Finding your perfect fit: Comparing H2O Audio’s headphone lineup
When it comes to listening to your favorite tracks while swimming, H2O Audio has your back with its selection of water-resistant audio equipment. In this article, we examine the Tri-Pro Multi-Sport, Stream 3 Pro, Sonar Pro, Surge+, and Surge S+ models. The company claims that this is their most sophisticated product lineup since their inception nearly two decades ago.
We recently published an in-depth, hands-on review of the TriPro Multi-Sport headphones. These are tailored for athletes and combine bone conduction technology, water resistance, and integrated music storage. They achieve an optimal mix of audio quality, safety, and practicality, allowing users to appreciate music while remaining conscious of their surroundings.
H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport headphones |
But what about the other devices in H2O Audio’s collection?
This California-based company provides a diverse range of headphone-related accessories. Continue reading to discover how these various models compare. We assess them on the basis of their specifications, design, speaker technology, water resistance, battery life, and pricing.
To explore the complete selection, visit Amazon or the H2O Audio website.
Design and speaker technology
Firstly, it is important to note that not all of these devices are headphones, but all are headphone-related gear. Some are a combination of streamer and headphones, while others are standalone streamers, and a few are simply headphones.
The Tri-Pro Multi-Sport offers both headphones and a streamer. These open-ear bone conduction headphones feature an integrated MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer. With round transducers sitting in front of your ear canals, they transmit sound through your cheekbones. To secure the headphones while swimming, use a swim goggle strap or swim cap, along with the included rubber leash and earplugs, which also enhance sound quality.
These headphones provide a comfortable, secure fit and an integrated microphone for hands-free calls and voice commands, making them an excellent choice for active individuals. As mentioned, you can check out our detailed review for more information.
If you’re an athlete looking for headphones that can keep up with your activities, the H2O Audio Tri Pro Multi-Sport headphones are certainly worth considering. Available in black, they are suitable for various sports, including swimming, running, and cycling.
Stream 3 Pro is an MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer compatible with any H2O Audio headphones. The device features easy-to-recognize buttons for simple adjustments and on-board memory.
With its black color and compatibility with in-ear or bone conduction headphones, Stream 3 Pro is a versatile audio solution for swimmers. However, you need to purchase headphones separately, as this is only a streamer.
Sonar Pro is another device that offers an MP3 player and Bluetooth streamer combination, along with open-ear bone conduction headphones designed to attach to swim goggles. While great for swimming, they’re not suitable for other sports. The black design is sleek, and the goggle attachment ensures a secure fit.
Surge+ and Surge S+ are in-ear headphones designed to work with Stream 3 Pro and other H2O Audio streamers and MP3 players. The difference between them is that Surge S+ features a short cord, making it suitable for head-mounted MP3 players. Both models come in a black and blue colour scheme.
The Surge headphones employ H2O Audio’s innovative dynamic speaker drivers, specifically designed for aquatic sports. Boasting excellent bass, these waterproof headphones outperform the competitors in the market. Included in the package are extra memory-foam tips in three sizes, silicone ear tips in five sizes, and ‘tree’ tips in three sizes. Select the ideal fit to ensure your headphones stay put.
Water resistance
The one thing H2O Audio gear has in common is water-resistance. This should come as no surprise given that the company was established by Ironman triathlete Kristian Rauhala.
Waterproof technology ensures that the headphones remain functional and safe even when fully submerged, giving users peace of mind during their aquatic adventures. All five devices in this article boast an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning they can withstand submersion up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) underwater.
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Such gear makes for a unique experience. It not only makes it possible to enjoy music, podcasts, or audiobooks during long swim sessions, but also provides a sense of motivation and companionship in what can often be a solitary activity.
Music source and connectivity
Tri-Pro Multi-Sport, Stream 3 Pro, and Sonar Pro support music playback from internal memory or Bluetooth. Each device features an 8 GB flash drive for storing around 2000 songs and Bluetooth 5.0 support. The Bluetooth range is 30ft (about 9-10 meters) outside water but decreases to 4 inches (2cm) underwater.
Multiple methods exist for transferring music to the device. One option is via a USB connection, using the charging cable to connect the headphones to your Mac or Windows PC. You simply drag music files to folders on the device, just like you would with a USB drive.
More interestingly, H2O Audio recently introduced a new feature called PLAYLIST+. It enables capturing streaming music onto the headphone drive for offline listening. This works by recording what you hear while connected to your music source in Bluetooth mode. You need to ensure the volume is turned up for proper sound capture. The implementation is clever, and the recorded audio quality is comparable to professionally recorded music.
Streaming music underwater from a connected smartphone or watch may result in poor sound quality due to choppy Bluetooth connections, as Bluetooth doesn’t work well underwater. On-board memory allows for uninterrupted offline streaming, and with PLAYLIST+, the gear provides a novel way of listening to music or podcasts.
Lastly, the new H2O Audio app enables managing music, updating software, creating folders, and adding songs to PLAYLIST+. The free app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
Battery life
All there streaming devices come with a rechargeable battery. The average playtime of the Tri-Pro Multi-Sport with a full battery is about 5 or 6 hours. However, the actual playtime depends on the volume level and mode you are using, with a max of 9 hours. Stream 3 Pro and Sonar Pro also offer decent battery life. It is just 1 hour less than on Tri-Pro Multi-Sport.
Price
Typical retail prices for these devices are as follows: Tri-Pro Multi-Sport and Sonar Pro are priced at $150 each, while Stream 3 Pro is about $20 more. The Surge+ and Surge S+ come in at around $50 each.
Tech specs recap
Tri-Pro Multi-Sport | Stream 3 Pro | Sonar Pro | Surge+ | Surge S+ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | Open-ear bone conduction headphones with integrated MP3 player/Bluetooth streamer. Open-ear bone conduction design. | MP3 player Bluetooth streamer. Works with any H2O Audio headphones. | MP3 player Bluetooth streamer with open-ear bone conduction headphones that attach to swim goggles. | In-ear headphones designed to work with Stream 3 Pro and other H2O Audio devices. | In-ear headphones designed to work with Stream 3 Pro and other H2O Audio devices. With a short cord, they are developed for for head mounted MP3 players. |
Speaker technology | Bone Conduction | In-ear or bone Conduction | Bone Conduction | In-ear | In-ear |
Colors | Black | Black | Black | Black/Blue | Black/Blue |
Water resistance | IPX8. Can withstand submersion to 12 feet (3.6 meters) under water. | IPX8. Can withstand submersion to 12 feet (3.6 meters) under water. | IPX8. Can withstand submersion to 12 feet (3.6 meters) under water. | IPX8. Can withstand submersion to 12 feet (3.6 meters) under water. | IPX8.Can withstand submersion to 12 feet (3.6 meters) under water. |
Battery life | up to a max of 8-9 hours | up to a max of 7 hours | up to a max of 7 hours | n/a | n/a |
Music source | Internal memory, MP3 player or Bluetooth 5.0 | Internal memory, MP3 player or Bluetooth 5.0 | Internal memory, MP3 player or Bluetooth 5.0 | Wired headphones | Wired headphones |
Memory | 8 GB flash drive | 8 GB flash drive | 8 GB flash drive | n/a | n/a |
Bluetooth range | Outside of the water it is 30ft (around 9-10 meters). Bluetooth range under water is 4 inches (2cm). | Outside of the water it is 30ft (around 9-10 meters). Bluetooth range under water is 4 inches (2cm). | Outside of the water it is 30ft (around 9-10 meters). Bluetooth range under water is 4 inches (2cm). | Outside of the water it is 30ft (around 9-10 meters). Bluetooth range under water is 4 inches (2cm). | Outside of the water it is 30ft (around 9-10 meters). Bluetooth range under water is 4 inches (2cm). |
Price (typical RRP) | $150 | $170 | $150 | $50 | $50 |
The bottom line
H2O Audio has crafted an impressive array of water-resistant audio equipment tailored for swimming enthusiasts and multi-sport athletes. With devices such as the Tri-Pro Multi-Sport, Stream 3 Pro, Sonar Pro, Surge+, and Surge S+ models, the company has designed products that cater to a variety of needs and preferences.
All these devices boast excellent water resistance, innovative features such as PLAYLIST+, and decent battery life. Whether you’re a swimmer seeking companionship in the form of music, podcasts, or audiobooks, or a multi-sport athlete looking for versatile gear, H2O Audio’s lineup offers something for everyone.
To explore their complete selection, visit Amazon or the H2O Audio website and dive into a new world of aquatic audio experiences.
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