The Sena SMH5 is a speaker set that’s specifically designed for motorcycle helmet use. With the SMH5, you can make phone calls hands-free on your smartphone, stream music, or listen to voice instructions via GPS navigation. It’s a speaker set that will basically make your life much easier on the road and it adds a lot of convenience in terms of communicating with family and friends back home.
The Sena slim speaker system is specifically designed as an upgrade for an existing Sena helmet communication system. These speakers can also be used with any type of Bluetooth compatible device including your smartphone or MP3 player.
While you can use these speakers for other communication systems for your helmet, I would recommend using them only for Sena systems, in order to get the most out of this system. However, if you use them for your phone, you’ll be able to control many of your phone’s features hands-free, due to the built-in mic.
Our Verdict: These speakers are specifically designed to work with Sena motorcycle communication systems, however, it can also work with any type of Bluetooth enabled phone. The built-in mic will allow you to make calls, talk on the phone, reject calls, and skip or play tracks, using simple voice commands, so you won’t have to pull over to access your phone. The slim design of the speakers will allow you to use them for most styles of helmets that provide over the ear coverage.
The volume level is average for motorcycle speakers, which means you may struggle to hear clearly when you’re dealing with high wind conditions or road noise. However, the sound quality itself is excellent. There are no issues with distortion or a flat sounding audio. This system is mounted inside the helmet using large Velcro tabs.
Because of this, you can swap the speakers out and use them in your other helmets as well. To sum it up, the speakers may not be the loudest models on the market, but they do offer better than average sound quality, intuitive controls, a fast and easy setup and installation, and they’re available at a reasonable price.
Table of Contents
Overview and Features
Sena is considered one of the best motorcycle helmet brands in the industry, but they’re also known for their motorcycle headset communication systems and helmet speakers. This is a company that’s been around for decades, and one that has an excellent reputation for producing quality products that are designed to last. Its latest speaker system to hit the market offers top of the line sound quality, although it does struggle in terms of volume. For the most part, this system offers a solid performance with no distortion, offering a full sound that will allow you to enjoy your music, catch a podcast, or listen to the latest news and weather reports, easily, while you’re on the road.
Our Rating:
- Sleek design
- Excellent sound quality
- Fast installation
- Voice controls
- Compatible with Bluetooth devices
- Built-in mic
Installation
The speakers come complete with two Velcro mounting tabs, which you’ll use to attach them to the inside of the helmet. Over time, these tabs may lose their sticking power. Fortunately, you can reorder replacement tabs directly from the manufacturer.
The tabs will wear out faster if you use these speakers for more than one helmet. Installing the speakers is as easy as sticking them directly inside the helmet, pressing down on the tabs firmly for ten seconds, and you’re ready to go.
Be careful when installing the speakers and ensure they’re placed directly over your ears. The biggest issues riders have with even the best motorcycle helmet speakers are wind noise, low volume.
If the speakers are not installed perfectly, then you’ll have to deal with engine noise, the noise from other motorists on the road, and wind noise. When placed correctly, the speakers will work well to block out most road and wind noise.
Sound Quality
The speakers are solid performers, offering crystal clear audio that will enhance your music listening experience. Other models in this price range can sound flat, especially when you’re dealing with high wind conditions. Fortunately, that’s where these speakers shine.
This set offers a high-quality bass response, with no distortion. The audio will not fall flat, so you can listen to your favorite tunes the way they were meant to be heard. The volume level is about average for helmet speakers, which is to say they’re louder than a pair of headphones, however, wind noise can be an issue at times.
Hands-Free Controls
Because the speakers come equipped with a built-in mic, you can use it with your helmet communication system or your phone. This set will work for both Android and iOS devices, for Google Voice and Siri.
If you want to skip a track, search for local restaurants, make or reject a call, you can use simple voice commands and allow your phone or communication system to do the rest. This will add plenty of convenience on the road since you won’t have to pull off to the side of the road to switch tracks, answer a call, or activate GPS navigation.
Bluetooth
This model is compatible with all Bluetooth devices, including smartphones. This type of wireless design ensures improved connectivity and performance. Pairing your phone with this set’s Bluetooth is fast and easy, simply press the pairing button, wait for the lights to flash, and search for the Sena speakers on your phone.
Compatibility
These speakers are specifically designed for existing Sena communication systems. These communication systems allow you to stay connected to other riders, via an intercom system, but they also allow you to listen to music, stream the music to your riding buddies on the intercom system, answer calls, and more. The stock speakers that come with these communication systems are decent, but upgraded speakers such as these tend to offer better sound quality and a higher volume.
While these speakers are designed specifically for this brand’s communication systems, they can also be used with your smartphone for more riding convenience thanks to the built-in mic. If you’re considering purchasing this set to upgrade a communication system by another manufacturer, then I recommend contacting Sena to ensure the speakers will be compatible.
In terms of helmet styles, the speakers are slim, so they can easily fit in a variety of helmet styles, without causing discomfort or a dip in sound quality. Yet, there will be some styles of helmets that these speakers won’t work with. This includes any type of helmet you wear that doesn’t provide coverage over the ears. These speakers are a better choice for modular or full-face helmets.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Slim fit design
- Compatible with all types of smartphones
- Built-in mic
- Easy installation
- Low price
- Excellent bass response
Cons
- May not work with other brands of helmet communication systems
Sena Speakers Versus EJEAS Motorcycle Helmet Bluetooth 4.1 Headset E1 Intercom Speakers Headphones
The competing set by Ejeas allows users to connect two phones to the speakers and features the 4.1 Bluetooth operating system for ultimate connectivity. Like this set, the Ejeas also offers hands-free operation, so you can make calls and reject calls, and skip tracks on your phone, using simple voice prompts.
The system by Ejeas is more versatile and can be used for any type of helmet communication system, unlike the Sena which is specifically designed as an upgrade for this specific brand only. Both feature a slim fit design so installing the speakers will only take a couple of minutes. In terms of performance, the Sena speakers offer better sound quality, while the Ejeas set is much louder, so you can easily hear your favorite tunes even when you’re roaring down a freeway.
If you’re looking for a more versatile set and one that offers higher than average sound quality, then go with the set by Ejeas. If you’re an audiophile and sound quality matters and you want to upgrade your existing communication system speakers of the same brand, then stick with these best-sellers by Sena.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
This set can also be used with your smartphone, enabling you to take advantage of the built-in mic and use voice commands to control the functions on your phone, such as skipping tracks, answering calls, rejecting calls and more. The speakers offer excellent sound quality and an average volume level for motorcycle helmet speakers. Well-built and reliable, these set scored high in a variety of areas including durability, versatility, ease of use, and overall quality. This model earned a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
