I decided to try the AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Bone Conduction headphones at Best Buy. Thankfully, I had the good sense to test them out at the store before making a decision.
These headphones use bone conduction technology to deliver sound through your bones rather than your ears. Whether it was a compatibility issue on my end or simply a limitation of the product, the experience did not impress me. I will give my bones the benefit of the doubt on this one.
The music was audible, but it came across as distant and lacking clarity. Turning the volume up to maximum caused some vibration around my cheeks, though it did not make a meaningful difference in sound quality.
Some fans of the product might suggest I was using them incorrectly or that there is an adjustment period. That may be true, but as an everyday consumer shopping for workout headphones, I expect to be able to purchase a pair, connect them, put them on, and enjoy the music immediately. Anything more involved than that is simply more than I want to deal with.
That seems reasonable, right? I came across plenty of positive reviews for these headphones, but based on my experience, I cannot share that enthusiasm. In my opinion, they did not outperform the basic $12 Sony headphones I have been using for the past two years.
The disappointment was made worse by the price tag. At $149 plus tax, I expected at least a solid performance, and they fell short of that mark for me. My honest take is that your money is better spent elsewhere.
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