These funky open-ear headphones sound far better than they look

For the longest time, I’ve used bone-conduction headphones for after I run. One of the best a part of these headphones is that I by no means have to fret about sweat. The second professional is that, as a result of they do not utterly dig into your ears, I can nonetheless hear issues round me. So if an errant automotive or bike owner have been to come back up on me, I might hear it earlier than it was too late (hopefully).

Additionally: Why these bone conduction headphones are my go-to for out of doors listening

The caveat to utilizing bone-conducting headphones is the sound high quality. Positive, I’ve discovered the Mojawa Run Plus headphones to provide a sound that is not practically as dangerous as among the different manufacturers I’ve tried. Even so, it is not precisely an audiophile’s dream come true (however then…what’s?).

So, after I was despatched a pair of Oladance OWS2 Open Ear Headphonesmy curiosity was piqued. These are open-ear headphones, which implies they kind of cowl your ears like a standard pair of headphones, however not utterly.

The headphones are in a “C” form and the bigger part (you will see the speaker grill) is positioned over your ear holes. They do not press into your ears, in order that they’re snug and permit simply sufficient ambient noise to leak by means of (which is an effective factor whenever you’re zipping by means of metropolis streets on foot).

The specs

Earlier than we get into the precise overview, let’s discuss specs, which appear like this:

• Fully open-ear design.
• Twin 16.5mm dynamic, bio-diaphragm drivers for a wealthy and constant listening expertise at any quantity
• Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint connection expertise
• 160mAh massive capability battery offers as much as 19 hours of steady playback per cost or as much as 10 hours of steady calls.
• No sound leakage (underneath 74dB)
• Highly effective bass achieved with the Oladance bass 2.0 algorithm.
• Audio coding – SBC
• IPX4 waterproof stage
• Dimensions – 2.28 x 1.57 x 0.79 inches
• Music management and name reply/hang-up by way of good contact management.
• Shade choices – Interstellar Blue, House Silver, Martian Orange, and Cloud White.

The one piece of data I can not find is the frequency vary (extra on this in a bit).

The expertise

First off, the Oladance OWS 2 stunned me on two essential factors. First was the sound. I’ve grown so used to my sports activities headphones sounding far inferior to what I am used to listening to that after I related the headphones to my Pixel 7 Professional and cranked up just a little Band-Maid, I used to be shocked by how good they sounded. There was a bass! There was treble! And the midrange wasn’t too in my face.

Additionally: These open-ear headphones ditch the bone conduction tech for one thing shockingly higher

These may simply usurp my present bone-conducting headphones for my runs.

However provided that they will stay on my ears. You see, that was my one large concern with these headphones…will they keep in place? However after one run (and different vigorous motion checks), I used to be stunned at how properly the Oladance OWS 2 remained in place. In fact, your mileage might range, relying on the dimensions and form of your ears, however I discovered these to be remarkably steady. After a 7-mile run, I did not have a single occasion the place I believed I might lose one to gravity.

However the fact is, probably the most spectacular factor about these headphones is the sound. It’s miles richer than I anticipated it to be. There may be an app you’ll be able to set up in your cellphone (which presents an EQ function) however out of the field, I did not really feel it was needed. Apart from, I usually warn customers to not set up apps they do not want, so I might forgo the Oladance app.

Additionally: I changed my Shokz with these bone conduction headphones for one key purpose

Likelihood is good you will fireplace these infants up and can discover they sound ok to not fear about altering the EQ settings, making a profile, or customizing the button faucets. The corporate just about nailed these settings out of the gate. Pairing them is only a matter of taking them out of the case, opening your connection settings, and pairing them (how this works will rely on the system to which you might be connecting the headphones).

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

For years, I have been searching for the right pair of headphones for exercising. I am not saying the OWS 2 Open Ear headphones are excellent, however they actually are an enormous enchancment over the sound produced by my bone-conducting headphones.

The one query I’ve concerning the Oladance headphones is that of longevity. I’ve had bone-conducting headphones final me for years. If these can pull off such a feat, I’ll gladly say I’ve discovered “the pair.”