[Review] The Snowtalk 2 by Sena

The Sena Snowtalk 2 is an incredible option if you’re looking to not only listen to tunes when you ski and ride but also communicate with those who you’re with. With Sena’s easy-to-use intercom system, you can connect up to four friends so you can communicate effectively and easily while you’re on the hill. The cool thing about the Snowtalk 2 is once you enter intercom mode (with one push of a button), you don’t have to press to talk. Especially for the price point, the Snowtalk 2 Helmet system for skiing/riding is ideal for listening to music, using your phone without pulling it out, and communicating with your friends and family.

The main thing that we use helmet audio for is listening to tunes while we ride at the resort but we also dig the intercom feature that comes with the Snowtalk 2. It’s especially helpful if we’re shooting photos or videos (resort or backcountry) because we can effectively communicate and know what’s going on. We don’t listen to music in the backcountry but having the intercom feature is helpful and a key tool for safety. Setting up the intercom is quick and easy in Sena’s free Sena Outdoor App. Once you have your group set up in the app, one simple push on the speaker and you’re in intercom mode. It’s easy to go back and forth from music to intercom mode, but they can’t be used simultaneously.

We’ve not had helmet audio systems that use an external mic, and we quickly realized the benefit of it. Sena’s external mic is built with noise control in mind and doesn’t pick up any wind noise when you’re ripping down the hill. Even mounted on the outside of the ear flap, not the chin strap, there was no wind noise. The only problem we experienced was when it was mounted in this position, anytime Cally’s jacket rubbed up against the mic there was extra noise. The chin strap is definitely the preferred mounting position. 

As far as range goes for the intercom system, Sena claims they work up to 700  meters apart. We definitely think this is in a perfect world, no obstacles, no change in elevation, etc. then possibly you could get 700 meters of range. For us, we found that line of sight is the extent of the range. When we’re skiing and one of us goes into the trees or over a roller, we lose connection. As soon as we could see each other again, the connection would come back. That’s our personal experience with some of the terrain we’re skiing and of course, there are variables to the range – if we’re in wide-open bowls we have much better luck staying connected.

Overall the system is very intuitive and user-friendly – both the buttons in general and the app. Once you use the system once, you’ll know exactly what controls do and you won’t have to look at a quick guide. We found the battery life to be sufficient and can even go two or three full days without having to recharge. Specific battery times are going to be dependent on things like temperature, volume, how much you’re using the intercom, etc.

For the price point, we feel like the audio quality is right where it should be. The quality is comparable to audio systems we have used in the past and the volume cranks if you really need to psych yourself up. These aren’t the audio experience that you would get from noise-canceling over-the-ear $900 headphones but there’s a reason for that (you’re getting a heck of a system for less than $100). If you’re looking to have an easy-to-use, cord-free audio system, and you value communicating easily with your partner or group, look no further than the Snowtalk 2 by Sena. If you’re interested in purchasing the Snowtalk 2, doing so using our provided link supports us as we get a small kickback from your purchase. We appreciate the support!

*We received this gear for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.