The post Klipsch Pro-Sport AW-4i Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

The Good: Incredibly lightweight (especially for bone conduction technology), ability to hear ambient noise AND your tunes.

The Bad: Technology might take a week or two to get used to if you haven’t used it before.

The Workout Worthy: Bone conduction headphones are perfect for people working out outdoors (i.e. running, walking, biking) where they need to hear their surroundings as well as the song or podcast playing, and After Shokz Bluez 2s are currently the best.

Full Review

We haven’t been able to test a new pair of bone conduction headphones in over a year now, but were thoroughly impressed with the improvements to the AfterShokz Bluez with the Bluez 2s.

We tested these headphones in the following ways (with an iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S5):

• Walking
• Running
• Home workout
• Riding in the car (to test a phone call)

Sound Quality

We’ve tested several bone conduction headphones in the past and they often sacrifice a little bit of sound quality. However, we were really impressed by the clarity of these headphones.

At the loudest sound volume output (which you honestly shouldn’t be using anyways) the clarity does start to diminish some, and the vibration from the bone conduction is very noticeable.

We did multiple phone tests to see how the sound quality compared, and every time we got good results. The only complaint we received was the ambient noise was a little loud when we were outside (i.e. cars passing by, etc.).

One final thing to note is that in a quiet area, with the volume at moderately high levels, people within a few feet may be able to hear the sounds from your music. This may be a bit of a turn off if you plan using these predominately indoors.

Comfort and Fit

The Bluez 2s utilize a neckband and earhook style design. The headphone rests on top of your zygomatic arch (just below your temple) and uses subtle bone vibrations to transmit sound (as opposed to air conduction). As we mentioned above, the first time you use this tech the vibrations may seem a little weird, but after a few days you don’t even notice them.

Sometimes bone conduction headphones tend to be a little heavier because they have to carry an internal battery to provide the bone conduction, but these headphones were super light weight. They fit great.

They also include a tension band which can be quickly clipped in to provide a tighter fit for higher intensity activities.

Durability

The first thing to check out is always the IP Code (or International Protection Code). The Bluez 2s come in with an IP55 rating, which essentially mean they are dust protected and water resistant (not waterproof).

The next thing we look at is build quality. This headset is built with a pretty flexible frame, but doesn’t collapse. However, it’s one of the higher build qualities of headphones we’ve seen.

Controls

Unlike a lot of wireless headphones that put their controls just above the ear, the Bluez 2s controls sit on the underside of the neckband just behind the right ear (see picture below), and on the outside face of the headphone on the left ear (see picture above).

Behind left ear:

• Volume up/down
• Micro USB charging port
• Power on/off

On right ear:

• Answer/end calls
• Skip tracks forward/back

It takes about 2 hours to fully charge and according to AfterShokz the continuous play time is 6 hours.

What’s in the Box

As you can see above, the following items are  included in the box:

• Bluez 2s headphones
• Carrying case
• Two (2) reflective strips
• USB charging cable
• Tension band
• Instruction manual

Final Thoughts

If you do most of your workouts outdoors then you should definitely consider a pair of bone conduction headphones. And as of writing this the AfterShokz Bluez 2s are far and away the best bone conduction headphones.

Get the AfterShokz Bluez 2s here

The post AfterShokz Bluez 2S Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Super Lightweight.  The neckband is flexible and lightweight keeping the overall weight of the headphones to a minimum.

Features and Controls.  We really like the location and ease of use of the controls for music and calls.

Multiple Colors Available.  You can find the Exercise Freak in blue, yellow, or black.  We’re kinda partial to the blue and yellow though.

Cons

Price.  Besides the Monster iSport these are the most expensive workout headphones we’ve reviewed.  The Denon name and premium quality does come with these, but you’ll have to decide if that’s worth it.

Earbud Seal.  This is kind of a pro and a con depending on how you look at it.  The round style silicone tips don’t seal the ear canal 100%, which means you lose a little bit of noise isolation.  However, it does allow you to be a bit more aware of your surroundings, which is a great thing if you workout outdoors.

Full Review

The Exercise Freak is the first pair of headphones devoted solely to sports by Denon.

Below is a pretty nice photo by Denon showing all the features and controls.  As we mentioned above we really like how the ear piece that sits behind the ear holds all the controls.  Our audiologist took one look at these headphones and said, “It’s about time the headphone manufacturers started taking note of how hearing aid manufacturers have been doing this for years.”

Take a close look at the large round button on the ear piece.  This is a tap-to-talk button that essentially switches between music and phone if you have it hooked up to your iPhone or other smartphone.  You’ll also notice the volume/play/pause controls are on the top/back of the ear piece and the microphone is just underneath the ear piece, which is a perfect location to avoid wind distortion when working out outside.

One feature not shown above is the reflective lining on the neckband, perfect for evening (or early morning) workouts.  If you’re putting safety first this is becoming a must have feature for those of us that don’t workout in a gym.

Another cool feature is the Sport App they’ve created to work seamlessly with these headphones (though any other sport app would work as well).  This is another common feature that we’re seeing with a lot of new sports headphones (i.e. the Motorola SF Series)

Overall we’re a big fan of the Denon Exercise Freak.  We think they did a great job with their first pair of Bluetooth sports headphones, and our only real drawback is the price, which is anticipated to be $149.  It’s hard to convince us to spend that much when other headphones such as the Jaybird Freedom are available for less.  We do understand a lot of people love Denon headphones and that may be worth the premium.

Specifications

• Bluetooth 3.0 Wireless connectivity
• Sweat-resistant
• Weight: 23 grams (0.8 ounces)
• Play time: up to 7 hours

What’s in the Box

As you can see from the photo above Denon includes all the necessities for a workout headphones kit.

• Denon AH-W150 Exercise Freak Headphones
• Mesh carrying case with carabiner
• Micro USB cable for charging
• (4) sets of anti-microbial silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, L)

Where to Buy

Click here to get the Denon AH-W150 Exercise Freak Headphones

The post Denon AH-W150 Exercise Freak Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Environmental Awareness. These headphones have no portion that fits in your ear, which allows you to listen to your favorite song and still be aware of your surroundings.

Meets Unique Needs. If you have sensory aural hearing loss these headphones will be the right fit for you.

Reduces Chance of Noise Induced Hearing Loss. More and more people are being diagnosed with noise induced hearing loss, and much of this is contributed to younger generations blaring their music in their ears. The Aftershokz eliminate this concern.

Cons

New and Awkward. While bone conduction technology has been around for quite some time, combining bone conduction with sport headphones is still a newer idea, which means most people will find them a bit awkward.

Heavy In-Line Controls. Because these headphones are powered by bone conduction (essentially vibrations) they require you to charge a batter that resides within the in-line controls making it quite a bit bulkier than other cords. It does come with a sport clip, so that does help a lot.

Limited Use. While sports headphones are specifically tailored to increasing performance under training conditions, they can still be used for things like travel. With the Aftershokz you’ll be limited to where you can use these headphones depending on your environment.

Full Review

Our staff Audiologist had a field day with these headphones. She was so excited to talk about bone conduction that we had to stop her from writing this review. Either that or you may end up bored to death (shh, don’t tell her we said that).

There are 2 different sport models of the Aftershokz:

1. AS 300
2. AS 301 (includes in-line microphone, this is the model we’re reviewing)

Bone conduction audio devices were originally designed for the hearing impaired and more recently for soldiers who needed to be tuned into both their environment and radio communication. So, the technology has quite a history.

What exactly is bone conduction? Bone conduction is the vibration of the bones of the skull to detect sound. With standard headphones, sound waves travel through the ear canal which vibrates the eardrum and sends the signal to the inner ear. With bone conduction, sound wave vibrations deliver sound by vibration of the bones of the skull which delivers a signal to the inner ear where it is heard.

Aftershokz is not the first manufacturer to bring bone conduction to the sporting world. Audio Bone also has a pair of bone conduction sports headphones that we’ve previously talked about, but Aftershokz is the first to deliver this technology with a decent sound quality.

The Aftershokz come with an in-line controller that is used to power on and off the headphones as well as volume control and an in-line mic (if you choose that option). There’s not much you need to do when receiving a call, as all music is stopped instantly. The in-line controller is a bit larger than normal because it houses the rechargeable lithium ion battery that powers the headphones. We didn’t do a ton of running with the headphones, but could easily see where the larger in-line housing could be kind of annoying if it started bouncing around a lot.

While the sound quality is decent, actually a lot better than the last pair of bone conduction sport headphones we tried, it’s still not quite the same as conventional earphones or earbuds.

At the end of the day bone conduction technology is nothing short of awesome. But for the same price you can get a much higher quality sound from conventional workout headphones.

Read additional reviews here

Specifications

• Sound delivery: bone conduction (typical headphones use air conduction)
• Connector: 3.5mm (standard)
• Compatible with iPod, iPhone, and MP3 players
• Water-resistant (sweat-resistant)
• Cable length: 51.2 inches
• Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Charge time: 3 hours
• Playback time: up to 15 hours (depending on volume level)

What’s in the Box

• Aftershokz Bone Conduction Headphones
• USB charger and extension cable
• Soft carrying case

Where to Buy

We tend to find the lowest prices on Amazon.

Click here to see the low price we found for the Aftershokz

The post Aftershokz Sportz Bone Conduction Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Unique Control Location.  This is the first pair of workout headphones we’ve seen where the controls are nowhere near the ears.  Some will like it, some will hate it.  We thought it was innovative.

Secure Fit.  You can instantly tell these headphones were built to fit securely.  The question becomes, are they a little too snug?

Cons

Short Battery Life.  We hate to be picky because we don’t foresee any 5+ hour workouts in the near future, but these headphones will only last that long on one charge, 2-3 hours short of the usual average for Bluetooth sports headphones.

Awkard Earbud Fit.  These earpieces are very similar to the iLuv FitActive, only they seem to be made with a material that doesn’t flex very well and is a bit uncomfortable.

Note: Arriva has addressed this issue by including Acoustibuds (which work great)

Full Review

The Arriva Leo is straight up funky…in a good way.

This is a very unique pair of workout headphones, visually, but how do they stack up?

It’s pretty clear from the get go that Arriva is marketing these headphones for extreme sports, but we found it a bit odd that their web page clearly goes out of the way to state these are not waterproof and then accompanies that with a photo of a guy skiing.  No big deal, there’s very few headphones outside of H2O that are 100% waterproof anyways.  They are however water-resistant, which should be enough for most (good) skiers or snowboarders.

The sound quality was average, nothing great, nothing horrible, so not a lot of comments there.

Out biggest hang up was on the most obvious feature, the noodle like arms.  Arriva did a great job in creating a frame that stays put, but at the same time we found 2 problems with that frame:

1. It’s not all that comfortable, until you break them in for a bit
2. It doesn’t hold it’s shape

Attached to those arms, on the very back of the headset, are the controls which we actually did like.  We tested these with a few different style helmets and didn’t have a problem getting them to fit, so that was definitely a plus for bikers or snowboarders.

Overall we like the idea behind the Leo and could see a use for them if were were having difficulty with other style headphones staying fit.  But we feel as though they definitely have some room for improvement, so hopefully we’ll see some LEO 2.0s in the future.

Specifications

• Bluetooth 2.1
• Charge time: 1.5 hours
• Music time: 5.2 hours

What’s in the Box

• Arriva Leo Bluetooth headphones
• (1) pair Acoustibuds
• (4) different size earpieces
• Micro USB wall charger
• Carrying case

Where to Buy

Click here to get the Arriva Leo Bluetooth Headphones

The post Arriva Leo Bluetooth Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Unlike most Bluetooth headsets the Mobiband uses a foldable band making it perfect for listening on the go.  Are these the perfect headphones for active users?  Check out our review below!

Pros

Foldable.  The ability to fold the headband is a pretty neat feature that is perfect for people who need to toss their headphones in their gym bag.

Comfortable.  The Mobiband utilizes the old school square foam pads along with an adjustable headband to create a good fit.

Cons

Not Sweat Proof.  While we didn’t experience any damage while testing, we probably wouldn’t recommend these headphones to people who sweat a lot unless the manufacturer could guarantee no damage (which at this point they don’t).

Poor Bass Response.  Overall sound was pretty good, but we prefer a higher bass response, especially when working out.

Full Review

When we first read about the Mobiband they were being compared to the Jaybird Sportsband, but with the added ability for the band to fold.  While this is a pretty cool feature, it’s not revolutionary.  Jabra also has a very popular sports headset called the Halo 2 that is almost identical to the Mobiband.  So, how did they stack up?

Well, we’re a big fan of sports bands so we were excited to get our hands on Mobiband.  First off, we love the foldable design.  It’s way easier to carry a pair of headphones when they can collapse so you can toss them in your bag.  It also makes them a lot easier to carry on a plane, etc.

The design was great and we had no problems getting a comfortable fit.  The headband is primarily plastic and you can get them in white or black (matte). Each side of the headband is adjustable about half way down the band in the same place it folds.

The right earphone houses the only pressable button which powers on the headphones and their Bluetooth capabilities.  Just above that large button are smaller buttons for volume control and track skipping.  One feature that isn’t mentioned often is the Siri capabilities that are build into Mobiband.  If you press and hold the power button it will activate Siri on your iPhone making it perfect for anyone running or walking with their headphones.

One thing to note is a comment by BBP:

“For you audiophiles, BBP decided not to go with APT-x because IOS and Android both do not natively support it.”

Audiophiles may want to check out something with a bit better sound quality if that is a concern. We didn’t notice much a difference.

Specifications

• 1 year limited warranty
• Music/Talk time: up to 11 hours
• Standby time: up to 250 hours
• Charge time: 2.5 hours
• Volume, track, and in call controls
• Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Bluetooth range: 33 feet
• Compatbility: Apple, Android, and most other Bluetooth capable devices

What’s in the Box

• Mobiband Bluetooth Headphones
• USB charger

Where to Buy

The manufacturer has a suggested MSRP of $99.99, but we found them A LOT cheaper on Amazon.

Click here to get the Mobiband Bluetooth Headphones

The post Mobiband Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Sweat Resistant.  We’ve always had a good experience with the Yurbuds headphones repelling sweat and not getting damaged and these are no different.  As we’ve mentioned before some people have complained about this feature, but we’ve still never had a problem and attribute it to people not inserting the ear gel completely into the ear canal.

Sound Quality.  Great sound quality, but sometimes the ear loops didn’t allow for a proper fit which decreased audio quality.

Cons

Ear Hooks Aren’t Moldable.  This is just us being picky, but we always prefer memory wire as opposed to silicone ear loops.  Just allows for a better fit.

Comfort.  The earbuds, which use the patented TwistLock technology were comfortable as usual, but combined with the ear hooks we just didn’t like the fit all that much.  Still love the Inspire Pro though!

Full Review

Every time we review a new Yurbuds product it’s very difficult to be completely biased because, to be honest, all of their products use the same technology with slight tweaks.  We blew up a picture of the Focus Pro Ear Hooks below which is what sets apart of the Focus from the Inspire.  Some people may absolutely love the added stability of an ear loop, but we had trouble getting a comfortable fit since they are made out of silicone they don’t hold their shape.

Other than that we liked these headphones.  We’re big fans of the soft ear gels and the shape of the ear gels that Yurbuds uses and almost always get great sound quality.

These particular headphones come in two different types: Focus and Focus Pro.  We reviewed the Focus Pro which also come with an in-line remote for volume control, track skipping, and answering calls.

Overall we like Yurbuds, but recommend the Inspire over the Focus unless you’re dead set on having headphones with ear hooks.

Specifications

• Dry mic technology
• TwistLock technology
• Angled plug
• Weight: ~ 4 ounces

What’s in the Box

• Yurbuds Focus Pro Sports Earphones
• (2) sets of ear gels
• Zippered carrying case

Where to Buy

You can find the Yurbuds from most online retailers, but we’ve always found the lowest price at Amazon.

Click here to get the Yurbuds Focus Pro Sports Earphones

The post Yurbuds Ironman Focus Pro Sport Earphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Unique In-Ear Fin.  If you dislike earbuds pushed inside your ear canal then you might just Luv (pun intended) these earphones.  iLuv designed what they call an “in-ear brace” to help maintain a secure fit.

Speak EZ Remote.   Built in remote including voice control microphone and capability to answer calls if using a smartphone.

Multiple Color Options.  The FitActive look very similar to typical Apple earbuds except they come in variety of colors that just so happen to match any color of iPod!

Cons

Cheaply Built.  It’s hard to list this as a con since the cost is less than $20, but they don’t exactly utilize the most high quality grade material.  For some people that go through workout earbuds like candy then this is great, but others may frown a little.

Microphone Sound Quality.  The in-line microphone did work for receiving phone calls, but the sound quality could definitely use some improvement.

Full Review

When we first saw the iLuv FitActive headphones we weren’t that impressed.  Mainly because they appeared to just be similar to Apple earbuds that came in different colors with a new name slapped on them.  After testing them we have to admit that we were wrong.

The “in-ear brace” that we typically refer to as an in-ear fin actually does work quite well and was unbelievably comfortable.  Instead of extending into the ear canal like Yurbuds, it stops just short.  The only drawback here is on sound quality.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable pair of earbuds then definitely check out the FitActive.  They won’t stand up to some of the higher priced workout headphones, but they’ll definitely get the job done.

Specifications

• Compatible with most MP3 players and smart phones
• In-line microphone
• In-ear brace

What’s in the Box

• iLuv IEP416 FitActive Sports Earphones

Where to Buy

We tend to always find the cheapest price on Amazon and it’s no different with the iLuv Headphones.

Click here to get the iLuv IEP416 FitActive Sport Earphones

The post iLuv IEP416 Fitactive Sports Earphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Slim and Comfortable.  The lightweight neckband (similar to the Motorola SF 600) keeps this headset slim.

Price.  These are among some of the cheaper Bluetooth headphones made for sports.

Easy to Use Controls. The WP-250 is one of the first headsets we’ve seen make good use of a jog wheel for track skipping, making changing songs extremely quick and easy.

Cons

Lack of Clarity in High Sounds. While Creative does a good job emphasizing bass (which we liked for working out), they didn’t do a great job in the mid to high range sounds.

Full Review

It’s easy to tell these headphones were designed with the active listener in mind. Creative utilizes an angled earbud extension that fits snugly in your ear canal and you shouldn’t have any problems with maintaining a secure fit.  Though keep in mind it is a one size fits all neckband.  As funny as it may sound people with larger heads may find a secure fit harder to maintain.

All the controls are on the right earphone and include: volume, track skipping (jog wheel), and a button to receive incoming calls.

If you read the product description at Creative they tout their “invisible mic” feature, but every pair of Bluetooth headphones we’ve tested has an “invisible mic”, so we didn’t really understand what they were getting at.  Though we did manage some in call testing and clarity was above average.

Bluetooth connectivity was above average as well.  Some devices won’t work well unless you have them in clear line of sight of the transmitter, but these seemed to do just fine whether the MP3 player was in our pocket or strapped to our arm.

Overall we liked the WP-250. They didn’t blow us away, but we didn’t have a lot of problems or much to complain about which can be rare in the headphones world.  The only question is, are you better off going with something like the Plantronics Backbeat 903 or Motorola SF 600?  That will have to be your call.

Specifications

•  Bluetooth equipped (up to 33 feet)
• In-ear canal
• Flexi-memory neckband
• Charging time: 2 hours
• Play time: 8 hours
• Talk time: 9 hours
• Weight: 1.1 ounces

What’s in the Box

• WP-250 Bluetooth Headset
• (3) silicone eartips (S/M/L)
• (1) charging cable (approximately 40 inches long)

Where to Buy

The cheapest price we found was on Amazon.

Click here to get the Creative WP-250 Bluetooth Headphones

The post Creative WP-250 Bluetooth Headset Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

The earHerosport headphones are designed by Audiologists who know a lot about how our hearing works. They designed headphones that allow you to hear your music and/or cellphone conversation while still hearing the world around you, which many studies have shown just how important environmental awareness can be.

Pros

Improved Safety. If you’re a runner, biker, skier, or just wear your headphones while crossing the street, you may not realize how dangerous conventional headphones can be. They block out outside noises such as traffic and can make your daily workout a hazard. With the earHerosport headphones, the ear canal is left open enough for you to still hear your surroundings and stay completely aware of your environment.

Improved Comfort. Because the earphone portion of the headphones is so small, they are comfortable for long hours of wear and allow your ears to continue to breathe.

Invisibility. The flesh-tone narrow cord makes these headphones nearly invisible in your ears.

Cons

Musical quality. Because you are still hearing the noises in your environment, it may be a distraction from the music you are trying to listen to. You must determine whether you are willing to take the risk of environmental hazards versus better sound quality.

Full Review

While the popular headphones of today are based on noise isolation and blocking out the outside world, they may not be the best choice for working out in the real world. Noise isolating headphones can be a huge hazard when running, cycling, skiing, or even just crossing the street. They will prevent you from hearing oncoming traffic, which can lead to a tragic accident.

With the earHerosport headphones, you are able to enjoy your favorite tunes to keep you pumped during your workout, while also allowing you to hear the environment around you. This leads to improved safety while wearing headphones for working out.

The tiny speakers in each ear allow for the ear canals to remain open so that outside sounds can still be heard. It is also good for improved comfort and a nearly invisible design.

Quote from a fellow Audiologist: “earHero headphones are a great alternative for athletes concerned about safety when working out and may help to reduce the amount of hearing loss conventional headphones can cause.”

Specifications

• Two tiny speakers in each ear canal for binaural listening while still hearing outside noise
• Retention cord attached to each speaker located inside the bowl of the ear canal
• 3.5mm jack

What’s in the Box

• earHero Headphones
• Carrying case

Where to Buy

Unfortunately there’s not a lot of places that are offering the earHerosport.  With that said, we’ve found the lowest price at Amazon.

Click here to buy the earHerosport now

Check out this video by earHero if you’re looking for some more information:

The post earHerosport Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.