View Full Version : Earphones while riding
Goatbiker
03-15-07, 11:30 AM
Someone here knows the answer. In CA, one is not allowed to ride with a headset covering both, or earbuds in BOTH ears. If I cut one bud off and rewire the cord to carry both channels to one bud, do I have to install a resister or something to keep the impedance the same? I once ruined an amplifier by running two channels to one speaker. Thanks
Tom
sauerwald
03-15-07, 01:41 PM
To be safe, if you have a standard three wire headphone, you have one GND wire and one wire for each earbud, then put a small resistor (~4 Ohms) in series with each of the live wires from the jack.
In reality for a small, low power audio device, you will probably have a hard time hurting the output amplifier if you just short the two outputs.
On a bigger device, where there are two wires running to each speaker, these sometimes have differential drive and the network to use only one speaker is much more complicated.
FWIW, I just put one earbud in my ear and listen to one channel.
catatonic
03-15-07, 05:38 PM
I say just get a mono earphone and use that.
I believe Rat Shack sells the appropriate in-line plug to take a stereo signal and mix it to mono.
Or take a look at these http://www.slipstreamz.com/content.asp?subID=8
I've been using them for quite a while and am quite happy with the performance.
deputyjones
03-15-07, 05:56 PM
You might even be able to find something like this that will allow in ambient sound as well. Some guys use them at work to keep their radios silent, but still pick up sound in both ears:
http://www.earphoneconnect.com/images/products/1013XC-Spec-Sheet-425x520.jpg
deputyjones
03-15-07, 05:59 PM
I believe Rat Shack sells the appropriate in-line plug to take a stereo signal and mix it to mono.
Or take a look at these http://www.slipstreamz.com/content.asp?subID=8
I've been using them for quite a while and am quite happy with the performance.
Those are pretty cool. You mind letting us know where you got yours and about how much you paid?
Goatbiker
03-15-07, 09:20 PM
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Tom
MrCjolsen
03-16-07, 04:17 PM
In CA, one is not allowed to ride with a headset covering both, or earbuds in BOTH ears.
Oops. You mean that's illegal?
But how about just encoding your Mp3's in mono?
bump them huge ass stereos at the back attached tire. prob solved
chemcycle
03-19-07, 12:30 AM
Wow, I feel like low-tech scum: I just take one of the ear buds out........and that's it. Only when there's a song that uses one ear over the other for a major part (solo guitar, etc.) do I even notice.
dauphin
03-19-07, 12:38 AM
monaural rules!
bluepython723
03-19-07, 12:55 AM
I don't understand how you can have it in one ear- it throws my whole system off!
bluepython723
03-19-07, 12:56 AM
I don't understand how you can have it in one ear- it throws my whole system off!
The real question is how do those slip streamz things work on the streets?
catatonic
03-19-07, 05:26 AM
better yet, how about just buying one of these?
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000I2T3TE.01-A3NJTJGQM3MW4N._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V58739536_.jpg
The real question is how do those slip streamz things work on the streets?
They work pretty well. There is still a bit of wind noise, particularly if you've got a strong headwind. But nothings perfect.
You can simulate the effect. Go for a ride. Sit up. Cup your hand in front of your ears, palms facing back.
Bikepacker67
03-19-07, 07:52 AM
Why is it illegal for a cyclist to have on earphones, but it's legal for a cager to have a 100W stereo with a base tube that shakes the windows?
Bruce Rosar
03-19-07, 08:04 AM
Why is it illegal for a cyclist to have on earphones, but it's legal for a cager to have a 100W stereo with a base tube that shakes the windows?Earphones would reduce or eliminate the ability of motorists to cause involuntary anal sphincter reflex by sneaking up right behind cyclists and then sounding their horn. ;)
skanking biker
03-19-07, 10:30 AM
Why is it illegal for a cyclist to have on earphones, but it's legal for a cager to have a 100W stereo with a base tube that shakes the windows?
I believe in many states it is illegal to drive while wearing headphones, but your point is well taken
Treespeed
03-19-07, 10:54 AM
Wow, 18 posts on not one Nanny has spouted off about reduced situational awareness and the beauty of the sound of your drivetrain.
MrCjolsen
03-29-07, 04:36 PM
Someone here knows the answer. In CA, one is not allowed to ride with a headset covering both, or earbuds in BOTH ears. If I cut one bud off and rewire the cord to carry both channels to one bud, do I have to install a resister or something to keep the impedance the same? I once ruined an amplifier by running two channels to one speaker. Thanks
Tom
Just wear a headband that covers your ears and tape your ipod to your helmet inside one of the vents. The cops won't notice.
jetta_mike
04-01-07, 09:24 AM
Why is it illegal for a cyclist to have on earphones, but it's legal for a cager to have a 100W stereo with a base tube that shakes the windows?
Because cars have mirrors that allow you to see behind and around you, if their properly set up and being used. Also a 100w stereo isn't that big :p
As for headphone/ear buds, get ones that are an "open" system rather than closed. A closed system seals the ear blocking out ambient noise, where as an open system is just that..open. I'm wearing a pair of open headphones as we speak and I can hear the music and the keyboard at the same time.
From Wikipedia:
* Open. Open headphones (sometimes marketed as “open air” headphones) have an open grille on the back of the driver, exposing the driver to the outside, and allowing the sound waves to propagate away from the ear freely. This backing type does not isolate the listener from outside sounds; in addition, sound through open headphones can be easily heard by others in the vicinity of the user (not always a desirable quality). They, however, usually have less sound distortion (due to the lack of resonance) and tighter controlled sound reproduction. Most audiophile-quality headphones, such as the AKG K-501, Grado GS1000, and Sennheiser HD 650 are open headphones.
* Closed. Closed headphones have a sealed backing, which attenuates sound waves propagating in the direction away from the ear. As a result, listeners away from the headphones cannot hear the produced sound easily. In addition, sound from outside is attenuated by the sealed backing, providing a level of isolation to the listener (typically a 10 dB decrease in outside sounds). A sealed chamber is often claimed to have a negative effect of distorting sound in certain instances and providing “boomier”, less controlled bass. Examples of closed headphones: AKG K271S, Audio Technica ATH-A900, Sennheiser HD-280 Pro, Sony MDR-V6, Koss Pro/4AA, Ultrasone HFI-550, Beyerdynamic DT-770, Rystl SH-400.
Mike
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