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TECH FEATURE

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Sports earbuds for all budgets Jabra Elite 8 Active ANC True Wireless Earbuds Built tough, these watertight buds stay secure when you’re moving, thanks to Jabra ShakeGrip material. Experience spatial sound on supported content, and keep ambient noise out with adaptive hybrid ANC. And when a call comes in, the six inbuilt mics will amplify your voice for consistent clarity. Bluetooth v5.3 Battery: Up to 8 hours/32 hours total with case Spatial audio ANC IP54 USB-C charging cable JBL Soundgear Sense TWS Open-Ear Headphones Enjoy your music and stay aware of your surroundings at the same time with these open ear headphones that rest on the curve of your ears for maximum comfort, and also feature a detachable neckband. Dual 16.2mm drivers deliver quality sound with minimal leakage, and four mics keep voice calls clear. Bluetooth v5.3 Battery: Up to 6 hours/Total 24 hours with case IP54 USB-C charging cable Sony WI-OE610 Float Run Wireless Off-Ear Running Headphones The ideal running mate, the Float Runs the speakers ‘float’ just in front of your ears, so you can stay alert and still enjoy natural stereo sound. Moreover, a band and grip system provides greater ventilation and minimises sweat build up. Bluetooth v5.0 Battery: Up to 10 hours IPX4 USB-C charging cable Shokz OpenFit Air Open-Ear Headphones Maintain a comfortable and firm fit via adaptable ear hooks that fold around the curves of each ear, keeping the music in and the outside world audible. Shokz’ proprietary DirectPitch tech reduces sound leakage, while a low frequency algorithm boosts bass, and you can personalise your sound via the app’s four mode EQ. Bluetooth v5.2 Battery: Up to 6 hours/Total 28 hours in case Multipoint IP54 weigh a mere 33g and sport a unique off-ear design where

Soundtrack your exercise routine with the right ear gear! Sports earbuds and headphones are built for the active, with a more secure fit and unique open-ear designs. Words Bec Summer GOOD SPORTS M usic is the perfect accompaniment to exercise, providing focus and taking your mind off the effort involved, while giving you a motivational boost. For fitness enthusiasts, ear gear that stays put – and sounds great – is a must! Regular earbuds are up to the task, but dedicated sports buds and headphones are even better workout partners, and are available in open designs for improved comfort and transparency when burning calories. What to look for: Open your ears

Comfort

Open-ear headphones immerse you in the music while keeping the outside world audible. They work using bone conduction technology, which bypasses the eardrum and sends vibrations straight to the inner ear.

A secure but comfortable fit is

essential. Some sports buds include small ear fins for extra stability, while open-ear headphones hook behind the earlobe. Controls Easy-access touch controls are essential when sweaty hands and vigorous movement are involved – you don’t want to reach for your phone when in ‘the zone’. ANC Blocking out a noisy gym lets you better focus and stay in the moment, and you can always activate Transparency mode to let outside noise in when needed. Durability Moisture is the enemy of tech, so make sure your sports buds have a decent IP waterproof rating – they should be splashproof at the very least.

An open-ear design is ideal for outdoor sports activities where situational awareness is required, such as jogging beside a busy road, and also have a high comfort factor, as there’s nothing in or over your ears.

Health check

Sennheiser has taken smartwatch body monitoring features and cleverly integrated them into their Momentum Sport earbuds. In-ear sensors monitor heart rate and body temperature in real

time, so you can observe changes during exercise and adjust the intensity to avoid heat fatigue. Readings can be accessed in the Smart Control app, and the Momentum Sport buds are also compatible with popular wearables and apps like Polar Flow, Garmin Connect, Strava, and Peloton.

16 JULY 2024

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