I use my phone snapped into a RAM handlebar-mount holder as my bike computer/gps/endomondo ride-tracker. The RAM mount rides on a rail that is part of my front bag decalleur just below the handlebars and mounted just above the front rack. It's only about 2-1/2 feet from my ears -maybe even less.

Endomondo has a nice built-in music player. With the phone volume set at about 1/2 of max I can hear it plenty loud enough just using the phone's speakers. People riding about 5-6 feet from me can barely hear it. My music is less loud on average than most people's noisy bikes.

My bike itself is silent other than a slight tire hum. VO Grand Cru sealed-bearing derailleur bogeys and a properly-adjusted derailleur/wheel orientation go a LONG way to a silent drivetrain. Proper adjustment of the rest of the bike keeps other squeaks/creaks at bay as well. Music doesn't have to be loud to be enjoyable -and earphones are not necessary. The phone speakers work quite well. I can easily adjust the volume with one hand to account for ambient noise so that it is loud enough to be heard in loud auto traffic in the city -or quiet enough not to disturb others on idyllic multi-use paths through the many local parks.

Yesterday's ride was a medley of Natalie Merchant -both 10k-Maniacs and also her newer solo work...