Sena's SMH10D-10 is one of the most popular headsets in the world. For a couple of riders, Sena sells the double pack. As soon as you pull it out of the box, you can pair two heads and start riding. Anyone who has been looking at intercoms knows this model. Everyone's uncle raves about it, every group ride seems to have at least one SMH10D-10. It is so popular because it works. It has worked that way for years. It is a very good option for a couple of riders who don't need to spend money for features they may never use. Take a look at the current price on Amazon before you make a purchase. The price fluctuates quite a bit.
Specs and Build Quality
Universal intercom is the main benefit of Sena's SMH10D-10. Sena designed this unit so that it can work with Bluetooth headsets that were manufactured by another company. That is much bigger than it seems. Many manufacturers limit their customers' ability to connect with Bluetooth headsets that were made by a different manufacturer. When you pair the SMH10D-10 with your riding buddy's Bluetooth headset that was not manufactured by Sena, you can communicate with each other. For those riders who frequently ride with a group of riders who have different brand helmets, that is a huge advantage.
The manufacturer claims a 900 meter (or 980 yard), optimal condition, intercom connection. In reality, when the two riders are on the same section of open road, the connection will be farther away than the claimed 900 meters. While no intercom provides an unlimited range due to physical limitations such as interference from objects and terrain, Sena's SMH10D-10 has performed very well compared to lower cost, single unit devices.
The build quality of the SMH10D-10 is typical of Sena products. They use rugged materials for the body of the device, provide large buttons to allow glove operation and install the mount securely on the helmet. All of these components have been engineered to withstand harsh weather and wind conditions. Sena products are durable and will last for years. Many riders have continued to use their original SMH10D product for years beyond the warranty period. While the SMH10D-10 may not be the most compact or sleek headset available today, it is proven hardware that consistently delivers performance.
For a detailed comparison of the SMH10D-10 versus other recent competitors see our intercom comparison chart.
Audio and Microphone Performance
Sound quality is one area where the SMH10D-10 shows some signs of aging, but it is minimal. The speakers produce crystal-clear and sufficiently loud audio levels for highway riding. Music and voices produced by phone calls sound great too. The advanced noise cancellation helps to significantly reduce the amount of wind and engine noise picked up by the microphone, making it easier for the receiving rider to hear your voice without having to say "what?" every 30 seconds. On motorcycles, noise cancellation is more important than any other specification.
There is voice-controlled digital assistant access with the SMH10D-10. To initiate a command for either Hey Google or Hey Siri, speak the corresponding phrase and your smartphone will respond. With this capability, you can change songs, review maps and send messages without removing your gloves from the handlebars. It is a convenient feature in addition to being valuable for an older unit like the SMH10D-10. Additionally, you can share music with another rider during an active intercom call, allowing both you and your passenger to enjoy listening to the same playlist while riding.
In terms of wind resistance, the microphone on the SMH10D-10 is reasonable at 70 mph. Wind is the enemy of every helmet-mounted microphone. Noise cancellation helps a lot in maintaining clarity of speech, even though it will never eliminate wind entirely. Overall, based on quality alone, the SMH10D-10 offers superior performance compared to what you would normally expect from a headset in this class. If audio quality is your top priority, there are newer high-end Sena models that deliver additional features and improved audio performance. However, in terms of sheer value-for-money, the SMH10D-10 delivers.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Based on over 1600 reviews with an average rating of 4.4 stars, we consider this product to be one of the most reviewed intercom headsets currently sold online. Given the relatively large number of reviews, we believe user opinions reflect customer experiences with varying degrees of accuracy.
When reviewing numerous user comments regarding this product, several common themes emerged repeatedly.
Customer comments describing years of reliable service on various types of bikes demonstrate the exceptional reliability associated with Sena headsets. Customers commented extensively on how their original SMH10D headsets continue to function flawlessly after tens-of-thousands of miles of riding. Long term reliability is primarily responsible for why so many customers rate this product with a 4.4 star average. Customer satisfaction regarding universal connectivity also appears throughout user comments. Several customers expressed how glad they were to be able to communicate with friends who used totally different intercom headsets, something they couldn't accomplish with virtually all other brands.
Comments relating to battery life vary somewhat. Most customers comment positively on the duration provided by a full recharge cycle (approximately 12 hours), which allows them to cover a full day of riding. However, some more demanding users comment negatively on battery life during extended periods of multi-day trips, and a small number of users mention issues related to older versions of Bluetooth technology requiring separate charging for both units within the dual package. These points should be viewed as valid criticisms rather than major negatives.
Not everyone who purchased this headset had positive comments. A few customers mentioned difficulty in initial pairing, and minor numbers reported receiving units requiring an immediate software update upon arrival. Finally, while generally satisfied customers agree that audio quality is good but not excellent, we do think it is worthy to note that Sena headsets are not intended for audiophiles.
Overall customer comments convey a sense of confidence in owning a reliable, long-lasting intercom system for daily use on their bikes.
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Who Is This Intercom For?
As previously mentioned, this dual-pack configuration is ideal for two riders. Order this product if you usually ride with an occasional partner or passenger. Both headsets are contained in the box when you order a dual-pack configuration and both must be paired simultaneously. This method results in quick pairing times and both riders receive identical durable headsets.
Additionally, if you ride with groups consisting of multiple friends who all have different brands of helmets (not all Sena branded), this universal intercom pairing will ensure that you never have to worry about being unable to converse with your riding buddies simply because their brand headset won't communicate with your Sena headset.
On the other hand, this isn't an ideal choice if you're looking to utilize the latest technology or require a single-unit design. More recent Sena models offer improved audio quality and greater intercom distance as well as sleeker designs. If you're seeking the most modern features or prefer a single-unit design look elsewhere. Nevertheless, if you prefer an established brand name providing reliable communication between two riders, along with years of tested experience in manufacturing consistent performance, this is difficult to pass up as a premium intercom product.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my Sena SMH10D-10 battery last?
Approximately ten to thirteen hours of continuous talk time per complete recharge cycle. Therefore, most customers will easily obtain a full day's ride time based on normal usage patterns. The batteries are rechargeable via USB cable supplied with each unit. Please note that both units in the dual pack must be charged individually prior to pairing.
Will my Sena SMH10D-10 connect with non-Sena products?
Yes, this is the key benefit of the Sena SMH10D-10. Universal intercom compatibility lets you connect with Bluetooth headsets made by other companies, not just Sena. This is extremely significant since virtually all other brands restrict their users' ability to connect with Bluetooth headsets created by other companies. When you pair your Sena SMH10D-10 with your riding buddy's Bluetooth headset (made by any other company), you will be able to communicate with each other.
What is the intercom range of the Sena SMH10D-10?
Sena states its testing indicates that the maximum possible range for this model is approximately 900 meters (or 980 yards). The actual range achieved by two riders riding together on an open road will typically exceed this figure. Conversely, as expected due to the physical characteristics of wireless communications (such as building interference and terrain obstructions), range will be reduced under certain conditions (behind structures, through dense foliage, and so on) as with all wireless communication systems.
Does my Sena SMH10D-10 have voice assistant access?
Yes. In addition to standard digital assistant access, your Sena SMH10D-10 enables you to access your voice controlled digital assistant (Hey Google and Hey Siri) via voice commands.
Am I able to share music with a passenger using my Sena SMH10D-10?
Yes, using your Sena SMH10D-10 you'll be able to share music with one other rider during an active intercom call, thereby enabling both you and your passenger to listen to identical playlists while riding.
Is the dual pack worth the price?
If you ride regularly with a partner or passenger, yes. The dual pack is not cheap, but you get two complete, proven headsets at a better per-unit value than buying singles. For a duo that rides together often, it is one of the best value buys Sena has ever made. You can check the current price here. For more on Sena's full lineup, their official site has the complete range.