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

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.

Either way, we’ve finally reviewed the new Motorola SF 600.

Pros

Price.  Some people are going to disagree because the MSRP is $129.99, which is on the higher end for sports headphones, but you get more than your money’s worth, especially if you’re serious about your music and your workouts.

Built with Kevlar.  No, your headphones likely aren’t bullet proof, but they are unbelievably light since they are built with scratch resistant Kevlar.

Sweat Resistant.  To add further to the durability the Motorola utilized hydrophobic mesh and silicone seals to help keep moisture out.

Cons

Neckband cord.  Most neckband headphones use a more sturdy/stiff plastic band that sits just off your neck.  The SF 600 use a flexible cable that actually rests/touches your neck a lot during the workout.  Wasn’t a huge deal, but it did bother us a little bit.  It’s also not adjustable, though neckbands usually aren’t.

Full Review

When Motorola created the SF 600 they made them to function perfectly with their “Ultimate Fitness Device” the MOTOACTV.  We’re not going to get into details on the MOTOACTV, but if you’re considering these headphones we recommend you check out this device.

The first thing we want to talk about is the design.  The SF 600 feature a design similar to the Jabra Sport and Jaybird Freedom, which utilizes a thin cord to connect each ear bud and also acts as a neckband.

The controls sit on the top of each earbud.  The right earbud houses the volume and multi-function button (forward/back/play/pause) and the left earbud holds the power button.  The buttons are fairly easy to get to, though if you’re not to Bluetooth it may take some time to get accustomed to reach up to your ear to adjust everything.

Once you’ve figured out which ear gel gives you the best fit, and you get to choose from 5 different ear gels, the sound quality is pretty dang good.  Lo/Mid/Hi ranges all sounded very solid.  We were expecting to experience a lot of ambient noise or distortion from wind because the ear buds are pretty exposed, but we were pleasantly surprised.

As for the fit, they were extremely comfortable and not once did we have a problem with them coming lose or falling off.  We should point out though that the a secure fit seems to rely more on the ear buds than the ear hook, so it’s important that you spend the time to choose the right size ear cushions.  The only thing that bothered us slightly was the thin cable that connects the earbuds.  It’s about 8 inches long and sometimes it felt a little awkward/uncomfortable resting on our neck.

These are Bluetooth headphones so we did take a few calls and everything worked out fine.  When you get an incoming call it will actually stop your music and announce the call allowing you to take it or not.  The microphone (which is built into the headphones) was average, nothing great, nothing bad.

Bottom line is sound quality is great, durability is exceptional, comfort is above average.  Combined with the MOTOACTV these really are some of the best sports headphones available.

Specifications

• Bluetooth range = 30 feet
• Battery life = 5-6 hours
• Charging time = 1-2 hours

What’s in the Box

• Motorola SF 600 Sports Headphones
• (3) sets of round silicone ear cushions (S/M/L)
• (3) sets of round/grooved silicone ear cushions (S/M/L)
• Micro USB charger
• Carrying case

Where to Buy

Click here to get the Motorola SF 600 now

The post Motorola SF 600 Wireless Sports Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Super Secure Fit.  We absolutely love the fit for these earbuds.  Never even came close to falling out.

Perfect Cord Lengths.  MEElectronics supplies 2 different cord lengths, 1 for an armband and 1 for a waistband.

Lightweight.  You won’t even notice they’re their after a couple minutes.

Ultimate Sports Kit.  You won’t need to go out and purchase anything else, as it comes with a carrying case, multiple ear tips, sport clip, armband and more!

Cons

Poor Armband Design.  We were really hopeful for a nice armband since this is one of the few sports headphones that comes with one.  Unfortunately the armband doesn’t allow for ease in changing songs, especially if you are using an iPhone.

Full Review

When we first heard MEElectronics was coming out with a new pair of earbuds targeted for working out we got excited.  They’re known for packing a ton of value with an affordable price, and we were also a fan of their M6 Headphones, which are very similar to the S6.

So, how did the Spor-Fi S6 sound?  Out of the box they sounded average, nothing great, nothing bad.  After about 20-25 hours of burn in they started to sound a lot better.  The HIs are very sharp and crystal clear and the MIDs and LOWs are very smooth.  We were hoping for a bit more bass, but overall we didn’t have any real complaints about the sound quality.

We mentioned above the the S6 have a great fit, but it took a little time to find out what works best.  They come with 6 sets of ear tips:

• (2) tree tops (S/L)
• (1) cylinder
• (3) round buds (S/M/L)

We tried them all and ended up liking the smaller tree tops the best in terms of comfort.  A tip from our Audiologist is to pull your ear slightly back and up to get a better fit for any in-ear canal earbuds.  This worked like a charm.

The headphones themselves are equipped with memory wire which allows you to shape the wire to hook around your ear or however else you would like it.  Honestly, we didn’t have to change much.  The earbuds kind of twist into place because they are designed at a slight angle (to help achieve a better fit, see picture below) and the wire sits naturally just over and behind your ear.

9mm driver with no ear tip attached, angled slightly for a better fit

It might have been a little better if the wire was about an inch longer (in order to hook it full around your ear), but overall we’re big fans of this design because of how lightweight it makes everything.

In addition to the earbuds, the armband also had a great fit.  We used it with an iPod and iPhone.  We were able to put the iPhone into the armband with the Otterbox Case on or without, so no problems there.  The only problem with the armband is it’s a pain to change songs if you’re using an iPhone.

There are no in-line controls, so you’ll either need to have your playlist in order or you’ll have the pull the iPhone out to switch to another song.

Bottom line is these are a great pair of sports headphones that are lightweight, comfortable and fit securely.  MEElectronics has included just about everything but the kitchen sink in the sport kit.  As an audiophile you could find better sound quality, but you’ll be paying 2-3 times the price of the S6 which retail at $49.99.

Specifications

• Noise isolating
• Memory wire ear hooks
• 1 year manufacturer warranty
• Sweat resistant
• Tangle resistant cable

What’s in the Box

Check it out for yourself!

As you can see you get just about everything you need for your next workout, including:

• Sport-Fi S6 Headphones
• Extension cord (if you want to carry your MP3 on your waist)
• (6) different size and type ear tips
• (1) armband
• (1) carrying case
• (1) small carabiner
• (1) sport clip

Where to Buy

Click here to see the lowest price we could find

The post MEElectronics Sport-Fi S6 Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Update 6/28/15: These headphones have been discontinued by JVC, however there is a limited supply still available from Amazon. They are some of the highest rated headphones due to price (low) vs quality (high) ratio. So, if you like these don’t wait or they may be gone.

If you’re a girl looking for a nice pair of workout headphones that also have the ability to match your iPod  then definitely take a look at the JVC Inner Ear Sports Clip Headphones.  Sorry guys, you may be out of luck on this one (at least in our opinion).

Pros

Matching iPod Colors.  No matter what color iPod you have you can find the corresponding headphone color to match.

Great Price.  This is one of the most popular aspects of these ear hook headphones.  Decent headphones for a great price.

Lightweight and Slender.  The ear hook is a little more slender than most, which is perfect for smaller ears and women.

Cons

Won’t Last Forever.  Unless you take extremely good care of your headphones and aren’t rough on them then it’s likely you’d replace these by year’s end.  The construction is good, but it’s just not on par with some of your higher end workout headphones.  Though at this price it’s understandable.

Full Review

All the guys who may have bought the black or white color of these headphones may not like to hear this, but we think JVC had women in mind when they created these sports headphones.

First off, they made colors to match your iPod.  So depending on what color iPod you went with you can be sure your headphones match next time you hit the gym.

Click here to view all available colors

Besides the colors JVC also made these ear hooks a little more slender or narrow than is conventional (take a look at the Polk Auadio UltraFit 500 for comparison).  This also helps make these headphones extremely lightweight.

If you add up those 3 main features it makes it pretty perfect for women, though guys, we won’t say anything if you fancy the pink ones!

Bottom line is if you’re looking for a cute pair of workout headphones that you can also take to the beach or wear out walking your dog then go with the JVC Sports Clip.  But for this price don’t expect to be blown away by the sound or any other features.

Specifications

• Cord length: 1.2m (~47 inches)
• Weight: 0.32 ounces (without cord)
• iPhone compatible
• Splash proof (according to JVC)

What’s in the Box

• JVC Inner Ear Sports Clip Headphones
• 3 sizes of silicone ear buds

Where to Buy

Click here to see the lowest price we found for the JVC Inner Ear Sports Clip Headphones

The post JVC Inner Ear Sports Clip Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Flexible Fit.  The earbuds and earhooks are both made of flexible silicon that conforms to your ear easily.

Washable.  All earbuds are sweat proof and washable.

Cons

Secure Fit.  While the earbuds are comfortable once in place, the material seems to get “slippery” which then loses fit.

Soft Sounds.  The overall sound quality isn’t bad, but for some reason it just seemed extremely quiet.

Full Review

There’s actually 3 versions of the Philips ActionFit Earhook Headphones:

1. SHQ 3000/28 – the headphones we reviewed here
2. SHQ 3005/28 – includes in-line controls for iPhone users (orange)
3. SHQ 3017/28 – includes in-line controls for iPhone users (black)

Philips has had a lot of success with their ActionFit series mainly because they created a decent pair of sports headphones at an affordable price.  While we like the overall product we did have a few complaints.

The general design of the earhook and earbud are pretty standard.  We found them to be flexible enough to achieve a good fit pretty quickly and if that isn’t enough they include 3 different size ear tips.  Though we didn’t experience any problems we did read about some complaints people with smaller ears had and fitting well with the earhook.

The silicone earbuds are definitely comfortable, but they also tend to get “slick”, especially if you sweat a lot.  So, even though they’re sweat resistant they may end up slipping out of your ear canal, which defeats the purpose of noise isolation.

On the other hand it’s pretty simple to clean these earbuds since they are washable.

On the manufacturer page Philips claims these headphones are “tunes for sports” with a great bass response.  The sound quality is definitely decent, it’s just not amazing.  We checked the sensitivity and frequency response and they were in line with other sports headphones, but most of the bass sounds just seemed “softer.”

The bottom line is these are a quality pair of sports headphones considering how affordable they are, but if you’re willing to spend a little more you can increase sound quality and fit.  If you’re set on a pair of earhook headphones you may want to check out the Polk Audio UltraFit series.

Read additional customer reviews here

Specifications

• Cable length: 1.2 m (~47 inches)
• Noise isolating

What’s in the Box

• Philips ActionFit SHQ3000/28 Earhook Headphones
• 3 different size silicon caps
• Cable clip
• Storage pouch

Where to Buy

Click here to see the lowest price on Amazon

The post Philips ActionFit Earhook Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Update 6/28/15: These have been discontinued by Skullcandy, but there are still a limited supply available from Amazon.

Skullcandy has quickly become one of the most recognizable headphone brands in the world.  With their addition of popular athletes and supermodels as sponsors their products are popping up everywhere.  While many people of used their earbuds in the past for working out, Skullycandy also has a pair of ear hook earbuds made specifically for sports, the Skullcandy Chops Buds.

Pros

Style.  If you want to make a fashion statement with your new sports earbuds then it will be hard to beat Skullcandy (unless of course you’re Monster).  They also come in multiple colors (see the pictures below).

Cons

Sound Quality.  Skullycandy does a good job of focusing on nice bass sounds, unfortunately the earbud is positioned too far from the ear canal and you end up with a lot of leakage.

Comfort and Fit.  The Chops won’t fall off during your workout, unless of course you take them off, which may be likely.  The ear hook material seems too thin, sharp, and rigid.

Full Review

Skullcandy Chops are not new, but each year Skullcandy tries to address some of the issues with the last year’s pair.  While Skullcandy did improve the 2012 Chops it seems like they spent a little too much time on style and looks and not enough time on features and function.

We’re a big fan of Skullcandy, but we’ve yet to find a pair that truly feel like sports headphones.  The Chops are a little bit of an improvement over the ink’d in terms of adding an ear hook, but even the ear hook isn’t all that comfortable.

The sound quality was decent, especially the bass sounds but the main problem was the location of the earbud in reference to your auditory canal.  You will definitely experience some sound leakage.  The problem only gets worse as you start to work out.

The one thing we can say is they look pretty nice, something Skullcandy always seems to accomplish.

Click here to view the different Skullcandy Chops color options

At the end of the day these earbuds look great, but they could use a little help in the sound quality and comfort department.  However, with their price being so low they still offer a little bit of value for those who don’t want to spend $50 or $100 on a pair of sports earbuds.  Though you may be better off checking out something by Koss, Philips, or MEElectronics if you truly want value.

Specifications

• Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Cable length: 1.2 m (~51 inches)
• Limited lifetime warranty

What’s in the Box

• Skullcandy Chops Buds

Where to Buy

Click here to see the low price we found at Amazon.com

The post Skullcandy Chops Earbuds Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Unique Style.  One of the first things that came to mind when we saw the Sony XBA-S65 was the unique ear hook style.  The ear hooks are completely adjustable as well.

Water Resistant.  Don’t worry about sweat damaging your ear buds during workouts as the Sony drivers are moisture resistant.

Balanced Armature Drivers.  Without getting into too many details, essentially this means you’re going to hear a lot more of the “details” in your music.  All of the subtle sounds you might not normally hear with some headphones you will definitely hear with the Sony XBA-S65.

Cons

No In-line Controls.  We expected to see the majority of new sports earphones to offer an in-line controls or microphone option since it has been so incredibly popular to workout with your iPhone.  If you don’t plan on taking calls during your workout or don’t mind adjusting volume or changing songs directly from your iPhone or iPod, then this is no big deal.

Full Review

The Sony XBA-S65 Sports Headphones aren’t like anything we’ve seen before.  They utilize a clip on or ear hook style support, but with a slight change: the positive connection is actually a full loop that is completely adjustable, allowing you to tighten or loosen the loop around your ear as you need to (see the picture to the right).

This is a big deal when it comes to workout headphones, as often times you’ll need an easy way to make adjustments for comfort, especially if your workouts tend to be a bit longer than most.

While we love our music we’re not audiophiles.  Our main concerns are typically durability and comfort as those are the two hardest features to find in workout headphones.  So, when we started reading about the balanced armature we were intrigued.

We spoke to our resident Audiologist about this feature, and she quickly pointed out that while it’s not new technology in general, it is new technology for workout earbuds.  She also noted it’s pretty cheap for this type of technology that is included in hearing devices, such as hearing aids for thousands of dollars.

The balanced armature design also affords the listener less sound leakage.  While they’re not noise cancelling, they are noise isolating which allows the user to still be aware of their environment during the workout.

In addition to all of that the Sony XBA-S65 include all the standard features of a great workout headphone, such as comfort (adjustable ear hooks), quality build (high grade materials), and sweat resistance.

If you’re serious about your workouts and your previous headphones lacked a bit in the sound quality area then these may be the perfect pair for you.

Specifications

• Weight: 0.43 ounces (without cord)
• Drivers: balanced armature (as opposed to dynamic drivers)
• Higher frequency range and increased sensitivity

What’s in the Box

• Sony XBA-S65 Headphones
• Carrying pouch
• 4 pairs of noise isolation earbuds (SS, S, M, L)
• Clip
• Cord adjuster

Where to Buy

Click here to see the lowest price on Amazon

The post Sony XBA-S65 Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

Pros

Low Price.  These one of the only pair of sport earbuds that retail below $20 and can consistently be found even cheaper.

They Won’t Ever Fall Off.  One thing is for certain you won’t be losing these earbuds anytime soon.  The ear clip fits comfortably and securely around the ear creating a very secure fit.

Cons

Sound Quality.  There is quite a bit of leakage from the earbuds.  These earbuds sit right outside the ear canal and don’t create a perfect seal which sometimes causes you to turn the volume up a little louder than you should.

Full Review

The Sony MDR-AS20J are extremely comfortable.  At first glance we didn’t think the soft loop hangers would actually be soft, but they are quite pliable and fit gently around the ear.  We tested these earbuds with a quick run and they didn’t budget.

As we mentioned above the sound quality outside was a bit lower.  However, we didn’t allow ample break in time.  Many times it takes about 10-20 hours of listening to really break in the speakers, especially  dynamic drivers.  Typically any distortion will disappear after that.

Overall it’s going to be hard to beat this price.  These would make a great first pair of sport earbuds, especially for runners.

Specifications

• Weight: 0.46 ounces (without cord)
• Cord length: 3.9 feet

What’s in the Box

• Sony MDR-AS20J Active Style Headphones
• Sport clip
• Extension cord (2 feet)

Where to Buy

Click here to see the incredibly low price we found on Amazon

The post Sony MDR-AS20J Active Style Headphones Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.

But if you’re looking for a unique solution to increasing safety while working out or running outside then you’ll definitely want to check out the One Good Ear Flexible Ear Hook Headphone.

Pros

Safety.  Maintain alertness in any environment.  No more worrying about the traffic around you as you’ll be able to dedicate one ear to that and the other to your favorite tunes.

Price.  There’s actually 3 different models and the most expensive model retails from the manufacturer for just $27, but we’ve found a cheaper price!

Cons

Lots of Ambient Noise.  It should go with out saying, but obviously you’re going to hear everything around you.  So, this wouldn’t be the ideal workout earbud for the gyrm.

Sound Quality.  While the sound isn’t horrible, they just don’t provide a ton of “power” that you might normally be accustomed to.

Full Review

If you’re a serious runner that only trains in high traffic areas then you absolutely must consider these earbuds.  No, they’re not the highest sound quality in the world, but they get the job done.

How do they work?

Well, normally a pair of headphones needs two different earbuds (a right and a left) in order to transfer a quality stereo mix.  But One Good Ear essentially created what’s called a mono-stereo headphone.  That’s what makes these ear buds so much better than just removing one headphone during your jog.  Because if you just remove one headphone you’re not going to get the full stereo mix.

Read additional reviews here

Specifications

•  Works with any device that accepts a stereo or mono 1/8-inch (1/8″) or 3.5mm plug
• Weight: 0.4 ounces
• Cord length: 42 inches

What’s in the Box

•  One Good Ear Flexible Ear Hook Headphone

Where to Buy

Click here to see the best price we could find

The post One Good Ear Flexible Ear Hook Headphone Review appeared first on Workout Headphones Pro.