Intercom / Earmuff Recommendations ("motorsports")

[sako243]

The 6x6 is rather loud inside and I realise it's probably not doing my hearing any favours. I don't want to start soundproofing it until the cab repairs / painting has been done (not anytime soon as it's in daily use) so I'm looking for some recommendations for some earmuffs / intercom headsets for the potentially 3 people to use. I don't mind paying for a decent set.

Main requirement is to knock back the background noise - this is mainly just general LR with zero sound proofing noise. Not helped by a stonking big V8 the other side of a thin metal bulkhead and the air intake as close as possible to that. The engine itself when cruising is pretty quiet and gearbox whine, tyre noise and wind noise take precedence. However any application of the appropriately named loud pedal easily overpowers that.

So in order of priority
* Earmuff style rather than in-ear
* Noise cancellation (either passive or active) but still allows me to hear sirens, horns, etc somewhat
* Comms between passengers
* (Optional) connecting to Bluetooth for phone calls and music

Would probably be looking for a set of 3 as that's all the seats we have.

 

[bricol]

I use an old Autocom wired set on long trips in the Caterham - ie day long drives to get to south of France etc. Reduces external noise, allows normal voice communication, used to be able to connect a phone, music/radio player etc, which would auto-mute when the phone rang (an estate agent who rang didn't believe me when I said we were doing a lot of mph up,and then down, a Swiss mountain pass). Linked to a radio for car to car communication too. Only for two passengers though - no idea if they can be used for more.

 

[julianf]

Ive got sthil bt ear defenders. They have a mic on them so that, if someone calls, you can speak to them.

But theyre no good for calls when driving a loud vehicle, as the sound drowns out your voice.

They are fine for having conversations in the workshop, and fine for listening to music (with GPS interruptions if needed) in the car, but just no good for speaking in loud places.

 

[sako243]

I use an old Autocom wired set on long trips in the Caterham - ie day long drives to get to south of France etc. Reduces external noise, allows normal voice communication, used to be able to connect a phone, music/radio player etc, which would auto-mute when the phone rang (an estate agent who rang didn't believe me when I said we were doing a lot of mph up,and then down, a Swiss mountain pass). Linked to a radio for car to car communication too. Only for two passengers though - no idea if they can be used for more.

Autocom have been recommended by someone else - he had a wired set with a bluetooth receiver. I've had a look at Autocom's website but half their links seem dead / broken so no idea if they're still functioning. I haven't delved further than a cursory glance but didn't seem promising.

This is the set he got - I'd be happy with something similar but finding a source seems to be the issue...

 

[Bouledogue]

I seem to remember Peltor do (or did) ear defenders with a meshport-type network attachment that gave full duplex comms. We vaguely looked at them for our guys but I think they were quite expensive? Sorry that's not very specific.

 

[500e]

Something like this I have not bought this type of equipment for 10 years. These are not recommendations.
Look for "latency" not a problem at a distance but a pain if close
There are numerous others out there, with 2 ear muffs and noise cancelling if budget runs that high

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167799487116?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-177437-600370-0&mkcid=2&itemid=167799487116&targetid=4584963497529972&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=219131&poi=&campaignid=555777368&mkgroupid=1301823067819366&rlsatarget=pla-4584963497529972&abcId=10644537&merchantid=87779&msclkid=a760312703d81c1206775b2af420ec64

https://store.saramonic.com/products/witalk9x?variant=45054397841431

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167799487116?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-177437-600370-0&mkcid=2&itemid=167799487116&targetid=4584963497529972&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=219131&poi=&campaignid=555777368&mkgroupid=1301823067819366&rlsatarget=pla-4584963497529972&abcId=10644537&merchantid=87779&msclkid=a760312703d81c1206775b2af420ec64

 

[Jack_K]

Look for aviation headsets. Can often be found on eBay. If you want to spend a lot, David Clark ones are meant to be the best.

I'm not sure on the best way to power them for your use. There used to be DIY intercom kits available intended for theatrical use but were also sold as being suitable for aviation and motorsport use. They suggested using aviation headsets with them as cheap versions were available but they needed to be the dynamic mic versions. I do have the schematic and PCB design but it is a lot of work.