Bone Conducting Headphones
This was intended to be the first video of the year, but I ended up putting out the mini arcade machine video (which in hindsight may have been unwise).
Anyway here's a review that follows on from the neck phone speaker review. You may remember that video as being one of the flops from 2018 - so I think this one may be a niche too far. However I find these kind of things interesting, and that's what the channel is about, things I find interesting.
A potentially useful update on this. Over Christmas I took these headphones around to my father in law's house to see how well they worked for him. He has poor hearing and wears hearing aids. He put them on and commented on how loud they were. He now wants a pair for himself. So they may be handy for people with some forms of hearing loss.
WARNING - The Voiceover Audio Is Not Perfect. This section was recorded on the 24th December when I was still dialling in my new microphone and pre-amp settings.
If you are interested in these - there are some Affiliated Amazon links on youtube - but they aren't cheap - and I have to stress the vibrating effect when listening to music can feel a bit odd or off-putting. The Mrs couldn't wear them for more than a few seconds.
Comments (49)
Another product I didn't know existed that you introduced me to! This may be the thing that gets me to listen to audio books. Then again, I have trouble concentrating on them, drift off, and realise I've missed half a chapter. So maybe I'll stick to reading my Kindle while walking along...
Was at a local running store and they had a pair of these on display, so I gave them a try. Pleasantly surprised by the sound quality, it was better than I was expecting.
Neat! Seems to fit my needs perfectly, did not know those existed. Ordered a pair just now. Thanks!
Happy I could help. Looking through the comments there seem to be quite a few uses for these I hadn’t considered. For instance it never occurred to me how useful these were to blind people.
Thanks for the review. It makes you wonder what's wrong with athletes that makes them need this kind of gadget.
Hi, you know, in the blind community These are a pretty big Thing, as you can walk about listening to Music, even better to directions to a place you have to go to without blocking out your surroundings. This is quite important if you have to use a White stick.
Thanks for a review. Sound is fine as someone mentioned earlier, don't worry. I would recommend mentioning the word "AfterShokz" in the video title just for SEO. I only know the company name not the model names and I'm sure it's not just me. They are sponsoring a few podcasts (at least here in the US, i.e. ATP) and they are always named "AfterShokz", many times throughout the ad. Great to see an unbiased review, though.
Good point. I’ve added Aftershokz to the title now. I’m terrible at SEO.
I've used various models of AfterShokz more or less every weekday for 3.5 years. I'm blind & bone conduction headphones are a great way for me to be able to hear my computer (which talks so no one else wants to hear it) but still be aware of what's going on in the office. They're also really useful in situations where I'm traveling and need to be able to hear what's around me as well as turn by turn type directions from various GPS apps. Like you I use them almost exclusively for spoken word although for some reason I always find that piano music works particularly well along with things like the virtual barber shop recording (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA)." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA).</a> Have you tried listening to them with the earplugs in? This should lead to a noticeable improvement in the quality of the audio although I agree that it's not great in the first place. Keep up the great work.
My wife uses her set of AfterShokz at work so she can hear what's going on in the office, but also listen to her music... which is often not work appropriate! She has the Titanium set (the predecessor to these as Matt said).
FWIW, minor nit: the edit at 11:48 sounds a bit abrupt.
Yep definitely could have done with a 0.2 second gap - but it’ll have to stay as it is - I’m too busy working on the next video now.
I have a really unusual setup that involves these. It's not for everyone, but has some really interesting advantages. Parts: 1 Bluetooth receiver (at the moment, a FiiO BTK 3) 1 audio splitter cable 1 Aftershokz wired bone conduction headset 1 Bose QC 20 noise cancelling earbuds I basically keep all of the wiring hidden under my shirt for this. With the splitter I can have both the bone conduction and the earbuds active on the same audio source at all times. I don't work anywhere special, but at my particular office job it alternates from me needing to hear around me and me wanting to block everyone else out. As I have the bone conduction headphones on all the time, I can listen to music, podcasts, or fine Youtube videos on old audio equipment just by hitting play, and it's an instant personal audio situation all the time. If it gets louder around me, I can put in the earbuds and turn them on at a moment's notice. Another side benefit is that I use the bluetooth receiver's microphone for this. As it's on my collar, it's in a better position to pick up my own voice for when I have to take a call.
Hello Matt, Happy New Year. I know one of the issue I have found with some headphone and depending on how you used to commute to Manchester you may have accounted similarly difficulties. Some headphone that work well in normal conditions are drowned out by the sound of train, and particularly on some of the older 'Northern Rail' diesel rolling stock (the stock that tend to operates out of Victoria, but not exclusively, although I have encounter issue on some London Underground service during breaking) which is particular challenging when again listening to spoken radio . I'm not sure how aware you've been of this issue, Matt, but how would you think the Bone Conducting Headphones would cope in those conditions?
That’s why I went to the wired Bose QC25 noise cancelling headphones for the last few years. Absolute bliss cancelling out all the train noise. If you want quiet on a train - then I can’t recommend noise cancelling headphones enough. Everyone who tried them instantly became a convert. People used to try them on and giggle at how everything around just completely vanishes.
What an interesting device - I quite like the idea of being able to listen to something but not be isolated from the outside world by headphones or earbuds. Sorry, I’m not familiar with the various Bluetooth standards - would these be ok for listening to tv, or would they have a lag? Your audio sounds fine to me - either you’re close to optimising the settings on your new equipment, or you took my suggestion regarding the Capstan Full Strength and daily bottle of brandy!
Also.. why would you wear a pair of those for music when you own any number of BOOM BOXES you could carry on your shoulder instead? *laughs*
I actually ordered a pair of their first models (I think it was anyhow) which was a wired version, but same tech and similar style. Personally I found it didn't sit well on my head at all, having a ponytail or anything aside from short or low volume hairmeans it doesn['t sit proper. as well they had a habit of moving/shifting as i moved (used them at the gym for a time) which can have significant effects on sound. I also found playing them at full volume so I could hear them well, in most cases, would get that "tickle" but also fairly bad distortion. Hopefully the tech has improved a bit, because I don't use mine anymore due to them just not performing or sitting well. It is a kool concept!
The fit improved greatly with the 2018 model. The ear hoops prevent the band from sliding around and keep the transducers in the right position.
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Presumably you know these aren't new (though I'm sure the ones in your review are much better than the ones I saw ~40 years ago in this Popular Science fake-article-style ad ... <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=nRN263ekdaIC&lpg=PA13&ots=yAqJG8Rnl4&dq=popular%20science%20bone%20fone&pg=PA13" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=nRN263ekdaIC&lpg=PA13&ots=yAqJG8Rnl4&dq=popular%20science%20bone%20fone&pg=PA13</a>#v=onepage&q&f=true
Thanks for the review! I tried some cheap bone conduction headphones last year and hated them - there was so much sound leakage and the sound quality was so poor I thought it was mostly a gimmick, but it looks like it was just that set I was trying out. Anyways another use case is my friend who HATES in-ear headphones as he complains about it hurting his ears - and also doesn't want over the ear headphones since, here in Florida at least, it's too hot. So this seems like a good solution, in particular for non-music listening, which is what he does mostly anyways.
Could you put the link to the youtube video in the text of the Patreon post? Big Clive has been doing this and it's amazing! It lets people to start watching the video right from the e-mail they get from Patreon. It saves from the normal; click the link in the e-mail, login to patreon (it always logs me out), click to start playing the video, click the youtube logo in the video to view the video at a decent size.
Good tip - I’ll do that in future. I’ll also go back and add it to this even though it’s too late.
Hmm, I think I might actually consider the fact that outside noise can override the headphones to be feature. Less chance of getting run over by things.
About the equalization function, the quieter equalization seems to work better if you've got earplugs in. Other than that, it doesn't have much use.
Bone conducting microphones and speakers are also common in military applications, because of their innate „stealthiness“. Also they are apparently good for environments that are very VERY loud indeed.
Well-done review. I am now thinking I should get either these, the Bose neck speakers, or both. Currently use bluetooth ear-buds for outdoor activities. They work well for that but I don't care for the feel of them when listening to podcasts while inside my house and of course they muffle other sounds. Also, last year I bought my parents the Sony wireless TV speaker you reviewed. They are of a similar age and hearing ability as you have described your parents--one hears well, the other doesn't--and they use that speaker all the time.
I’ve ordered another one of the optical to Bluetooth transmitters I bought in the neckphone video and when it arrives I’ll try it with these headphones to see if it’s a viable solution for my father in law to hear the TV better.
Could we please have a quick look at the red metal box -that surley must be your new Mic preamp-? There seems to be quite a few controls on it. And also, at the same time, show what microphone you are using.
If/when I get the audio dialled in correctly I’ll make a video all about it.
I think an important thing to keep in mind, is that how well a video does in popularity, is based on many factors beyond your control, so don't equate low views with doing a bad job. Like someone could put out a crap video, and perhaps that subject ignites due to some front page mention on reddit about the same subject matter, and the crap video gets a million views or more, even though it is junk. Just too many factors beyond your control to read the tea leaves!
Exactly! Witness: Lew at Unbox Therapy. One crap video about bending iPhones and he's a millionaire. But still releases crap video after crap video.
Good for open top cars too.
I was thinking they’d be ideal for cycle couriers - following GPS directions and answering calls - but didn’t mention it as I’m sure I’d get told otherwise but an irate cycle courier.
I have to agree with all your conclusions in this video. I had one of their more early bone-conducting headphones (the "Bluez 2", even predating the Titanium) and those were made out of hard plastic and wouldn't sit that well, especially with glasses on. They eventually got trod upon and broke, and since they were so expensive I went without. Recently I went to a Mac user group and a representative was selling this new Air model at a discount and I bought it, and it solved all my complaints about the original model. The tighter, softer, springier plastic sits fits much better resulting in much better sound. I use it when biking or cooking in the kitchen (to hear kettles, timers, boiling-over pots etc) and it works great. I'd highly recommend them to anyone. And I kind of *like* the tingly sensation on a good bass drop in a song...
I didn't notice any difference in sound quality with the new mic.
The audio sounds fine, don't over think it. It sounded fine before. I'm closer to buying one of these types of things now. Great video.
Thanks Mat. Another interesting product.
Ooh, now I want a pair. I wonder how those would fair if I ride my bicycle on a busy road (like a semi highway). I'm planning on using them for podcasts 95% of the time.
I ran / cycled with these for over 200 hours last year. Cars passing will definitely drown out what you are hearing. When I'm in traffic, I usually listen to something I don't mind missing a word or two of and end up using the multi function button to pause when I see something loud coming up. That being said, I'd rather hear cars coming up on me from behind. If you're on an extremely busy road all the time you will not be able to hear much, but if that's only part of your commute it's a good solution.
Hello dear Mat, Happy New Year and thank you for your nice videos! I had an almost identically looking (except for a cable and a microphone) bone conducting headset as the handsfree telephone set on my work, so it was designed for call centers etc. It worked very well. I can't remember the brand, but it was a professional brand like AKG etc... Now something else: I have bought a pair of bluetooth airbuds called KNZ Soundflux (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWVpTTAsAmg&t=0s&list=PLsJlPM_DzWAXHFQ70tbCtKXs9-Gth-ydF&index=2)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWVpTTAsAmg&t=0s&list=PLsJlPM_DzWAXHFQ70tbCtKXs9-Gth-ydF&index=2)</a> They work remarkably well and you can choose for a different equalizer for types of music. Also if you click on the switch three times, you can hear the surrounding traffic (or people), so it's also suitable for walking/running and even car driving and the telephone calls it takes sound fantastic. I'm very well pleased with them. Maybe something for one of the next reviews ;-). Bye for now.
My only comment: It is just another great video about some interesting stuff I didn't know before. I don't necessarily go and buy any of those but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Great video, thanks. Am just wondering how much sound leakage there would be listening to podcasts or talk radio at low volume in bed. These seem like they'd be a great solution which allows me to hear other noises like alarms, but am not sure if they'll keep the wife awake!
Thanks for all you do and a belated merry holidays and may you receive a pre-recorded album of that one format that I forgot but you know what I mean! I liked the almost 2 hour video the other day, in audio format though whilst working. Thanks again, I haven't regretted being your patron (or whatever I am).
I understand your concern, but as you know; YouTube's registration process doesn't include a tick box for 'common sense' 😂 Let the people comment about 'the man', it doesn't matter; as any publicity is good publicity 👍 As long as there are no repercussions from Nintendo or Amazon (which there can't be), then just sit back and enjoy the direction this goes. Either way, it is footfall and supportive comments that matter and not unsubstantiated negative comments.
Re your comment concerning the publication of the mini arcade video being unwise, have you received some form of backlash; as the volume of views appears high and comments generally good? Keep up the good work.
Just looking through the comments it seems to be stirring up load of nonsense. There’s a big contingent of people who can’t understand the idea of ‘hey - look at this, this is a bit odd’- they want to project me having a pro or anti stance and then argue against whatever stance they’ve imagined I have. I’d unlist the video - but then they’d think that ‘the man’ had got to me. I probably shouldn’t have got involved - I’m not into all the drama.
Happy New Year Matt! All the best to you and yours 👍🏻