Cardo PackTalk Slim with JBL. Audio Review 

5:57 if u wanna skip the fluff

What I nice a straight forward review, focused on the JBL logo presence on this product. Thank you!

Starts around 4:30

I enjoyed your honest review however.... I have had a Packtalk for a year and was really pleased with it. A few days ago I bought the upgrade JBL speakers. I set them up and I can confirm that they are considerably better than the already good standard Cardo speakers. A couple of points if I may. Firstly turn off the auto volume (using the app. This stops the volume changing with ambient noise but makes them much louder manually). Then turn the Cardo off and on again to set the change. After doing this you will be able to crank up the volume well beyond what you can tolerate just standing wearing the helmet. Second tip; Try wearing ear plugs too. These systems have been designed to be used with ear plugs fitted. The sound will make much more sense then. Give it a try you never know, you might like it.

Totally agree with this, good enough for phone calls but I'll keep my Galaxy Buds if I want to ride solo and listen to anything at all. I changed the bass on the Cardo to maximum and it's better. Another thing if you want to listen to music is turn off Bluetooth intercom mode in the Cardo app, makes a huge difference. Still not great though.

THanks for the honest review!!

Best review on this! Thanks for such a quality upload, mate!

It’s so funny, looking at the reflection in his glasses 😂😂😂 (around 8:18)…. should also say thank you for the review I’ve ordered one, but at least I know what I’m getting into!!

love the camera footage, crisp af.

Thanks for the review. I'm building a paramotor helmet and the ear cups are noise cancelling so this will be perfect

Thanks for the honest content. Lets hope JBL watches this or even another manufacturer that steps up to the plate that shows JBL how its done

Did my research and bought a PackTalk Black (which uses the Slim's processing & amp, and adds the $80 45 mm drivers. I've never used a helmet comm before so I have nothing personal to compare it to. I suggested a PackTalk to a friend who also bought a Black and previously had a Sena 10, who said the Black sounds a LOT better. As someone who used to work in the music industry, sound studios, and has experience with professional audio editing... well... just holding the drivers in my hand before installing them, I can easily make them distort. Holding them up to my ears in what would be a superior position than what I could find in any helmet, and they still sound worse than a $25 pair of Koss on-ears. To be honest my expectations were low to begin with so it's by no means a deal-breaker. I bought them for everything else they do, not specifically the audio quality from the included drivers. I expect to use it with a pair of Plugfones (or equivalent) anyway.

Was considering Cardo Slim for my next motorcycle ride experience update, now I am not. Thank you for your honest review.

Late to the prom here. Thanks for a great review. As you said, no one has seemed to touch on the audio quality, one of if not THE MOST important point for me. So first off, a big THANK YOU for this video. Also, Canadian POV is an added plus! WE THE NORTH! I am an older new rider (2020) and I have been using earbuds since my bike purchase 08/20. There are pros and cons to these: CON-Not great when you get to a gas station and have to talk to the attendant = pull out the phone / stop the music start the music as an example. PRO-the audio quality is just what I want = little motorcycle engine and wind noise. I have ordered a version of the PackTalk without the JBL speakers and will upgrade to the iasus xsound speakers as recommended by one of the commentators + earplugs as suggested by another. (By the time the setup is complete my head should weight 5lbs more! Haha!) P.S.: Video quality is SUPERB! Best I have seen in a while. I’ve hit the subscribe button. Cheers mate! The season is upon us!

I still have my old Sena SM-10. I bought the adapter mount that has the plug in jack for speakers and I use it for a wired set of Etymotic earbuds. Very slim design. Deep ear canal placement. Size makes them slide into even full face helmets. They don't move and they are comfortable with outstanding sound. The Sena unit itself still uses either boom or velcro mics.

Your biggest problem with this is likely because you dont wear earplugs. I think these manufacturers expect most people use hearing protection since the wind noise from a helmet will quickly destroy your hearing, so the audio has an extreme amount of treble so it sounds good when you wear the plugs. My old SENA 10S sounds horrific if you aren't wearing earplugs. But its buttery smooth, like if velvet was a sound, with the plugs.

Awesome this helped me a lot!! Thanks for the honesty 🤘🤘

Great video, but point missed regarding JBL; audio quality is all relative to the listener's circumstances. Does anyone expect to hear living room levels of music fidelity when listening through helmet speakers, and riding a motorcycle at 60 mph? Best in-helmet speaker on the market for motorcycles = "audiophile quality," IMO. Listening to music in your helmet while sitting on the sofa or in front of the computer where better alternatives exist? Not so much...

Hey guys o have seen many reviews about these units. I also stumbled a video that highly recommended the iasus xsound speakers! The video truly show the difference in the sound/volume. I will be get the packtalk but also these speakers!

Welcome back Six! It's been too long. I'm digging the new setup.

Thanks for your honest review. There are other speakers on the market that are made specifically for motorcycle helmets which have the normal 3 mm jack. These maybe better than the JBL speakers.

FINALLY. I bought the Sena SRL for specifically the Shoei Neo tec2. They were expensive and so damn cheap sounding and at hwy speed, forget it..I actually cut the old speakers off and did a You tube Hack bought a set of very very cheap over the ears headphones then cut out the speakers on those and soldered them to the Sena wiring....They worked WAY better but STILL like crap. At this very moment I am unwrapping the Cardo Bold because of the JBL speakers to put in my lid. I am anxious to hear the difference if any. Thanks for Honest reviews, usually you get people on here who talk up a product because they spent the money and are embarrassed that they got a crappy product. I swear if you are thinking of a SENA just go put a gun in your mouth first and save the money and trouble. Honestly, connecting issues were always a problem, connecting with other riders meant an hour in a parking lot and STILL not getting people connected, the speakers were ok if you didnt want to hear much, voice commands were good only if you didnt mind having Sena do whatever she wanted to do, Ghost commands were not only common , but the norm. NOW go to Sena tech support ,,,good luck with that, IF you can get to talk to anyone, I tried everyday for 3 weeks, no one, chat online, good luck, the guy in India could barely say Sena and only referred me back to the instruction manual. "Get the app" Im told it makes it a "bit" better, yea right. It appears that the crappy JBL and Cardo aren't very good either but WAY better then the Sena. Guess Ill find out.

Thank you for the Review i was looking. Well i will take the standard, i only will use it for navi, and mesh com.. Finally some said something about the audio quality. Small trick for bugs on the helmet, take a paper towel, make it wet, put it on the visor/helmet, wait 5min, wipe 95% if the bugs of, only by wiping the paper towel away

I have to STRONGLY disagree. I just installed the Cardo PackTalk Slim with the JBL speakers and at first I had the speakers around my forehead which was way out of place and the music was faint, but then I started messing with the positioning and once I got it in the right place...OMG!!! It sounds lovely. It can go in most helmets but works perfectly with the HJC CL-17 which this device has a specific piece to mount the battery pack that comes with the whole setup for the HJC CL-17. There's no way I'll be able to ride with it fully cranked up and that's a compliment. 😊👌

Wife and I have the Cardo Packtalk Bold and Shoei GT Air helmets. Wife wants to replace her helmet with another GT Air but they are discounted in favour of the GT Air 2. Big problem is now the GT Air 2 have teamed up with Sena and made the helmet really only suitable for one type of Sena system. A big plastic inset section is now where you would want to mount the Cardo unit. Shoei have done the same with the Neotec 2! Not happy as we like the fit of the Shoei helmet but don't want to have their Sena unit forced on us when we already have good coms.

I wish I would have found this video prior to actually spending the money on the JBL’s. Everyone gives these glowing reviews, including revzilla. I was hugely disappointed with the sound quality. As a solo rider, I don’t have the necessity to pair with other riders, I just needed the ability to listen to music, gps, and answer calls when needed. Seems like it was a pointless purchase when I already have BT headphones that can do all that which I can wear in the helmet anyway. Awesome video man, earned a sub 🙏🏼

The JBL speakers are a perfect fit for the Shoei high-end helmets. Fits perfectly into the indent. Change your helmet.

For an audio guy you should probably know that you use way too much compression and the volume changes drastically between video cuts.

I just installed this. The speakers are very loud. Enough to give me a headache. Bass is not amazing but the notes are there. Not tinny at all

This is the review I've been searching for. Subbed!

That’s pretty much exactly how I thought the audio would be. I’ve been told they’re great but being a lover of music, I need something that feeds the need and this doesn’t seem like it would. I’ll be waiting to see if something better comes out. I think Bose should do something like this if it wouldn’t be crazy expensive. Great video bro! 🤙🏼✌🏼

Was anyone able to install the Cardo Packtalk Slim communicator on the HJC F70 helmet ? What about this special Sena compartment at the rear of the helmet, can Cardo somehow fit over/in it? The helmet is not listed on the Cardo site under helmets comparability, but I wonder if anyone in the real world did it...

I tried the JBL and they were better than the regular Cardo speakers but as you said FAR from high end audio. I found an even better and cheaper alternative to the JBLs, UClear Digital Pulse Wired High Definition drop-in helmet speakers - on Amazon for about $40. They were better than the JBL but still not even close to audiofile quality. By FAR the best solution was to use wired Earbuds a/k/a In Ear Monitors (IEMs). I use Linsouls TFZ No. 3 IEMs. A little pricey but sound great and even when not playing music or talking on the phone/intercom they sort of serve as earplugs as they do block out alot of the ambient sound. Try this and look for IEMs where the shell is sort of flat on the outside rather than rounded or bulbous. Also most IEMs have mediocre earbud tips, easily and cheaply replaced with much better ones - I like the Comply Sport brand. IEM solution is not quite as convenient as having in helmet speakers already in place but its as simple as putting on the earbuds and plugging them into the Cardo before putting on the helmet and you can tuck the wire inside your shirt or jacket. There is NO in-helmet speaker made that can compare in terms of audio quality.

Thanks for a good, honest review of the speakers.

So basically the best available as a speaker option, I agree. Buds will always out perform a speaker in a helmet.

Hey sixthisoverdrive. Thanks for the vid about speakers. The all important question.. do you think the 45mm speaker from the pack tall black will fit in the GT Air?

I dont think you were ever clear if these were Cardo Packtalk Bold JBL package with the $89 additional option of 45mm JBLs or the OEM JBLs...

this may sound counter-intuitive, and not specific to these speakers, but using earplugs helps substantially in blocking the ambient wind noise, and actually helps me hear my Sena speakers better. Both music and communication with other riders are easier to understand, and that's with just cheap generic earplugs. I may try something "better" to see if that improves also.

Ya good review. like someone said placement of the speakers may be off even a little will make a difference. I have short shots on my Harley and I can hear just fine

Totally agree, sound quality lacks so much, higher volumes even start to get static noise cuz speakers can’t handle it, was disappointing

So what's the best option for someone who primarily listens to music and occasionally rides with a buddy or 3?

Earbuds please... what good is premium sound is with all the wind noise and ear plugs for hearing protection?

Hey, thanks for the review! It was honestly the best one I could find. Yes the stock speakers are trash. I can only hear my Akrapovich exhaust. I love the sound of it but I bought the cardo system for a reason :P. I don't remember but I think cardo system does have a plain ol 3.5mm jack right? Maybe I can take apart some head phones and put them in the helmet for better sound.

100% agreed. I opted for the JBL speakers when I purchased my packtalk bold. They are awesome... when sitting still and the bike is off. Lol

Good to see you again. Thanks for the info, I've been looking at this setup.

spot on. I bought this and started wondering if i got duped. NO BASS AT ALL!

Hi, I have the Midland btx2 pro hifi, and recently bought the packtalk because everyone else has cardo. I don't know about JBL sound, but standard speakers, midland has WAY better sound. Just my own opinion.

I just bought the park talk slim with JBL, I have (had) the Sena slimline communicator. Neither were small investments. Many things to like on the Cardo and it is better than the Sena. The bike I ride is a Harley 96” with V&H Longshots, so not quiet. Now the negatives on the Cardo: 1) sound quality sucks, I agree with you as I expected more (above about 110kmh it’s almost non existent). 2) you can only share music in Bluetooth mode because this feature doesn’t work in DMC. Pretty happy with everything else, the VOC works good. I expected more though...

Going to experiment with mine. Basically i plan to build up cushioning around my ear to make a headphone experience. At least that is my thoughts. Try to get more sound into the ear and keep other sound, other than the speakers, out of my ears.

Thanks for the good an honest review, I was looking for this and yeah definitely I´m thinking on the Cardo PackTalk BOLD JBL Regards from Costa Rica and Pura Vida

Thanks man! honest opnion. good review!

Thanks for ur honesty saved me 500 bux

I’d like to hear your thoughts on the black edition with the 45mm speakers.

I 100% agree!!! This is the best set on the market, but it’s still not that good! It’s shocking, especially for 80$!

What are the diffrences between the BOLD and the SLIM?

I just bought a Packtalk bold mainly for the music whilst riding. I was disappointed by the poor sound quality from the JBL speakers. In most of the reviews and ads for this system they harp on about how great the bass is; it isn’t good, it’s pretty lame! I do normally listen to a pretty good system at home (Roksan & KEF) with a woofer: whereas I wasn’t expecting the JBL to be that good, I did expect some bass but all you get is ‘tinny’ bland sound and volume that is still pretty quiet at full tilt! Apparently if you pay an extra £80 to £100, you can get a Packtalk Black where the JBL speakers are 5mm bigger for a better sound. Don’t hold your breath though....

So, what speakers would you change to??

Couldn't you just use a good wired in-ear headphones with the Cardo Packtalk unit? Isn't it a 3.5mm jack on it?

Thanks for honest reviews

I have the same bike but the grey version, i love it to death. i just bought the packtalk slim before watching this video and now i'm stressed lol

Great review, iv found that all speakers are rubbish when compare with in-ear sound, I paid for moulded in-ear buds and that's the best for me, Unfortunately, those are horrifically expensive and relatively delicate and more faff to get your helmet on.

Back in the day JBL=Junk But Loud.

Thanks for the honest review! Maybe JBL was thinking bit sounds good by talking to those assholes who put PA speakers being the grill of their POS box Chevy as their focus group

Way too much fluff talk, just get to the point

my man, making the video we all wanted :)

Thank you for the information.

I have to agree. I purchased the Freecom 4+ with JBL and expected more. One thing I really hate about mine is that they push hard against the tip of my ears and hurt (and thats without any additional spacing added). I'm using the AGV K-3 SV Liquefy helmet agvhelmets.com.au/product/k-3-sv-liquefy-black-orange/ which has enough room for the speakers but boy does it hurt putting on or taking the helmet off now because of the speakers. Sound wise they are OK at best and as you said definitely not the JBL quality I expected. That said I'll see how they go and whether the helmet molds to my head a little better (it is brand new) otherwise I might go back to my Bluetooth device which is paired to my KTM Bluetooth dash. I then connect a set of good wired in ear headphones to my Bluetooth device which is attached to my jacket with most of the speaker cable hidden inside one of my jacket vents. Works like a charm but just for music and receiving calls (I attached a piece of velcro to the mic on the cable and insert it inside my helmet just above chin level).

I thought the audio was a HUGE improvement over my Sena 20s and snh 10, very clear, very loud

1000% you didn't set up your speakers properly. I just set mine up tonight and I thought I might have agreed with you, then I used the booster pads and turned the bass boost off lmao.

Glad I watched this

Since when is JBL considered "audiophile" anyways? They can do loud, and they can do okay, but if you already use the term "audiophile", please don't do it in the same sentence as JBL. ;-)

Dude what camera and mic is that?! I enjoy the content! The video quality is a plus!

I hear you, but this isn’t the exception for JBL this is the norm. They went down market years ago. Most of what they make is junk, their quality products are now the exception.

I bought the slim. I put it in my helmet not expecting much. Well at first I was disappointed. Until I put the spacers in and experimented then I feel I have something. Louder than my 150$ earbuds that is used by musicians and audiophiles. There is base. So is it good 👍 yes it is. So your review here in this video i feel is not accurate. Not sure what you were thinking this day or your setup but it is pretty stellar. Could it be better, sure! Is it worthy of JBL name - yes.

07:40 aintnoway it's 80 bucks in canadialand I paid 500 euro for a double pack on sale the other week to give to my brother (and myself hehe) as a birthday gift for when we're out in the snow, and his buddy we often ride with has a cardo something that he likes 💀 Edit: oh I just finished the video and heard you saying 80 bucks more, that makes a little more sense

While thanks for the review, I did not expect anything special. JBL audio, in the consumer level like helmet speakers are not much different (may be little better as you said) than most of the industry rivals. I am also an audio enthusiast. I do not use headphones / earphones much but only sometimes during my commutes by a public transport system or walk arounds and I use a pair Campfire Audio Andromeda (for serious listening) or a pair of Senn Momentums (for casual or cold conditions). If I get the Cardo, I might still get the JBL version for that "better" quality but nothing much and never expect anywhere near the good headphones / earphones. It is not at all possible with these, their price points and their designs!

I have to wear ear plugs for wind noise and my rather loud pipe and can’t wear ear buds as the helmet pushes them too far into my ears which is uncomfortable and probably damaging.no one ever talks about overcoming these kind of issues......

Wow, i really enjoyed your honest review and i enjoyed most on your video editing and clear sounds. Question. Have your ever tried Uclear? They have a new set out called x infinity. I really like if you do a honest review on it.. thank you.

Can you still wear earplugs using these things?

I’m Guessing the bass is subpar. Correct ?

Took 6 mins to tell us about thr sound. Good god atleast i got n needed the 1 piece of info this video had

I have the Cardo pack talk bold and it sounds great and way better than the Sena 30k.

Havent agreed with any review as much as this one... yep, im glad i got it... but until a brand steps up and realizes that some riders prefer to ride alone and listen to music/podcasts etc - we will never get the system we want. i dont care if it can pair with 1 other headset or 250 riders at the same time... i assume sena/cardo are worried about safety because the first time a rider claims they didnt hear the horn because of their headset, its a lawsuit... blah thank you for the review and sorry about my rant.

I just put my Pack talk bold in my helmet. I haven't used it for intercom, but I have used it for music. Compared to other earphones, I'd say it's pretty good. It won't be as great as some specialty $300 headphones, but better than my ear buds.

how can I recover lost jbl activation code?

Where are you finding this for $80??? Theyre like 300 online 😳

Thank you for the great review! Has anyone tried to use this set with an Arai Corsair X?

So what in helmet speaker setup would you recommend if price point isn't an issue? I was just going to order a dual pack for the Wife and I, and then I saw your awesome review (damn decent of you, btw)

All these systems sound better with ear plugs otherwise they can't be heard for wind noise. In my experience.

Agree with u 101%.

hey does anyone know what honda that is at 1:38

Thank you.

I don’t ride without earplugs so they might not even be worth it for me 😕

You cannot tell me the audio quality is bad when you haven’t told me what music quality were you listening to.

How come the Cardo box looks like a package of 5 gum

I love my JBL portable speaker and was really looking forward to this headset. Well got it this week and I am so disappointed with the sound. Thumbs down 👎 on this JBL and Cardo

I am using cardo packtalk Jbl unit with Bell Helmet. Audio is very average I mean really average... Sena sounds similar JBL just making money and making buyers fool. Better go for Sena rather than Cardo JBL.

Think the problem is JBL have never been Synonymous with high quality in the first place. Also you say all the other videos just talk about the install, option and controls but not the audio quality and then you go on to talking about the install

I would say you didn’t install it correctly. the sound on this thing is Great as long as you get the speakers positioned correctly. Because of your review I almost didn’t buy it truly glad I did not listen to you the sound is amazing. Once again the speakers need to be placed correctly in the helmet and aligned with your ear canals this sometimes requires positioning the speakers outside of the factory cut outs on the helmet to get the premium sound. Maybe try having somebody that knows what they’re doing help you install it The sound quality is on par with most headphones I’ve listen to. It sounds tiny because you don’t have them installed correctly.

JBL is just name dropping. JBL is far from premium