Cardo Sound Labs sits quietly in Straubing, Bavaria. Inside, 11 specialists work on smart helmets and communications systems for motorcyclists. The team has over 150 years of combined experience. Cardo acquired the Lab in 2022 and set them on a mission to perfect active noise cancellation for riders.
The upcoming Beyond GT and GTS helmets are their result. Set for release in 2026, they start at around £1050. The system targets engine and wind noise while keeping sirens and key traffic sounds audible. Tests show a noise reduction between 20 and 25dB.
The Lab’s tools are exact. A 70kW wind machine simulates airflow at 224mph. An anechoic chamber worth £174,000 isolates pure sound. Engineers use it to calibrate microphones and speakers in 360 degrees. They mapped the ear positions of 400 people and printed 3D heads to optimize speaker placement.
With 53mm speakers and an antenna built into the top vent, the Beyond helmet extends range to about 1.24 miles. AI research is underway to enhance voice clarity at high speed.
Pfaffinger, who has led the team since 1991, describes the group simply as friends who love audio. Their work shows that focus and precision still drive progress.
My two cents…
Cardo Sound Labs lurks in Straubing, Bavaria, eleven audio nerds chasing quiet on two wheels. Together, they’ve clocked 150 years fiddling with frequencies. Cardo scooped them up in 2022 and basically said, “Make wind shut up, but keep the sirens.” The payoff? The Beyond GT and GTS helmets, landing in 2026 at about £1050. They promise 20–25dB less roar without turning traffic into white noise. Science fiction meets helmet hair. These folks test sound like NASA tests rockets, 224mph wind, £174k echo-free rooms, 3D-printed heads. All for crisp tunes and clear chatter. Old-school geeks proving silence is still rock‑and‑roll.
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https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-tech/cardo-sound-labs/
