DAAL Reintroduces Noise Canceling Tech For Your Helmet

[advrider]

Norwegian company DAAL launched its active noise canceling helmet system DXL-5 a few years ago. They premiered at EICMA in Milan, in 2018. Ever since then, things have been… awfully quiet. Now, their website says the systems will be produced in the summer of 2022, and available in the fall of the same year.

Any Other Players?

This is currently the only active noise canceling system that is available separate from a helmet. Sena’s Momentum helmet contains active noise canceling technology married to its own communicator (a 20S, if you’re curious). That is all installed from the factory in their own branded helmet. No news on whether you can pull it out when your helmet reaches end of life, to install it in the next one.

The DAAL system is instead married to a Nolan N-Com system, the B-902X. It is being sold separately from any helmet, but is currently designed only to fit into an X-Lite X-1005 helmet.

The advantage to purchasing any kind of in-helmet electronics separately from the helmet, is the ability to transfer it from one helmet to the next. If the DAAL system proves able to adapt to more than one style and brand of helmet, it could be a win.

Pricing

The price of the system also impacts any popularity it might gain; currently pricing on the website for the whole system is published at kr 5990 (about $869 USD or €805). To order one, the deposit is kr 2790 (about $405 USD or €375).

The X-Lite X-1005 is currently available in Europe for about €445 retail ($480 USD). The addition of DAAL technology would literally triple the cost of the lid, but it is at least integrated into an N-Com communicator, so you won’t have to buy one of those as well.

How Does It Work?

Active noise canceling works by “listening” to the ambient noise within the space. It then creates “anti-noise.” The unit itself will emit noise that is exactly opposing wavelengths to the noise you hear. Combined, it lowers the volume of your perceived noise. If you want to get more into the science of it, here’s a great article.

The speakers are more like earmuffs, so that will make getting the helmet on more of a challenge. Photo credit DAAL

The key, as explained, is the processing power of the active noise canceling. If it’s good, it will pick up on new noises or changes in existing noise pretty quickly. If, though, the processors are laggy, you’ll get a bunch of new noises in your helmet before the canceling kicks in (if it ever does).

Another thing to be aware of: this technology can cause motion sickness in those prone to it. If you’ve never used active noise canceling headphones, maybe borrow a friend’s before dropping the significant cabbage on a system for your helmet. A bout of motion sickness could sure make your next motorcycle ride less fun.

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