I've had these headphones for about a year. They replaced my older bose headphones that I had previously owned for a couple years till I wore them out. I'll break this review down into categories:
Durability: 8/10 I am very active and exercise almost daily. I have taken these headphones on runs in the winter, summer (even 120 degree heat and high humidity in the desert), hikes in the mountains, and time at the gym. They have held up incredibly well and show no signs of wear yet. My last pair, an older model, was ruined from sitting in a sauna and then walking out into the winter cold. The change of temperature eventually warped the rubber and exposed some wires, but that was my fault. ANYWAY, I'd say for the extreme climates and amount of running and exercise I put these through they hold help really well. I am pretty careful with them and I gave them an 8/10 because the wires are pretty thin and if they were snagged or pinched by anything the would easily break, but not any easier than other headphones...treat them well and they'll last forever.
Sound: I have run soundboard at churches for a couple years now, and I enjoy good quality audio so hopefully this adds some credit to my review. I own some PolkAudio over-ear headphones, Klipsch Computer speakers, high end sound in my car and I've listened to many different headphones. I'd easily say that these have above average sound quality. People have different tastes and perceptions of sound so what I hear might be different for you.
Loudness: I work in mechanic shops and I probably have a little hearing loss so I listen to my music pretty loud, these headphones definitely put out loud volume without any clarity/detail loss in the sound quality. At loud volumes people around shouldn't be too bothered by the noise because they do a pretty good job of directing the sound into your ear. I didn't want to be "that guy" bothering everyone around me with my headphones turned up loud.
Bass: is as good as you can get with such a small speaker and comfortable fit. I'd say it produces well balanced bass for most music but it's nothing that will rattle your brain. If you're all about bass than go get some over the ear headphones.
Mids: great
High: great
Overall: well balanced sound at all ends of the frequency scale. No loss in clarity at higher volumes. These won't blow your mind with high quality audio (they're tiny little speakers...they're going to have limitations obviously)
Comfort: This is probably the biggest selling point for me. I have many times literally fallen asleep in my bed for hours with these headphones in my ear. While other headphones can be very uncomfortable while lying on your ear, these feel great. You can literally lie your head on top of the headphone and you'll only feel slight pressure inside your ear, but nothing that is painful. After waking up with these in my ears all night my ear has never been sore. While sitting/standing/walking/running these barely feel like they're in your ear. They're the most comfortable headphones I've ever used and sit very naturally in your ear. They don't extend very far down inside your ear either which I appreciate. Another great benefit is that they STAY IN YOUR EAR. As I said, I run and exercise A LOT, sleep with them in, hike, etc... and I've never had them come out of my ear. They'll take a good strong tug to pull them out of your head (and when/if that happens they're so soft it doesn't hurt your ear). I'd have to say that the comfort and secureness of these headphones are alone worth the price.
Mic/inline control/cord: The mic works extremely well, I use this all the time to make phone calls and facetime. I've never had an issue with it and everyone on the other end can hear me clearly. It picks up a little noise around so I wouldn't use it in a busy/loud environment, but it works great when you're alone in a car or on a trail somewhere. The controls work great and are in a good location on the cord. The cord is plenty long to reach down to your pants pocket or to set on a desk while sitting. No issues there.
About the only possible downside (depending on your preferences) is the noise isolation. These do not have active noise cancelation and are not designed for noise isolation. These headphones let in a decent amount of ambient noise around you. I prefer this because I like to hear cars coming, and people around me. I like to be aware of what's going on around me and these let me do just that. They do not block out a lot of sound so if you plan on using these for commuting on a bus or plane then perhaps another pair of headphones would be better (like over the ear headphones). Again, this depends on your personal preference, I like hearing a little of my surroundings so I don't get mauled by a bear or hit by a car or something crazy.
I hope this helps give you a neutral opinion on these headphones. I think bose deserves to sell them at a higher price because there is nothing on the market that is as comfortable and reliable as these.
I have been in the broadcast industry virtually my entire adult life, and if there is one thing I am very aware of, its that Bose pretty much is the authority when it comes to audio quality. While in my studio, I use my Sony professional headphones (the industry standard), but part of me always wanted a pair of Bose. I finally decided for my birthday, I'd splurge.
I like to workout, and wanted some earbuds which would be perfect for the gym, and the SoundSport seemed to fit the bill, so I ordered mine. When they came I was pretty giddy, I'll admit. But that faded pretty quick as I plugged them into my mp3 player and started to exercise. The earbuds--in MY personal estimation, were kinda crap...but not necessarily for the reasons you might think. They SOUNDED great, but unfortunately, they were designed to allow ambient outside noise to creep in so those who wear them while exercising outside, possibly in traffic, can be hyper aware of their surroundings, which is perfect--except it let in SO much outside noise it was almost to the point of a distraction. I wear a Samsung Gear S3 smart watch which keeps track of my exercising. It reminds me every 5 minutes by telling me my heart rate, calories burned etc. using its pretty weak speaker. I could easily hear my watch every 5 minutes as I worked on the elliptical. Sorry, but for me, that is like way TOO much.
Since I workout in the gym, outside noise isn't a factor, but what do you do to fix it? I noticed while looking online that the eartips on the Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling earbuds were different...and I connected the dots and ordered a pair of eartips for the QuietComfort and they fit like a glove and the difference is absolutely phenomenal. Suddenly, audio that was completely lost before with the previous eartips was not only now easily heard, but the new tips helped to isolate the audio so much better. Honestly, Bose should include these kinds of tips for those people like me who don't need the outside noise to interfere with what I'm listening to. Seriously, the difference was like night and day. The old ones let in so much outside noise that you cannot fully appreciate the great Bose sound. But with the substitution, NOW I could hear the difference, and boy was it dramatic.
Let's be honest, Bose are miracle workers when it comes to audio reproduction. They do it pretty much better than almost everyone else. Suddenly my earbuds that I so badly wanted, finally lived up to the expectations I had hoped for. Bass is full, the Highs are crisp, the Mid's were just as clear. Almost like wearing my Sony studio monitor, and that, my friends is an accomplishment for such a small device.
The one area where I truly believe Bose suffers, almost more than any other audio manufacturer, is in build quality. You might think differently, but if you compared Bose headphones or earbuds to similar devices, you'll see it immediately, and if not right away, you'll definitely notice that when you use them frequently. I've always found their stuff to be nowhere as durable as almost any other pair of similar like devices available, and let's be honest, for what they make you pay, I honestly believe every possible effort should be used to make them as durable as possible. Even the Sport earbuds seemed a bit frail, especially the cords. I really felt that if I didn't take extra good care, they'd fray and break pretty quick, even though they are almost brand new. Being in the broadcast industry, I am pretty familiar with how to treat electronic equipment with kid gloves, so I think mine will last a bit longer than most, but that is just a guess. I know not everyone will share my opinion, but I am not just a casual audiophile when it comes to headphones/earbuds. I know my stuff, and it pains me to admit this, but the build quality just isn't as good as most others--even if the sound quality is just about as good as it gets.
In short, if you want truly superior audio quality, but you aren't afraid to spend the extra money for earbuds that may not last as long as you'd hope for, especially for the money, you really cannot do better. However, if you want better sound, order some additional eartips like I mentioned above (they weren't expensive, mine cost less than $6.00) and you'll find a whole new appreciation for their audio capabilities.
My .02
I use these mostly when biking and mostly for listening to audio books when doing that. These sound good, but importantly, I can still hear the traffic, which is critical when biking on the road. (Also, spoken word doesn't drown out the outside world like music does.) When making good speed there is wind noise, but I've found it to be less than other earbuds. When going really fast, I just pause the program with the mute button, which is easy to locate on the right-ear cable. This is the third set of these I've had over the years. They've changed slightly over time. It has been the cables that have worn out. Maybe this iteration will prove more durable. I didn't enjoy paying the price for these, but I know they work for me. They still come with a round case that I have no use for, but no longer come with an extension cable. That extra length comes in handy for my use, but I still have the extender from my last set, so I'm good. I have a Samsung phone; all three buttons perform their proper functions.
The best headphones I have ever used. I use these on a daily basis. I run with them in and they do not come loose or fall out. I work out with them in . I use them for hours at a time doing yard work, shopping etc. I wear them inside my motorcycle helmet (I know you are not supposed to) and they do not hurt your ears. The ear bud is soft like a gummy bear. The sound quality is awesome for the price. I use thees with my Samsung S7 Edge and I can play, pause, skip tracks and volume up/down from the remote buttons on the right ear cable. I have owned this model for years. I still have my old set and they still work.
I listen to a wide variety of music ranging from classical piano, rock, pop, oldies, to heavy metal and the sound quality is superb. I Highly recommend these headphones.
I purchased the Bose SoundSport in-ear headphones because I either lost on vacation or severely misplaced within my house my Bose IE2 set after using and LOVING them for 4 years. The IE2 was basically the same product, but the earbuds were black and silver (and slightly larger). Simply put, they were the most comfortable and best-sounding earbuds I have ever used, and I have tried A LOT of sub-$100 options. But the IE2 was discontinued/replaced by this models, and this one has the volume and play/pause control for Apple devices, so I decided I would try it out.
In terms of sound quality, the SoundSport earbuds perform exactly like I remember my beloved IE2 set. Pretty much every earbud on the market tries to promote its low end capabilities with buzz words like "EXTRA BASS", but the Bose sets really deliver. Actually they have outstanding clarity across the audio spectrum. Some people are generally critical of all Bose products for applying their own EQ curve (it sounds a bit scooped in the mids to me - it may not be ideal for every kind of music, but I happen to like the Bose sound). But the reality is with earbuds you are usually giving up so much ear quality, that even getting 90% of the way towards the quality of a over-ear Bose headphone set would be a major accomplishment, and I think they've done it here again.
It's arguable, however, that none of this would matter if the darn things fell out of my ears all the time or were generally uncomfortable. That's why the very unique StayHear tips are probably my favorite feature about the Bose earbuds. They appear cumbersome, but it's actually a very soft and flexible silicone that bends and forms into the shape of your inner ear. The sound comes out of a silicone "nozzle" that inserts into the ear hole, and then the "C"-shaped portion rests around the inner part of your ear cartilage. It sounds weird, but at least for me, it 100% works. I've used them for running, doing push ups, or even sedentary activities like working on my laptop. They never fall out on their own, even if you are jostling around a lot. They will get ripped if you catch the cable on something, but that is true of any earbud that doesn't vice grip to your ear. I have what I guess are larger-than-average ears, so many earbuds that are intended to wedge into a smaller ear simply fall out of mine. The large sized StayHear tip is perfect for me, and it's really spoiled me for all other earbuds (well, that and the quality of sound).
NOTE: I should point out that that the standard "StayHear" tips are not really intended for sound isolation. If you like earbuds that block out ambient noise or wind noise while running, these don't really do that. However, some people prefer to be able to hear what's going on (for safety or socializing reasons). Also, there is a StayHear+ version where the ear hole insert looks more like a mushroom and can be purchased separately for $10. These are a much snugger fit and are better at sound isolation, though I find that the extra snugness emphasizes the bass frequencies to a fault, so I don't think I would recommend those unless you have a problem with the buds always falling out.
A final note on build quality - I was and still am concerned by some of the other reviews I came across for this product, particularly as it relates to the cords pulling out of the earbuds or other connection points. Like I said, I used the IE2 set for 4 years, and that included balling them up and throwing them in my pocket, workout activities, and so on. I was, however, generally careful not to tug on the set or stress the cables excessively. So, I truly hope that the people who experienced this problem were just being rough on them. If I see cables pulling back out of the earpieces, that is a major defect, and I will revise my review. I also am not a fan of how they changed the 3.5mm plug to a longer, more rigid plug. This tends to be protrude and be a little more noticeable in my pocket while working out.
Those caveats aside, I'm still giving the SoundSport a 5-star review because I've never found anything close to this level of sound quality, and I think they are actually fairly priced for what they deliver.
Feature Product
- Deep, clear sound enhanced by exclusive TriPort technology for crisp highs and natural-sounding lows.Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Proprietary Stay Hear tips, in three sizes, conform to your ear's shape to stay comfortably in place all day
- If the ear tips falling off securely attach the ear tips to the earpiece and nozzle hook to properly adhere to the ear base
- Inline microphone and remote for easy switching between calls and music with select Samsung and Android smartphones
- Matching protective carrying case included. StayHear tips:1 inch H x 0.75 inch W x 0.5 inch D
Description
Bose Sound Sport in-ear headphones deliver deep, clear sound for the music you love, with a durable design that stands up to the rigors of your day. Exclusive TriPort technology provides crisp highs and natural-sounding lows, while acoustic ports are positioned to resist sweat and weather, and hydrophobic cloth keeps moisture out. Proprietary Stay Hear tips conform to your ears' shape, so they stay comfortably in place all day long. An inline microphone and remote make for easy switching between calls and music with select Samsung and Android smartphones. They even include a matching carrying case for storage and added protection. Meet the headphones engineered to go wherever life takes you. Included: Sound Sport in-ear headphones; 3 pairs Stay Hear tips (S, M, L); carrying case; clothing clip.
Had these for a year and a half. Got them January 2016 and it's now September 2017. So far I've loved the sound. The volume doesn't go as high as some other earbuds which sucks but it does go a good volume. Good enough to grant me contempt. One down side is towards the beginning of 2017 I began to see tear on the wire at the bottom by the ear jack. This, I was hoping would not occur at least until 2-3 yrs. Keeping in mind I do care for my buds. The tearing of wires seems to be the biggest downfall for me but I know its inevitable after some years. I was disappointed the tear began to show only after one year. But an up note even after seeing a bit of tear in Feb 2017, and it worsened over the months to come, they have lasted until now Sept. 2017 and I can still hear from both buds fine and the mic and music controls still work properly. SO I have to say these are good earbuds and I'm going to buy a new pair soon. Here are some pics of the recent tear.
I love these headphones. These are the first Bose headphones that I have owned, and I can certainly see where all the hype comes from. I love the fit, and the soft, very comfortable wings that do an amazing job of holding them in my ears when I am running. They are not noise cancelling, and they sit somewhat farther out of my ears than I am used to from the other earbuds that I have owned. I like the fact that I can still hear the cars and such actually makes me feel somewhat safer while I am running. I would highly recommend these headphones to anyone who is looking for a great sounding pair of earbuds that stay put no matter how much you move. Plus, the green ones are $50 cheaper for right now, although I don't know how long that is going to last.
This earphones are amazing. It's my second pair. The sound truly is high quality and the in ear rubber fits perfectly to the most awkward ears. The earphones make just for the name "soundsport" as it really stays in the ear no matter what exercise you do!
Now, the one and only complaint, the cable rubber material is extremely sensitive. It just tears really easily, like REALLY EASILY after a certain period of time. It's not the fact that the person using the earphones is not careful, but it is probably the exposure to air and humidity that makes this rubber to fall apart. As mentioned earlier, it is my second pair. The first one still works well but the rubber that covers the cable is just all gone, exposing all the wire and looking terrible. The little case that comes with this product is way way better than the previous generation. It is much smaller and compact. I always carry the case and make an effort to store the earphones inside the case to protect it as much as possible.
To conclude, if you are looking for an everyday earphones that are comfortable and high quality sound this is truly RECOMMENDED. The only downside of course is that the rubber falls apart after a while.
Seems to work pretty well for earbuds. I like that it doesn't go in my ear, as I have never had a pair that did that and were still comfortable. Have read many bad reviews about the build quality of these, specifically the wire insulation quality. I haven't had them long, but no issues so far. The mic seems to be clear and does not have much echo. These will let a lot of outside noise in, as they do not seal in your ear canal, they just sit outside it. I actually like this, as it helps you be more aware when you use them outside.
They are absolutely fantastic. I work as a 5 Star Audio Visual Technician at multiple hotels and I have to say that these headphones fit comfortably within my ear just like an earpiece to a radio yet much easier. The soundstage it has is phenomenal as well as the high frequencies and even the lower Hz really makes you feel like your there. Highly recommended.
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