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Bose has officially unveiled its latest pair of truly wireless (TWS) earbuds – the Sport Open Earbuds. These wearables were first spotted in a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing early last month.
As the name suggests, the Bose Sport Open Earbuds feature an open-ear design without a tip. Unlike most other TWS earbuds, this pair sits above your ear canal rather than going inside or sitting on top of it. A hook that goes around your ear will hold them in place.
Bose has designed these earbuds for those who don’t want to be completely isolated from the outside world while listening to music. Since they don’t go in your ears, your ears will be completely open ensuring that you are always aware of your surroundings.
The Sport Open Earbuds employ OpenAudio technology – the first in the industry. The buds may not offer the best bass because of their design but Bose promises a high-quality sound. The company also claims that the buds follow your ear’s natural curve to direct the sound into the ear. This ensures that only the wearer will hear what the earbuds are playing.
Bose has also fitted the new earbuds with an advanced microphone system for clarity and isolating your voice from wind and noise during calls or while accessing your phone’s voice assistant.
Although headphone manufacturers are now increasingly pushing for active noise cancellation (ANC), there’s still enough demand for earbuds that don’t completely block you out from the outside world. Manufacturers have tried using a variety of methods to achieve that, including bone conduction headphones. Even the likes of Samsung and Apple also include some kind of “ambient mode” using the buds’ microphones to mix the outside noise with music.
Bose’s approach with Sport Open Earbuds, however, is completely different from all this. These buds are ideal for runners and bikers who should not have their ears covered when on road for safety. The buds should also appeal to those who don’t want their ear canal plugged. You won’t have to remove the buds or pause the music to enter a conversation.
Bose Sport Open Earbuds specifications
In terms of specs, the Bose Sport Open Earbuds feature two 16mm drivers for high-quality sound without covering your ears. The buds support Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, with Bose claiming a stable connection within 30 ft (9 m) of your device. They also get an IPX4 rating, meaning they are safe from dust, sweat, water, and snow.
There’s a physical button on each bud: the left one is for accessing your voice assistant while the right one lets you power on/off the buds, control the music playback, and answer, decline, or end calls. The new Bose TWS earbuds weigh 14 grams each.
Bose doesn’t detail the battery capacity of the new buds but claims they can run for up to eight hours on a single charge. The buds charge fully in about two hours. However, 30 minutes of quick charging is enough to keep them running for three hours. You get a protective carry case as well as a stationary charging base in the box.
The Bose Sport Open Earbuds are now available for pre-order at $199.95. They come in black color and will be available starting January 20, 2021. Bose is offering a free year of the Aaptiv fitness app, a $100 value, if you purchase the buds by January 31.
