Noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver in sure conditions, however typically, I don’t wish to be so disconnected from my atmosphere that I am unable to hear what is going on on. Like after I’m biking and want to listen to oncoming automobiles, or touring on public transit and wish to preserve my wits about me, I would like one thing rather less stifling than my over-ear headphones. In these circumstances, I put on the Bose Extremely Open Ear Headphones ($299), which let in some ambient noise and are snug sufficient for all-day put on. They’re my go-to for staying conscious of my environment with out sacrificing audio high quality. (They’re Oprah’s go-to, too—she formally named them as one in all her Favourite Issues for 2024, so you realize they’re the actual deal.)
Bose, Extremely Open Ear Headphones — $299.00
Colours: White smoke, black
Options: IPX4 water resistance, built-in microphone, immersive audio
Battery Life: 7.5 hours
- All-day consolation
- Clear sound high quality
- Immersive audio mode that strikes with you
- Stays in your ear throughout sport
- Can really feel too quiet when ambient noise will get loud
First impressions
After I first opened these headphones, I assumed they had been going to be much like bone-conduction headphones, which I don’t personally use as a result of they by no means really feel safe. However after I attempted them on, I spotted they had been in a league of their very own. They wrap round your ear with a “curler” made of soppy, pliable rubber; it seems much like an ear cuff however you possibly can barely really feel it. While you’re carrying them, they give the impression of being fairly glossy; I’ve gotten a number of feedback that they appear to be earrings.
Straight away, the listening expertise was fairly completely different from some other headphones I’ve tried. After I turned the amount up, it felt like everybody else might hear my music. (They couldn’t). However this was as a result of even whenever you’re listening at full blast, a few of the noise out of your atmosphere makes its method in. It’s not sufficient to distract you, however sufficient to listen to it if somebody tried speaking to you.
Sound high quality and expertise
I’m not a sound high quality professional, however these present a clear, enjoyable listening expertise. The audio efficiency within the Bose Extremely Open Ear Headphones is surprisingly sturdy for open-ear headphones: The bass is punchy with out being overwhelming, the mids are well-defined, and the highs are crisp. Within the Bose App (which is out there on the App Retailer and Google Play), you possibly can customise the settings and select from presets like “Bass Enhance,” “Treble Enhance,” or “Treble Reducer.”
The good characteristic is the Immersive Audio mode that “strikes” with you as you stroll round. As you flip your head, the soundscape shifts barely, as if the music surrounds you. This creates a 3D audio expertise that feels extra pure and dynamic. To be sincere, I didn’t discover this proper off the bat, however after I used the demo to change between modes, I might inform a giant distinction between the immersive and traditional audio codecs. It’s significantly noticeable when listening to tracks with wealthy instrumental layers and total, it provides depth however is sufficiently subtle that you simply get accustomed to it.
Bose Extremely Open Ear Headphones: ultimate ideas
Whereas the sound high quality is nice, the rationale I like these headphones a lot as a result of I can put on them for hours on finish with out them hurting my ears like Airpods do. And in comparison with my over-the-ear headphones, I can use these after I run and bike with out getting too sweaty. They’re surprisingly safe in my ear—I’ve tried to toss them round my head to get them to budge however they received’t fly out.
I nonetheless desire over-the-ear headphones for journey and deep work classes, however even though these don’t have a noise-canceling characteristic, they’ve turn into a staple in my day-to-day life for exercises and commutes.
