Chips® XV - Universal Helmet Headphones

Got these as a recommendation from 2 friends who were using in their helmet. These fit so well in the zipper pouches and incredibly easy to use even with gloves on. Sounds is crisp and clear and changed the whole ski experience.

Have not used the new Chips XV yet because of our lame winter here in Utah. However I appreciate the subtle design changes between the XV and my older 2.0. I particularly like the refined shape which should reduce hit spots on my ears. I also like the shorter cord between the two speakers as it fits better inside the helmet. I also really appreciate the use of a USB port vs the old 3.5mm headphone jack to charge the device. The new app interface with the spectrum control is a nice upgrade.

I’ve been using these while snowboarding, and honestly I have mixed feelings. The setup is super easy, and once you’re out on the mountain the buttons are really comfortable to find and press even under helmet ear pads, which is a huge plus. That ease of use is easily the best thing about them. Sound-wise, the clarity is actually really solid, so voices and a lot of details come through well. But the bass is seriously lacking, especially for the price. At full price, I’d say the cost feels too high for the quality. Even a cheap pair of Apple wired earbuds has better overall sound, which is pretty disappointing. That said, I got these on a buy one, get one free deal, and at that price they felt worth it. I’d really only buy them for the convenience and helmet-friendly controls, not for the audio quality. If they improve the bass, these would be a much easier product to recommend. Also worth mentioning, their support team was responsive and helpful, which I appreciated.