AirDrives
Posted 08/13/08 at 02:00:00 PM | by Tom Edwards
Every once in a while, we actually step away from our computers to get some exercise—and do our best to avoid the cavalcade of cars, bikes, and pedestrians that share the roads with us when we go for a run. Until recently, we had eschewed wearing headphones when we pounded the pavement, but AirDrives earbuds have us rethinking this position. By fitting around your outer ear and lying just in front of your ear canal, rather than inside it, AirDrives allow you to hear the music on your MP3 player but still be aware of environmental sounds, so you’re less likely to be clipped by a car you didn’t hear coming. And although they aren’t inserted within the ear, the AirDrives remain snug, even after a long run, and remain in place much better than designs that lack an over-the-ear loop.
AirDrives won’t provide you with the most impressive audio experience, however; low tones, in particular, get lost in the mix. And if environmental noise is particularly loud, you’ll be tempted to turn the volume up to the max, further worsening sound quality. However, another benefit of the outside-the-ear design is that even if you turn your MP3 player up to 11, the AirDrives are much less likely to harm your hearing than in-ear buds.
These buds aren’t the ideal choice for situations in which you want a noise-cancelling experience, on an airplane for example. And even at the gym, you’ll likely want a headphone that blocks out the techno emanating from the spin class next to you. But when you want to listen to music yet still be aware of your surroundings—on the slopes, on the road, in the office—AirDrives are your best option.
AirDrives
Ryan Hall
Provides acceptable audio quality while allowing ambient noise in.
Kids in the Hall
Poor low-end sounds; not a replacement for noise-cancelling headphones.
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It would be nice to have the
Submitted by statewd on Sun, 2008-08-17 14:46
It would be nice to have the model number under the review. The pricegrabber tool doesn't exactly help with the exact model number.
Never meant to replace noise cancelling
Submitted by AndrewSiminoff on Thu, 2008-08-14 10:43
When we created AirDrives we designed them to be a market expansion, not a cannibalization. We never intended to compete with sound isolation or noise cancelling earphones.
AirDrives are designed for the runners, cyclists, hikers, skateboarders, or just anybody that wants to be aware of their surroundings. Noise cancelling and sound isolation styles are great on airplanes or in study labs but can be dangerous when used around traffic or on ski slopes.
AirDrives are ideal for outdoors as you can have your music and your environment. They are a soundtrack to your life. You can use the volume control on the cord to set a level that you can even talk and socialize over.
We do feel that this could be your only set of earphones, but if you travel often, you may want a good set of noise cancelling headphones for the airplane, and then when you land and want to get in a run to wipe off the gnarly calories from the airport bar you hung out in during the layover, then throw on your AirDrives and go!
Finally we do have better levels of mid and high separation and a broader soundstage, so while be do not have as much bass as some, AirDrives are great listen experience.
Just wanted to explain our concept a bit further.
If you have questions about the product, please e-mail me: Andrew@airdrives.com
Thanks.
Andrew SiminoffDirector of Business Developement - AirDrives
Submitted by brainwins on Wed, 2008-08-13 18:33
How dare you use Kids in the Hall as a bad points title?
"I am going to crush your head!"
Other options
Submitted by Skiplives on Wed, 2008-08-13 13:30
Personally, I'm a big fan of the Koss KSC-75. Much bigger transducer with only a firm earclip to hold it on. I run with them all the time and they let a decent bit of the ambiant in. I also wear another pair walking in NYC, where you had better be aware of your surroundings, but I usually stick to podcasts while walking.
Good low-end for $20 clip-style cans though. Not great, but running with AKG701s or Sennheiser HD 650s isn't really an option. Using even a portable headphone amp will add a lot more bottom end to the music, as will using less lossy compression for your music.
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