The Science Of Sound: JBL's PackTalk Bold Bluetooth Headset

Communicating has changed considerably from the days of head nods and hand gestures. Motorcyclists have the ability to communicate with anyone, anytime, using wireless communicators like the PackTalk Bold device recently introduced by Cardo. But it’s still a new technology. Sound quality, even the ability to comprehend simple speech—much less musical nuance—has been inadequate in some devices. The problems are exacerbated by noise at highway speed and the complex sonic environment of a motorcycle helmet. Cardo’s changing that with its new plug-and-play, JBL-powered headset. The speakers affix inside most modern helmets, and they’re compatible with any 3.5 mm jack setup. Always interested in hearing more, we spoke with Cardo’s VP of marketing, Dan Emodi, for the backstory on how the company aims to please the riding audiophile.

Related: Inside JBL's Partnership With Cardo Systems

High-fidelity sound systems are standard fare in the automotive world, but a motorcyclist’s open-air environment is more challenging. Engineers considered three types of intrusive noise frequencies—engine, road, and wind—during design. These factors shaped the speaker’s hardware, pad interface, and electronics.

JBL and its parent company, Harman, are leaders in the automotive acoustics segment with over 50 million vehicles on the road today benefiting from their components. Each brand has its own tuning profile and niche. After reviewing the technical requirements of Cardo’s project, JBL was tasked with making it a reality.

The headset features a pair of 1.57-inch speakers that were designed inside JBL’s Los Angeles acoustics lab. Cardo’s PackTalk firmware was tweaked to suit and now benefits from an adjustable digital EQ. Via a smartphone app, users can select between three sound profiles (Standard, Bass Boost, and Vocal). Listeners can also tune audio based on music choice or communication (voice command and speaking) preferences.

Integration of more complex and powerful sound equipment into helmets is likely to progress, Emodi says: “Cars went from having simple FM tuners and cassette players to having a concert-hall-like sound experience. Motorcycles will soon follow.”