POC’s New Obex Connect May Just Be the Best-Sounding Ski Helmet Audio System
I’ve been testing Bluetooth ski helmet speakers for the past few years, both ones you add to the helmet yourself and helmets that incorporate the speakers into their design. While most headphones work well and offer acceptable sound quality, few offer the sound you’d expect from more expensive traditional headphones and earbuds. But after a day of use POC’s new Obex Connect headphonesDeveloped by POC in collaboration with Harman Kardon, I can say that I have finally found a speaker that delivers impressive sound quality.
Unfortunately, these speakers cannot be added to any ski helmet. This headset acts as $300 accessories Obex helmet suitable for any POC or can be used for POC Obex Connect helmet for $550an audio upgrade to the company’s Obex BC (Back Country) helmet. Supply of both appears to be limited at the moment, but hopefully that will change in due course.
Typically, when you purchase third-party ski helmet speakers, you slide the speakers into the earpad slots provided by many helmet companies as part of their helmet design. For example, the Smith helmet has a zipper that allows you to access the opening in the ear pads and slide in the speakers. You can get truly wireless speaker options with no cables between the speakers, but it’s often a better idea to connect your wireless speakers with cables because they offer a more reliable connection and longer battery life, and the wires stay on while you’re at it It will be hidden later. Wrap it around the inside of the back of the helmet.
The Obex Connect headphones are sold as a separate accessory for $300 to owners of existing Obex helmets and replace the original ear pads.
With the Obex headphone accessory, you can completely replace the ear pads of your Obex helmet. I removed the ear pads from the standard Obex helmet ($200) and snapped the new Connect ear pads with built-in headphones into them. I then hid the wires to the Bluetooth speaker on the back of the helmet.
One of the problems with adding third-party speakers to a helmet is that it tends to change the fit of the helmet. I have added Chips speakers from Outdoor Tech, alec speaker even some Cheap ski helmet speaker options from Amazon Smith and other helmets, I ended up with more pressure on the ear pads on my ears because the speakers took up some extra space in the ear pads. When using the Obex Connect headphones, the ear pads feel no different than standard Obex helmet ear pads.
Read more: The Best High-Tech Ski Gear of 2025
POC design has some other benefits. Since the USB-C charging port and control buttons are both part of the earpad design, they’re exposed and easy to access. Even with gloves on, I had no trouble playing and pausing music, fast forwarding tracks, or answering and hanging up calls.
Controls are integrated into the ear pads.
Not only do the Obex Connect headsets allow you to make calls using your smartphone, but they also feature mesh technology that lets you create private group networks of up to eight people through the Obex Connect companion app for iOS or Android.
You can talk to a group in intercom mode by simply pressing a button on the earpad (you can also tap into a public mesh network that others can access). No cell service required. Others in your group will need to have a compatible speaker system (another Obex Connect headset or a helmet), and the range is limited to around 150-200 meters, and may be affected by obstacles such as trees. I haven’t had a chance to test the grid functionality, but I’ve tried Sena bike helmet audio system It’s fun to use. (I will update this post after testing.)
Sweden-based POC has a long history in ski helmet speakers. Back in 2012, it was released Receptor miscommunication Helmets with integrated wired Beats headphones, then Beats-infused Fornix Communications headset. I actually tried the Receptor Bug with a Beats speaker and thought that while the sound was relatively good, it didn’t live up to expectations. POC also recently made a Obex MIPS Communications helmet, but from a sound perspective, this new model seems to have benefited greatly from its partnership with Harman Kardon.
Black Obex Connect helmet.
The Obex Connect speakers deliver clear sound with strong, clear bass, and produce a fairly wide soundstage. The sounds may not match well JBL’s highly regarded $200 770NC headphones (JBL is a subsidiary of Harman, which is owned by Samsung), but it seems close to home. While the headphones are IP54 splash and dust resistant, POC doesn’t give a battery life rating, although I had no issues with a 7-hour day of skiing plus a 40-minute lunch break.
As I said, there are plenty of other ski helmet speakers to choose from. this Outdoor Technology Chip 3.0 and Alec nunchaku All on my list The Best High-Tech Ski Gear of 2025. I know some people have tried and liked the affordable but somewhat generic product Alta Wild Point Alta Bluetooth ski helmet speaker, available on Amazon for approx. $110 Looks like great value.
But the sound quality of the POC Connect headphone speakers is significantly better than those of the Chips 3.0 and Aleck Nunchucks. I haven’t tested it yet Cardo PackTalk Outdoor Helmet Communication Systemwhich includes JBL speakers, but it has received some pretty good reviews.
Of course, many people just ski with earbuds. I have been with AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, Jabra Elite 8 Active 2nd generation and Sony LinkBuds fitand they all sound really good. From a safety and comfort perspective, having earbuds stuck in your ears under a helmet is not a good thing. Unless you use voice control to control playback, you’ll end up taking off your gloves frequently and pulling your phone out of your pocket to adjust volume and control playback, which can be annoying. Although quite pricey, a helmet audio solution like this is ultimately much better.
It would be great if Harman Kardon or some other big audio company developed ski helmet speakers that sounded great and worked with a variety of helmets. But for now, POC’s new Connect Obex system is not only well designed, it’s also the best-sounding ski helmet speaker system I’ve ever tried. Easy to recommend if you can find it in stock.
Main functions of POC Obex Connect, according to POC
- Harman Kardon sound with preset equalizers for speech, music and bass boost.
- Mesh technology allows up to eight Obex Connect headset users to communicate with every other member of the group. Mesh connectivity doesn’t interfere with your phone’s functionality, so you can still make and receive calls.
- Self-healing group: If one person exits the mesh group, the remaining members of the group will remain connected to each other. Anyone who quits will automatically rejoin the team once they are back in range.
- Bluetooth Walkie-Talkie: If you don’t want to use all the features of a mesh walkie-talkie, a basic connection to a smartphone via Bluetooth provides basic sound functionality and allows for a short-range (up to 25 meters) one-to-one connection with another headset user.
- IP54 certified: dust and splash-proof.
