Bone Conduction Headphones

[edro]

Aftershokz is one of the better known companies for these and they are about to release their latest version.
These are probably getting better now that they are 3-4 generations into development.

http://aftershokz.com/products/bluez-2s

Engadget just reviewed them:
http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/25/aftershokz-bluez-2s-bone-conduction-headphones/

I have a conductive hearing loss, so these would probably work really well for me.
I can hear noises conducted through my skull much better than I can noises conducted through my eardrum.

I also really like the idea of them being wireless and leaving my ears open.
I would use them primarily for weight lifting and maybe in the office.

Anyone ever use conductive headphones before?
$100 doesn't seem like a huge premium for these over other bluetooth headphones.

 

[JM Aggie08]

From my understanding, the music is very audible for those around you. Not sure how well this would work in a public space.

 

[waggy]

Aftershokz is one of the better known companies for these and they are about to release their latest version.
These are probably getting better now that they are 3-4 generations into development.

http://aftershokz.com/products/bluez-2s

Engadget just reviewed them:
http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/25/aftershokz-bluez-2s-bone-conduction-headphones/

I have a conductive hearing loss, so these would probably work really well for me.
I can hear noises conducted through my skull much better than I can noises conducted through my eardrum.

I also really like the idea of them being wireless and leaving my ears open.
I would use them primarily for weight lifting and maybe in the office.

Anyone ever use conductive headphones before?
$100 doesn't seem like a huge premium for these over other bluetooth headphones.

I didn't know they existed. I also have a pretty bad hearing loss. I think these would be good.

though for $99?

 

[edro]

From my understanding, the music is very audible for those around you. Not sure how well this would work in a public space.

I have read/watched reviews of the current product from Aftershokz that contradict.
Some say it is slightly audible, others say it can easily be heard by people nearby.
It obviously has to do with how loud they are set and who is listening nearby.

But yeah, it's a definite concern.

 

[Rubycon]

Reminds me of this!

Anyone remember those from the 70s?

Popular Mechanics' ads, JS&A IIRC.

Indeed it was!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0TxZzqpSg

 

[shortylickens]

RUBY!


Wanna fight?
Lets fight!

 

[edro]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0TxZzqpSg

Wow, that was awesome!
It really gives you a feeling of the early 80s.
Engineering has come so far since then...

 

[destrekor]

I've heard some of these devices are good at music, and some are terrible at anything other than dialogue-based audio (talk radio, audio books), going so far as to say that the bone conduction technology cannot handle music well.

I'd love to see some solid reviews and find a great pair that works. I used to run with headphones, but haven't been lately as I do like being fully present in my surroundings and have gotten along fine without the motivation booster.

But I'd like to have a set with bone conduction, especially if I ever get a bicycle to give my knees a break.

 

[edro]

If they were shipping now, I would have already bought a pair.
I don't like the idea of pre-ordering and waiting "4-5 weeks".

 

[Ayrahvon]

Engagdet reviewer got them to use while riding his bike.

<-- does not approve.

 

[destrekor]

Engagdet reviewer got them to use while riding his bike.

<-- does not approve.

And why is that?

 

[Aikouka]

And why is that?

I assume the same reason why you don't use headphones when driving a car.

(I'm also fairly certain that wearing headphones while driving is illegal in some states.)

 

[destrekor]

I assume the same reason why you don't use headphones when driving a car.

(I'm also fairly certain that wearing headphones while driving is illegal in some states.)

I think there is a fundamental misunderstanding as to how these work.

That is the entire point of these when marketed for exercise purposes.

They DON'T block your hearing capability. They don't cover your ears and they don't block your middle ear functionality.

Bone conduction allows you to hear what is being conducted through your bone, while leaving your ear to easily hear anything that comes through the ear canal.

So you can truly have the best of both worlds: music or whatever you want to hear when working out, but you are able to hear the whole world perfectly clear without any degradation of hearing quality. To hear both things at once might seem confusing, but it works. That's the entire purpose of bone conduction. (that, and it's great for people who have conductive hearing loss because it skips the middle ear entirely, by vibrating through the skull right into the inner ear)

 

[BoomerD]

Reminds me of this!

Anyone remember those from the 70s?

Popular Mechanics' ads, JS&A IIRC.

Indeed it was!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De0TxZzqpSg

Yes. I remember those...and that was my first thought when I saw the thread title. IIRC, they worked...but not very well. (they certainly didn't last on the market for very long)

 

[edro]

Aftershokz is also coming out with a "titanium" framed versions that looks to be a little more rugged with possibly more spring force.
They aren't due until January though.

 

[Rubycon]

RUBY!


Wanna fight?
Lets fight!

I'll pass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_dXbWf2Aw

:biggrin:

 

[BoomerD]

Oh look...a fucking spammer...

 

[destrekor]

You wut?