STACK #228 October 2023

OUT & ABOUT

TECH FEATURE

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Looking for options?

Here are three pairs we’ve thoroughly road-tested for your consideration.

Sennheiser Sport True Wireless

TW: Yes IP Rating: IP54 Noise Cancelling: No Battery Life: 9 Hours Battery Life Case: 18 hours Bluetooth: 5.2 Control: Touch

Getting active is easier when the cold months are behind us, and music in the ears is always a great motivator to get moving. It doesn’t matter whether you’re walking the mutt, working the gym, or running a marathon, you want something reliable in your ears. But what features should you look for to get in the game? These seven considerations will put you in front of the pack. Words Paul Jones Totally wire-free EARBUDS FOR THE ACTIVE

Bose QuietComfort II TW: Yes IP Rating: IPX4 Noise Cancelling: Yes Battery Life: 6 Hours Battery Life Case: 18 hours Bluetooth: 5.3 Control: Touch

Sony WF-1000XM5 TW: Yes IP Rating: IPX4 Noise Cancelling: Yes Battery Life: 8 Hours Battery Life Case: 16 hours Bluetooth: 5.3 Control: Touch

Protection, ratings feature two numbers, such as IP67. The first number covers protection against dust and sand, and the second is resistance to liquid ingress. If excessive sweat or getting caught in the rain while running is a factor, shoot for a high number. It’s common to see the letter X substituted for a number after the IP. This means that the manufacturer hasn't tested the dust ingress resistance. Stop the noise Noise cancelling has come a long way and can now be found in top-end earbuds and more budget-friendly models. Noise cancelling can be helpful in a gym to drown out the communal playlist, and the ambient mode, designed to let in some environmental noise, is perfect if you’re out walking or running and need to be aware of traffic. Power up Battery life has come a long way and can offer anything from six to 12 hours of use from a single charge (sometimes more). Moreover,

In our book, the introduction of true wireless in this space was a game-changer – and remains so. True wireless is precisely what the name suggests – the earbuds are powered individually without cables and use Bluetooth to connect to your device. In short, they offer the ultimate in convenience and look stylish too. Comfort is key All ears are shaped differently, and manufacturers make provisions for this by supplying a selection of different gel bud sizes in the box. A good fit is vitally important – you don’t want buds toppling out during a sprint. Sports earbuds have been designed with motion in mind, and as such, some feature wingtips to spread tight in the lobe or hooks to fit over the ear to prevent the buds from coming loose. On the resistance When the weather matches the intensity of your workout, sweat is a certainty. IP, or Ingress

the earbud storage cases typically hold two to three full charges, so you can rely on constant music even if you’re running an ultra marathon. Keeping control Controlling volume, skipping tracks, and features like noise cancellation can either be touch controls or a physical button. Most new earbuds are touch control purely for convenience – swiping with a finger in the heat of a workout is about as easy as it gets. Sound matters Earbuds designed explicitly for sports tend to lay the bass down heavy straight out of the box. However, most premium brands will offer an adjustable EQ in an accompanying app where subtle audio adjustments can be made. At the end of the day, having good-quality sound pumping in your ears is the perfect medicine to get going.

60 OCTOBER 2023

jbhifi.com.au