I have the OpenRun Pro (mostly for work) and love it. Being able to listen to music or whatever without blocking yourself from the outside world, and without having something in your ears (I generally don’t care for earbuds) is fantastic. It’s my “daily driver” but there are a couple downsides:
Sound quality is totally listenable, but not audiophile level. Think a pair of Sound blaster computer speakers from 1995. They get the job done for casual use, and for many people that’s all you need
Some people aren’t a fan of the “tickling” when listening at high volumes, especially where there’s bass. My dad helped me out with some stuff and I tried to gift him a pair, but he stuck with his wired behind-the-head earbuds because he just didn’t care for the sensation when he tried mine. I don’t have a problem with it, but my hearing may be a little better so I can get by with lower volumes
If you’re in a noisy environment and want to block out the noise, this is a terrible option. I tried using it on an airplane and could hardly hear anything
If none of those bother you, Shokz is a fantastic option for sure.
If you’re in a noisy environment and want to block out the noise, this is a terrible option. I tried using it on an airplane and could hardly hear anything.
I mostly agree with your other two points, but not this one. You should never try to “cover” noise with louder noise; that is just a recipe for hearing loss. Instead, you should be wearing some form of ear protection. Earbuds are not designed to function as hearing protection, nor are most headphones.
With bone conduction, you can wear regular, rated earplugs to block out ambient noise without blocking your audio. I find that I can usually lower my audio volume significantly when wearing earplugs.
I meant general expected background noise where hearing protection may not otherwise be necessary, like an airport or airplane. In those cases, I use my $10 wired earbuds. The silicone alone blocks most noise because it’s not at a damaging level, and the sound from that doesn’t need to compete nearly as much as a totally open-ear solution like these bone conduction things.
It will depend on your specific anatomy and glasses. I wear sunglasses all the time with mine without issue, but my girlfriend said they were a little annoying with her frames.
I have fewer glasses problems with the OpenComm than I did with my Jlab Air Sport buds, which had a hook over the ear.
If I had any complaints, it would be with certain hoods and thick, high collars on jackets.
I have set of Aftershockz and wear glasses every day. No problems here. I guess if your glasses are particularly thick framed they could get in the way but they would have to be very thick frames.
Neither.
Bone conduction headset. Shokz OpenRun or OpenComm. Nothing in the ears, nothing on the neck.
I have the OpenRun Pro (mostly for work) and love it. Being able to listen to music or whatever without blocking yourself from the outside world, and without having something in your ears (I generally don’t care for earbuds) is fantastic. It’s my “daily driver” but there are a couple downsides:
Sound quality is totally listenable, but not audiophile level. Think a pair of Sound blaster computer speakers from 1995. They get the job done for casual use, and for many people that’s all you need
Some people aren’t a fan of the “tickling” when listening at high volumes, especially where there’s bass. My dad helped me out with some stuff and I tried to gift him a pair, but he stuck with his wired behind-the-head earbuds because he just didn’t care for the sensation when he tried mine. I don’t have a problem with it, but my hearing may be a little better so I can get by with lower volumes
If you’re in a noisy environment and want to block out the noise, this is a terrible option. I tried using it on an airplane and could hardly hear anything
If none of those bother you, Shokz is a fantastic option for sure.
I mostly agree with your other two points, but not this one. You should never try to “cover” noise with louder noise; that is just a recipe for hearing loss. Instead, you should be wearing some form of ear protection. Earbuds are not designed to function as hearing protection, nor are most headphones.
With bone conduction, you can wear regular, rated earplugs to block out ambient noise without blocking your audio. I find that I can usually lower my audio volume significantly when wearing earplugs.
I meant general expected background noise where hearing protection may not otherwise be necessary, like an airport or airplane. In those cases, I use my $10 wired earbuds. The silicone alone blocks most noise because it’s not at a damaging level, and the sound from that doesn’t need to compete nearly as much as a totally open-ear solution like these bone conduction things.
ANC saves me from infant screams.
I recommend chloroform.
What about people with glasses? Can the legs round part be adjusted without pressing against the glasses frames?
It will depend on your specific anatomy and glasses. I wear sunglasses all the time with mine without issue, but my girlfriend said they were a little annoying with her frames.
I have fewer glasses problems with the OpenComm than I did with my Jlab Air Sport buds, which had a hook over the ear.
If I had any complaints, it would be with certain hoods and thick, high collars on jackets.
I have set of Aftershockz and wear glasses every day. No problems here. I guess if your glasses are particularly thick framed they could get in the way but they would have to be very thick frames.
awesome option.
I bought the OpenRun for my bicycle commute. Listening to podcasts without the danger of blocking out traffic noise is just neat.