this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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Which one do you prefer and why.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I’d rather lose my headphones then have one earbud staring at me every day, silently accusing me of losing its mate.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Why the hell would you want both?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Also, you can use neckbands until they're fully drained of battery and instantly wear the earpieces whenever needed. Wireless earbuds require you to wait until the buds have drawn enough power from the case after each listening session.

I'm sorry but neckbands need to be charged as well, no?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Many of them can charge while in use.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago

TWS because I preferred bluetooth to not deal with cables.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Neither.

Bone conduction headset. Shokz OpenRun or OpenComm. Nothing in the ears, nothing on the neck.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I have the OpenRun Pro (mostly for work) and love it. Being able to listen to music or whatever without blocking yourself from the outside world, and without having something in your ears (I generally don't care for earbuds) is fantastic. It's my "daily driver" but there are a couple downsides:

  • Sound quality is totally listenable, but not audiophile level. Think a pair of Sound blaster computer speakers from 1995. They get the job done for casual use, and for many people that's all you need

  • Some people aren't a fan of the "tickling" when listening at high volumes, especially where there's bass. My dad helped me out with some stuff and I tried to gift him a pair, but he stuck with his wired behind-the-head earbuds because he just didn't care for the sensation when he tried mine. I don't have a problem with it, but my hearing may be a little better so I can get by with lower volumes

  • If you're in a noisy environment and want to block out the noise, this is a terrible option. I tried using it on an airplane and could hardly hear anything

If none of those bother you, Shokz is a fantastic option for sure.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (2 children)

If you're in a noisy environment and want to block out the noise, this is a terrible option. I tried using it on an airplane and could hardly hear anything.

I mostly agree with your other two points, but not this one. You should never try to "cover" noise with louder noise; that is just a recipe for hearing loss. Instead, you should be wearing some form of ear protection. Earbuds are not designed to function as hearing protection, nor are most headphones.

With bone conduction, you can wear regular, rated earplugs to block out ambient noise without blocking your audio. I find that I can usually lower my audio volume significantly when wearing earplugs.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I meant general expected background noise where hearing protection may not otherwise be necessary, like an airport or airplane. In those cases, I use my $10 wired earbuds. The silicone alone blocks most noise because it's not at a damaging level, and the sound from that doesn't need to compete nearly as much as a totally open-ear solution like these bone conduction things.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

ANC saves me from infant screams.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I recommend chloroform.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

What about people with glasses? Can the legs round part be adjusted without pressing against the glasses frames?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I have set of Aftershockz and wear glasses every day. No problems here. I guess if your glasses are particularly thick framed they could get in the way but they would have to be very thick frames.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

It will depend on your specific anatomy and glasses. I wear sunglasses all the time with mine without issue, but my girlfriend said they were a little annoying with her frames.

I have fewer glasses problems with the OpenComm than I did with my Jlab Air Sport buds, which had a hook over the ear.

If I had any complaints, it would be with certain hoods and thick, high collars on jackets.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

awesome option.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I bought the OpenRun for my bicycle commute. Listening to podcasts without the danger of blocking out traffic noise is just neat.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago

I prefer TWS. My last neckband pair were always getting caught on my clothing and long hair.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

The comfort and convenience of TWS is hard to beat. The Pixel Buds series A are amazing for the price.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

For podcasts (not music) I like a single wireless Bluetooth headphone so that I can pay attention to the world around me. The audio fidelity isn't that important to me for just listening to people talk.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

It's harder for me to lose a neckband

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

TWS - but only if they’re the kind with those curved plastic pieces that hook around your ear. I don’t trust earbuds not to fall out and get lost or stepped on.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I've had my Samsung buds Pro for nearly e years, and the only time I've had that issue is when when I hang my head fully upside down. But they've never fallen out, just slipped a tiny bit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yeah. I know it’s highly unlikely, but it concerns me anyway. The β€œhooks” are more for my peace of mind than anything else.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Thata fair, I just wanted to offer it just as a "you'll most likely be fine" but I can see it being an issue.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I've had both. I found the neckband more convenient. Just wear the on your neck when not in use. But the cable gave up after 1,5 years. TWS, I lost three earbuds..

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Depends on what I am listening to and doing. I usually like magnetic neckband headphones if I am moving around and maybe listening to a book, but prefer iems or openbacks if I am listening to music.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I prefer over ear headphones as they tend to sound better, don't fall off my ears every few minutes, and have better battery life. But that's just my personal preference.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Neither. Wired all the way.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

thanks for playing

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I still use wired headphones because I have a pair I like and they still work fine. If I were to pick up a Bluetooth pair, I'd go for headphones or the neckband style over the AirPod-style.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 11 months ago (5 children)

Bluetooth earphones will never achieve sound quality of a cabled earphone. So I use a cabled iem.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Like aptX lossless with a good DAC and you are pretty much there.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Good for you, but that doesn't answer OPs question.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

There's always one of these guys in these threads

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

You just need to achieve a sound quality which is pretty much undistinguishable. And current tech is already there. Blame the manufacturers for not using it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Same here. And I never have to worry about charging them.