I came across an interesting alternative to $150 custom molded in-ear speakers today. I was looking through the Radio Shack catalog and came across some in-ear stereo headphones, product code 33-1167. These speakers are only $19.95, normal price. I thought, hmmmm......

Let's see how good they are. After all, they might be a good backup to my custom jobbies, so I went down to my nearest RS and bought a pair and took them on an immediate test ride. Hmmmmm..... Good sound but too noisy, don't block out enough road and wind noise. Not being content, I thought maybe if I changed out the foam cushions they might work better. Came home, got out my handy dandy heated craft tool that I use to cut foam and other things with. I put a new long soldering tip in it and proceeded to melt a holes in a pair of Hearos that I believe a lot of you like to wear. I then slipped them over the headphones and went for another ride. Voila! I think I have it by George!

From first impressions, they do not stay in as well as the custom plugs when you are removing your helmet. They do not back out when riding down the road but have a tendancy to fall out when I take my Schuberth off. Otherwise they seem to work very well.

Another thing you can consider is to melt holes in several sets and carry them along as spares, changing them out every couple of days for sanitary reasons.

This might be a good alternative for:

• A backup to your custom molded ear plugs
• trying in-ear speakers before putting down $150
• Those who still prefer the foamies to the custom molds.

Here is a picture of the speakers with the Hearos installed on one, the foamy removed from the other and the sorry little black foamy they include.