[Oneslow6]

Hey i was just wondering if anyone knows the exact law about headphones, cause my buddy just picked up an arai from pawn america with small speakers in it.... would that be considered ok or still under the catagory of headphones?

[niko084]

I'm guessing it would be okay being they are not directly covering or worse in your ears, the reason for it is you supposedly can hear something on the highway anyways...

I would guess it's legal, but it maybe a good idea to contact the MN Dept. of Safety or something just in case.

[HomerSaurus]

Legally, you can only have a headphone or earbud in one ear but not both.

[theforeman]

HomerSaurus, on May 8 2009, 09:19 AM, said:

Legally, you can only have a headphone or earbud in one ear but not both.

correcto
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/Laws_Legisl.../motorcycle.asp

says on there towards the bottom. one ear allowed.

[niko084]

I think what you both failed to see here is that they are "speakers" not really headphones..
****

Did further reading the common statement "single headphone or earbud" only is incorrect.

Title 61. Motor Vehicles. Chapter 9. Vehicle Equipment. Part 4. Miscellaneous Regulations. Section 61-9-417. Headgear required for minor motorcycle riders. :
". . . headgear shall meet standards established by the department of justice."

Helmet Speakers-
Single Speaker Only

So... We should custom build a helmet that can pass DOT with a 100-200 watt ribbon speaker in it, that would be loud enough and wouldn't take up any space.

[nraforevr]

Helmet speakers are fine.

If they're headphones or earbuds that actually "attach" to your ears, one ear only.

The applicable Minnesota statute is 169.471 sub 2a.

Pat

[niko084]

Aw, it does define Headphones... So, guess you should be good to go, I would probably still get it checked with the Dept of Safety just in case you get a ticket for it, I don't know what the ticket would be, in Colorado I think it's reckless driving *eek*

[Oneslow6]

thanks for the link to that info.... i will have to hit up the MN dept. the speakers sit about a half in. from your ear so thats why i was clueless.

thanks for the help

[nraforevr]

Consider my reply that of the Dept. of Public Safety.

P

[JoeGibs]

niko084, on May 8 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

So... We should custom build a helmet that can pass DOT with a 100-200 watt ribbon speaker in it, that would be loud enough and wouldn't take up any space.

jesus, 100-200 watts directly into your ear? as if the wind noise wasnt deafening enough. ipod earbuds are like 1 watt, do you have any idea what 100 watts directly into your ear would do?

i've had cops tell me that i cant have two earphones, but one is perfectly fine. if there's two speakers in the helmet, how would anyone from the outside know?

[Metalseth]

nraforevr, on May 8 2009, 12:07 PM, said:

Consider my reply that of the Dept. of Public Safety.

P

C'mon Pat, you can't expect everyone to know how big of a deal you are

[long arm]

Yep the statute NRA posted is the correct applicable statute in this case. The speakers inside the helmet is really no different than having a stereo in your car or on a goldwing etc. They are not in your ear and technically would not be headphones.

The spirit of the law is so people won't drive around with earbuds in both ears rendering them potentially unable to hear sirens, or other potentially important traffic noises.

For example. My earbuds go into my ears far enough to block out almost all other noise. I probably wouldn't be able to hear an approaching siren until it was right on top of me and I damn sure wouldn't hear a car horn or anything like that.

If he's gonna wear that helmet and it is loud enough to lessen his ability to observe the world around him then he should consider not using it. Of course his head should be on a swivel anyway.

[niko084]

JoeGibs, on May 8 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

jesus, 100-200 watts directly into your ear? as if the wind noise wasnt deafening enough. ipod earbuds are like 1 watt, do you have any idea what 100 watts directly into your ear would do?

i've had cops tell me that i cant have two earphones, but one is perfectly fine. if there's two speakers in the helmet, how would anyone from the outside know?

I was thinking a top mount array, ribbons are not the most efficient speakers, but they sound nice and take up little space.

I have a headphone amp rated at 20 watts that power my headphones for studio use and when they hit they feel like they move from my head, needless to say the volume doesn't go up that high anymore.

But ya even a ribbon, I wouldn't want near even 25 watts let alone 100-200 on top of my ear.
But like a rear radial mount wrapped around the back edge of your helmet wouldn't take up much space and maybe 100 watts is overkill but 25-50 would probably drown out more road noise, be pretty loud and "technically" legal, but I don't think I would really do it.

[aschendel]

when i was pulled over on 94 going about 65 i didn't hear the siren just from the wind noise, and he was right behind me... since then i always use earplugs (and haven't been hassled about them by the police i've needed to talk to).

a.s.

[bopchie]

niko084, on May 8 2009, 12:27 PM, said:

I have a headphone amp rated at 20 watts that power my headphones for studio use and when they hit they feel like they move from my head, needless to say the volume doesn't go up that high anymore.

eerrrrmmmm... u sure ur not just goin deaf there dude?