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Bluetooth headphones for working out

O

OrangeInc

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 31, 2013
110
30
Can someone recommend me some good bluetooth headphones for working out? Something that won't cut in and out while I'm going for a run or when my phone is in my pocket. Something that will not die within a couple of months. Something with good to great sound quality.

I've recently gone through 2 motorola s305's and they both failed after a couple of weeks.....they could not hold charge any more. I used to have the powerbeats bluetooth headset but with my phone in my pocket the audio was unlistenable due to audio signal cutting in and out. Same thing happened when I would bike outside. The Motorolas had a very strong bluetooth connection where it would barely ever cut in and out when outdoors but the battery is just trash. Any one have any good experiences/suggestions? I'm contemplating on just getting a good wired headset to get rid of these problems but then, I have to endure an annoying wire getting in my way when mobility is key.
 
tbayrgs

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
I've been using these Plantronics BackBeat Fit for well over a year and they're still going strong. I don't run often but use them for frequent walks, cycling, and any other time I need to use headphones--haven't used wired headphones in ages. My wife has the same set and uses them everytime she runs..few times a week. They're very light and unlike some other's I've used, they don't irritate me bouncing around my neck. I also like how they rest comfortably in my ear without needed to be inserted like typical earbuds.
 
O

OrangeInc

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 31, 2013
110
30
tbayrgs said:
I've been using these Plantronics BackBeat Fit for well over a year and they're still going strong. I don't run often but use them for frequent walks, cycling, and any other time I need to use headphones--haven't used wired headphones in ages. My wife has the same set and uses them everytime she runs..few times a week. They're very light and unlike some other's I've used, they don't irritate me bouncing around my neck. I also like how they rest comfortably in my ear without needed to be inserted like typical earbuds.
Click to expand...

I do like the design on these. Can I skip tracks with the remote? The price is a bit steep but if they work as you say I may be willing to shell out some cash on these. The wired option really doesn't appeal to me. How's the bass response/sound quality/depth?
 
hallux

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
I use the S-11 FlexHD from Motorola. 5 hour battery life on a 30-45 minute charge, they are absolutely VERY sweat/water resistant, SQ is good (has adjustable EQ, though it has only a half-dozen presets). They ARE a little uncomfortable if you wear glasses but they are otherwise a decent unit. I don't know if they're made anymore though.

The headset can also do phone calls. The multi-function button allows you to play/pause/skip (forward and back) and answer calls.
 
O

OrangeInc

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 31, 2013
110
30
hallux said:
I use the S-11 FlexHD from Motorola. 5 hour battery life on a 30-45 minute charge, they are absolutely VERY sweat/water resistant, SQ is good (has adjustable EQ, though it has only a half-dozen presets). They ARE a little uncomfortable if you wear glasses but they are otherwise a decent unit. I don't know if they're made anymore though.

The headset can also do phone calls. The multi-function button allows you to play/pause/skip (forward and back) and answer calls.
Click to expand...

Just read some reviews, they are indeed discontinued but can be bought from third party sellers. Battery burning out doesn't seem to be an issue but a lot of reviews mention how easy it is for the back band to break, the speakers to fail and how excessive sweat (I sweat soooo much when working out it's actually pretty gross TMI I know) will cause the buttons to stop functioning sometimes permanently. Also the charging port is very fragile. All this considered, and the fact I've owned 2 previous motorola head sets that failed relatively quickly (I do some kind of sport at least every other day) I don't think this would be a good fit for me. Thank you for your input though. It seems Moto makes great SOUNDING headphones but everything else is made cheaply.
 
spinedoc77

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Jaybird X2, phenomenal. They never cut out, great battery life, and they are very small. The new ones came out this year, so the X2's, being last years model, are deeply discounted right now.
 
O

OrangeInc

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 31, 2013
110
30
RE: The Jaybirds, watched some youtube reviews and read some amazon reviews. Sound quality is ok not great, quite a few reviewers noted they kept falling out of their ears, signal strength isn't the best (ie it can cut in and out) but it didn't seem like a majority issue and, again, with all these bluetooth headsets people said the battery eventually just died on them. The ratings were all over the place from 1 star to 5 star. Maybe I'm a bit scarred from my previous experiences but for $100 I don't want to have to worry about anything. Maybe for $20 this should be ok but $100 for headphones I expect them to be like, pure greatness.

What I'm going to do is go with the cheetah sport bluetooth headphones as they seem to fit great, and have good sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetoo...g_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VYYFJ28FWQ5WQZVN92J9

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/review-mpow-cheetah-sport-bluetooth-4-1-headphones.1963593/

I notice these amazon reviews can be highly biased also as people are getting free products for giving good reviews but for $20 I don't think this is such a big gamble. If these fail, I'll try the plantronics backbeat, if those fail I think I'll go with a good wired headset because that just cuts out all the negatives I find from going to a wireless solution. The wired ones I'm wanting to get are these refurbished powerbeats wired headsets as I do remember when I had the wireless ones I noticed they were one of the best sounding headsets I've heard. It'll just cut out the mess of waiting for the battery to someday fail and cutting/skipping audio signal.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HCBXOE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A29UTA6YQ2YK7E

Thanks for your suggestions guys, this seems like it's going to be a hit or miss adventure. Will keep the thread updated once I go through these. Let the hunt begin (darn I just wish those s305's didn't fail they were the perfect headset!)
 
hallux

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
OrangeInc said:
Just read some reviews, they are indeed discontinued but can be bought from third party sellers. Battery burning out doesn't seem to be an issue but a lot of reviews mention how easy it is for the back band to break, the speakers to fail and how excessive sweat (I sweat soooo much when working out it's actually pretty gross TMI I know) will cause the buttons to stop functioning sometimes permanently. Also the charging port is very fragile. All this considered, and the fact I've owned 2 previous motorola head sets that failed relatively quickly (I do some kind of sport at least every other day) I don't think this would be a good fit for me. Thank you for your input though. It seems Moto makes great SOUNDING headphones but everything else is made cheaply.
Click to expand...

The first incarnation DID have a problem with the back band breaking, it was a poor choice of material. They made a mid-run change to the material and the newer ones are better. I also sweat profusely, haven't had any issues with them, but I don't fiddle with the buttons often during a workout (usually an hour-long walk or 50 minutes on an elliptical).
 
spinedoc77

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
OrangeInc said:
RE: The Jaybirds, watched some youtube reviews and read some amazon reviews. Sound quality is ok not great, quite a few reviewers noted they kept falling out of their ears, signal strength isn't the best (ie it can cut in and out) but it didn't seem like a majority issue and, again, with all these bluetooth headsets people said the battery eventually just died on them. The ratings were all over the place from 1 star to 5 star. Maybe I'm a bit scarred from my previous experiences but for $100 I don't want to have to worry about anything. Maybe for $20 this should be ok but $100 for headphones I expect them to be like, pure greatness.

What I'm going to do is go with the cheetah sport bluetooth headphones as they seem to fit great, and have good sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetoo...g_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VYYFJ28FWQ5WQZVN92J9

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/review-mpow-cheetah-sport-bluetooth-4-1-headphones.1963593/

I notice these amazon reviews can be highly biased also as people are getting free products for giving good reviews but for $20 I don't think this is such a big gamble. If these fail, I'll try the plantronics backbeat, if those fail I think I'll go with a good wired headset because that just cuts out all the negatives I find from going to a wireless solution. The wired ones I'm wanting to get are these refurbished powerbeats wired headsets as I do remember when I had the wireless ones I noticed they were one of the best sounding headsets I've heard. It'll just cut out the mess of waiting for the battery to someday fail and cutting/skipping audio signal.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HCBXOE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A29UTA6YQ2YK7E

Thanks for your suggestions guys, this seems like it's going to be a hit or miss adventure. Will keep the thread updated once I go through these. Let the hunt begin (darn I just wish those s305's didn't fail they were the perfect headset!)
Click to expand...

Sound quality is very good, I don't think anything will be great for something so small and going over Bluetooth. My X2's don't fall out EVER. Heavy bag, weightlifting, running, cycling, you name it and I've never felt they were even close to coming off. Signal strength is very good. If my phone is anywhere on me, even deep in a bag or a pocket, signal will not drop. For the signal to drop I have to be about 30 feet away with a wall between myself and the phone. I've had 2 pairs of X2's since release and have had no issues with them. I did have my previous bluebuds X die on me out of warranty, their customer service was excellent and offered to replace them or give me a steep discount on the newer X2 model at the time.

The jaybirds are overpriced though, but I've seen the X2's on sale for $79 here and there. Check slickdeals.net and sites like that and they pop up often. I've been very happy with them, and I use them 2-3 hours every day, and on the weekends probably closer to 5-6 hours a day so have a lot of time with them.
 
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