Do they exist? - Jogging/biking earphones that allow you to hear outside sounds?

Bob Russell · 12-19-2006, 12:11 PM

We all know that shutting out noise with headphones is not safe if you are driving, jogging, biking or sitting with your sig other when she has something to say. But suppose you want to listen to music or an audiobook safely.

Is there any product that allows you to listen while still hearing the outside world? Something that is not unlike turning on a stereo in a room at a reasonable volume -- you hear the music but you also hear the room. But which won't be too disturbing to others near you.

One thought is headphones/earphones that hang just below the ear so they don't block sound. But all the ones I know about that can be adjusted that way, either don't stay in place or are really bad sound from even a short distance from the ear.

Anyone know of such a product?

jæd · 12-19-2006, 12:29 PM

Just turn the volume down a bit...? A work I use in-ear head-phones with sound turned down. Running, I tend to use in-ear as well, but I mostly run with treadmills so I not so worried about hitting stuff/stuff hitting me...

When I do run outside I just make sure the volume isn't excessive... (In-ear head-phones and driving and cycling are a no-no, at least in London...)

BKeeper · 12-19-2006, 01:52 PM

If price isn't an issue you could try the Shure E500PTH
Shure makes great pro audio equipment.

tcv · 12-22-2006, 11:48 AM

I honestly don't find this to be a problem with buds that include a hook that wrap around the top of and hang off the ears. But it does require you turn the volume down a bit. If you're one of those folks that can get the entire bud in the ear -- which I understand is not really good practice -- then you'd also have to pull them out a bit.

12-19-2006, 12:11 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Do they exist? - Jogging/biking earphones that allow you to hear outside sounds? We all know that shutting out noise with headphones is not safe if you are driving, jogging, biking or sitting with your sig other when she has something to say. But suppose you want to listen to music or an audiobook safely. Is there any product that allows you to listen while still hearing the outside world? Something that is not unlike turning on a stereo in a room at a reasonable volume -- you hear the music but you also hear the room. But which won't be too disturbing to others near you. One thought is headphones/earphones that hang just below the ear so they don't block sound. But all the ones I know about that can be adjusted that way, either don't stay in place or are really bad sound from even a short distance from the ear. Anyone know of such a product?

12-19-2006, 01:52 PM	#3
BKeeper Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 728 Join Date: Jul 2006 Device: Kindle PW	Shure If price isn't an issue you could try the Shure E500PTH Shure makes great pro audio equipment.

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12-19-2006, 12:29 PM	#2
jæd Evangelist Posts: 458 Karma: 293 Join Date: May 2006	Just turn the volume down a bit...? A work I use in-ear head-phones with sound turned down. Running, I tend to use in-ear as well, but I mostly run with treadmills so I not so worried about hitting stuff/stuff hitting me... When I do run outside I just make sure the volume isn't excessive... (In-ear head-phones and driving and cycling are a no-no, at least in London...)

12-22-2006, 11:48 AM	#4
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	I honestly don't find this to be a problem with buds that include a hook that wrap around the top of and hang off the ears. But it does require you turn the volume down a bit. If you're one of those folks that can get the entire bud in the ear -- which I understand is not really good practice -- then you'd also have to pull them out a bit.