What’s one more thing stuck near to my ear? Apparently runners have known about bone conducting headset technology for a while. Until recently I’d never heard of it, and I first was intrigued to Google it after hearing friends on Twitter discussing safe ways to listen to music, audiobooks, and other media while walking around in public. My controversial high tech gal pal Naomi Wu (aka RealSexyCyborg) mentioned them in passing as a safe alternative to headphones. The ear canal remains unblocked so it’s much easier to maintain situational awareness. While I usually like to just walk around listening to the world around me (I go on fairly epic walks on weekends sometimes with 10-12 miles not being unusual), I also cowork and would like to interact with both my computer and phone in a more discreet and less obtrusive way at the office… while also NOT missing out on cool conversations, snacking opportunities etc.
Besides, I needed to check out this unusual new-to-me tech experience, being more than just a little curious to see how in the world audio books and music would sound conducted right into my face bones. The Fleet Feet right in downtown Carrboro not only carried several models but had a demo station where you can try them out with sample music etc. By this point curiosity had taken over and I headed over there immediately. Then of course I had to try all of them… ultimately deciding on the ones with the lowest profile and most features – including the ability to connect to two devices – either both phones or one phone and one computer. Works for me. Of course they were the most expensive ones, too. *eyeroll* But that’s kind of par for the course around here. The Aeropex headset was $160 at Fleet Feet which is on the high end of the conductive headset world, but pretty ok considering how much so many of us have shelled out for Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones which accomplish the exact OPPOSITE effect of conductive headphones (blocking OUT The world while still enjoying audio of some kind).
I immediately ran (well, more like walked quickly) to the office to put them on a charger and read about them… and record an unboxing video (which needs to be edited) that weekend. I started experimenting with them over the weekend and found that I even liked them for quiet home use… or walking to get a coffee while finishing up listening to the last little bit of an audio book or podcast episode. The following Monday I brought them to the office and was barely out of my car before fellow tech gadget enthusiast, Moe somehow spotted them from across the parking lot (very unusual considering how low profile they are – but Moe loves tech gadgets as much if not more than I do so… there ya go). Next thing I know I’m letting Moe try them on and then watching his face light up in disbelief as Jocko Willink’s voice is conducted directly into his cheekbones.
“Wait… you can’t hear that?!”
“Nope, only you can!”
“What!? I have to have a pair of these!”
Which has pretty much been the same type of outburst from folks when they hear about these or see them. One woman at the food coop was so intrigued by just how they looked that she needed to know more about them. Maybe they aren’t quite as low profile as I thought? Haha oh well. Anyway, I’ve been enjoying them quite a bit – and continue to find new use cases for them too.
Fair warning though, it’s easy to forget that you have them on and you risk embarrassment if you decide to start rocking out and singing along to any favorite tunes.
Aeropex by Aftershokz Open-Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Comfortable to wear
- Long battery life
- Can pair to two devices at once
- Comes with two charging cables and carrying case
Cons
- Spendy compared to competitors
- Microphone picks up a surprising amount of noise
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