If you’re the sort that needs music to motivate you while you’re going through a grueling work out, here are some of the best activity earphones and headphones that can get you through that finish line and back.
Sporty fans of Bose’s audio wear finally have a wireless in-ear option for their music needs while working out.
The SoundSport wireless earphones were designed specifically for physical activity, and they fit very snugly in my ears with the help of fins that lodge themselves in the ears. This fit makes it difficult to accidentally dislodge them except in the most vigorous of activities.
The open in-ear design does let in ambient noise. But this design is useful for outdoor runs, as it lets you keep an ear out for cars or bikes. The SoundSport can go very loud if you crank up the volume though, so you can easily drown out gym music that doesn’t appeal to you.
Like most wireless earphones, the SoundSport comes with inline control for volume control and playback. What stands out here is how firm the buttons are, which takes a bit of extra force to push them in, and which can be distracting in the midst of an intense workout.
Their design certainly stands out, with a slightly chunky earpiece that sticks out from your ears. In spite of that, the SoundSport is light and small, making it easy to throw into a pouch or a gym bag.
It comes in either a safe black colour or a more eye-catching bright aqua blue, with a citron yellow due to arrive here in September.
As with most Bose products, these earphones command a premium, and blowing $239 on a pair of headphones specifically for exercise use may not be an option for most.
The battery tops off at 6hr, which means you’ll be doing a lot of charging if you use it regularly.
However, it does take about 2hr for a full charge and is unusable while charging.
Text: Lester Hio/Straits Times
Bang & Olufsen’s first wireless earphones, the BeoPlay H5, is very slickly designed, with a cable made of a robust and waterproof braided nylon material, and earbuds that display the B&O branding prominently.
These earphones are magnetised, so they stick together when you place the earbuds side by side.
Doing so also turns it off and lets you hang the earphones like a necklace around your neck, reducing the chance of your dropping them than if you had just left them dangling.
Bluetooth connectivity is excellent, with almost no skips while on the go.
The H5 comes in two colours – black and a dark pink Dusty Rose. You also get a set of three Comply eartips, which are foam tips that are supposed to be more comfortable.
It comes with the cutest charging dock – a small cube with two recessed sides for you to magnetically fit the earbuds into.
The drawback is that it is another item to carry with you while travelling, as opposed to just a cable that plugs directly into the earphones.
Battery life is good for 5hr, which is one of the shortest among current models of wireless earphones.
Text: Lester Hio/Straits Times
Cut out noise in the crowded gym with these headphones and the sealed in-ear-canal design. The ergonomic earhooks are adjustable for a more customised fit. And, instead of fiddling with buttons on the headphones, use the integrated smartphone remote for volume, track and call control. Priced at $149.
Text: Deborah Lin/Shape
The BackBeat Go 3 connects to your mobile device wirelessly via Bluetooth to provide high-resolution audio. Its inline controls lets you skip tracks, adjust the volume and even activate your smartphone’s personal assistants Apple Siri or Google Now. The headphones can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge. A charging case extends listening time up to 13 hours.
The BackBeat Go 3 comes in black or grey and is priced at $169. With the charging case, it costs $219.
Text: Vincent Chang/Straits Times
The Monster iSport Bluetooth Wireless SuperSlim is a solid pair of sports earphones suitable for most exercise needs.
It stayed firmly in my ear throughout my workouts, and the bass-heavy sound profile was great for the dubstep music. However, the emphasis on bass may be overpowering for some people, and vocals sometimes sounded slightly drowned out and thin. This is particularly noticeable if you are using the earphones in a quiet environment like the office, or for quieter acoustic music where vocals are at the fore.
In terms of fit, the SuperSlims were easy to wear with a soft silicone earbud that felt comfortable even at the end of my exercise sessions. It was held in place with a simple but effective interchangeable silicone fin that fits behind the fold of the ear. Priced at $289.
Text: Lisabel Ting/Straits Times
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