Every headset has a particular function to perform. It is a personal choice of how you use both devices. No matter what you choose, it should be beneficial while leaving aside all the harmful effects. Stay clear about the worth of these gadgets, as my comparison article on Bone Conduction Headphones vs Earbuds says it all.
Bone-conduction headphones are innovative devices specially designed for carrying out outdoor activities. Their design is unique, so you can also take advantage of listening to your surroundings. At the same time, the earbuds tend to adjust to the shape of the ears and provide you with premium sound quality without bothering others.
This article will mention some prominent differences between bone headphones and earbuds. But first, you need to understand the working principle of both devices to make the decision wisely.
Bone Conduction vs Earbuds – Working Mechanism
Bone headphones and earbuds may provide the same level of portability or comfort owing to their lightweight structure but these work on different principles.
Air conduction involves the transmission of sound waves by using all three parts of the ears. On the contrary, Bone conduction technology delivers the vibrations to the cochlea and sends them to the brain via an auditory nerve.
Ultimately, the brain decodes the signals coming either from standard hearing mechanisms or
from bone conduction, the signals are converted into sounds to be heard in the ears.
What is the Difference Between Earbuds and Bone Conduction Headphones?
Do you imagine jogging with waterproof earbuds instead of Bone conduction headphones? Do they make some difference? If not, you can use them alternatively, as both comprise wireless connectivity. To know more about the differences between earbuds and Bone conduction headphones, read the article to the end.
The review is about the Aftershokz Aeropex vs. Bose Sports Open Earbuds.
Design
Bone conduction Aeropex headphones comprise a flexible headband and two earpieces. They must be placed near the ears where the cheek and jaw bones meet so that the bone picks the signals and transmits them efficiently.
What’s in the box
- magnetic carrying pouch
- Aeropex headset.
- two proprietary charging cables
- exercise belt
- earplugs
Don’t mix the earbuds or earphones, as the former rests on the opening side of the ear canal, whereas the earphones have their place inside the ear canals. Bose Earbuds have a snail-like design with ear hooks and rounded housings resting above the ears.
Accessories
- Bose Sports Open Earbuds
- Protective case
- Charging base
Portability
Bone conduction headphones require some inches of space inside your bag, or sometimes you need to make them rest on the neck when they are not in use. They are difficult to carry as compared to earbuds.
Weight: 26 g
On the other hand, Earbuds and bone headphones are highly portable if the discussion is about carrying them for commuting. Then I advise you to choose earbuds as they come within a fitting of a hand-first small case. The plus point is that you can easily tuck them in a coin purse too.
Weight: 13.9 g
Controls
Both headsets have a specific button layout. Once your fingers become habitual, changing the settings will be easier.
Bose has offered its control button on the bottom of the two earbuds. The controls have a physical or touch assessment. However, touch-sensitive panels can replace the tangibility through the Bose music app.
- Right button: play/pause or answer/hang up
- Left button: with one press, you can check the battery status
Aeropex has 3 control buttons which are no different than other Aftershokz headsets. The power button and the volume max share the same space.
- Volume+/power button
- Volume-
- Multifunction button: by pressing it once, you can carry out essential functions
May You like this: Best Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones – Complete Guide
Comfort
Well, it depends on you which device you feel more comfortable with. Bone conduction headphones have their perks while cycling or driving. The main advantage of using these devices is to become conscious of the surroundings.
The earbuds are way more comfortable because they are devoid of any headband to make it adjust behind the head. Moreover, the part of the buds that come in contact with the skin consists of silicone tips to avoid infections.
Pro tip: Make sure to clean the silicone tips after every use.
Sound Quality
Based on the new concept, Aeropex headphones provide a double-layered listening experience. Bone headphones send vibrations to the brain for decoding through the cochlea, while the eardrum lets you hear outside sounds. Thus, you are actively involved in your environment without removing the headphones.
The sound quality could be better, but if you opt for listening to vocals ( podcasts or audiobooks), they offer you unmatchable clarity with Bluetooth 5.0.
On the other hand, if you genuinely want to spend money on convenient devices with premium sound quality, grab the Bose Sports Open Earbuds. They rest as close to the ears and produce excellent beats with blocking external voices.
While discussing bose’ connectivity, it connects via Bluetooth 5.1 and has nothing to do with situational awareness, thus immersing you in music. You can enjoy uninterrupted streaming within a range of nine-meter.
Point to be noted: Aeropex allows the two devices to pair simultaneously, but you have to do it individually with Bose Earbuds.
Waterproofing
Bose Earbuds offer an IPX4 rating. But this does not make these headphones ideal for swimming. As far as outer connectivity is concerned, you are fully aware of what is happening around you without discontinuing outdoor activity.
On the contrary, Aftershokz Aeropex has an IP rating of IP67. I don’t have to worry about getting them damaged by water splash and sweat when I do challenging exercises or running. These headphones are water resistant as they can easily tolerate light rains, but to my dismay, they are unsuitable for swimming.
Battery
Aftershokz Aeropex contains a lithium polymer battery and provides 8 hours of battery life. Moreover, the charging process is accessible by plugging the proprietary charging cable into the two-pin connector on the right arm of the device.
Bose Sports Open Earbuds offer 8 hours of playtime when charged for 2 hours. The only downside is that they do not charge when kept inside the case. If the buds die, you must return home to charge them up.
Final Verdict
Whether you use Bone conduction headphones or Earbuds, they must provide lasting comfort. Annoying headphones that cost you fixing them make no sense.
Bone conduction headphones are the best sports headphones, so use them to satisfy their primary purpose, while the Bose Earbuds are essential when enjoying the listening experience privately.
Additional Features of Bone Conduction Headphones
Bone conduction headphones provide extra privileges beyond conventional headphones. So, What are the advantages of Bone conduction headphones?
The prominent feature of bone conduction headphones is the hygiene facilities they provide by resting on the cheekbones and leaving both ears open. These devices do not make a house of wax inside. Moreover, with no ear padding, there is no heat production. People who are prone to severe ear infections also wear them.
They also have their function in the health department. Patients with outer and middle ear malformations can wear these to listen to songs the same way as standard, as the headphones have nothing to do with these regions of the ears.
Bone conduction headphones also serve as a relief from tinnitus. People who suffer from ringing ears can wear bone headphones. However, they do not cure the disease but provide relief from the inner sounds.
Alternatives of Bose Sports Open Earbuds
- Samsung galaxy buds pro
- Jabra Elite 85t
- Apple AirPods Pro
- Sony LinkBuds WF-L900
FAQs
Do Bone Conduction Headphones Sound Good?
The primary purpose of Bone conduction headphones is to provide situational awareness. So they could be more efficient in generating realistic or natural sounds. Instead, they are more like portable speakers that satisfy you with the music running in the background.
Are Earbuds Safe?
Earbuds make their home over the covering of the ear canal, so listening to music at moderate volumes proves safe for the ears. Moreover, you have to clean the ears and earbuds tips, so there is no need to raise the volume for the best experience.
Are Bone Conduction Headphones Better Than Earbuds?
Earbuds enjoy a fan following due to their excellent audio quality. Similarly, bone conduction headphones beat everyone on the pathway when the concern is about connectivity to the surroundings.
Conclusion
Do you want the best device that stands first in all aspects? If yes, do consider Bone conduction headphones other than anything else. These headphones have more health benefits than your imagination. No doubt, earbuds have their significance in audio quality. So, read the Bone Conduction Headphones vs. Earbuds article and choose wisely.
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