AfterShokz OpenComm headset review

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REVIEW

– Thanks to a virus (and shades of 2020) I lost a lot of my hearing on one side. Headphones and earphones don't provide much help for this condition - in order to get something resembling a stereo experience, I have to turn the scale to the side and turn the volume up. A bone conduction headset seems like a great solution, at least for the inevitable deluge of conference calls this year has become. So, with great hope, I dive into the world of bone conduction with the AfterShokz OpenComm headset...

What is that ?

Bone conduction audio delivers sound via vibrations applied to your cheekbones where it is picked up by your inner ear. The technology has been around since the 1950s and is often used to treat certain types of hearing loss. The AfterShokz OpenComm is a bone conduction headset specifically designed for communications via softphones or real phones, conferencing software, or other communication media. By streaming sound through bone conduction, your ears are free to hear what's going on around you. In other words, it promotes situational awareness without hindering communication.

What's in the box?

A proprietary charging cable

A hard case

All the usual papers

How it works?

The OpenComm comes with a proprietary charging cable. Under normal circumstances I'd take a point off, but this headset uses a special (and strong) magnetic connection that doesn't require opening a rubber port cover and trying to wedge a micro-USB connection into the port . Super simple, quick and efficient, so add a point here. The image below gives you an idea of ​​how the charger connects to the headset.

After a few hours of charging, I'm ready to connect the headphones to my computer and my phone. One thing to note - the OpenComm doesn't appear to have multipoint technology, so it can only be connected to one device at a time. Pairing is a snap, though - detecting standard Bluetooth devices on my computer and NFC touch and connect on my phone. I was up and running on both within minutes.

The OpenComm's mic is on the left side, which is an unusual configuration for headsets with boom mics. The mic can swivel back and out of the way if you're listening to music, but moving the mic doesn't cut it like other headsets do. Other than the mic and conduction pad, there's nothing else on the left.

The right side is where all the action takes place. The charging port, volume up and down (separate buttons – yes!) and multifunction button are all there. It's the multi-function button on the conduction pad, and the volume controls are on the underside - a better picture of that in a second.

Volume up and down buttons. Press and hold the volume to turn the headphones on or off. Press both for two seconds to mute/unmute the microphone during a call.

A bit more about the mic: there are additional mics (one of which is visible in the photo below) which provides outside noise cancellation for the mic. It is able to isolate your voice from the background and deliver crisp, clear sound.

And when you're not using the headset, AfterShokz includes a nice hard case to store the headset and everything that goes with it. p>

So now the real question: does it work? And the answer is a resounding yes. For the first time in many years, I can clearly hear Zoom/Teams meetings, phone calls, podcasts and more. It feels like there's a little more bone conduction to the core than there is in a traditional headset - probably because the sound waves aren't really part of the picture anymore with this technology. This is also why your voice sounds different in your head compared to listening to a recording of yourself.

In every meeting and call I have attended, I receive praise for being heard clearly. Hands down, this is the best mic on any headset I've ever had - far better even than the very expensive Universal Communications headset I own from another company, a device that costs just over double what this helmet works. Let me paint a little picture of how good this mic is - on a call last week the UPS guy rang my doorbell and my Google Assistant next to my desk rang to tell me that someone one was at the door. My two dogs lying about a yard apart went into the usual frenzy when the doorbell rang (because it could be someone coming to play with them or it could be one of the neighborhood squirrels laughing at them). 'them), running towards the front door barking all the way. No one at my meeting was even aware of what had happened. I was, they weren't.

Situational awareness is important, and keeping your ears free while still being able to participate in a call or listen to music can be very important. This is especially true if you have a job as a delivery driver - you need to be able to hear what's going on around you and sidetone (the compensation technology used by most other headsets to allow sound background) just isn't as effective, even if your hearing is at 100%.

When it comes to comfort, the OpenComm is right at the top of the list. I've been using the headset for over 3 weeks, tending to wear it 8-9 hours a day. There are more than a few days each week when I forget to take the headset off when I leave my desk because I forget I'm wearing it. But if a call comes in or a team member contacts me during office hours, I can respond quickly. And there's none of the heat and earache associated with traditional over-the-ear or over-the-ear headphones, so it's truly an all-day device.

Sound quality for music, however, is good but just stops short of great. There is a distinct lack of high notes, and this is directly attributable to bone conduction. That's more than enough for professional use if you need to be aware of what's going on around you, but you're not buying the OpenComm for the audiophile experience. And it really shines on podcasts or other human-voice based entertainment like stand-up comedy.

What I like

I can finally "hear" clearly on conference calls (and my team members don't have to answer multiple "can you repeat that?" questions)

Proprietary but significantly better charging than similar headsets

And everyone can hear me clearly, whether I'm in a cafe or near two fearless squirrel fighters

What I would change

Rotate the mic out of the way also mute the mic

In a year that fundamentally changed how and where I work, I searched for the right technology to help me navigate the changes. I'm really sorry that AfterShokz OpenComm came out a short time ago. The headset almost instantly became my favorite communication device, and selfishly, I wish I had this device when all the craziness started. Of course, there are a few quirks – crank the volume all the way up and feel the buzz on your cheek. Even with my hearing loss, I find I never need to go that loud, but that's good to know. The comfort and clarity that OpenComm brings to my day literally outweighs any perceived quirks. If 2020 made you a Zoom warrior, the OpenComm AfterShokz must be on your head.

Price:

$159.95

Where to buy: p>

At

aftershokz

blind or on

Amazon

Source:

The review headset was provided by

aftershokz

. Visit their website for more information.

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