Shokz, previously Aftershocks, could be the dominant model on this planet of bone-conduction headphones, however they’re dealing with rising competitors and the Artistic Outlier Free vary of headphones may very well be one of the best alternate options in the marketplace.
The brand new Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus are a very compelling selection as these are appropriate for swimming because of the IP68 score and built-in MP3 participant whereas additionally being appropriate for normal use with Bluetooth. The one Shokz headphones which might be appropriate for swimming are the OpenSwim, which have much less storage and lack Bluetooth whereas costing extra.
Specification
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus are wi-fi bone-conduction headphones designed for sports activities and outside actions. Key specs embody:
- Drivers: Bone conduction transducers
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Bluetooth model: 5.3
- Battery life: As much as 10 hours per cost
- Charging: Proprietary magnetic clip-on cable
- Constructed-in storage: 8GB
- Water resistance: IPX8 (as much as 1.5m depth for 40 minutes)
- Weight: 32g
Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus vs Outlier Free Professional vs Outlier Free
The primary distinction between the Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus and the common Free Professional mannequin is the adjustable transducers on the Plus model. This enables you to tweak the place of the bone conduction drivers for a extra customised match and audio expertise. The Plus mannequin can be 0.5g heavier at 32g complete weight. Except for these minor variations, the 2 fashions share the similar specs.
Then Artistic has the non-pro fashions. These don’t have a built-in reminiscence and are solely IPX5 rated. Subsequently they aren’t appropriate for swimming, however nonetheless a superb selection for all different sports activities.
Design and Match
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus has a light-weight, versatile silicone design accessible in two shade choices – blue/black and blue/orange.
As a bone conduction headphone, the speaker drivers are constructed into the transducers that sit above your ear reasonably than sealing in your ear canal. This open, ear hook fashion design permits you to stay conscious of your environment whereas listening.
Adjusting the transducers brings them nearer or additional out of your ear, which impacts consolation and audio copy. With the transducers prolonged within the default place, the match is mild and cozy. Bringing them nearer intensifies bass and vocals however may cause discomfort over time.
As a lot as I can admire the good thing about the adjustable transducer, my primary criticism of those headphones is the numerous worth distinction between these and the non-plus mannequin. I’m not actually certain a hinge in ear hook justifies the £30 RRP (33%) worth distinction.
Total, the open match is good for sports activities and outside use the place situational consciousness is vital. Nonetheless, it is probably not your best option when you choose an immersive, sealed-in listening expertise.
Sound High quality
As a bone conduction headphone, the Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus delivers sound by vibrating your internal ear versus directing audio into your ear canal.
The sound high quality is first rate however lacks the fullness and immersion of conventional in-ear or over-ear headphones. The open match limits bass impression, making it sound barely muddy and imprecise. Mids are reproduced cleanly however have an ethereal high quality. Treble is barely subdued however maintains good presence and readability.
Quantity and audio profile differ based mostly on transducer adjustment. Inserting them nearer intensifies bass and pushes vocals ahead however may cause distortion at greater volumes.
All of the above points are true for just about all bone-conduction headphones. I’d say the one bone-conduction headphones that sound higher than these are the £160 Shocks Openrun Professional, which praise the bone conduction with a driver that’s aimed in the direction of your ear. Other than being fairly a bit dearer, they lack the IP68 score or on-board MP3, so they aren’t appropriate for
In a quiet room, at reasonable volumes with the transducer positioned nearer, I’d say these sound good for common use in addition to sports activities use.
Whereas audio high quality takes a again seat to situational consciousness and waterproofing, the Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus nonetheless delivers pleasing sound for sports activities and outside use, and bone conduction is one of the best answer for all outside health. Simply don’t anticipate an audiophile listening expertise.
Sound High quality Below Water
Because of the IPX8 waterproof score, the Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus can be utilized for swimming and different water actions.
I haven’t been swimming in about 20 years, so the extent of my testing was to take a shower and submerge my head within the water whereas sporting these.
Underwater sound high quality stays just like on land, with a slight dampening of bass and mids. Vocals come by means of clearly, and the audio remains to be very listenable whereas swimming (or taking a shower).
The IPX8 score means the headphones might be submerged as much as 1.5m deep for 40 minutes at a time. Simply be sure to make use of the included microphone plug to guard the charging port.
Microphone
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus features a microphone for taking calls on the go. Name high quality is usable, however voices sound barely fuzzy and lack readability in comparison with conventional headphones.
The mic does a good job of isolating speech from reasonable background noise. Nonetheless, very loud environments can overwhelm the microphone and make calls troublesome.
Whereas serviceable for infrequent calls, the microphone high quality isn’t as much as par for normal voice calls or conferences. For that, you’ll need a devoted headset.
Battery
Artistic claims as much as 10 hours of steady playback per cost. That is appropriate for normal sports activities use throughout per week or extra of coaching. Fast charging supplies 2 hours of playback from only a 10 minute cost.
The proprietary magnetic clip-on cable makes charging easy. Simply connect the cable to the magnetic contacts on the underside of the headphones whereas not in use. I personally hate proprietary chargers, however I settle for that on a water-proof system, that is an unavoidable necessity.
The ten hours of battery life is a bit above common on this class and matches the OpenRun Professional, whereas beating the OpenSwim and OpenRun. It’s sufficient for many exercise routines with out having to cost too ceaselessly and must be appropriate for many endurance occasions, apart from Iron Man distance occasions (for most individuals).
Value and Various Choices
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus has an RRP of £120.
Then, the opposite Outlier fashions are priced at:
- Outlier Free Professional: RRP £90 – Discounted to £80
- Outlier Free Plus: RRP £90
- Outlier Free: RRP £80 – Discounted to £70
At this worth level, it occupies a distinct segment for waterproof bone-conduction headphones with onboard storage.
- Shokz OpenSwim can be one of the best recognized competitor at £170 however these solely have 4GB of storage and lack Bluetooth.
- H2O Audio Tri Professional or Sonar Professional – £134
There may be additionally the JBL Replicate Aero, which aren’t particularly marketed as swimming earbuds, however they’re IP68 rated and may work for 30 minutes as much as 1.5m depths. JBL states they’re OK with salt water too, so long as you rinse them off afterwards. These are priced at £120
Total
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus delivers a novel set of options tailor-made for athletes and adventurers. The open match bone conduction design permits situational consciousness, whereas the IPX8 waterproofing allows underwater use. Onboard storage permits you to work out phone-free.
Whereas audio high quality takes a again seat to practicality, it nonetheless delivers pleasing sound for sports activities and outside use. Simply don’t anticipate an immersive listening expertise. The adjustable transducers do appear to assist with sound high quality considerably. I really feel this function incurs an unnecessarily excessive worth enhance however on the similar time, I’d say these are the second finest bone conduction headphones I’ve used. With the dearer, OpenRun Professional being the primary, which aren’t appropriate for swimming.
Whereas I’ve not used some other swimming-focused bone-conduction headphones, the Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus look like the most suitable choice in the marketplace.
For non-swimmers, the Outlier Free Plus would doubtless be a extra logical selection as a result of £30 worth distinction.
Artistic Outlier Free Professional+ Evaluate
Abstract
The Artistic Outlier Free Professional Plus delivers a novel set of options tailor-made for athletes and adventurers. The open match bone conduction design permits situational consciousness whereas the IPX8 waterproofing and MP3 play allows underwater use. I’d argue that these are your best option for bone conduction headphones that can be utilized for swimming.
Execs
- Bluetooth + Mp3 makes these appropriate for all sports activities and common utilization
- 10 hour batter life makes these appropriate for many endurance occasions
- Adjustable transducers make a big distinction in sound high quality
Cons
- £30 worth hike from Outlier Free Professional
- Bone conduction in common won’t ever sound nearly as good as in-ear
I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the inventive thoughts behind Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking, to cellular, wearables, and sensible residence units.
As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to deliver a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the most recent tech developments.
In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Programs Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I purpose to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.
Final replace on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
