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Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:59 am
by stessier
Anyone have any advice for getting some bluetooth wireless earbuds? I'm looking at getting some for my wife for Christmas. They will be used with a Google Pixel 2 phone. It is okay if they have a cord that connects the earbuds to each other. She has very small ears, so either needs a lot of options for getting the proper fit or a soft tip that will mold to her ear.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:29 am
by Jeff V
I gave up on wireless earbuds after 3 attempts. Not only were ergonomics (fit) bad across all three of them, but also they would hold a charge for maybe 2 hours, which was insufficient for endurance sport activities.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 3:17 am
by Kasey Chang
Supposedly the Anker Zolo Liberty+ can get 3.5 hours playtime, and the charging case contains enough juice to recharge it multiple times, giving supposedly 48 hours of juice, but it's over 100.

https://www.amazon.com/Total-Wireless-E ... 075JCG29M/

Personally, I'd get the cheaper version, which is down to $50 w/ coupon

https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Truly- ... 07CB7Y44K/

If you need more juice, then get the corded version

https://www.amazon.com/Headphones-Sound ... 07BHHB5RH/

Claims 8 hour of playtime. You'll probably have to upgrade the ear tips and the "wings" to hold it in ear properly.

Worst case, spend some money and get the thermoplastic to mold your own earpiece.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2VMAUI/

This actually works, though I remember it used to be quite a bit cheaper. :(

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:19 pm
by stessier
I ended up going with the Samsung Gear IconX as they performed well in Rtings.com testing for wireless bluetooth. The build quality is really nice and the case has three additional charges. These are true wireless and come with a total of four ear fittings and wings. I went with the default but think my right ear could probably use one step bigger. I've never used full insertion buds before and the ear canal pressure takes some getting used to. After an hour run it feels good to take them out, but is never really uncomfortable. I'm not an audiophile, but they sound good to me and block most ambient noise. Pairing with my sandisk sport clip+ takes a bit and I've had blips or drops, but never a full disconnect (I wear it clipped to my shirt, so it's about 6" from the buds). My biggest complaint is they still allow sweat to get in my ear canal. I sweat a LOT, and it's not a great feeling. Unlike my current headphones, though, they still provided perfect sound when the sweat got in there. Also, you control the bugs by touching the surface. I listen to podcasts most of the time and it is way too easy to restart one without any way to fastforward or find your last place.

Based on those complaints, I ordered Aftershokz Trekz Air (again based on Rtings recommendation) . These are bone conduction headphones and are pretty amazing. I just got them today, so I haven't had a chance to workout with them, but just wearing them around the house shows they work at least as well as the IconX. They don't block any ambient noise, which is probably better for my street running, and have pretty good sound. They don't have as much bass as the IconX, but are going to be fine for my purposes. They also get much louder than the IconX, but that might be my fault as it seems like the IconX really prefer to connect to smartphones with screens and a way to use their app. The Trekz are super light too...I'm really anxious to see how they work at they gym. Oh, and one comment in the Rtings review was the sound leakage was significant, but I would term it minor. Way more than the IconX which had to be zero, but it doesn't seem like anyone in a gym will be able to make out what I'm listening to. I'll be sure to update after the workout.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:40 pm
by Kasey Chang
I've always wanted a bone conduction headset, but none of them actually works with my extra large noggin'. I actually had a Panasonic pair but after I can't get them to stay reliably on my head and/or not pinch my temples I ended up shelving it for life.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:49 am
by stessier
So I used the Trekz Air today and they performed well during my run. Volume was sufficient and they held up well to my sweaty mess. Unfortunately, when I was stretching afterwards, the headphones said something I missed due to my podcast and then all the buttons went dead. They kept working until I got home, but once I took them off, I couldn't pair them with anything. I worked with their online support and they agreed I should file a warranty claim. They said I should have a new pair in 2 weeks.

I bought them through Amazon though. I could return them and get a new pair in 2 days. I know returns ding the retailer, though, and feel a bit bad about it. Not sure what I'm going to do.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:55 am
by Lorini
You aren't really saying you feel bad about Amazon getting dinged? That's funny :) Return them if you like!

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:56 am
by stessier
Lorini wrote: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:55 am You aren't really saying you feel bad about Amazon getting dinged? That's funny :) Return them if you like!
No, I feel bad about Aftershockz getting dinged by Amazon. Amazon accepts everything back - they don't care. :)

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:53 am
by stessier
After a bunch of online research, I think the first pair shorted out when sweat got on the volume buttons. I think the announcement I heard was the indication of a change to the Equalizer, which occurs when the volume up & down buttons are pressed at the same time (or shorted).

With that in mind, I saw Best Buy had the Trekz Air in stock and it was the same price as Amazon, so I picked up another pair after work. I took special care to keep that area dry and had no problem during my run today. That made me happy as I really like the headphones and want them to work. :) I get a 2 year warranty through the company, but I think I'll be okay now that I know what to avoid.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:38 am
by stessier
FWIW, they survived the week. I'm not sure I could go back to earbuds for workouts now. Having that open sound really is nice.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 4:19 pm
by stessier
It's been 3 months and I love these things. They work just as well for outdoor running as on the treadmill. They stay in place and don't make me ears fill up with sweat. I am still concerned about shorting them out with sweat and so I don't change the volume using the headphone buttons once I start a workout (I change the volume on my MP3 player instead) and wipe them down as soon as I'm done.

But otherwise, they're great. I can use them at work and no one can hear what I'm listening to, but I can still hear everything in my surroundings. People who've tried them think they are witchcraft. :)

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:20 am
by Moat_Man
Did you get the AS650 or the AS600? Thanks for the followup. Am following this thread.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 2:48 pm
by Zarathud
Same here.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 8:52 am
by Kasey Chang
Lost my MPOW Jaws neckband headset on the trip. Argh. Along with my Fire 8 tablet. Argh! Just ordered latest version of the same.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:01 pm
by stessier
Moat_Man wrote: Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:20 am Did you get the AS650 or the AS600? Thanks for the followup. Am following this thread.
These are the ones I got.

I had no idea the models had names like that, but a little research shows I went with the AS650. I never tried the AS600 and as a runner just figured that lighter would be better.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:14 pm
by stessier
If anyone is still looking, Aftershockz just released the Aeropex which is much more water resistant (IP67).

I haven't tried it, but reviews are good and since sweat resistance is my biggest complaint with the Air, I think these would be a good buy.

Re: Bluetooth wireless earbud suggestions

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 4:39 am
by Kasey Chang
if anyone's looking, it's on sale at Woot, new for $99. It's normally like 150 -170 on Amazon.