Let’s discuss design. Three of the four contenders, the Logitech FreePulse, AnyCOM BSH-100 and Wi-Gear iMuffs, are built around roughly the same design; behind-the-neck band, some sort of ear hugging section, and cushioned ear pads.
The behind-the-neck design is fairly common today, whether for wired or wireless headphones. The Logitech FreePulse offers the sturdiest design of the three, with a carbon spring-steel headband that is both flexible and durable. The headband is covered over with a soft material. More of the same material loops around the ear pads to secure the FreePulse to your head. The result is a firm, comfortable fit.
The iMuffs are formed of plastic, and are much looser than the Logitech headphones. The headband itself sweeps around to hold on to your ear, and this section is not cushioned. Also, where the wires of the FreePulse are tucked inside the headband, the iMuffs’ wires are partially exposed and loose. These issues aside, the iMuffs are comfortable, and felt right at home on my ears. The iMuffs didn’t hold my head as well as the FreePulse, but they came close.
The AnyCOM BSH-100 also has a plastic headband with partially exposed wiring. Again like the iMuffs, the AnyCOM headphones hold to your ears by passing the headband directly over them. Rather than foam ear pads, however, the AnyCOM BSH-100 has more traditional padded rings, which may prove more comfortable to some users. My problem with the AnyCOM headphones is the rigid shape of the headband; around my neck, the headband always felt a bit tight and restrictive, and this restrictiveness only served to make the headphones less stable when walking or doing anything that required me to frequently turn my head. The AnyCOM headphones were the least comfortable of the three for me, but only because of this restrictiveness.
The ety8 Bluetooth earbuds, being the only product of the roundup without a headband, stays in your ears like most earbuds – with friction. The graduated eartips fit snugly into your ear canal and hold the earbuds well. Because the ety8 has a wire connecting the two earbuds, you can wear the wire however you like, rather than being forced to place it behind the neck. Place the wire under your chin, behind the neck or even over your head.
Because the ety8 earphones touch only your ear, it’s easy to forget you’re wearing them. That is, until you get tired of having something jammed into your ear. The ety8 was clearly the most comfortable of the group at first, but I found myself, from time to time, growing tired of the constant feel of the ear tips in my ears.
The Logitech FreePulse, though bulkier, was the contender that consistently provided long-lasting, comfortable use. So, this round goes to the Logitech FreePulse, with a Design & Comfort score of 9 out of 10.
Logitech FreePulse – 9
ety8 In-Ear Earbuds – 8
Wi-Gear iMuffs – 6
AnyCOM BSH-100 - 5
Part 4: Transmitter & Range >>>
