Gadgets: Waterproof headphones

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H2O Audio is a company dedicated to seamlessly integrating the power of music into every environment, and obviously, waterproof is high on their list. A lot of the technology integrated into their products is designed by athletes for athletes, emphasizing a line of waterproof headphones guaranteed to give swimmers, runners, cyclists, triathletes and water sports enthusiasts the best possible sound experience.

The latest line, the RIPT Series, includes over-ear headphones and in-ear earbuds designed for active lifestyles. These are great for active fitness lifestyles or just lounging around. Included in the RIPT series are the RIPT Lite and RIPT Ultra headphones.

The RIPT Lite true wireless earbuds include a storage/charging case with an LED readout display showing the power remaining in each earbud. The ergonomically designed TW earbuds have an IPX5 sweat-resistant rating, allowing them to be used for workouts, summer yard work or anything that can produce a small amount of liquid.

Each earbud has a custom-developed 13 mm composite driver producing solid sound with a deep bass. Six microphones are built into the $99.99 H2O Audio RIPT Lite earbuds for Real Isolation Tech, providing 30dB of active isolation and active noise cancellation. The earbuds' controls are accessed with intuitive touch controls and offer crystal-clear hands-free calls.

A full charge of the lightweight (3.7G/0.13 ounces) Bluetooth 5.4 earbuds will give you up to five hours of playtime and another 30 hours with the portable charging case.

The over-the-ear RIPT Ultra Bluetooth 5.4 headphones ($249.99) provide excellent sound from 45 mm drivers in each ear, putting you in your own listening world. Each ear has an interchangeable cushion made from 100% sweat proof and washable silicone, ideal for both active and sweaty activities. The cushions are also interchangeable with leather pads for all-day use.

An adjustable headband connects the drivers, producing a great, clear and crisp sound. The on-ear touch controls for power, music selections, volume and Bluetooth pairing control the sound. You'll get about 50 hours of battery life before a USB charge is needed; battery life will vary depending on volume levels and noise cancellation. A power level is broadcast while the headphones are powering up.

H2O Audio's Tri 2 multi-sport waterproof bone conduction headphones quickly became my favorite. Bone conduction headphones are slightly different from traditional headsets, but the adjustment is almost instant. The ergonomically designed headphones play while pressed on your head, right in front of your ears.

Bone conduction headphones play sound through the vibration of your jaw and cheekbones. My impression while using them was that I had full head-banging audio while still being able to hear the surroundings around me. My first use was while doing some gardening chores, and after a few minutes, I didn't even feel the lightweight headset.

Each side has a 5 mm driver for great sound in and out of water. The headset has an IPX8 waterproof rating, allowing it to withstand submersion to 12 feet for unlimited time. Three responsive controls are built into the silicone headset on the right side.

Along with pairing it to your audio via Bluetooth 5.3, the Tri 2 has a built-in MP3 player with 8 GB of storage. H2O Audio rates this as good for up to 2,000 songs or 130 hours of any music format.

With the included proprietary USB-A cable, the headphones can be fully charged for up to 9 hours of Bluetooth playtime and 6 hours in memory mode. The H2O Audio companion app (Apple and Android) is an easy way to control and personalize your music and update firmware. A hard case is included.

The H2O Audio charging case ($49.99) is a battery bank and a protective carrying case for the Tri-series headsets. You'll double the battery life, hard case protection, and internal storage for other accessories. A battery level indicator and USB port are built into the case.

https://h2oaudio.com