Buddy,

I have been considering these for a while, but was not sure how good the audio would be. Knowing they are not going to be ideal for music listening; I'm more interested in them for spoken voice. So, do they have sufficient volume and clarity for primarily voice listening?

THanks

On May 17, 2013, at 9:19 AM, Buddy Brannan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> Actually, these were developed (wired version first) for runners and =
> joggers. The company never even considered that they'd be useful for =
> blind folks, but once they were made aware of how exciting this was for =
> us, they've really embraced our community.=20
> 
> I have both an original wired set (which I bought when they first came =
> out last year, yes I was excited about them), and I just got the BlueZ =
> bluetooth ones about three weeks ago. I'm definitely a fan of these. =
> While you won't get hi fi audio with thumping bass and super defined =
> highs, you'll get generally good sound quality, certainly good enough, =
> and excellent for spoken word or voice synthesizers or GPS. Music even =
> sounds decent, considering the technology, and understanding the =
> tradeoffs. There is some audio leakage, so people near you may hear your =
> audio, something like an old '80's Walkman, but again, since these =
> things sit in front of your ears, I can sort of understand that. I think =
> these are a great option for any blind person, especially one who does =
> any amount of traveling and needs to hear GPS or something like that.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
> 
> 
> 
> On May 17, 2013, at 5:11 AM, Kelvin Marsh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> Hi All,
>> =20
>> Just listened to a Podcast about the open ear bone conducting =
> headphones
>> from Aftershokz (note the spelling).  These were designed for the low =
> vision
>> wearer, and the concept is to give you a third ear.  The earpieces are =
> worn
>> in front of the ears, on the jaw bone, and this means your ears are =
> not
>> covered.  This is ideal if you are out and about and using talking
>> applications such as GPS, wear hearing aids, and has all sorts of =
> radio
>> possibilities.  The wired versions are sold on Amazon, and the =
> Bluetooth
>> version is imminent on back order.  The reviews I've read have been =
> mainly
>> from sighted sports wearers, so they certainly have mainstream appeal =
> too.
>> =20
>> It looks like these were initially designed for smart phones, but I =
> assume
>> the wire versions plug into any 3.5mm socket, and I think there are
>> Bluetooth interfaces available for rigs.  One of the wired versions =
> also
>> comes with a microphone, but I assume this only works for a smart =
> phone.  I
>> personally would prefer the Bluetooth version anyway, and it looks to =
> be
>> exactly what I'm looking for.
>> =20
>> The Amazon reviews seem positive, and the main page for the Bluetooth
>> headset is:
>> =20
>> =
> http://www.aftershokz.com/AfterShokz-Bluez-Open-Ear-Bluetooth-Headphones-p=
> /a
>> s330.htm=20
>> =20
>> The podcast where I learned of the headsets was on Applevis and is =
> number
>> 310.
>> =20
>> I wonder if anyone else has tried these?
>> =20
>> Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
>> =20
>> Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
>> =20
>> www.active-elements.org
>> =20
>> For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals