Shokz OpenSwim S700: Bone Conduction Headphones for Swimming

The pool is a sanctuary. A place of rhythm, of breath, of quiet focus. But for many swimmers, that quiet can also be a source of frustration. The desire to add a soundtrack to their laps, to power their strokes with music, is often thwarted by the limitations of traditional headphones. They’re either bulky and uncomfortable, prone to falling out, or simply not designed to withstand the aquatic environment. Enter bone conduction technology, and specifically, the Shokz OpenSwim S700 – a device that’s changing the way we listen underwater.

Beethoven’s Secret: A History of Hearing Through Bone

Believe it or not, the concept of bone conduction isn’t new. In fact, one of its most famous (though unintentional) proponents was Ludwig van Beethoven. As the legendary composer began to lose his hearing, he discovered a remarkable workaround. By clenching a rod between his teeth and touching the other end to his piano, he could “hear” the vibrations of the music through the bones of his skull. This, in essence, is bone conduction.

While Beethoven’s method was rudimentary, it highlighted a fundamental principle: sound doesn’t only travel through air. It can also travel through solids, including bone.

Sound Waves Reimagined: The Science of Bone Conduction

Traditional headphones rely on air conduction. They generate sound waves that travel through the air, entering your ear canal and vibrating your eardrum. This vibration is then transmitted through tiny bones in your middle ear to the cochlea, your inner ear’s sensory organ, where it’s converted into electrical signals that your brain interprets as sound.

Bone conduction, on the other hand, bypasses the eardrum and middle ear. Instead, specialized transducers in the headphones generate vibrations that are transmitted through the bones of your skull (typically the cheekbones or temples) directly to the cochlea. The cochlea doesn’t care how it receives the vibrations; it processes them in the same way, regardless of their source.

(Here, a text-based illustration could be described: Two pathways to the cochlea. One shows sound waves traveling through the ear canal, vibrating the eardrum, and passing through the middle ear bones. The other shows vibrations traveling directly through the skull bones to the cochlea.)

This difference in transmission pathways is what gives bone conduction its unique advantages, especially underwater.

Diving Deep: Underwater Acoustics and the OpenSwim Advantage

Water is a much denser medium than air. This means that sound waves travel differently underwater. They travel faster (about four times faster) and with less attenuation (loss of energy). However, this also means that traditional air conduction headphones struggle. The water creates a seal around the ear canal, muffling the sound and making it difficult to hear clearly.

Bone conduction, however, thrives in this environment. Because the vibrations are transmitted directly through the skull, the water’s density actually enhances the transmission. Many users report that the sound quality is surprisingly clear underwater, especially when using earplugs to block out ambient water noise. The earplugs help create a more isolated listening environment, allowing the bone-conducted vibrations to be perceived more clearly.

The Shokz OpenSwim: Designed for the Depths

The Shokz OpenSwim S700 is specifically engineered to take advantage of bone conduction’s underwater prowess. Its most crucial feature is its IP68 waterproof rating. This rating, defined by international standards, signifies that the device is both dust-tight and capable of withstanding continuous immersion in water. The “6” in IP68 indicates complete protection against dust, while the “8” indicates protection against immersion beyond 1 meter, with the specific depth and duration specified by the manufacturer (in this case, 2 meters for up to 2 hours).

Beyond its waterproofing, the OpenSwim’s open-ear design is paramount. Unlike traditional earbuds that block your ear canal, the OpenSwim rests comfortably on your cheekbones, leaving your ears completely open. This is crucial for safety, allowing you to hear important sounds like lifeguard whistles, approaching swimmers, or other environmental cues.

The OpenSwim also eliminates the need for a separate music player. It features a built-in 4GB MP3 player, capable of storing approximately 1,200 songs. It supports a variety of audio formats, including MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, and FLAC, giving you flexibility in your music choices. With an 8-hour battery life, it’s designed to last through even the most ambitious swim sessions. And with the 1.06 ounces in weight, the openSwim will be very comfortable to wear.

Beyond the Lap Pool: Exploring the Benefits

The advantages of the Shokz OpenSwim extend beyond just playing music underwater:

• Enhanced Safety: The open-ear design is a game-changer for safety, particularly in open water swimming. You remain fully aware of your surroundings, able to hear boats, other swimmers, or potential hazards.
• Unmatched Comfort: Say goodbye to the discomfort of waterlogged earbuds or the pressure of in-ear headphones. The OpenSwim’s lightweight design rests gently on your cheekbones, allowing for hours of comfortable listening.
• Uninterrupted Listening: No more dropped Bluetooth connections or fumbling with a waterproof phone case. The built-in MP3 player provides a seamless and reliable listening experience.

The OpenSwim isn’t just about convenience; it’s about enhancing the entire swimming experience. It allows you to combine the physical and mental benefits of swimming with the joy and motivation of listening to your favorite music.

Addressing Concerns: Is Bone Conduction Safe?

One of the most common questions about bone conduction is whether it’s safe. The short answer is: yes, generally speaking, bone conduction is considered safe for most people. The vibrations used are very low intensity and are not known to cause any harm to the skull or inner ear.

However, as with any listening device, it’s important to use bone conduction headphones responsibly. Listening at excessively high volumes for extended periods could potentially damage your hearing, regardless of whether the sound is transmitted through air or bone. It’s always recommended to listen at a moderate volume and to take breaks to give your ears a rest.

If you have any pre-existing hearing conditions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with an audiologist before using bone conduction headphones.

Real Swimmers, Real Experiences

The experiences shared by other swimmers illustrate the diverse appeal and surprising practicality of OpenSwim. While designed for the pool, users have found creative applications far beyond:

• A marathon runner appreciates the open-ear design for staying aware of traffic and fellow runners, while still enjoying their motivational playlist.
• A cyclist uses them on indoor training rides, able to hear instructions from their virtual training program without isolating themselves from family members.
• Even someone doing chores around the house finds them preferable to earbuds, as they can still hear the doorbell or phone ringing.

This feedback underscores a key point: while OpenSwim is optimized for swimming, its core technology – bone conduction – offers benefits that extend to various activities where situational awareness is important.

The Future of Sound: Bone Conduction Beyond Swimming

Bone conduction technology is continuing to evolve, and its potential applications extend far beyond swimming. Researchers are exploring its use in:

• Hearing Aids: Bone conduction hearing aids are already a well-established alternative for individuals with certain types of hearing loss.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality: Bone conduction could provide a more immersive and realistic audio experience in VR and AR applications, without blocking out the real world.
• Military and Law Enforcement: Bone conduction headsets allow for clear communication in noisy environments while maintaining situational awareness.
• Everyday Communication: Imagine being able to take phone calls or listen to music while still being fully aware of your surroundings.

As the technology advances, we can expect to see smaller, more powerful, and more versatile bone conduction devices, further blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds.

Care and feeding of your openSwim

The OpenSwim S700, while designed for the rigors of underwater use, benefits from proper care to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. Always rinse your OpenSwim with fresh water after each use, especially after exposure to salt water or chlorine. Avoid using soaps or detergents, as these can damage the waterproof seals. Gently dry the headphones with a soft cloth. Ensure the charging contacts are clean and dry before connecting them to the charger.

Conclusion: Making Waves with Sound

The Shokz OpenSwim S700, and bone conduction technology in general, represent a significant step forward in how we experience audio, particularly in challenging environments like underwater. By cleverly utilizing the body’s natural ability to conduct sound, the OpenSwim offers a unique combination of safety, comfort, and convenience for swimmers. It’s not just about listening to music; it’s about enhancing the entire swimming experience, connecting you to both the rhythm of your strokes and the world around you. While the absence of Bluetooth might seem like a limitation at first glance, it’s a deliberate design choice that prioritizes reliable underwater performance. The OpenSwim is a testament to how innovative technology can solve long-standing problems and open up new possibilities for enjoying the activities we love.