As someone who works in construction from time to time, my favorite thing about these headphones is that they work (actually, better) when you put earplugs in. So, I can protect my ears from loud, repetitive tool noise while still listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. I highly recommend trying these headphones again, and this time stick your fingers in your ears. It's a little weird to be able to still hear like that!
I work in a factory and have the same experience. I absolutely love mine. I got the 1 step up from the ones he go and they came with a hard case that is very nice even has a spot for the charging cable. They also easily last over 10 hors listing to music and books
In my opinion this is the perfect application for these. Using these with earplugs increases the quality of the sound, and allows you to block out loud noises while still listening to music.
I work in construction around a booster water pump that’s about 115db and i second your comment, with ear plugs in i can still hear music or phone calls and notifications while my ears are protected, absolutely great solution
I have an older version of these, and I use them all the time, they are a bit better for spoken word than for music, but they do the job. I am legally blind, these let me walk, listen, and still hear what is going on around me. Lots of blind and low vision users really enjoy this type of head set
My mom actually has a pair of these! She's partially deaf in one ear and near fully deaf in the other, and with these she can hear music in both ears, as it sort of bypasses the parts of her ears that are messed up. It's not perfect, but if she wants to watch shows or listen to podcasts, she can at least understand what they're saying.
My mom also has hearing aids and she had the blue tooth ones but they always died and she had to wait for them to charge. So she got a basic pair and was missing the bluetooth so we tested my pair of shoxs and she loved them and got a pair for herself
I am also partially deaf in my left ear and bought these not even with that in mind, I am so use to it not working well in my left ear. I was so pleasantly surprised to hear my music so well in both my ears wearing this!
I started using the Shokz Open Comm model. The difference is, it has a mic boom, which is better for truck drivers, like me. Took a couple days to get used to. They are now my favorite to use with phone calls in my semi.
I have used these since they first came out with the aftershokz titanium version. They are excellent for maintaining awareness while also listening to music on runs or biking. Another benefit to these is that you can also put in earplugs and use them while doing yardwork or something where there might be loud background noise. You can protect your hearing while still listening to music or podcasts. Note: There are actually two different eq settings. You can get to the other one by pressing and holding both volume up and down at the same time until the voice says something about eq change. One is substantially better than the other one. However, I forget what eq setting they start on by default.
I love these things. For sound quality they aren’t the best but the bass gets better when you put ear plugs in. I use them mainly for listening to podcasts and out of all the headphones I use these are the most comfortable.
I love mine..a few weeks ago, the right ear cut out...and I was LOST without them..The company honored the warranty and sent a brand new pair..in box..
I have had the Aftershox Aeropex model for about 5-6 years and before that I had an older model that I accidentally left on an airplane. I love them. They are great for running, as they hold up well against sweat and are safer because they do not block outside sounds. I want to be able to hear my surroundings. Also, for some races, they ban any headphones that block your ability to hear your surroundings. As you said, the music quality is limited, but they are not trying to compete with headphone build for audiophiles.
Thanks for making the EQ version of the music. You are the first person I've seen do that in their review and it is a huge help in deciding to buy them or not.
I was skeptical of these but took the plunge and can't go back. Worth every penny, super comfortable and the battery lasts a long time. I take them every time I go running
I got these 2 years ago because I had eczema in my ears and all ear buds were making my ears itch like crazy. These are still working great and, if you don’t count slightly worse audio quality, they don’t really have any downsides.
I love the warranty, I had the true OG ones when they barely came out they broke on accident last year I was kind of hesitant to do a claim because it was so long but they honored it and sent me brand new ones with the updated name
Bone induction headphones can be great for a lot of reasons, especially for people who have hearing impairment. However one warning is that anyone with bad anemia it can cause bad bruising. You wouldn't think it's strong enough, but prolonged use can be bad
After seeing this video, I went and got myself a pair for work. They came in fast with shipping, and I tested them out today. They were astounding, just perfect! They do miss some lower notes but they pick up on almost everything I listen to… on top of that, I am partially deaf in my left ear. These somehow made the tune equal on both sides of my head, a feat that hasn’t happened for me in years. I damn near cried at work while stocking! Thanks for reviewing this life changing ear apparatus, and bringing them to my attention!
I have two pairs of Shokz (one with a boom mic (which is more clear) and one without that's an older generation) and I love them. The sound quality is fine, but not amazing. The newer generation headset definitely has better audio quality than the old pair I have. The battery life on both is amazing. I get way more than 8hrs out of both of mine - I guess it depends on how much you have the volume up. As for the proprietary cable, I normally agree, but the magnetic charging cable on the newer headsets is a big improvement over the micro USB on the older headsets, in my opinion. I use them for two things: 1. I'm in meetings all day long at work and these are way more comfortable than having something on or in my ears for hours at a time. They work fine for calls. 2. I'm also blind, so they let me go out and listen to music or spoken directions from Google Maps, etc. without compromising safety. It's really important for me to be able to hear people/traffic.
Been a fan of this company for a few years. They're great for cycling, working out, or any job where you need to be able to hear people but also want to listen to music or podcasts or whatever like at a restaurant. Super comfortable and easy to forget you're even wearing them.
I own these & I absolutely love them. I use them when I'm walking, working out and also late at night when I want to watch videos on my phone when the wife is asleep.
Ive been using these for years. I work 12 hour shifts in a clean room, so cant access my phone/headphones when working. These are fantastic as i get to still hear everything when i pause, and having earbuds in for 12 hours is insanely uncomfortable.
As I bought 3/4 Shokz Titanium, I love these headphones. Just a cons, and two curiosity: - Unfortunately, they are really delicate and it's easy to break them if you put them in a bag with some weight on and no case (that's why I bought so many of them). Exert caution and treat them well, they will reward you. - The first week or two that you use them for the first time, they can cause inflammation and a bit of itching with intensive use. With time it will stop and also if you don't use them for a year. - If you don't hear well, putting a finger in one of your ears will boost the sound. I know, it's strange but I used this method a lot of times when the call was not of great quality.
Back in 1989 my wife and I had bone conducting communication devices to wear with our motorcycle helmets and talk on trips. I think they were wired to a transceiver in our pockets but it's too long ago for me to remember the details. Without these there was no chance of communication going down the highway but with these devices we could talk normally.
I started with the Aftershokz Aeropex (their previous brandname) I recently upgraded to the Shokz Opencomm2 as when cycling I talk to family on the phone and the mic on the Aeropex was not good with wind, the Opencomm works well to reduce wind noise. The audio isn't great but it's good enough for me for having something to listen to and keeping my ears open to hear the world around me.
@@Briaaanz for audio they're fine, and they feel fine with helmet and glasses. If you're planning to talk on the phone while cycling go for the opencomm2
The one caution they mention is that if you have the volume up it will definitely affect your ability to hear things around you. I tried using mine on the bicycle and wasn't really comfortable with how it changed my awareness.
I've used shockz for years now. Pre covid I worked in an open office, at the time I bought what I think were the 1st generation that charged with a mini USB cable - they worked real well and I could listen to podcasts and if something happens in the office. After covid I got work that was 100 pct remote, I got the shockz with a mic arm and I think 2nd generation magnetic USB like you have here - they work well in meetings and also in datacenter that also allow me to use ear buds to block intense fan noise whilst still able to talk to people. More recently I broke a pair and bought latest normal ones that I think are 3rd generation and have usbc charge cable. Seems to charge quicker too. I swear by these headsets, kinda ok for music but real good for voice and podcasts.
The timing of this video lines up perfectly. My earbuds started acting up so I went looking for new ones and found out about bone conduction. I can't wear just any earbuds so the most common style isn't optional. Management is getting onto us about having anything in our ears on the floor but now I can listen to my music all I want and you can't do anything about it, Lance! It's not for audiophiles but it's perfect for a lot of situations where you need to hear your surroundings and I'm glad this is an option. They're so comfortable too. I've never had headphones that didn't get uncomfortable after a few hours before now. I'm sold.
I use these every single day and they are the best headphones I have ever used. In the shower, running, day-to-day around the house, driving. It is amazing and doesn't cause ear pain or that "clogged up" feeling from having in earbuds for prolonged periods of time. I highly recommend these.
Replicating what other commenters are saying, been using these since the previous version. And there is a noticeable improvement from the Titanium to the Air... Titanium had lower volume and the tickling effect came up earlier, it got annoying overtime. :P So, I really started using these neckband style headphones years ago with Sony's NWZ line, basically because it was the only thing that stayed in my ears during runs, because I sweat a lot. I tried a whole ton of brands, types, styles and whatnot until I got to the NWZ line. But I also have problems with earbuds, in ear and cup style headphones for the exact same reason - sweat. Not only those get filthy, but also they promote pimples and grossness in ear, with ear wax problems and whatnot. I still have my last NWZ phones for swimming, which also has been ages I don't do, but just in case I start over again. xD These bone conduction phones are not cheap, but they aren't too far away from the Sony NWZ line, and so I decided to risk and take the jump with no way to test them before buying. In the end, I'm very satisfied. I don't need to have something stuck in my ears anymore, the ambient awareness is something I actually like having, and the only complaints I have are what James already said - I don't like much that it uses a proprietary cable for charging though I understand why they did it. Sticking a standard USB-C connector would take space and sacrifice water resistance a bit... given my sweat problem, I'd rather it stay as sealed as possible. :P Kinda the same issue for smartwatches. The Sony NWZ line also uses a proprietary connector, pogo pin style, so it wasn't a surprise for me anyways. Music quality is indeed better with headphones, but it's not that bad with bone conduction... in fact, it's kinda surprising how good the bone conduction thing works all things considered. I was expecting things to be way more muffled and muddy, like hearing inside a tank of water or something, but nope, it works very well. One thing to note though - don't think you are going to enjoy music well if the ambient you are in is too noisy. Not a problem with the tech, it's just a problem with the overlap. If you take those on a run along noisy streets for instance, you'll probably need some ear plugs to focus on the music. Alas, I haven't been running, jogging, swimming or doing much these days anymore, and the only situation I really use it these days is when I'm out and about by myself, and when I play games with friends. Works great as a headset, though pairing can be finnicky... there is some weird thing about Bluetooth devices where it's easy to make them connect as a headset device with low sound qualify, but hard if you want high sound quality plus mic. Still, it's an easy thing to go for if you want a headset without wires working pronto. Also use it on trips when I'm by myself to watch RUclips and other stuff without bothering others... if you turn the volume of those high enough, there might be a little bit of sound bleed, but I don't think it's audible enough to bother even people who are seated right by your side. Oh, these phones have a multipoint Bluetooth connection mode which lets you connect to multiple devices at once... it'll only take audio from one of them, but this allows you to have them connected say, to a smartphone and laptop at the same time, with one taking priority over the other when there's incoming audio. Something that is not advertised much, but it's there. Anyways, my two cents. Last thing to note though - the Shokz Air is not the latest model, though it's also the one I have. Shokz released a new line after this one, and the advertised improvement is exactly the bass... can't say if it delivers or not since I don't have them, but I've been itching to get one. xD
They get better with time. Once used to them you'll start to actually hear the frequency range you didn't notice at first. I too thought it sounded like audio from a phone speaker placed inside a tin can and thought I wasted $180 on my aeropex, but over time I came to love. And with the IPX rating of aeropex I could use them in the shower. My Open Run Pro do provide much better sound but their IPX is much lower.
Ooh neat a review I can contribute to!! I also have an older model... Mine are so old in fact that they're from the company's previous brand name, Aftershokz. They are my first pair, I've been using them off an on for over a decade and they still go strong. My 100% use is while cycling, that way I can still listen to traffic as necessary while also catching podcasts, music, whatever. I've used my headphones in at least 6 different states, on 3 different continents, across multiple century rides including the HHH100. They've never failed to be perfect right off the charger in all that time. They might seem pricey, but they hold up so well that I wouldn't hesitate to invest in them again when that becomes necessary. Honestly they are by far the best headphones I've ever owned.
That's great you did this one. I always wondered about those headphones. I'm glad you saved me grief as I would have bought them for jogging and been disappointed by the lack of bass. The eq you showed illustrates it well. On the other hand, looks great for jogging while listening to podcasts or motivational speeches. Thank you!
I bought a pair of cheap "earcuffs" that clip on to the cartilage from aliexpress, something like £3. They are way better than I was expecting and they're TWS as well. So comfortable I forgot I was wearing them.
Pretty much the exact same as having a Sena or a Cardo helmet communication set for motorcycles. All mid range, basically its a "better than nothing" approach.
I've been using this brands products for years now and am a big believer in them. If I really want to get into some music I'll wear my good over the ears headset but for casual listening these do just fine for me. My main use for them though is as a wireless headset for making and taking calls, in which case they are perfect for me since I can wear them all day and they aren't in my ears irritating them. And as another user commented you can get better sound out of them by using earplugs, still not hi-fi but better.
I used to work at amazons datacenters and they had a high security system where we were to go through a metal detector before going into the rooms. We also had to wear earplugs because the rooms were very loud and they allowed headphones but only specifically this one and a few others. I loved it it worked perfect
Before the pandemic I went through 3 noise canceling headphones in my attempt to keep outside noise away from my music. On the bus, some folks would sit there having a conversation (more like screaming) via the speaker phone. On the subway (NYC), there were the same problems as well as the whole subway noise problem. The problem with nc headphones is that they don't consider the human voice to be 'noise' so I'd still hear all the crap. Obviously these bone conduction units aren't aimed at solving my problem. I've only seen them in movies & tv where teams are coordinating their movements but still want to be able to hear the regular stuff. I appreciate your effort in testing them (and of course all the other reviews you do).
I have several pairs of these and love them. But I think I like the newer "Open Ear Air Conduction" type headphones better because the sound quality is at a higher level. As an aside, the proprietary cable for Shokz is necessary to get the water and sweat resistance. Unlike other earbuds and stuff, they don't have a case that acts as a charging center. Having a charging case means the earbuds themselves can be sealed and you still get water and sweat resistance. I've recently started trying "Air Conduction" open ear headphones like the Oladance open ear air conduction headphones which are IPS67 and charge in a case (USB-C) which doesn't recharge the headphones like other earbuds... it doesn't need to, the Oladance have an 18 native battery life! They sit outside your ear so you can still hear the surroundings but they actually have speaker drivers you get better audio. They are as expensive of the Shokz or even Air Pods, but even so I prefer them because I don't like putting something in my ear. Still, nothing beats my Bose 700 Noise Cancelling when I am travelling or my Airpod pros for calling with my iPhone or using my iPad. Nothing integrates as well with the apple eco system than then air pod pros.
The OpenMove model I have has a USB C port with a cover to protect said port while the headphones are in use. I'm not sure if the current OpenMove headphones still have that tho
Love these! Have had several versions, mostly for listening to books and podcasts and to phone conversations. Only dislike is that you can't really lie down wearing them
They truly do suck if you care about the sound quality of your music though as they have no bass, and if you turn them up enough to actually hear them, then they can leak sound so others around you can hear them like a buzzing cheap phone speaker.
Before I was able to drop my child off at school and make it back to the daily Zoom meeting at work, I used to hide myself away and attend the meeting through the phone itself. Then I saw someone with bone conducting earphones and based on what she said about them, I bought a pair. Not the ones being reviewed here, but for Zoom meetings they were perfect. No one could see them or could tell as the sound of my voice didn't change to any significance. I would recommend these for the purpose I got them for and audiobooks. Think also by pairing them with a Bluetooth lapel mic, they would be a cheaper alternative to the rathrer expensive bone conducting hearing aids.
I have version pro and one of best hardware I purchased. You can tilt them in a way that headphones sits in your ear (back part goes higher) so you can lay in bed, wear hat etc. Useful when you walk next to busy street as they sounds 2x stronger. Quick charging, days of use (12h for pro so perfect for dog walking). Happy to see video that promote those :)
It’s quite accurate that the sound would be ‘midrange’. Bone doesn’t conduct the higher and lower frequencies as well as air does, so it is going to be limited by physics. Speech is midrange, so it’s makes sense that it’s better suited for podcasts than music.
Got mine in March for work in an office and love them. Does good on music, but when playing my drums here at home, I use good JBL over ear headphones with hearing protection.
I bought a cheap version, and honestly, the music is…not great. But if I want audiophile headphones, I wouldn’t be using Bluetooth. I use them at work which requires earplugs. Since I have to pull my plugs to hear talk anyway, it doesn’t cause me issues. The ones I have a good for discord, too. It picks up my voice well.
Oh my God you brought me back! My dad was a mailman back in the '90s and he used to listen to the radio on his bone phones. I used to love playing with them. I remember they broke one time and he had to have them repaired and they took forever to be repaired but he got them back. He might still have them
I work at an auto auction house. I need to be able to hear the vehicles around me. The simplicity of the button on the left side to pause and play, answer calls, and end calls is fantastic. As a work headphone, it's amazing. For audiofiles, it's a good trade off.
I use a similar version at work. I get just over 8 hours of play connected to 2 phones. I keep the volume very low for music as I may be talking to people face to face and I can still enjoy the music. The phone I use for calls is at a higher volume and works well in most instances as well. I would certainly recommend that anyone who needs to be aware of their surroundings get a version of these as the price point isn't very high and enjoy.
How do these fair for those of us who suffer from tinnitus? I'm surprised James didn't bring it up in the review, as he's mentioned in the past several times to suffer from it himself.
Another purpose / use of these is for folks having tinnitus symptoms or minor hearing loss, my brother was asked to move to these by his ENT doctor, as he was showing early signs of hearing loss mostly due to loud in-ear/over-the-head options.
My husband has the aftershox and loves them! He uses them almost everyday for the past few years. The warranty is wonderful! His original pair had a malfunction and they sent him a brand new replacement pair pretty quickly.
6:41 trust me it’s better. I also had an older version that had a micro usb and having to remove the little cover and getting the plug in was a little annoying.
I had the older version, and one of the nice things about having a mini usb was the ease of charging, the current lower end version still uses usb C and the little cover is even more difficult to remove.. I can see me anyway with a magnetic cord not having the charging cable around when I need it , forgetting it on a trip , losing it in a library etc...and I can't just pop to any store and grab a replacement USB cable or fish out an extra one from some other device.
This is the best review I’ve ever watched not for this specific product but just a product in general! Thank you so much for the work you put into your video and review ❤
I bought a pair of these last winter and they are my go-to for phone calls. Everyone I have talked to says they can hear me better when I use the Shokz. They are not, as you say, great for music, but I rarely listen to music. They are good for watching TV when I am trying not to interrupt my wife's sleep. To avoid the problem of the rear band when I'm in my recliner, I just flip them over an put the band under my chin.
These things are awesome. I've had a pair of them. I love that I can walk down the street, hear people walking up behind me, and still hear my music. (I live in downtown Toronto, so, hearing people sneaking up on you, is important.)
I have 2 pairs of these headphones. I use them at work to listen to podcasts. I can still hear my phone if it rings or people who talk to me. Love these so much!!!
Good review. I own a previous generation of these and the only thing i would add is that even though mine are blue, people don't pay attention to them and you need to be prepared for people assuming you are talking to them or thin air.
I used to work in the oilfield and gold mining industries and headphones like these have always been my go to. That way I can still be aware of my surroundings and walkie, or put in ear plugs for loud noises but still hear my music. Love these.
Nice! Using Shinedown’s debut album for a test! You do have great taste in music! As far as the review of the product, great job. I haven’t tried these but having used various headphones in and out of the studio, I know that unless it’s directly in the ear, the mid range is the primary frequency. I’m guessing they were hoping the bass would reverberate through the cartilage on the outer ear? But that’s still a green science that has a long way to go.
i am hearing impaired have no ear drum so i use a bone conduction hearing aid makes it so i can listen to music or answer the phone another great video
@markbajek2541 that's a fair question. I'm not the guy to answer that though. I was just referring to how it brings the bass to life and increases volume so you can hear it without the intense buzzing. I can say that with the plugs in, I really have to moderate my volume to hear ambient sound at work.
Watching this in bed as I listen with my Shokz Openrun Pro. They are incredible. It's true the quality suffers, but it is more than adequate without having anything in your ears. I can wear them all day forgetting I have them on. Get the pros for a little better sound quality, get the regular openrun for better water resistance. Both are great choices. Great review as usual!
I work in a loud factory that requires earplugs. These things excel much better with earplugs. It's also worth mentioning that radios are allowed, but even at full volume, I haven't heard a single radio that you can hear after you step away from it very far. These things I can hear great over the machines and enjoy my music.
I watched this on my shokz, great review, I would say, as someone who is not an audiophile I find the music quality to be pretty amazing, people shouldn't expect these to be cappy headphones for safety, they do sound great. They're amazing for construction cause a lot of times you can't play music on jobsite through speakers or wear two in ear headphones but no one has ever questioned these. People should be aware though if your music is loud and someone starts talking to you, you will need to pause your music and ask them to start over, it's kinda like being in a room with loud music playing. The opposite is true too, if you're in a loud environment you'll need to turn these puppies up, it doesn't just beam the sound right into your brain. I also find they work better in bed if you lay on your back, you just need to adjust them slightly, but when you're on your side pressing them into your temple distorts the sound and makes them way louder, and I worry it'll resonate through the pillow so that they're more audible to my wife, though she says she's never heard them.
I used to sell bone conduction headsets back in the late nineties. Some of my biggest customers were bikers. They liked that they could wear them under their helmets and were able to communicate with each other. BTW, the microphone uses the movement of your jaws to replicate your speech.
From what I understand the OpeRun is the gold standard in bone conducting headphones. If that's the sound you're experiencing then it sounds like bone conduction headphones have a long way to go before matching traditional headphones.
It's physically impossible for them to sound like regular headphones. That being said, if you want better quality, other brands offer "air conduction"models. Sound peats or tozo are great brands
i bought a pair of these a while ago and i love to listen to podcast or audio book and just go to sleep. they dont fall out and dont stab when you lay on your side.
Idk if you or anyone remembers the Kickstarter ORII. Is was a ring that you wear on your finger and you just press your finger to your head for bone conduction just like where these are. It really just ended up being more of a speaker and you could hear it outside of the small device, though it's clever. Glad to see it's come a long way, these look cool
I have scar tissue in my ear that causes hearing loss...won't go into detail. This headset goes around the problem and I can hear the phone call better than ever!. This was a God send for me!
I absolutely love these, I've been using them for the last 5 year's. If you want to use them in bed just put it underneath your chin. If you work outdoors or even indoors you can listen to what you want while hearing everything around you. It got to the point I stopped using in ear buds and admittedly you will forget you even have them on because they are so comfortable. They are very durable but I do recommend to buy the extended warranty because you will be using them much more than you think.
It won't work in some applications where open-ear headphones are needed, but for other situations like going for a run I would be interested to know how these compare to the pass-through setting of common earbuds that plays external sounds along with what you're listening to.
I got about 4 years of nearly daily use out of mine before the earpad on one ear came off exposing the transducer then the battery failed about a month after that. (wouldn't charge). So you splitting the load between two pair should give you a couple more years yet.
fantastic review... loved the EQ simulation. If that does approximate the sound, then wow, you REALLY lose a lot of lows and highs. Regardless, I can see why people like those things.
I recommend trying the 'Pro' model.. the bass is noticeably better! I stopped using my headphones AND earpods for my Shokz Pro instead and it's hard to go back.
For music playback I would suggest an app that has an equalizer. While it does not make mine as well rounded as my studio headphones, it does improve the overall range by about 50% . With the majority being the bass and only slightly improves the higher end.
the company i work for bought these for their employees with microphone attached. can connect to multiple devices (in my case work phone and laptop), long battery life and actually decent audio and microphone quality. Hefty price but they do work quite well. Would also recommend to other workers that are on the phone a long time during their work.
i have the aftershokz titanium and 2S, trust me, the proprietary cable is an improvement. the flap on both of mine barely close because the micro USB stresses it open when you're charging.
I got mine nearly 2 years ago and love them. They have changed the design as my play button is so easy to use. For the first 6 months I played music daily. I don’t do ear buds as they don’t fit properly so these are great. And bar being slightly lower volume no issues.
I had gotten a pair of these a few years back and had to return them as they gave me terrible headaches. I think it might have to do with my history with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome and that's where the bone conduction takes place.
I’ve been using mine for over 5 years. They are on me all day with the exception of sleep and showering. Technically I could use it in the shower , but I don’t. I see co-workers always having to hassle with popping in their earbuds when they get a call where for me it’s just a touch of a button. As for the buttons, it becomes second nature. I will say that my biggest complaint it that the power up button is usually the first thing to go because you have to hold that down every time to turn it on and it’s also the volume button.
I had a couple pairs. I loved them, however in both pair I had the transducer came loose inside and rattled and sounded awful. That was in less than a year of use. The concept is great, but I was not happy with the durability. The warranty replaced the first pair but I decided not to replace them again the second time and switch to LG Tones, still going strong with daily use after a year.
I had about 20 smart watches at one time of varying prices, and ONE of them had the Shokz connector, and it was a pretty popular brand. Can't remember which one.
I've had these for over 2 years. PHENOMENAL!!! I'd never put buds in my ears. These are the absolute best and are much safer when driving or jogging so I can be fully aware of my surroundings. 10/10
I have an old pair of the aftershokz. I like them. I have tiny ear canals and ear buds do not work for me. I don't like over-the-ear. They are too bulky for me. However, the sound is different for sure. Also, they have changed to charging port. Mine is a mini plug. I think that's what it's called. Thanks for the review James.
I'm tone deaf (I think that's what its called) but I can't hear the difference in high and low pitch or bass so this would be perfect for me as I wouldn't even notice the sound quality difference
I have them! 😂 I love them! There's times I cant tell the difference between the sound of the TV or the person next to me.. Or a sound of a door closing or bell ringing .. Cars going by. Or a train.. I love them.. I wear them literally all day from waking up.. Talking to people.. Then listen to music while folding laundry.. Then pair it to the TV and watch RUclips! While going to bed and still have another day left in it before you have to charge it.. I wear glasses too.. I do security and have to wear an earpiece.. I can wear them all at once and forget I'm even wearing them.. Again.. I love them..
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As someone who works in construction from time to time, my favorite thing about these headphones is that they work (actually, better) when you put earplugs in. So, I can protect my ears from loud, repetitive tool noise while still listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. I highly recommend trying these headphones again, and this time stick your fingers in your ears. It's a little weird to be able to still hear like that!
I work in a factory and have the same experience. I absolutely love mine. I got the 1 step up from the ones he go and they came with a hard case that is very nice even has a spot for the charging cable. They also easily last over 10 hors listing to music and books
In my opinion this is the perfect application for these. Using these with earplugs increases the quality of the sound, and allows you to block out loud noises while still listening to music.
I work in construction around a booster water pump that’s about 115db and i second your comment, with ear plugs in i can still hear music or phone calls and notifications while my ears are protected, absolutely great solution
Just came to comment something similar!
I’ve been using these while mountain biking for years. Love them and I think the music quality is excellent.
I have an older version of these, and I use them all the time, they are a bit better for spoken word than for music, but they do the job. I am legally blind, these let me walk, listen, and still hear what is going on around me. Lots of blind and low vision users really enjoy this type of head set
My mom actually has a pair of these! She's partially deaf in one ear and near fully deaf in the other, and with these she can hear music in both ears, as it sort of bypasses the parts of her ears that are messed up. It's not perfect, but if she wants to watch shows or listen to podcasts, she can at least understand what they're saying.
My mom also has hearing aids and she had the blue tooth ones but they always died and she had to wait for them to charge. So she got a basic pair and was missing the bluetooth so we tested my pair of shoxs and she loved them and got a pair for herself
I am also partially deaf in my left ear and bought these not even with that in mind, I am so use to it not working well in my left ear. I was so pleasantly surprised to hear my music so well in both my ears wearing this!
I started using the Shokz Open Comm model. The difference is, it has a mic boom, which is better for truck drivers, like me. Took a couple days to get used to. They are now my favorite to use with phone calls in my semi.
I have used these since they first came out with the aftershokz titanium version. They are excellent for maintaining awareness while also listening to music on runs or biking.
Another benefit to these is that you can also put in earplugs and use them while doing yardwork or something where there might be loud background noise. You can protect your hearing while still listening to music or podcasts.
Note: There are actually two different eq settings. You can get to the other one by pressing and holding both volume up and down at the same time until the voice says something about eq change. One is substantially better than the other one. However, I forget what eq setting they start on by default.
There are actually 3 eq settings...
Normal, boosted bass and boosted treble.they are preset for mid.
I love these things. For sound quality they aren’t the best but the bass gets better when you put ear plugs in. I use them mainly for listening to podcasts and out of all the headphones I use these are the most comfortable.
I love mine..a few weeks ago, the right ear cut out...and I was LOST without them..The company honored the warranty and sent a brand new pair..in box..
I have had the Aftershox Aeropex model for about 5-6 years and before that I had an older model that I accidentally left on an airplane. I love them. They are great for running, as they hold up well against sweat and are safer because they do not block outside sounds. I want to be able to hear my surroundings. Also, for some races, they ban any headphones that block your ability to hear your surroundings. As you said, the music quality is limited, but they are not trying to compete with headphone build for audiophiles.
Thanks for making the EQ version of the music. You are the first person I've seen do that in their review and it is a huge help in deciding to buy them or not.
It's nice that you took the time to do the eq comparison for all of us who are curious but don't want to buy them!
Yeah I thought the same.
People can use that info to see whether they should even buy them.
I was skeptical of these but took the plunge and can't go back. Worth every penny, super comfortable and the battery lasts a long time. I take them every time I go running
I got these 2 years ago because I had eczema in my ears and all ear buds were making my ears itch like crazy. These are still working great and, if you don’t count slightly worse audio quality, they don’t really have any downsides.
What if you’re wearing a certain hairstyle? I guess you can’t use them?
@@sushimitten I haven't had any trouble
I love the warranty, I had the true OG ones when they barely came out they broke on accident last year I was kind of hesitant to do a claim because it was so long but they honored it and sent me brand new ones with the updated name
Bone induction headphones can be great for a lot of reasons, especially for people who have hearing impairment. However one warning is that anyone with bad anemia it can cause bad bruising. You wouldn't think it's strong enough, but prolonged use can be bad
I'm on my second pair and love them. I was sad to lose the first pair on vacation. I hate how ear pods fall out when working out.
After seeing this video, I went and got myself a pair for work. They came in fast with shipping, and I tested them out today. They were astounding, just perfect! They do miss some lower notes but they pick up on almost everything I listen to… on top of that, I am partially deaf in my left ear. These somehow made the tune equal on both sides of my head, a feat that hasn’t happened for me in years. I damn near cried at work while stocking!
Thanks for reviewing this life changing ear apparatus, and bringing them to my attention!
I have two pairs of Shokz (one with a boom mic (which is more clear) and one without that's an older generation) and I love them. The sound quality is fine, but not amazing. The newer generation headset definitely has better audio quality than the old pair I have. The battery life on both is amazing. I get way more than 8hrs out of both of mine - I guess it depends on how much you have the volume up. As for the proprietary cable, I normally agree, but the magnetic charging cable on the newer headsets is a big improvement over the micro USB on the older headsets, in my opinion.
I use them for two things:
1. I'm in meetings all day long at work and these are way more comfortable than having something on or in my ears for hours at a time. They work fine for calls.
2. I'm also blind, so they let me go out and listen to music or spoken directions from Google Maps, etc. without compromising safety. It's really important for me to be able to hear people/traffic.
Been a fan of this company for a few years. They're great for cycling, working out, or any job where you need to be able to hear people but also want to listen to music or podcasts or whatever like at a restaurant. Super comfortable and easy to forget you're even wearing them.
Ditto, my wife actually reminds me I still have these things on even when I'm not listening to anything. They're extremely comfortable.
I own these & I absolutely love them.
I use them when I'm walking, working out and also late at night when I want to watch videos on my phone when the wife is asleep.
Ive been using these for years. I work 12 hour shifts in a clean room, so cant access my phone/headphones when working. These are fantastic as i get to still hear everything when i pause, and having earbuds in for 12 hours is insanely uncomfortable.
As I bought 3/4 Shokz Titanium, I love these headphones. Just a cons, and two curiosity:
- Unfortunately, they are really delicate and it's easy to break them if you put them in a bag with some weight on and no case (that's why I bought so many of them). Exert caution and treat them well, they will reward you.
- The first week or two that you use them for the first time, they can cause inflammation and a bit of itching with intensive use. With time it will stop and also if you don't use them for a year.
- If you don't hear well, putting a finger in one of your ears will boost the sound. I know, it's strange but I used this method a lot of times when the call was not of great quality.
Back in 1989 my wife and I had bone conducting communication devices to wear with our motorcycle helmets and talk on trips. I think they were wired to a transceiver in our pockets but it's too long ago for me to remember the details. Without these there was no chance of communication going down the highway but with these devices we could talk normally.
I started with the Aftershokz Aeropex (their previous brandname) I recently upgraded to the Shokz Opencomm2 as when cycling I talk to family on the phone and the mic on the Aeropex was not good with wind, the Opencomm works well to reduce wind noise. The audio isn't great but it's good enough for me for having something to listen to and keeping my ears open to hear the world around me.
I was wondering how well these worked for cycling. Thanks!
the openfits sound good and allow external noise
@@Briaaanz for audio they're fine, and they feel fine with helmet and glasses. If you're planning to talk on the phone while cycling go for the opencomm2
The one caution they mention is that if you have the volume up it will definitely affect your ability to hear things around you. I tried using mine on the bicycle and wasn't really comfortable with how it changed my awareness.
@@kenmoum162 very good point
I absolutely love these. I have eustachian tube dysfunction and these have been a life saver.
I've used shockz for years now. Pre covid I worked in an open office, at the time I bought what I think were the 1st generation that charged with a mini USB cable - they worked real well and I could listen to podcasts and if something happens in the office.
After covid I got work that was 100 pct remote, I got the shockz with a mic arm and I think 2nd generation magnetic USB like you have here - they work well in meetings and also in datacenter that also allow me to use ear buds to block intense fan noise whilst still able to talk to people.
More recently I broke a pair and bought latest normal ones that I think are 3rd generation and have usbc charge cable. Seems to charge quicker too.
I swear by these headsets, kinda ok for music but real good for voice and podcasts.
The timing of this video lines up perfectly. My earbuds started acting up so I went looking for new ones and found out about bone conduction. I can't wear just any earbuds so the most common style isn't optional. Management is getting onto us about having anything in our ears on the floor but now I can listen to my music all I want and you can't do anything about it, Lance!
It's not for audiophiles but it's perfect for a lot of situations where you need to hear your surroundings and I'm glad this is an option. They're so comfortable too. I've never had headphones that didn't get uncomfortable after a few hours before now. I'm sold.
I use these every single day and they are the best headphones I have ever used. In the shower, running, day-to-day around the house, driving. It is amazing and doesn't cause ear pain or that "clogged up" feeling from having in earbuds for prolonged periods of time. I highly recommend these.
As if you shower
jk 😇
Omg honey you wear them in the shower?
I have a set of them, and I bought a set for my mother who loves to walk and listen to podcasts.
Replicating what other commenters are saying, been using these since the previous version. And there is a noticeable improvement from the Titanium to the Air... Titanium had lower volume and the tickling effect came up earlier, it got annoying overtime. :P
So, I really started using these neckband style headphones years ago with Sony's NWZ line, basically because it was the only thing that stayed in my ears during runs, because I sweat a lot. I tried a whole ton of brands, types, styles and whatnot until I got to the NWZ line.
But I also have problems with earbuds, in ear and cup style headphones for the exact same reason - sweat. Not only those get filthy, but also they promote pimples and grossness in ear, with ear wax problems and whatnot. I still have my last NWZ phones for swimming, which also has been ages I don't do, but just in case I start over again. xD
These bone conduction phones are not cheap, but they aren't too far away from the Sony NWZ line, and so I decided to risk and take the jump with no way to test them before buying.
In the end, I'm very satisfied. I don't need to have something stuck in my ears anymore, the ambient awareness is something I actually like having, and the only complaints I have are what James already said - I don't like much that it uses a proprietary cable for charging though I understand why they did it. Sticking a standard USB-C connector would take space and sacrifice water resistance a bit... given my sweat problem, I'd rather it stay as sealed as possible. :P
Kinda the same issue for smartwatches.
The Sony NWZ line also uses a proprietary connector, pogo pin style, so it wasn't a surprise for me anyways.
Music quality is indeed better with headphones, but it's not that bad with bone conduction... in fact, it's kinda surprising how good the bone conduction thing works all things considered. I was expecting things to be way more muffled and muddy, like hearing inside a tank of water or something, but nope, it works very well.
One thing to note though - don't think you are going to enjoy music well if the ambient you are in is too noisy. Not a problem with the tech, it's just a problem with the overlap. If you take those on a run along noisy streets for instance, you'll probably need some ear plugs to focus on the music.
Alas, I haven't been running, jogging, swimming or doing much these days anymore, and the only situation I really use it these days is when I'm out and about by myself, and when I play games with friends. Works great as a headset, though pairing can be finnicky... there is some weird thing about Bluetooth devices where it's easy to make them connect as a headset device with low sound qualify, but hard if you want high sound quality plus mic.
Still, it's an easy thing to go for if you want a headset without wires working pronto.
Also use it on trips when I'm by myself to watch RUclips and other stuff without bothering others... if you turn the volume of those high enough, there might be a little bit of sound bleed, but I don't think it's audible enough to bother even people who are seated right by your side.
Oh, these phones have a multipoint Bluetooth connection mode which lets you connect to multiple devices at once... it'll only take audio from one of them, but this allows you to have them connected say, to a smartphone and laptop at the same time, with one taking priority over the other when there's incoming audio. Something that is not advertised much, but it's there.
Anyways, my two cents.
Last thing to note though - the Shokz Air is not the latest model, though it's also the one I have. Shokz released a new line after this one, and the advertised improvement is exactly the bass... can't say if it delivers or not since I don't have them, but I've been itching to get one. xD
They get better with time. Once used to them you'll start to actually hear the frequency range you didn't notice at first. I too thought it sounded like audio from a phone speaker placed inside a tin can and thought I wasted $180 on my aeropex, but over time I came to love. And with the IPX rating of aeropex I could use them in the shower. My Open Run Pro do provide much better sound but their IPX is much lower.
Ooh neat a review I can contribute to!! I also have an older model... Mine are so old in fact that they're from the company's previous brand name, Aftershokz. They are my first pair, I've been using them off an on for over a decade and they still go strong. My 100% use is while cycling, that way I can still listen to traffic as necessary while also catching podcasts, music, whatever. I've used my headphones in at least 6 different states, on 3 different continents, across multiple century rides including the HHH100. They've never failed to be perfect right off the charger in all that time. They might seem pricey, but they hold up so well that I wouldn't hesitate to invest in them again when that becomes necessary. Honestly they are by far the best headphones I've ever owned.
Very interesting review, James! Love your freaking reviews!
The sleeping check is such an appreciated touch!
That's great you did this one. I always wondered about those headphones.
I'm glad you saved me grief as I would have bought them for jogging and been disappointed by the lack of bass. The eq you showed illustrates it well.
On the other hand, looks great for jogging while listening to podcasts or motivational speeches.
Thank you!
I bought a pair of cheap "earcuffs" that clip on to the cartilage from aliexpress, something like £3. They are way better than I was expecting and they're TWS as well. So comfortable I forgot I was wearing them.
Pretty much the exact same as having a Sena or a Cardo helmet communication set for motorcycles. All mid range, basically its a "better than nothing" approach.
I've been using this brands products for years now and am a big believer in them. If I really want to get into some music I'll wear my good over the ears headset but for casual listening these do just fine for me. My main use for them though is as a wireless headset for making and taking calls, in which case they are perfect for me since I can wear them all day and they aren't in my ears irritating them. And as another user commented you can get better sound out of them by using earplugs, still not hi-fi but better.
When I think about bone conduction, I think of those music-playing toothbrushes, haha.
I used to work at amazons datacenters and they had a high security system where we were to go through a metal detector before going into the rooms. We also had to wear earplugs because the rooms were very loud and they allowed headphones but only specifically this one and a few others. I loved it it worked perfect
Before the pandemic I went through 3 noise canceling headphones in my attempt to keep outside noise away from my music. On the bus, some folks would sit there having a conversation (more like screaming) via the speaker phone. On the subway (NYC), there were the same problems as well as the whole subway noise problem. The problem with nc headphones is that they don't consider the human voice to be 'noise' so I'd still hear all the crap. Obviously these bone conduction units aren't aimed at solving my problem. I've only seen them in movies & tv where teams are coordinating their movements but still want to be able to hear the regular stuff. I appreciate your effort in testing them (and of course all the other reviews you do).
Yess these are great! It's a weird feeling listening to podcasts and someone starts talking to you.
I have several pairs of these and love them. But I think I like the newer "Open Ear Air Conduction" type headphones better because the sound quality is at a higher level. As an aside, the proprietary cable for Shokz is necessary to get the water and sweat resistance. Unlike other earbuds and stuff, they don't have a case that acts as a charging center. Having a charging case means the earbuds themselves can be sealed and you still get water and sweat resistance.
I've recently started trying "Air Conduction" open ear headphones like the Oladance open ear air conduction headphones which are IPS67 and charge in a case (USB-C) which doesn't recharge the headphones like other earbuds... it doesn't need to, the Oladance have an 18 native battery life! They sit outside your ear so you can still hear the surroundings but they actually have speaker drivers you get better audio. They are as expensive of the Shokz or even Air Pods, but even so I prefer them because I don't like putting something in my ear.
Still, nothing beats my Bose 700 Noise Cancelling when I am travelling or my Airpod pros for calling with my iPhone or using my iPad. Nothing integrates as well with the apple eco system than then air pod pros.
The OpenMove model I have has a USB C port with a cover to protect said port while the headphones are in use. I'm not sure if the current OpenMove headphones still have that tho
I have a different model but love them. I work in a factory and am able to wear them and still remain PPE compliant.
Love these! Have had several versions, mostly for listening to books and podcasts and to phone conversations. Only dislike is that you can't really lie down wearing them
I flip them around when laying down. So they go under your chin. I actually think they sound louder and clearer this way.
They truly do suck if you care about the sound quality of your music though as they have no bass, and if you turn them up enough to actually hear them, then they can leak sound so others around you can hear them like a buzzing cheap phone speaker.
I bought Lenovo bone conduction headphones off Temu and I love them. Gonna upgrade to more expensive ones that playback audio from multiple devices.
I have had these for 7 years
just now on my second pair. I also think it depends on which airshoks you get. They have different models. Love them.❤❤❤❤
Before I was able to drop my child off at school and make it back to the daily Zoom meeting at work, I used to hide myself away and attend the meeting through the phone itself. Then I saw someone with bone conducting earphones and based on what she said about them, I bought a pair. Not the ones being reviewed here, but for Zoom meetings they were perfect. No one could see them or could tell as the sound of my voice didn't change to any significance. I would recommend these for the purpose I got them for and audiobooks. Think also by pairing them with a Bluetooth lapel mic, they would be a cheaper alternative to the rathrer expensive bone conducting hearing aids.
I have version pro and one of best hardware I purchased. You can tilt them in a way that headphones sits in your ear (back part goes higher) so you can lay in bed, wear hat etc. Useful when you walk next to busy street as they sounds 2x stronger. Quick charging, days of use (12h for pro so perfect for dog walking).
Happy to see video that promote those :)
It’s quite accurate that the sound would be ‘midrange’. Bone doesn’t conduct the higher and lower frequencies as well as air does, so it is going to be limited by physics. Speech is midrange, so it’s makes sense that it’s better suited for podcasts than music.
The reverse of scooping the mids
Got mine in March for work in an office and love them. Does good on music, but when playing my drums here at home, I use good JBL over ear headphones with hearing protection.
I bought a cheap version, and honestly, the music is…not great. But if I want audiophile headphones, I wouldn’t be using Bluetooth.
I use them at work which requires earplugs. Since I have to pull my plugs to hear talk anyway, it doesn’t cause me issues.
The ones I have a good for discord, too. It picks up my voice well.
Oh my God you brought me back! My dad was a mailman back in the '90s and he used to listen to the radio on his bone phones. I used to love playing with them. I remember they broke one time and he had to have them repaired and they took forever to be repaired but he got them back. He might still have them
I work at an auto auction house. I need to be able to hear the vehicles around me. The simplicity of the button on the left side to pause and play, answer calls, and end calls is fantastic. As a work headphone, it's amazing. For audiofiles, it's a good trade off.
I use a similar version at work. I get just over 8 hours of play connected to 2 phones. I keep the volume very low for music as I may be talking to people face to face and I can still enjoy the music. The phone I use for calls is at a higher volume and works well in most instances as well. I would certainly recommend that anyone who needs to be aware of their surroundings get a version of these as the price point isn't very high and enjoy.
How do these fair for those of us who suffer from tinnitus? I'm surprised James didn't bring it up in the review, as he's mentioned in the past several times to suffer from it himself.
Another purpose / use of these is for folks having tinnitus symptoms or minor hearing loss, my brother was asked to move to these by his ENT doctor, as he was showing early signs of hearing loss mostly due to loud in-ear/over-the-head options.
My husband has the aftershox and loves them! He uses them almost everyday for the past few years. The warranty is wonderful! His original pair had a malfunction and they sent him a brand new replacement pair pretty quickly.
6:41 trust me it’s better. I also had an older version that had a micro usb and having to remove the little cover and getting the plug in was a little annoying.
Oh yeah, I still have that original version, and this looks much easier to use.
I had the older version, and one of the nice things about having a mini usb was the ease of charging, the current lower end version still uses usb C and the little cover is even more difficult to remove.. I can see me anyway with a magnetic cord not having the charging cable around when I need it , forgetting it on a trip , losing it in a library etc...and I can't just pop to any store and grab a replacement USB cable or fish out an extra one from some other device.
No, proprietary is never better. Just be USB C and be done with it
This is the best review I’ve ever watched not for this specific product but just a product in general! Thank you so much for the work you put into your video and review ❤
I bought a pair of these last winter and they are my go-to for phone calls. Everyone I have talked to says they can hear me better when I use the Shokz. They are not, as you say, great for music, but I rarely listen to music. They are good for watching TV when I am trying not to interrupt my wife's sleep. To avoid the problem of the rear band when I'm in my recliner, I just flip them over an put the band under my chin.
These things are awesome. I've had a pair of them. I love that I can walk down the street, hear people walking up behind me, and still hear my music. (I live in downtown Toronto, so, hearing people sneaking up on you, is important.)
I have 2 pairs of these headphones. I use them at work to listen to podcasts. I can still hear my phone if it rings or people who talk to me. Love these so much!!!
Good review. I own a previous generation of these and the only thing i would add is that even though mine are blue, people don't pay attention to them and you need to be prepared for people assuming you are talking to them or thin air.
I used to work in the oilfield and gold mining industries and headphones like these have always been my go to. That way I can still be aware of my surroundings and walkie, or put in ear plugs for loud noises but still hear my music. Love these.
Nice! Using Shinedown’s debut album for a test! You do have great taste in music!
As far as the review of the product, great job. I haven’t tried these but having used various headphones in and out of the studio, I know that unless it’s directly in the ear, the mid range is the primary frequency. I’m guessing they were hoping the bass would reverberate through the cartilage on the outer ear? But that’s still a green science that has a long way to go.
i am hearing impaired have no ear drum so i use a bone conduction hearing aid makes it so i can listen to music or answer the phone another great video
Try them with the included ear plugs!! It's a game changer! Also, order the mini version and then you can lay on your back, more comfortably.
with the earplugs do you still hear traffic?
@markbajek2541 that's a fair question. I'm not the guy to answer that though. I was just referring to how it brings the bass to life and increases volume so you can hear it without the intense buzzing. I can say that with the plugs in, I really have to moderate my volume to hear ambient sound at work.
Watching this in bed as I listen with my Shokz Openrun Pro. They are incredible. It's true the quality suffers, but it is more than adequate without having anything in your ears. I can wear them all day forgetting I have them on. Get the pros for a little better sound quality, get the regular openrun for better water resistance. Both are great choices. Great review as usual!
Wasn't expecting Shinedown to be used for testing the controls but I'm here for it
I've used mine for years. I use them at work everyday.
I work in a loud factory that requires earplugs. These things excel much better with earplugs. It's also worth mentioning that radios are allowed, but even at full volume, I haven't heard a single radio that you can hear after you step away from it very far. These things I can hear great over the machines and enjoy my music.
I watched this on my shokz, great review, I would say, as someone who is not an audiophile I find the music quality to be pretty amazing, people shouldn't expect these to be cappy headphones for safety, they do sound great. They're amazing for construction cause a lot of times you can't play music on jobsite through speakers or wear two in ear headphones but no one has ever questioned these. People should be aware though if your music is loud and someone starts talking to you, you will need to pause your music and ask them to start over, it's kinda like being in a room with loud music playing. The opposite is true too, if you're in a loud environment you'll need to turn these puppies up, it doesn't just beam the sound right into your brain.
I also find they work better in bed if you lay on your back, you just need to adjust them slightly, but when you're on your side pressing them into your temple distorts the sound and makes them way louder, and I worry it'll resonate through the pillow so that they're more audible to my wife, though she says she's never heard them.
Oh, thanks for doing these. Ive always wondered if they were any good or not!
I have had these and an older version for the past 6 years. I love them and use them at least 6 hours every day!
I used to sell bone conduction headsets back in the late nineties. Some of my biggest customers were bikers. They liked that they could wear them under their helmets and were able to communicate with each other. BTW, the microphone uses the movement of your jaws to replicate your speech.
From what I understand the OpeRun is the gold standard in bone conducting headphones. If that's the sound you're experiencing then it sounds like bone conduction headphones have a long way to go before matching traditional headphones.
It's physically impossible for them to sound like regular headphones.
That being said, if you want better quality, other brands offer "air conduction"models.
Sound peats or tozo are great brands
@@United_Kangaroo1992 I misread that as air conditioned models at first. Never heard of air conduction headphones.
i bought a pair of these a while ago and i love to listen to podcast or audio book and just go to sleep. they dont fall out and dont stab when you lay on your side.
Idk if you or anyone remembers the Kickstarter ORII. Is was a ring that you wear on your finger and you just press your finger to your head for bone conduction just like where these are. It really just ended up being more of a speaker and you could hear it outside of the small device, though it's clever. Glad to see it's come a long way, these look cool
I have scar tissue in my ear that causes hearing loss...won't go into detail. This headset goes around the problem and I can hear the phone call better than ever!. This was a God send for me!
I absolutely love these, I've been using them for the last 5 year's. If you want to use them in bed just put it underneath your chin. If you work outdoors or even indoors you can listen to what you want while hearing everything around you. It got to the point I stopped using in ear buds and admittedly you will forget you even have them on because they are so comfortable. They are very durable but I do recommend to buy the extended warranty because you will be using them much more than you think.
It won't work in some applications where open-ear headphones are needed, but for other situations like going for a run I would be interested to know how these compare to the pass-through setting of common earbuds that plays external sounds along with what you're listening to.
What I'll tell you is that on max volume, the Shokz can be drowned out by traffic noise if you're on top of a freeway overpass.
Been using for 3.5 years… have two pair so I not down when charging… they freakin' rock!
I got about 4 years of nearly daily use out of mine before the earpad on one ear came off exposing the transducer then the battery failed about a month after that. (wouldn't charge). So you splitting the load between two pair should give you a couple more years yet.
fantastic review... loved the EQ simulation. If that does approximate the sound, then wow, you REALLY lose a lot of lows and highs. Regardless, I can see why people like those things.
I'm getting flashbacks from the DankPods video about these.
I love Shinedown! Question: it looks like you could carry on a conversation without having to mute. True?
I recommend trying the 'Pro' model.. the bass is noticeably better! I stopped using my headphones AND earpods for my Shokz Pro instead and it's hard to go back.
For music playback I would suggest an app that has an equalizer. While it does not make mine as well rounded as my studio headphones, it does improve the overall range by about 50% . With the majority being the bass and only slightly improves the higher end.
the company i work for bought these for their employees with microphone attached.
can connect to multiple devices (in my case work phone and laptop), long battery life and actually decent audio and microphone quality.
Hefty price but they do work quite well.
Would also recommend to other workers that are on the phone a long time during their work.
i have the aftershokz titanium and 2S, trust me, the proprietary cable is an improvement. the flap on both of mine barely close because the micro USB stresses it open when you're charging.
I got mine nearly 2 years ago and love them. They have changed the design as my play button is so easy to use. For the first 6 months I played music daily.
I don’t do ear buds as they don’t fit properly so these are great. And bar being slightly lower volume no issues.
There are two settings on these bonephones. You need to hold both up and down vol button at the same time. It does make a difference.
I had gotten a pair of these a few years back and had to return them as they gave me terrible headaches. I think it might have to do with my history with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome and that's where the bone conduction takes place.
I’ve been using mine for over 5 years. They are on me all day with the exception of sleep and showering. Technically I could use it in the shower , but I don’t. I see co-workers always having to hassle with popping in their earbuds when they get a call where for me it’s just a touch of a button. As for the buttons, it becomes second nature. I will say that my biggest complaint it that the power up button is usually the first thing to go because you have to hold that down every time to turn it on and it’s also the volume button.
I had a couple pairs. I loved them, however in both pair I had the transducer came loose inside and rattled and sounded awful. That was in less than a year of use. The concept is great, but I was not happy with the durability. The warranty replaced the first pair but I decided not to replace them again the second time and switch to LG Tones, still going strong with daily use after a year.
It did seem like the older models had a bit more low end sound
I had about 20 smart watches at one time of varying prices, and ONE of them had the Shokz connector, and it was a pretty popular brand. Can't remember which one.
It looked similar to my husband's Garmin charger which is of course different than either of my Garmin chargers, or the Garmin GPS charger
I've had these for over 2 years. PHENOMENAL!!! I'd never put buds in my ears. These are the absolute best and are much safer when driving or jogging so I can be fully aware of my surroundings. 10/10
I have an old pair of the aftershokz. I like them. I have tiny ear canals and ear buds do not work for me. I don't like over-the-ear. They are too bulky for me. However, the sound is different for sure. Also, they have changed to charging port. Mine is a mini plug. I think that's what it's called. Thanks for the review James.
I'm tone deaf (I think that's what its called) but I can't hear the difference in high and low pitch or bass so this would be perfect for me as I wouldn't even notice the sound quality difference
I have them! 😂 I love them! There's times I cant tell the difference between the sound of the TV or the person next to me.. Or a sound of a door closing or bell ringing .. Cars going by. Or a train.. I love them.. I wear them literally all day from waking up.. Talking to people.. Then listen to music while folding laundry.. Then pair it to the TV and watch RUclips! While going to bed and still have another day left in it before you have to charge it.. I wear glasses too.. I do security and have to wear an earpiece.. I can wear them all at once and forget I'm even wearing them.. Again.. I love them..