Manage updates with the Download AppBone-conducting headphones struggle with music Video
Bone-conducting headphones struggle with music Video Transcript
Hi! I'm David Carnoy, Executive Editor for cnet.com and I'm here with AfterShokz Sportz M2 Headphones. That's right, I said headphones even though these are earphones but at least they look like earphones. They don't actually go in your ears. They use bone conduction technology to pass sound through your cheekbones. This is a military technology that was designed for communications for military use and now it's made it into these consumer headphones. We'll see a few of them out there. They're really design for someone who wants to have that open ear experience, to let sound in while you're riding a bike or doing exercise. This leave your ear completely open and then you do get sound pass through your cheekbone. How is that sound? Well, it's not all that great at least for music. I actually liked it. I was on the treadmill watching TV with these and they actually sound very good with speech. They're also good for making calls. These do have a mic built into the battery pack, which is rechargeable via USB. These are AfterShokz second generation bone conduction earphones. There's also a Bluetooth model that's in the works. One of the funny things about wearing this headphones is that when you do crank up the volume, they will vibrate on your cheeks which kind of tickles a little bit. Ideally, you would use these at a more moderate volume levels and I would equate the sound as sort of listening to almost a transistor radio through earphones. They are stereo and they sound okay but certainly not like your typical ear buds style headphones. So, what I'd say about these guys is if you're a stickler for good sound, these are not the headphones for you. These are really for some of the ones who are casual listening and for that open ear experience that really wants to let the outside environment in and be able to hear cars coming and also they are good for use at the gym, if you are watching TV and making calls. Those are the AfterShokz Sportz M2 Bone Conducting Headphones. Thanks for watching.
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AfterShokz Sportz M2 with Mic Review
The good: The AfterShokz Sportz M2 headphones are comfortable and sweatproof, and have an integrated microphone (with volume controls) for making cell phone calls. They use bone-conducting technology to transmit sound through your cheekbone, so your ears remain uncovered and you can easily have a conversation with someone while listening to music.
The bad: The headphones work better for speech than music. They also leak a lot of sound, and the earpads vibrate on your cheek at higher volumes, creating a tickling sensation.
The bottom line: The AfterShokz Sportz M2 will appeal to people who want comfortable headphones that you don't have to wear in your ears. Just don't expect them to provide a great listening experience -- for music, anyway.
AfterShokz Sportz M2 with Mic Specs
AfterShokz Sportz M2 with Mic Prices
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