Looking for a comm system

Wife and I had Sena 10 units, which worked fine but definitely sounded like PTT radio audio. We switched to Cardo Packtalks back in 2019 when we started rolling with a new group, and the audio quality has been much better, to the point that somebody will call me and not even be able to tell that I'm riding. We also like that everyone can run their own music, and it lowers the volume when somebody is talking. It would be really nice if there was an option for somebody to play "DJ" for the whole talk group, but we've gotten around that with a short-range FM transmitter, that way whoever wants to tune in can. Battery life is about equal between the two. Cardo's range is a little better but that's probably because of the mesh retransmission. I think newer Senas do this as well.

I do have to say that I prefer Senas control scheme with the jog dial. Cardo has too many buttons on the unit, I can't tell which I'm pressing when my gloves are on, and sometimes I feel like I can't actually mute the music, as volume just gets "low", never "off". My android is definitely pickier about voice commands with the Cardo, and I don't know why; sometimes it won't even detect my request, sometimes it seems to get caught on my lock screen. I suspect iPhone users have a better experience in this department but I don't know.

Overall I would say that I prefer the Cardo because it does intercom features better, and that's my primary need. I do understand the anger around the subscription business model, that didn't exist when we purchased ours and I have written them feedback emails about it being a terrible idea.

I have sets of both:

Sena 30k Cardo Packtalk Bold.

In my opinion the Sena 30k is terrible audio quality for music very tinny sound, no bass reproduction (not the primary purpose, but nice to have) and decent quality for communication. I had issues with being able to hear my riding partner, and issues with being able to hear while on the phone as well. I will say that the person on the other end did not have issues with hearing me (comms, or phone calls). Could have been placement of the speakers in my helmet, though I tried additional spacers and adjusting speaker placement with little to no change for myself.

Cardo Packtalk with JBL speakers is excellent quality for music (excellent given the size of the speakers, I mean they are 40mm speakers in a helmet not audiophile units) and decent quality for communication. I can say in the half dozen times I've needed to answer a phone call I could hear clearly, and the person I was talking to was unaware that I was on my bike.

In the end my wife and I use the Cardo system. More expensive than the Sena but overall we have been happy with them.

Unfortunately I do not have any experience outside the above. Comms are expensive and at some point I had to prioritize cash to other wants/needs.

Regardless of which system you choose, the secret is to ignore the included speakers whenever possible, and use it with earplug headphones. This dramatically increases your ability to hear both music and comms properly, with the added benefit of blocking wind noise. Yes, you can use the speakers through your existing earplugs, but this is really suboptimal. Even the $12-on-Amazon basic Plugfones will do. In fact, if all you care about is music you can skip the Bluetooth unit entirely and just plug straight into your phone.

The main issue I think you will encounter with off-brand helmet comms is interoperability with other comms. Most of these made-in-China knockoffs have no compatibility, not so great quality, and no support. Yes, Cardos and Senas are expensive, but they're known players with usually pretty highly polished and functional systems and at least some modicum of support behind them if something goes wrong with the hardware.

I settled on a Sena unit since everyone I ride with also already has a Sena. I have a 20S Evo for myself and a 10S for the wife. My riding buddies have a mixture of 10S and 10C units, I think. They all work together just fine.

I can't get behind Cardo's subscription based model on their new unit. Fuck that shit.

Unpopular opinion here. I bought a pair of cheap-o units from Amazon for my daughter and myself. FreedConn R1 Plus. Includes a built in camera. Honestly couldn't be happier with them. I almost never ride with anyone other than my daughter, so I don't need compatibility with other people in group rides. They were cheap ($120 USD each) and they work. Bluetooth connected to my phone, it plays music just fine. I can hear it just fine through my EarPeace earplugs. Changing songs is a snap with gloves on, and pressing the big button on the side switches to intercom mode so I can speak with my daughter. Another press sends me back to my music. I've had a couple of phone calls through them and while not the best, you can hear each other. Exactly what we need and nothing more. The video is 1080p, but the audio is nothing but wind noise. I only have the camera for insurance purposes, so no problem there. The battery life is about 5 to 6 hours with both bluetooth music playing and camera running. Haven't noticed much drop in battery capacity yet after a year. I will never buy a product that requires a subscription service to use, that's absolutely ridiculous. Anyway, these units have been great value for the money. Whatever you get, have a blast and keep the rubber side down

I've had both, and have settled on the Sena 30K for now due to it being mesh, and Sena just being superior in my opinion. They have a better design with the wheel (I like it) and look slightly better as well.

I've never really had any issues with mine. I have the HD speaker setup as well but I mostly use earbuds with the Sena.

I honestly prefer non-comm systems. Use a good bluetooth connector (I use a cheap APEKX and it cuts the wind noise fine if I put it inside the helmet, near my mouth) and something like mipeace/plugfones (they look the exact same blue/yellow). You can then use the app 'The CREW' and chat with others. It uses your phone's cell connection, so you'll need signal, but for the vast majority of us, we'll always be within range. You will have to convince your buddies to use the app as well, but they can by pairing their device to their phone without issue.

If you absolutely can't convince them to use an app, my experience is that cardo is better than sena. I don't have any experience with other brands.

I went cardo and sound quality is amazing for both mic noice cancelling and speakers. If I can see my brother, I can hear him as far as the signal range goes on the road. He has to go around a corner and be pretty far out for it to drop.

But if they ever die and the new ones have anothing to do with a subscription there is no way in hell I'd use them.

Comes down to personal preference. I have a sena 10c EVO and cardopacktalk bold with jbl speakers. I use plug phones with both so for me they are evenly matched as I don't use their speakers. I have usb charging on my motorcycles so I never worry about battery life as I can plug and charge them. Both work while being charged so even that was a match.