The first time you ride two up with a passenger who can talk to you on an intercom, you will wonder how you ever managed before. I am not exaggerating that. The Sena SMH10D-11 dual pack is a two unit Bluetooth intercom that turns the back of your bike into a good conversation instead of a shouted guessing game. And you can check out current pricing on amazon before you commit.
This is One of the most proven helmet intercom systems available. It has a 4.5 star rating based upon more than 1100 amazon reviews. While many newer headset brands have come and gone since the smh10 was introduced, it continues to be installed on helmets year after year. And there is no better proof of its effectiveness than its long term sales success.
The big number here is the claimed 900 meter intercom range when conditions are optimal (that works out to roughly 980 yards). In real world riding scenarios, through hills and around buildings, the actual distance may vary considerably. But even several hundred meters of clean two way Audio is all that most rider to passenger and typical two bike formations need. As a bonus, the dual pack provides two complete units for about the same money many brands charge for only One, so the per rider cost comes in significantly less than half of what many flagship single packs cost. If you want the numbers straight, pick up the dual pack on amazon and do the math yourself.
Specs and Build Quality
The SMH10D-11 is not a brand new product. It has been around long enough for Sena to get the details right. Each unit in the pack contains a Bluetooth headset with speakers, controls, and a microphone. Included in the box are two complete sets, so both rider and passenger receive everything needed.
As expected from a premium brand like Sena, the construction of these products is far above average. Reviewers consistently comment that Sena uses metal where other brands use hard plastic that cracks after a season. The control module feels solid in a gloved hand, the buttons provide real travel, so riders don't fumble them. Overall, Sena built this product to last years under sun, rain, and bugs. It makes riders trust their product for long trips rather than worry about it. Sena has been building products for this space for years. find out more about Sena on senacommunications.com.
Something worth mentioning about the design: the intercom mounts on the side of the helmet and the module pokes down from the bottom. Some riders feel that is uncomfortable, especially if you tuck your helmet under your arm a lot. However, it is not a deal breaker - just something you notice after using it for a week or two.
The claimed range for the SMH10D-11 is 900 meters under ideal open conditions. That means there is line of sight between the units. Real world experience ranges will depend on where you ride, and reviewers report repeated instances of clear communication between units over reasonable following distances. Riders typically aren't trying to communicate across three mountains to each other, they are talking to each other several feet behind/in front of each other and maybe next lane.
Audio/mic Performance
Advanced noise cancellation technology in the smh10 helps reduce wind roar at speed. Wind and engine noise are the biggest enemy to clean Audio in a helmet. Sena does a great job filtering much of that noise so that people on the other end hear your voice instead of static. Reviewer after reviewer comments on how clearly calls sound on highway.
Voice assistants also work with "hey google" and "hey siri". Which means you can trigger your phone assistant hands free - perfect safety feature when you're wearing gloves and do not want to fumble with a button. Tell it directions change music make a call without taking your hands off the bars.
Finally music sharing is another major strength of the smh10. Music sharing allows you to share music playing from One rider's phone with the other rider via the intercom. Perfect for those long rides together where you both want to listen to the same playlist in your helmets. Note that music sharing is currently limited to only One additional rider - exactly why you would buy a dual package.
Each unit includes the Universal Microphone Kit. Which matters more than many think. Boom style microphones are supported by Sena for modular helmets along with wired options. And as part of buying this system you get all the parts needed to run either option. Reviewers specifically point out that it ships with two different types of microphones - so choose the type that fits best with your helmet style. Modular helmet owners love the boom mic because it attaches directly below the chin bar when folded away.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Over 1100 reviews (at this moment) with an average rating of 4.5 stars leaves little doubt that this product lives up to expectations.
D.j., a reviewer wrote very positively about the battery life, stating he got around ten days of riding with music playing continuously for about an hour or two per day. Ten days of battery life is exactly what riders want when they don't want to charge their helmet every night. He also complimented the construction quality of the product noting Sena uses metal where other brands use hard plastic.
SB is an ATV rider and stated the smh10 provided him with "incredible value for his money." He commented that he was able to communicate clearly during technical sections of trails he rode on, which is huge for off-road riding when coordinating lines and obstacles requires continuous communication without stopping.
Another reviewer, SFC USA, reviewed the product as well made and noted a variety of features including two types of microphones (boom and wired). SFC USA added that the boom style microphone functioned well on his modular helmet.
Cmd summarized why the smh10 is so popular with riders stating that communication changes the whole experience for riders and passengers alike. His passenger no longer had to lean forward and yell to receive instructions for turns. Additionally, cmd stated that he was able to speak clearly to his passenger without having to raise his voice.
Installation was easy too according to cmd - which is exactly what a two-up intercom should provide.
Who Is This For?
The SMH10D-11 dual pack is primarily aimed at two groups and covers both well.
First: two-up riders. If you regularly carry passengers in addition to yourself, then this dual pack should be your first choice. With the SMH10D-11, your passenger receives all of the benefits provided by an intercom including navigation instructions, calling out hazards, and simply talking to you normally (not shouting). Long rides together become enjoyable again due to music sharing.
Second: off road / ATV riders. The open communication between units during technical terrain in a group or with a passenger increases safety dramatically. Being able to talk through a section rather than stopping to wave at each other creates a much smoother ride.
There are several reasons why this package provides such great value for its per rider cost, but none are better than the fact that it provides all of the basic needs for two-way communication between riders that most riders require and does it at a significantly lower price point than many top-tier mesh intercoms offer. If you want to compare it against the rest of the field, browse our motorcycle intercom comparison and read more in the blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart can the two units be and still work?
Sena rates the SMH10D-11 at 900 meters (roughly 980 yards) under ideal, line of sight conditions. In the real world, through hills, buildings, and traffic, expect that to drop considerably, but for a rider and passenger a few feet apart, or two bikes riding in a staggered formation, the connection is rock solid.
Is this a good fit for riding two up?
It is built for exactly that. The dual pack gives you two complete units, so the passenger gets the same speakers, mic, and controls as the rider. Two up riders call this out again and again as the reason the system earns its place on the bike.
Can I use the same unit with other intercom brands?
Yes. The SMH10D-11 supports universal intercom pairing, which lets it talk to Bluetooth headsets that are not made by Sena. That is handy if a friend rides a different brand and you want to chat on a group outing.
How long does the battery last?
Reviewers regularly report days of use between charges, with one rider describing around ten days of riding an hour or two a day with music playing. Standby life is even longer, so you are not charging this thing every night.
What microphones are included?
The kit ships with two microphone types, a boom mic and a wired option, so you can run whichever fits your helmet style. Modular helmet owners tend to prefer the boom mic, which tucks under the chin bar when folded.
Does it support voice assistants?
Yes, you can trigger your phone assistant hands free with "hey Google" or "hey Siri", which is a genuine safety win when you are wearing gloves and do not want to hunt for a button.