Kaibo Flex Bone Conduction Headphones - Open Ear Audio With Situational Awareness

The Kaibo Flex bone conduction headphones are an open-ear headphone option that allows you to listen to audio while still being aware of your surroundings. They were crowdfunded on Kickstarter, raising over $700,000. Some key features include:

• Open-ear design for comfort and environmental awareness
• Bone conduction technology transmits sound through vibration to your cheekbone
• Touch controls to pause/play music and answer calls
• 28 hours total battery life with the charging case
• IP55 sweat and water resistance rating

Design

The Kaibo Flex has an open-ear design with the transducer resting on your cheekbone to send audio using bone conduction technology. This allows you to listen to music or take calls while still hearing ambient noise around you, unlike regular earbuds that block outside sound.

The headset itself is lightweight and flexible to fit comfortably on your face. The materials feel durable with rubberized finish and aluminum alloy frame. It comes in black, blue, or red color options.

Audio Quality

With bone conduction headphones, sound quality is a bit different than traditional headphones. The Kaibo Flex produces clearer mids and highs than competing bone conduction models, though the bass response is lighter. Overall, the audio comes through crisp and detailed, albeit not as robust as over-ear headphones.

The open-ear design does allow in ambient noise which can distract from your audio. But this compromise allows you to remain aware of your surroundings, which is the main draw of bone conduction headphones.

Features

• Touch controls: Tap to play/pause music or answer calls
• Bluetooth 5.2 provides stable wireless connection
• IP55 sweat and water resistance rating
• 8 hours battery life, up to 28 hours with charging case
• Quick charge gives 1 hour of playtime from 5 minutes of charging
• Wireless charging dock for convenience
  

Use Cases

The Kaibo Flex bone conduction headset is ideal for activities like:

• Running or biking outdoors - hear traffic and people around you
• Working out at the gym - be aware of people around you
• Walking the dog - listen to podcasts but still hear the environment
• Driving - hear navigation prompts without blocking your ears

The open-ear design makes them great for situational awareness compared to regular earbuds. Though audio quality compromises make them less ideal for dedicated music listening sessions.

User Feedback Analysis

The Kaibo Flex bone conduction headphones have received mixed yet largely positive reviews from customers.

On the upside, many users praise the innovative open-ear design that allows you to seamlessly blend audio and external ambient noises. This enables situational awareness during activities like running, biking, and walking the dog, unlike traditional headphones that block outside sounds. Users mention a feeling of safety being able to hear their surroundings while listening to music.

Comfort is another common positive, with the lightweight flexible headset fitting securely on most head shapes. Those with smaller heads do note the headset can feel loose at times. But overall, customers find the Kaibo Flex comfortable for extended wear.

In terms of sound quality, reviews indicate clear and detailed mids and highs coming through the bone conduction transducer. However, bass response is noticeably lighter given the open-ear design. Many customers accept this sound trade-off for the ability to hear ambient noises. But for serious music listening, they tend to still prefer traditional headphones.

On the downside, some users report connectivity dropouts and intermittent audio cutouts. Finding the optimal position on the cheekbone for best sound quality also requires some trial and error. At higher volumes, sound leakage can occur. Noise cancellation is mediocre for filtering background sounds during calls.

Pros:

• Allows ambient sound and awareness
• Good battery life
• Sweat/water resistant rating
• Innovative bone conduction design

Cons:

• Sound quality not as good as regular headphones
• Need to adjust fit to optimize audio
• Bass response is weaker

Value

Priced around $120, the Kaibo Flex offers reasonable value for bone conduction headphones with an open-ear design. While audio fidelity lags behind traditional headphones, you gain situational awareness and comfort for activities. Given the innovative features like touch controls, long battery life, and water resistance, the Flex delivers good overall value. Competing bone conduction models with enclosed earpieces can cost over $200.

For those seeking top-notch sound quality for immersive music or gaming, standard headphones remain the better choice. But if you want ambient awareness during sports, exercise, or outdoor excursions, the Kaibo Flex gives you quality bone conduction technology for a relatively affordable price.

Conclusion

The Kaibo Flex brings an innovative open-ear design to bone conduction technology. While audio fidelity is not as robust as traditional headphones, the ability to remain aware of your surroundings makes them a unique option for sports and activities. Touch controls, long battery life, and IP55 rating add to the versatility. If you want headset with situational awareness, the Kaibo Flex is a compelling choice in the bone conduction category.

Specifications

• Transducer: High-precision bone conduction transducer
• Speaker Impedance: 16 ohms
• Speaker Frequency Response Range: 20Hz - 20kHz
• Audio Codecs Supported: SBC, AAC
• Bluetooth Version: 5.2
• Wireless Range: Up to 10 meters (33 feet)
• Battery Capacity: 110mAh (headset), 500mAh (charging case)
• Battery Life:
• Headset: Up to 8 hours
• With charging case: Up to 28 hours total
• Charging Time:
• Headset: 1 hour
• Case: 2 hours
• Water Resistance Rating: IP55
• Materials: ABS plastic, aluminum alloy
• Weight:
• Headset: 30 grams (1.06 oz)
• Charging case: 80 grams (2.82 oz)
• Dimensions:
• Headset: 150 x 15 x 25 mm
• Charging case: 90 x 90 x 33 mm
• Microphone: MEMS
• Controls: Touch interface for music, calls, volume
• Sensors: Infrared wear detection sensors
• Noise Cancellation: Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC)
• Companion App: KaiboAudio App (iOS & Android)

What’s In The Box:

• Kaibo Flex headset
• USB-C charging cable
• Wireless charging dock
• Carrying bag

How To Use:

1. Charge the headset fully before first use
2. Turn on and pair the Kaibo Flex with your phone via Bluetooth
3. Position the transducer on your cheekbone for bone conduction audio
4. Use tap gestures to control music and calls
5. Dock in charging case when not in use to maintain battery life

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Kaibo Flex bone conduction technology work while ensuring environmental awareness?

The Kaibo Flex Bone Conduction Headphones utilize an open-ear design to transmit sound waves through the bones in the user’s head, bypassing the ear canal and eardrum. This unique approach allows users to listen to music or calls while maintaining awareness of their surroundings, ideal for active individuals who need to stay alert, such as cyclists or runners.

What are the battery life and charging capabilities of the Kaibo Flex?

The Kaibo Flex boasts a battery that offers up to 8 hours of continuous listening or talk time on a single charge, with a standby time of one week. The included wireless charging dock provides an additional 20 hours of battery life, totaling up to 28 hours of use. Furthermore, a 5-minute quick charge can yield 1 hour of playback, ensuring users are seldom without their device during active hours.

How does the Kaibo Flex handle sound quality and noise cancellation?

The Kaibo Flex is engineered to deliver superior sound quality, with a focus on clear mid and high-pitch frequencies alongside solid bass. It also features Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) to enhance call clarity by reducing background noise. This combination ensures users experience high-quality audio without significant sound leakage or vibration, even in noisy environments.

What smart features are integrated into the Kaibo Flex for ease of use?

The Kaibo Flex incorporates Smart Touch controls and Bluetooth 5.2 technology, allowing users to manage music, podcasts, and calls directly from the headphones without needing to access their phone. This feature provides convenience and enhances user interaction, making it suitable for active lifestyles or situations where phone accessibility is limited.

Tips

• To maximize the bone conduction technology, ensure the headphones are correctly positioned on your cheekbones. Proper placement enhances audio clarity and the overall listening experience.
• Take advantage of the quick charge feature if you’re short on time. Just a few minutes of charging can provide a significant amount of playback, which is particularly useful during busy days or before workouts.
• Utilize the Smart Touch controls to efficiently manage your audio without interrupting your activities. This feature is especially beneficial when you’re in motion, as it minimizes the need to handle your phone.