Has anyone used bone conduction headsets?

Nightslyr

I have a huge head, so big that even hats made for big headed people barely fit me. I had to return a PS4 Gold Wireless headset because it couldn't fit, and even my Logitech G430 at max extension pinches my ears after an hour or so.

I noticed on the various PA gaming Twitch streams that the staff use what seem to be bone conduction headsets (from what I can see, they loop around the back of the head and rest in front of the ear lobes), and I think that my be the answer for me. Anything to not pinch my ears. So, some questions:

What brand are the PA crew using?
Are any compatible with the PS4?
Do they have a microphone?
If yes to the last two questions, are they wireless?

I've done a preliminary search, but aren't really sure what to look for.

Thanks!

Marty81

I have not tried them, but have you considered earbuds or in-ear monitors?

Basar

I use Finis Neptune when I hit the pool for exercise and like them for that purpose but not sure how bone conduction would perform above the water because water in the pool acts as a medium to transfer conduction. Outside the pool, any similar device would have to have a very tight grip on your skin.

Psykoma

I asked once in stream which ones PA uses and I think they were aftershokz, which look like they are wireless, have a microphone, and are compatible with ps4

Nightslyr

Marty81 wrote: »

I have not tried them, but have you considered earbuds or in-ear monitors?

I hate actually having things in my ears. But thanks for the suggestion

Psykoma wrote: »

I asked once in stream which ones PA uses and I think they were aftershokz, which look like they are wireless, have a microphone, and are compatible with ps4

Yeah, I've looked at their site, and right now their entire product line (from what I can see, anyway) is marketed toward running/fitness customers. That said, their Twitter account seems pretty active, so I just sent them an inquiry. Hopefully they'll answer.

Athenor

I have three friends who have bought the Aftershockz Trekz Titanium sets. They swear by them. Personally, my head is on the bigger side, so I can't speak to audio quality or fit. There is a fitting guide on their website that I downloaded, so I'm gonna give it another shot.

They are definitely geared towards the fitness crew, but there is something awesome about having open-ear headphones that sound good. You do look weird wearing them, but that's not a huge deal.

Marty81

edit: wrong thread

ArbitraryDescriptor

Inquiry: How does the sound isolation of these types compare to in-ear headphones?

japan

ArbitraryDescriptor wrote: »

Inquiry: How does the sound isolation of these types compare to in-ear headphones?

You don't get any, as I understand it. You can hear everything around you well as whatever is being played through the headphones.

This is a selling point for them in marketing aimed at cyclists, in particular.

Reviews I've read have described the sensation as quite strange, because however loud your surroundings it isn't possible for background noise to drown out what's being played.

urahonky

Wouldn't it be heard by other people around you too?

BouwsT

urahonky wrote: »

Wouldn't it be heard by other people around you too?

Nope, because the sound isn't being conducted through the air, then through your ear drum (which would allow that air vibration to act on someone else's ear drum as well). It's directly vibrating the bones in your head, so no "sound leak" as it were.

It's a pretty cool idea.

Hahnsoo1

BouwsT wrote: »

urahonky wrote: »

Wouldn't it be heard by other people around you too?

Nope, because the sound isn't being conducted through the air, then through your ear drum (which would allow that air vibration to act on someone else's ear drum as well). It's directly vibrating the bones in your head, so no "sound leak" as it were.

It's a pretty cool idea.

In theory, yes. In practice, many bone conduction headsets have sound leakage. I would highly suggest finding some good reviews before purchasing.