Everyone has their opinions about bone-conduction headphones, but I am a huge fan.
I love listening to music and podcasts while on the run, and feel safer being aware of my surroundings. So I was thrilled to have a crack at H2O audio’s Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport headphones!
If you’re a multi-sport athlete looking for one pair of headphones that can truly do it all, the H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport might be the closest thing to perfect.
They’re lightweight, flexible, and packed with smart features, including Playlist+, which lets you record music directly onto the headset. In the water, on the bike, or out on a long run, they perform well, and may give Shockz headphones a bit of competition.
Who is it Good For?
- Athletes wanting awareness of noises around them
- Multi-sport athletes, or those wanting to listen to music while swimming
- Looking for a long battery life between charges
- Store your playlist on your headset
- Ability to take phone calls
What are bone conducting headphones?
Let’s have a quick review of bone-conduction tech! The headphones send vibrations through the bones near your ear, bypassing the eardrum altogether.
You can clearly hear your media but your ears stay open so you can stay alert to your surroundings. If you’ve never worn this type of headphones, they may initially feel a little wonky, but you’ll get used to them in no time!
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport Overview
I am not a triathlete, but I did test these headphones in all three modalities so I could give you an accurate rendering of their performance on the run, in the pool, and on the bike!
The Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport barely registers on your head at just 3.2 grams. The flexible wraparound frame twists every which way and still fits comfortably, with plenty of room in the back for different head shapes.
Once you start moving, they don’t budge, no matter how much you turn your head. I wore them comfortably underneath a hat and with sunglasses.
However, the buttons can be a little stubborn. You’ve got volume down, power, and volume up, but anything beyond that requires a double-tap or long press, and the headset doesn’t always pick up your timing.
Trying to flip from Bluetooth to onboard memory mid-run or triggering Playlist+ takes a bit of practice.
The sound quality is very high, particularly in the water. The headphones come with swimming earplugs, which helps produce a clean sound when you’re submerged.
Bone-conducting headphones don’t deliver the same crisp sound that in-ear buds offer, so it’s important to manage your expectations accordingly. But the Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport headphones offer plenty of volume and clarity!
I did experience occasional pauses when listening to music that reminded me of my younger days when CD’s would skip in my Discman if I wasn’t holding it perfectly still. (Yes, I know that ages me. Judge away)
Ironically, this happened only in bluetooth mode when I had my phone with me. When in Playlist+ mode, the headphones worked with zero interruption.
H2O Audio Tri 2 Pro Specs
- IPX8 waterproof rating: IPX rating indicates how waterproof an item is. The scale goes up to 8, which means these headphones have the highest possible water-resistance rating! They can withstand up to 30 minutes of continuous submersion, so you can wear these in the pool and in open water with zero concern of damaging them!
- Playlist+: This feature works like a modern mixtape maker (yes, seriously). It records the audio you’re streaming over Bluetooth and saves it to the headphones’ internal storage so you can play it back anytime. Meaning, you don’t have to bring your phone with you! Activating it is as easy as a double-tap to a button. Plus, the headphones have 8 GB of space, which equates to nearly 2,000 songs.
- Battery life: There are few things worse than your headphones dying during a workout, right?! But these headphones have substantial battery life: nearly 9 hours in Bluetooth mode, and 6 hours in Playlist+ mode.
- Advanced Bluetooth Connectivity: The headphones connect quickly to your bluetooth source and have a waterproof mic, just in case you need to take a call when you’re on the move!
- Weight: 3.2 grams
- Available for $199
Quick Take
Pros
- Super light-weight
- Lots of audio storage
- Secure fit
Cons
- Sound is not as crisp as in ear headphones
- Buttons can be tricky
Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport vs Shokz OpenSwim Pro 2
Both brands offer headphones best-suited for specific modalities, so for simplicity, let’s compare the Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport with Shokz OpenSwim Pro.
Sound Quality:
For running and cycling, the Shokz OpenSwim Pro offers a slightly better sound quality and volume.
Underwater is another story, though, as the Tri2 headphones boast stronger sound and clarity. Plus they get bonus points for including earplugs that boost underwater sound. Gotta love their attention to detail!
Battery Life:
In this category, the two headphones are same-same, as they both offer 9 hours of playtime in Bluetooth mode and six hours in MP3 mode. They both charge at a similar rate, so no edge either way.
MP3 Mode:
For those who don’t love lugging around their phone during workouts, both headphones feature a mode (MP3, Shokz and Playlist+, Tri2) for you to do all the things without having a connected device. They both have 32GB of storage, but I’ll give the slight nod to Tri2, because you can actually add songs, podcasts, to your device using their three button configuration. Initially, it’s a little tricky to nail down, but it is a slick feature!
Price:
You can nab the OpenSwim Pro 2 here for $179.95, and the Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport come in at $199.99
Verdict:
I want to be clear I love both of these products, and you will be happy with either pair!
I’d opt for the Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport headphones because of their clear focus on delivering great sound, battery life, and performance on the run, on the bike, or in the water!
Our Verdict
Overall, the Tri2 Pro Multi-Sport headphones deliver quality sound and a bevy of features, making them a fantastic choice for those who dabble in multiple sports!
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