can get information on them on the JVC site: http://av.jvc.com/product.jsp?pathId=98

[Ves]

Ves.. you are a veritable genius!!!!

What is the model number for the JVC earplugs?

Mark
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member #3

Well, being a cheap bastid has it's advantages at times...

You mean earbuds, right? Not earplugs... See above for part number...

[digga]

Hey great idea!!

a previous post mentions custom plugs..... a tad on the expensive side..

BUT

There is a Co. in the UK that are selling a self made custom plug...
they send you 2 different compounds and a sheet of destructions on how to proceed. the 'kit' allegedly makes 3 plugs ( 1 as a practise piece ) This idea may help me incorporate speakers into the custom moulds without paying big $$

Digga

[Just-Beeming]

You are amazingly creative.


Great Idea!! Sort of wish I had not paid so much for custom molded buds.

But they work great!!!

the ingenuity I find on this forum inspires me. .

JB

[towerworker]

Ves--

Looks like I have the same unit as you. Bought mine a few months ago from Tiger Direct.
I guess you know that model has an mp3 player built in. The furnished 2g card is nearly full with the US maps and mine had about 300 meg left for music. I am considering replacing the 2 gig with a 4 for more music. It mutes the music when it gives directions.

My only issue with the ear plugs is they get pulled out of my ears when I put on my full face helmet.

Wayne

[Just-Beeming]

Wayne-
Get a helmet liner, a 'slick'...It will might help the helmet to slip right over the plugs. Keeps your helmet clean too. Then if you wear eye wear, the glasses ride on the outside of the slick eliminating that ear pressure discomfort that glasses can sometimes cause.

Another great thing about a helmet slick...warmer in the winter then when it's hot, soak it wet and it cools your mellon.

JB

[Ves]

As far as me being a creative genius... thank you... Send money to 11823 W. .... Oh, never mind...

Ves--

Looks like I have the same unit as you. Bought mine a few months ago from Tiger Direct.
I guess you know that model has an mp3 player built in. The furnished 2g card is nearly full with the US maps and mine had about 300 meg left for music. I am considering replacing the 2 gig with a 4 for more music. It mutes the music when it gives directions.

My only issue with the ear plugs is they get pulled out of my ears when I put on my full face helmet.

Wayne

If you're talking about the stock ear buds that came with that GPS unit, I threw them out soon as I tried putting them in my ears the first time. There's no way those things would stay in and they don't block any noise. That's why I got the JVC's. Even the JVC's didn't really stay in my ear until I put that soft foam on them... those stay in.

I forget now, but the GPS unit has the entire US map and Canada and Central America? You can delete two of those files and make a bit more room for MP3's. But you're right... a 4 gig card will do the job...

[towerworker]

"If you're talking about the stock ear buds that came with that GPS unit, I threw them out soon as I tried putting them in my ears the first time. There's no way those things would stay in and they don't block any noise. That's why I got the JVC's. Even the JVC's didn't really stay in my ear until I put that soft foam on them... those stay in. "


No, like you I tossed them right off. I've been using Koss ear plugs for the past two years and have been happy except that they get pulled out easily. JB suggested a helmet slick. I will have to look into that. I have a pretty big melon. My helmet is a XXL and sometimes think I need a size larger. The Koss work well but I may try the JVC's next. The appear to be smaller than the Koss.

Wayne

[Ves]

Ok, so after riding with these things I decided they were not blocking enough wind noise. So, I made an improvement. Basically I just cut off the back of the foam (about 1/8" off) and did not punch the hole all the way though:



Before I did this I had my GPS volume on less than half and I could hear the direction pretty loud, after this change I have to turn the GPS volume almost all the way up. But I can still hear it very well, and I get much better wind noise reduction.