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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.