Bose Frames Audio Sunglasses, Alto (S/M), Black

Product Information

The one thing they’re missing is volume control, so you’ll be reaching for your phone for that, which is a shame. Once my ears adjusted to the lack of punch, however, I was enthralled by just how musical and clear the Frames’ sound is. The temples are large and I got some bounce on my nose at first, but you get a few different-sized nosepads that help you get a more secure fit. We're always looking for the best wireless headphones, and we also take comfort, audio quality, and battery life seriously.

The second positive perk of these sound capable shade is that you don’t lose engagement with the surrounding environment when they’re worn. To be clear, these don't pass sound with bone-conduction technology like some new audio sunglasses do ( AfterShokz OptiShokz Revvez glasses are due out this spring). For 2020, the line has been updated and expanded to include three new models: The Tempo sports model, which offers better performance, joins the more traditional-looking Tenor and Soprano.I can get away with listening to music or podcasts in public without anyone knowing, but it also means people don't realise that I might not be able to hear them which can lead to a few awkward social encounters! They're a little harder to use in noisy environments because your ears are open to the world, but I could mostly hear people well and they said they could hear me clearly with little background noise leaking in. That’s especially the case as the matte black material Bose has used doesn't feel like it's made with high-quality plastic. All headphones offer a variety of useful and advanced features, such as active noise canceling (ANC), transparency mode for hearing the world around you, and companion apps that unlock a near-infinite level of customization.

Our publication is supported by display advertising and commercial arrangements, but our editorial remains entirely independent and unbiased. Bose has included this headphone functionality inside the body of a fairly stylish pair of sunglasses, and the likelihood is that the average person wouldn’t even realize these are smart audiowear at all. When you turn them on and off, you’ll be greeted with the battery amount in audio form, but it doesn’t offer a way to monitor how much charge is left over visually from the glasses themselves. they're not far off -- they sound better than any audio sunglasses I've tried previously, with just enough bass to avoid sounding tinny.My first charge attempt must have been misaligned, however, resulting in dead Frames, so you’ll need to take care. My ears basked in lovely tunes, even as the wind whipped by, raising the moment from sweet to sparkling, including a significant moment of reflection at a stoplight listening to Father John Misty’s rendition of Gillian Welch’s Everything is Free. There’s the “Alto”, which takes its aesthetic influences from the signature Wayfarer style of brands like Ray-Ban, as well as the ‘Rondo”, which offers a more rounded frame style. The curvy contour is neatly designed to let your ears sit directly in the firing line of the tiny speakers that are housed within, and also to position the microphone correctly for your voice. Granted, the arms are a bit thicker and wider near the ears, where traditional sunglasses would taper, and there’s a small gold button for turning them on and controlling music.

While limited in use cases (and battery life), Bose’s Frames represent a brilliant first step in a burgeoning new headphone genre, the applications of which are only beginning to be explored.When I'm on the phone, I have full use of both hands, and my ears are fully open and situationally aware.

We like the versatility of these products, and they generally offer much better battery life, though in my experience bone conduction doesn’t offer sound as vibrant as Bose’s Frames. Everything below 200Hz is challenging for the Bose Frames, and you would be better off sticking to less bass-heavy music for general listening.View image in fullscreen Sensors are hidden in the frames that can detect your head position and interactions such as taps to the side of the glasses. Allowing for such detail and spritely definition makes the Frames not just functional, but friendly when you put them on, almost daring you to take them along on your outdoor adventures — especially when the sun is shining brightly above. Unless you're an audiophile who must have the peak possible hi-res sound quality that, with a few exceptions, can only be achieved with a set of wired headphones, then getting yourself a pair of the best wireless headphones is an absolute must.