OUFUNI SBCH-B Swimming Bone Conduction Headphones
Published on May 14, 2023, 9:38 a.m.
With more people looking to listen to music and take calls while swimming, bone conduction headphones like the OUFUNI SBCH-B have become a popular option. These headphones transmit sound through your cheekbones, allowing you to hear music and audio clearly while keeping your ears open to hear your surroundings. In this review, we’ll take a look at the key features and performance of the OUFUNI SBCH-B bone conduction swimming headphones.
Overview
The OUFUNI SBCH-B are wireless Bluetooth bone conduction headphones designed for swimming and outdoor activities. Key features include:
- IP68 waterproof rating for swimming and water sports
- Open-ear design for safety and situational awareness
- 16GB built-in MP3 player with over 5,000 song capacity
- 5.1 Bluetooth technology and USB-C charging
- Lightweight, streamlined design at 0.06 pounds
Design and Comfort
The SBCH-B headphones have an open-ear design that doesn’t plug your ears, making them comfortable for extended wear. They’re extremely lightweight at just 0.06 pounds. The flexible silicone ear hooks keep the headphones securely in place. For swimming, a snug swim cap is included to keep water out.
Overall, the open design is comfortable and non-intrusive for all-day wear. The streamlined structure won’t weigh you down during intense activity.
Sound Quality
With bone conduction technology, sound quality on the SBCH-B headphones is decent but has some limitations. The open-ear design prevents noise isolation and punchy bass. However, the sound is fairly clear and balanced, especially for podcasts and audiobooks. The volume gets loud enough for outdoor use.
Underwater, the sound quality obviously declines but remains audible for casual swimming listening. For the best audio fidelity, use the SBCH-B headphones above water.
Features and Connectivity
The headphones have a handy built-in MP3 player with 16GB of storage for over 5,000 songs, making them great for swimming when Bluetooth won’t connect. The player and Bluetooth modes are easy to toggle with button controls.
Battery life is about 5 hours of continuous playback. The USB-C charging port and fast charging support is convenient.
The SBCH-B headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.1 for smooth, stable connections to smartphones and other devices. Pairing is quick and painless.
Ideal Uses
The OUFUNI SBCH-B headphones are ideal for:
- Swimming and water sports
- Running and workouts
- Outdoor activities like hiking and biking
- All-day wear for podcasts and audio books
User Feedback Summary
Reviews for the OUFUNI SBCH-B bone conducting headphones indicate overall satisfied customers who are pleased with the functionality for swimming and workouts.
The majority of users compliment the lightweight and comfortable open-ear design that allows you to remain aware of your surroundings while listening. Many note the headphones stay put securely even during intense swimming, with the snug fit swim cap keeping water out of the earpieces.
Sound quality earns only moderate praise, with most feeling the audio is decent but not stellar. Reviewers acknowledge the bone conduction limits bass response and isolation. The volume is adequate for outdoor use though. Underwater audio is muffled but remains intelligible for casual swimming listening.
Many appreciate the built-in MP3 player for downloading songs and podcasts to listen to while swimming without Bluetooth connectivity. The 16GB storage capacity for thousands of tracks is a welcome feature.
However some users experienced issues with the Bluetooth connectivity dropping out or becoming unstable after several months of use. A portion also report the battery life diminishing over time, not lasting as long per charge as when first purchased.
Overall most are pleased with the functionality and waterproof capability of the headphones for sports and swimming, but wish the sound quality and long-term durability were better.
Pros
- Comfortable, open-ear design
- Fully waterproof for swimming
- Convenient built-in MP3 player
Cons
- Mediocre sound due to bone conduction
- Battery life declines over time
- Occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues
Value for Money
With a retail price around $50, the OUFUNI SBCH-B presents a compelling value proposition for those seeking an aquatic headphone solution. While audio fidelity is merely average according to reviews, the IP68 waterproofing and MP3 storage at this price point make these headphones a cost-effective option.
The open-ear bone conduction design enables safe situational awareness during swimming and workouts, a handy bonus feature. Given the limitations in sound though, buyers should temper expectations on audio quality.
For those willing to compromise sound for safety and water protection at a budget-friendly cost, the SBCH-B delivers excellent versatility and functionality per dollar. Just don’t expect sonic excellence equaling premium headphones. Ultimately you get your money’s worth in aquatic utility.
Conclusion
Overall, the OUFUNI SBCH-B bone conduction headphones deliver quality sound and reliable Bluetooth connectivity in a lightweight, waterproof package ideal for swimming and outdoor sports. While the audio performance has some limitations, the open-ear comfort and situational awareness these headphones provide make them a great choice for active lifestyles.
Specifications
- Driver: Bone conduction transducer
- Battery: 120mAh lithium polymer
- Playback time: approx 5 hours
- Charge time: 1.5 hours
- Bluetooth version: 5.1
- Waterproof rating: IP68
What’s in the Box
The OUFUNI SBCH-B headphones come with:
- Headphones unit
- USB-C charging cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Swimming earplugs
- Swim cap
- Storage pouch
- User manual
How to Use
- Charge the headphones fully before first use
- Power on and pair via Bluetooth to your smartphone or device
- Put on the swim cap before swimming to protect the headphones
- Clip the headphones over your ears and adjust for comfort
- Toggle to MP3 player mode underwater by pressing the multifunction button
- Play your downloaded music or audio files
- Toggle back to Bluetooth mode when above water
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main safety feature of the OUFUNI SBCH-B Swimming Headphones?
The main safety feature of the OUFUNI SBCH-B Swimming Headphones is its open-ear design coupled with bone conduction technology. This design allows the headphones to transmit sound to the inner ear through the cheekbone, thus preserving situational awareness and preventing damage to the ears while swimming.
How does the Bluetooth functionality work underwater?
Bluetooth functionality is disabled underwater due to the inability of Bluetooth signals to transmit effectively through water. Therefore, when swimming, diving, or surfing, users are advised to switch to MP3 player mode for audio playback, ensuring uninterrupted music enjoyment.
What is the battery life of the headphones?
The OUFUNI SBCH-B Swimming Headphones offer approximately 5 hours of continuous music playback or talk time on a single charge. With a fast charging feature, they can be fully charged in just 1.5 hours, ensuring minimal downtime between uses.
How can I upload audio files to the headphones?
To upload audio files to the bone conduction earbuds:
- Connect one end of the data cable to the magnetic charging port of the headphones and the other end to a USB-A port on your computer.
- Copy your desired MP3 or WAV audio files to the drive of the bone conduction earbuds.
- Eject the drive, then remove the headphones.
- Long-press the Multi-Function Button (MFB) for 3 seconds to power on the headphones, then double-click the MFB to switch between Bluetooth and MP3 player mode and start your music playback.
How does the IP68 waterproof rating benefit swimmers?
The IP68 waterproof rating ensures that the headphones can be worn completely underwater, making them perfect for activities such as swimming, diving, and surfing. Users can enjoy their favorite music while engaging in water sports without worrying about water damage to the headphones.
Tips
- MP3 Player Mode: When engaging in water activities, switch to MP3 player mode to ensure uninterrupted audio playback, as Bluetooth signals cannot transmit effectively underwater.
- Proper Charging: Fully charge the headphones before use to maximize battery life and ensure extended usage during swimming sessions.
- Use of Accessories: Utilize the included swim cap and waterproof earbuds to enhance comfort and secure fit during swimming sessions, ensuring a pleasant listening experience both in and out of the water.
- Avoid Submerging Bluetooth: To prevent damage, avoid submerging the Bluetooth components of the headphones underwater. Instead, use the MP3 player mode for audio playback while swimming.
