WHAT IS BONE CONDUCTION?
Bone conduction is the transmission of sound vibrations to the inner ear (cochlea) bones of the skull, which allows you to perceive sound without blocking the ear canal. Even more simply put: it’s sound that is delivered directly to the inner ear without needing to pass through the eardrum. Think of bone conduction as a shortcut to hearing sound.
Have you ever plugged your ears and sang a song, but wondered how you can still hear the tune? Or heard the sounds generated from brushing your teeth or eating potato chips? That’s bone conduction at its finest, and, along with more commonly used air conduction, your ears have been transmitting sound that way all along!
HOW IT WORKS
Unlike traditional in-ear or on-ear headphones that utilize air conduction, Shokz has mastered the natural phenomenon of bone conduction by adapting it to consumer electronics, and it’s now the secret behind the success of our open-ear product line. Here’s how we’ve harnessed bone conduction technology to work for our products:
1. Audio Enters The Transducer
Every Shokz audio device features two transducers on either side. These transducers, positioned near the cheekbone, work to convert audio signals into mechanical energy (vibrations) which is then sent to your cheekbones.
2. Titanium Makes Conduction Seamless
The use of titanium in the frame of all Shokz products is not only because of its lightweight and flexible properties, but also because titanium is an ideal metal for properly and efficiently conducting sound waves.
3. Vibrations Are Converted Into Audible Sound
Advances in bone conduction technology have enabled us to create devices that minimize the sensation of vibrations on the temple while still retaining high-quality sound.
The Difference Between Bone Conduction Open-Ear Headphones and Air Conduction Open-Ear Headphones:
Bone Conduction Open-Ear
The popularity of open-ear headphones has proved the importance of environmental awareness for consumers, and Shokz bone conduction headphones allow for the most natural open-ear listening experience with minimal sound leakage, don’t fatigue the outer or middle ear, and stay put through any activity. By nature, it’s hard for bone conduction to out perform air conduction in terms of bass, but Shokz have been praised by experts worldwide for their overall audio quality, specifically with Aeropex, featuring 8th generation bone conduction technology for a deeper bass, crystal-clear midrange and crisp high frequency performance, while also being ultra-lightweight and ergonomically designed for a comfortable, snug fit.
Air Conduction Open-Ear
Open-ear headphones powered by air conduction work a little differently. With this design, two holes are added on the earbud; one hole, located close to the ear, transmits sound through the air to the ear. The other hole, located on the opposite side of the earbud, reduces sound leakage using anti-phase sound. While this open-ear design delivers some situational awareness, it requires a louder volume to ensure sound clarity (therefore drowning out ambient noise) and a larger battery capacity, which causes an increase in the weight of the earbuds or headphones. This combined with their loose fit could cause the earbuds to move and shift during high-impact activities.
Safety
Safety first! While other headphones and earbuds block the ear canal to offer a noise-canceling experience, Shokz open-ear products keep you aware of your surroundings and possible hazards, such as traffic, wildlife, and pedestrians, for a safer listening experience.
Connection
Stay connected to your running buddies, coworkers, family, or environment. As opposed to traditional headphones that only allow you to hear your music and block out the sound of conversations and ambient noise, Shokz allows you to enjoy your audio and the world around you, so you never miss a moment.
Comfort & Stability
Thanks to our lightweight, titanium frame and our signature open-ear design, Shokz are so comfortable you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing them. Unlike in-ear/on-ear headphones that bounce or fall out, our wraparound flexibility creates a snug fit through any high-impact activity, so your Shokz stay put from start to finish.
Hygiene
One of the most loved features of Shokz headphones is that there are no irritating, sweaty earbuds jammed into your ear due to our open-ear design. Shokz are also easy to clean; simply wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth after a hard workout.
