Headphone alternatives? Bone conduction, neckband speakers, etc.

[joeyluck]

I'm looking for some alternatives to headphones when working and also for entertainment use. Anybody have experience with any bone conductive headphones, neckband speakers, or anything that involves sound and not putting anything directly into or over your ears?

For headphones I use Sony MDR-7506 (closed) and AKG K240 (semi-open) when I need my ears to breathe a little. I will certainly still use those, but interested in other options when I don't want to wear headphones on or in my ears.

I've been interested in bone conduction headphones like the ones by Shokz:
https://shokz.com/products/openrunpro


And also looking at neckband speakers like the SRS-NB10


Or the SRS-NS7


The Shokz are targeted more to athletes to be able to hear their surroundings when running, biking, etc. Not sure if they will hold up for entertainment use. Neckband speakers are speakers, so no real avoiding sound bleed when necessary.

[RobC]

I think, Techmoan reviewed such a while ago on youtube. He seems honest and fair with his reviews. But if I remember right, the sound quality isn't the best, and what resonates your bones, can give you funny feelings. He rather recommended it for ebooks, podcasts and such. But don't expect a mind-blowing experience with music.

[joeyluck]

Thanks. Many of the reviews I'm seeing are saying the same.

[bxbrkrz]

Can you calibrate the device based on your bone density?

[joeyluck]

Can you calibrate the device based on your bone density?

I think you can EQ it? So more or less bass I suppose.

[bxbrkrz]

Can you calibrate the device based on your bone density?

I think you can EQ it? So more or less bass I suppose.

Have you tried any of the bone conduction tech yourself?

[Vincent Vitellius]

I have the Aftershokz Aeropex.
The audio quality is not suitable for audiophiles at all. Not much bass, and not very loud.

They have other strengths however, and I do use them all the time for podcasts, audiobooks and YouTube stuff.

You can switch between normal and reduced bass. I use the reduced bass setting because of the tingling sensation from the "bass" at loud volume.

Pros
- you don’t notice that you are wearing them at all. Really comfortable and lightweight.
- securely attached to the brain-container.
- waterproof. Easy to clean.
- you can hear everything around you
- audio quality is perfectly fine for spoken content. No harsh resonances. Fairly pleasant to listen to.
- battery life is fine. Around 8 hours.
- audio quality, bass and volume improves a lot if you plug your ears (fingers/earplugs). But then what’s the point?
- Works great for phone calls.
- can be paired and connected to two devices simultaneously.

Cons
- not great for music.
- people around you can hear what you are listening to.
- not suitable for laying on your back, in bed or on the couch, with the head on a pillow.
- not always suitable if you lean you head back on a headrest.
- MagSafe style charging. If you forget the cable on a long trip, you can’t charge them.
- They seem flimsy. Haven’t broken mine, but I take extra care because of the flimsiness.
- non replaceable battery. However, mine are two years old, and battery life has not shortened noticeably.
- when connected to two devices, it will beep if one loses connection. (I have it connected to my iPad and phone, and if I walk out into the garden, it will beep because of the lost connection to the iPad inside the house.)
- tingling sensation from the bass at loud volume if EQ is set to normal. Not noticeable with EQ set to reduced bass. (Switchable by pressing volume up+down simultaneously)

I use them when cleaning, gardening, biking and walking. For music I use my Beyerdynamic headphones.

Would I buy again? Absolutely.

[joeyluck]

I think you can EQ it? So more or less bass I suppose.

Have you tried any of the bone conduction tech yourself?

No I haven't. That's why I was asking for opinions from other people who have.

I have the Aftershokz Aeropex.
The audio quality is not suitable for audiophiles at all. Not much bass, and not very loud.

They have other strengths however, and I do use them all the time for podcasts, audiobooks and YouTube stuff.

You can switch between normal and reduced bass. I use the reduced bass setting because of the tingling sensation from the "bass" at loud volume.

Pros
- you don’t notice that you are wearing them at all. Really comfortable and lightweight.
- securely attached to the brain-container.
- waterproof. Easy to clean.
- you can hear everything around you
- audio quality is perfectly fine for spoken content. No harsh resonances. Fairly pleasant to listen to.
- battery life is fine. Around 8 hours.
- audio quality, bass and volume improves a lot if you plug your ears (fingers/earplugs). But then what’s the point?
- Works great for phone calls.
- can be paired and connected to two devices simultaneously.

Cons
- not great for music.
- people around you can hear what you are listening to.
- not suitable for laying on your back, in bed or on the couch, with the head on a pillow.
- not always suitable if you lean you head back on a headrest.
- MagSafe style charging. If you forget the cable on a long trip, you can’t charge them.
- They seem flimsy. Haven’t broken mine, but I take extra care because of the flimsiness.
- non replaceable battery. However, mine are two years old, and battery life has not shortened noticeably.
- when connected to two devices, it will beep if one loses connection. (I have it connected to my iPad and phone, and if I walk out into the garden, it will beep because of the lost connection to the iPad inside the house.)
- tingling sensation from the bass at loud volume if EQ is set to normal. Not noticeable with EQ set to reduced bass. (Switchable by pressing volume up+down simultaneously)

I use them when cleaning, gardening, biking and walking. For music I use my Beyerdynamic headphones.

Would I buy again? Absolutely.

Thanks so much! I'll keep this in mind.

I also have my eyes out for headphones that fit like the the binaural mics I have from Sound Professionals. Really great mics.
https://soundprofessionals.com/product/MS-TFB-2/

They are very comfortable and don't obstruct hearing at all. But those are mics...

[joeyluck]

I found another good candidate for what I'm looking for—The Sony LinkBuds (open-ear earbuds).

https://electronics.sony.com/audio/head ... p/wfl900-h