Disclaimer: Before entering the glamorous world of golf blogging, I spent 25 years owning and operating an audio recording studio. I used to teach recording techniques to audio engineering students, and have deep experience in the physics of audio. And now, back to the golf blogging…
I must say, I have a great looking ear…
Trekz Titanium Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones by Aftershokz
The Trekz concept is very interesting. The ear pieces do not cover the ear or sit in the ear canal like a regular ear bud or headphone. Instead they mount in front of the ear, engaging the cheekbone. The cheekbone serves as a conduit for the sound. Let’s look a list of the features.
- Bone conduction technology allows the user to hear the audio and still hear ambient sound
- Wireless bluetooth technology connects to mobile devices, phones, computers
- “Leakslayer” technology reduces natural sound leakage
- Noise cancelling microphone for speaking into device, talking on the phone etc.
- Six hour battery life
- Moisture resistent
- Equalizer presets
In Action
I’ve spent a few months now using the Trekz Titanium Wireless Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones in various situations; working at my desk, evening walks, hitting golf balls on the practice range. They’re quite comfortable. Being able to hear what’s going on around is fantastic. One can be listening to tunes or a book on tape but still be able to hear if the guy in the cubicle next to you is recommending you for a raise. More importantly I’d think joggers and bike riders would benefit from hearing traffic from behind.
In the box…
My normal go-to headphones are old school Sony MDR-7506’s, which are large diaphragm over-the-ear cans. They have a killer sound, especially great bass. I had hoped for the same result from the Trekz, but that’s not the case. The Trekz lack in low end (bass) which was surprising. So if I’m cranking up the tunes, its the Sonys. My primary use for the Trekz has morphed to working on my computer and listening to talk radio. They’re well suited for that, and like I said, I can hear what’s going on around me in the office.
I have not worn the Trekz while playing a round of golf, for two reasons. I don’t listen to music while I’m golfing. Also, I can’t wear my sunglasses with the Trekz on since the Trekz go over the ear and interfere with the glasses.
I really dig the wireless bluetooth capability, which beats the Sonys. The Sonys have an old-school curly cable which knots up and pulls my phone off the desk when I move around. The “lady” inside the headphones lets me know when my battery is running low. There are volume and settings knobs right on the headphones so I can tweak the volume without having to touch the source device.
Critiques
As mentioned, one can’t comfortably wear glasses/sunglasses while wearing the Trekz. I also find the audio quality to be much lower than I’d hoped, but once again, I’m probably more discerning than the average user.
Advantages
The advantages and best selling points are the unique design that lets the user hear an audio program while still being able to hear what’s going on around him, along with the wireless bluetooth capability.
Conclusion
I hope this review has given you a good basis for a possible buying decision. Weigh the advantages and critiques, and my opinion above and cross them with your needs. I’ve found a good place for my “bone conduction headphones,” and they fill a great spot in my electronics lineup.
I’m my previous life I was a professional rock & roll drummer and recording studio owner. I know just a tiny bit about audio. I don’t get to “mix” that world and the golf world often (did you catch that one?), so I find it a fun opportunity to review Trekz Titanium “Bone Conduction” headphones. Bone conduction, you ask? Yeah. That’s what I asked too.
You’ll notice in the photo of my beautiful ear above that the headphones are not over my ear canal. No that’s not because I need to keep it open for the creatures living in my head to have a pathway. The phones actually conduct the audio through the bones in the jaw/skull.
I’ve been listening to these phones each day while writing code at work. Can these phones unseat my Sony MDR-7506’s as my go-to cans? Stay tuned for the full Hooked on Golf Blog review soon.
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