I started with a Sena SMH10,....
I swear the sound is not as good on the 10S or loud as the SMH10.
Regardless, I ride with foam earplugs, which I really like, but does anyone have experience as to which of the newer BT communicators (either Sena or Cardo) has the best or loudest headset?
With Foam earplugs, at highway speeds, with a windscreen, I can barely hear my music - both of which I find indispensable for long trips.
I have a hearing loss, and wear hearing aids (but not on the bike). I too was wearing foam earplugs, so I wouldn't lose what hearing I have left.
But with the earplugs - combined with my hearing loss, there was no way I could consistently hear the Sena speakers.
I finally gave up on crappy helmet speakers, there's no way they can overcome both the hearing loss and the earplugs.
.
I now use these earbuds with a Sena SMH-20EVO:
https://www.etymotic.com/product/mk5/
I can't recommend these highly enough: Note the 35-42 dB outside noise attenuation value - this is as good, or better than, the best foam earplugs.
These earbuds REPLACE your earplugs, and also put the sound right in your ear. So you can set the Sena to a comfortable, non-distorting volume - and hear everything perfectly.
They set deeply in your ear, and don't stick out.
I never even bothered to install the helmet speakers, I use the buds all the time.
Yes, it's an extra step to put you helmet on & off, but if you wear a thin helmet liner ( I use a Buff ) the earbuds will not snag on the helmet.
Very pleased with the Sena now, be sure to check that which ever model you buy has an earphone jack.
BTW, IMHO the plug phones are crap. I bought them early on, they went in the trash. Terrible audio quality.
Good luck....