If you are an avid runner, then you know how annoying it is to try and run with headphones. The wire is constantly bouncing in your face, gets caught in your clothes or even pulls the buds from your ears. Sometimes the headphone jack even pulls from your Smartphone or iPod, ruining your running vibe.
Wouldn’t wireless headphones solve this problem? Sol Republic makes wireless headphones designed to fit over the ears and are wireless to solve these annoying problems. Not only are the Sol Republic headphones comfortable and natural fitting, they also come with an 8-hour battery life and even produce premium sound. Control your music with just a touch of a button on your ear piece, and run like the wind.
So, here goes the first one, the shadow wireless headphones.
Shadow Wireless Headphones
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This slim pair of wireless headphones has a multi-purpose, whether it’s rocking out to tunes or answering calls via its Bluetooth capability.
The Sol Republic Shadow wireless earphones are exceptionally comfortable, and fit to your collar and move along with you. There is nothing I hate more than headphones that slide off your head when leaning forward to get something from my briefcase or when walking quickly through an airport. Luckily, the headphones are water (and sweat) resistant.
A pleasant surprise is the powerful sound that comes from the svelt, minimalist design of the earphones. They are lightweight, which to me is important, as walking briskly with heavy headphones can get warm.
Long work days are not a challenge either since the battery life can extend as much as eight hours without a separate charge. The USB charging port is especially helpful when outlets are available on the go. When the battery gets low, a voice in your ear indicates that it needs charging.
The Bluetooth functionality is easy to set up, even for the technically challenged, and phone calls were clear and easily understood on either end. The microphone is small and powerful (remember walking fast and heavy breathing never sound good to the other side of the call).
The signal can sync with two devices at the same time, too, and it reaches as far as 30 feet away.
I am not an avid Bluetooth user and find that generally the signal can be weaker than a traditional phone call although the headphones did not appear any different than other devices in that regard.
The earbuds are soft and flexible and fit snugly inside your ear without becoming bothersome. Plus, they come in multiple sizes so that they fit a variety of people. I really liked how the headphones are not too intrusive on your head, and people cannot easily notice them (compared to older models or those that dangle from one side to a phone or device).
It is more akin to sunglasses holding bands than a traditional headphones that can tangle easily. I do admit, several people took notice when standing close enough, but it was more a curious interest and asking what they do.
A small pouch keeps everything organized in your suitcase. The Sol Republic Shadow Wireless headphones come in white or black versions and retail for $99 at electronics stores like Best Buy.
Punk Wireless Speaker
- Delivers the powerful, fearless sound you need to make your music heard.
- Water, dust and shock resistant.
- 8-hour battery life.
- Plays music wirelessly up to 60 feet away.
- Attach to bike or camera mount with the 1/4-inch threaded mount.
We use Sol Republic’s Tracks HD headphones (which I reviewed below) when we travel and at home, so I was eager to check out their newest wireless speaker. The perfect size for people on-the-go, the Punk speaker weighs less than 8 ounces and approximately 5″ x 5″ x 2″…small enough to fit into even the smallest backpacks, bags, or purses.
The Punk’s target audience seems to be young people who crave portable music in nearly any situation, from a poolside party to a gathering of friends in public spaces, and you can certainly take it anywhere music players are tolerated.
It can even be mounted on a bike via a 1/4 inch threaded mount. However, the Punk is also great for travelers. It can sync wirelessly to any smart phone with bluetooth capabilities, which means it can play music playlists, podcasts, audio books, and audio from movies.
When we all want to listen to the same thing in the car, we can sync to the Punk and all hear easily. Since we have various media files on different iPods and phones, using the Punk makes more sense than trying to hook each device to the car’s audio system.
But you have even more options. Thanks to the included 3.5 mm jack, the Punk itself can also be connected to your car’s audio system or your home audio system to become your remotely controlled music hub. Don’t have a bluetooth enabled device? You can connect the Punk via wire.
Families with young kids will love using the Punk to play the audio of in-car movies on-the-go, which will eliminate frustration from slipping headphones, ear buds that don’t stay in place, or kids complaining that they can’t hear.
It’s small, lightweight, and nearly indestructible: we’ve tossed ours into backpacks, forgotten it on the floor of the car, and played music next to both a campfire and a hot tub, and haven’t had any problems. The Punk is promised to be water-resistant, dustproof, and shockproof. It fits in the palm of an adult hand.
You get eight hours of battery life, after which the Punk needs to be charged via the included USB cable. With bluetooth enabled, the Punk will work up to 60 feet away. Wondering about the sound quality? It’s the best we’ve heard for a portable speaker of this size. It delivers big, loud sound. However, if you’re nit-picky about base and better quality, upgrade to the Sol Republic Deck.
Pick up the Punk in seven bright, fun colors including light blue, red, yellow, navy blue, black, green, and grey. It will set you back $69 on Sol Republic or Amazon. It comes with a one year warranty.
Tracks and Tracks HD Headphones
- Tracks HD are REMIX compatible – swap in different headbands and cables with ease.
- V10 high-definition sound engine speakers are fully loaded with deeper bass, higher vocal clarity and crisp vocals.
- 3-button mic + music control.
- Virtually indestructible FlexTech Sound Track headband has a 1,000 day guarantee.
- Compatible with most Apple, Android and Windows devices that uses a 3.5mm jack.
If you’re thinking about upgrading from your standard dime a dozen earbuds, but don’t want a pair of headphones you have to treat with kid gloves while traveling, you’re going to want to get your hands (and ears) on a pair of Sol Republic’s Tracks.
At a starting price of just south of $100 for the Sol Republic Tracks and $129 for their HD counterpart, SOLs are not cheap, but they are indestructible.
Not sure you believe that? I wasn’t sure I did either, so I gave a pair each to my tween and teen sons. Yeah, ’nuff said. They stuffed their Sol Republic Tracks in their gym bags, packed them into duffels (then jumped on them to zip them closed), let their friends borrow them, and kept them in their school backpacks.
They could do all this because Tracks use advanced polymer compound in their FlexTech headband. This means you can twist it or bend it, and it won’t break. Dropping it is ok, too, and even stepping on it. It’s not that I recommend doing any of these things, but you know, they happen.
The other great feature of Tracks is their interchangeability. Because each speaker slides onto the headband (and off), you can easily adjust the sizing and even exchange speakers with another Sol Republic owner. The cables are interchangeable too, and each come with a mic control and volume control button.
The SonicSoft speaker pads are soft on the ear, extra-wide, and form a secure enough seal that they do a good job blocking out outside noise. I also like that the interior side of the headband is padded where it touches your head. With each Tracks headphones, you also get a nice carrying case.
- Tracks are REMIX compatible – swap in different headbands and cables with ease.
- V8 sound engine speakers are fully loaded with deep bass and high clarity.
- 3-button mic + music control.
- Virtually indestructible FlexTech Sound Track headband has a 1,000 day guarantee.
- Compatible with most Apple, Android and Windows devices that uses a 3.5mm jack.
Tracks vs. HD Tracks
So what’s the difference between the Sol Republic Tracks and the HD Tracks (besides $30)? Sound quality, though you certainly won’t be complaining with the cheaper Tracks model. The HD version boasts V10 DH sound engines for deeper bass and higher vocal clarity. The Tracks model sports V8. Both comes with a 1,000 day guarantee.
I won’t profess to know my way around stereo sound like I know my way around a backpack or bike, but I will say this: the first time I heard my favorite playlist, courtesy of the Tracks speakers, my jaw dropped. I didn’t think it could sound better than that…until I changed out for the HD for a quick comparison. Yes, even better.
Which to Buy
Both models are virtually identical with two exceptions, one major and one minor. The major exception is the aforementioned sound quality of V8 vs V10. We didn’t mind the V8 at all while listening to music, but we watch a lot of DVDs and TV shows while traveling, using our iPad or iPods, and we did appreciate the HD sound for quieter dialogue.
The minor: the HD version’s headphones are glossy, whereas the regular Tracks are matte. The HD’s speakers are metallic and the Tracks are black. In my opinion, for $30, the HD version is worth the splurge.
If you want to get an even higher-end version, check out SOL REPUBLIC’s full offerings.
Pick up Tracks or Tracks HD at SOL REPUBLIC for $99 and $129 respectively. Tracks HD come in black, blue, red, purple, white, and grey, and Tracks come in red, white, and black.