Opinion

Dear Bose Sport Earbuds, we need to talk

5.10.2022

Translation: Veronica Bielawski

Breakups are never easy. So I’ll keep it quick and painless – like ripping off a band-aid. Dear Bose Sport Earbuds, it’s over.

Four years. We were together for four happy years. It all started with your predecessor. After two years, we took the leap and dared to venture to the next level with the current Sports Earbuds model. During our time together, I was on the receiving end of relentless advances from other buds and brands. But be it an in-ear, over-ear or other pair of true-wireless sports headphones, none of them could hold a candle to you. And so, your soft IPX4-norm silicone parts kept making their way back into my ear canals.

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

Headphones

Bose Sport Earbuds

5 h, Wireless

But the fire’s burnt out. I’ve met someone new – and these sports headphones have slipped their way into my ears, taking my athlete heart by storm. I wasn’t expecting that. I was so certain our love would last forever. Alas, all is fair in love and war.

Product test
Bose Sport Earbuds: the continuation of a success story
by Patrick Bardelli

A breakup out of left field

Please don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not you. You do so many things right. You sit well, look better than your predecessor, you sound good, you handle well. I also enjoy talking on the phone with you. Maybe it’s because of all the derision I've had to endure over the years because of you. Here’s just one example:

No, I’m not a Sony fanboy. Apple fanboy, if anything. Hey, those gobs look so incredibly horrendous. I’m literally laughing. No level of sound quality can make up for that. Good luck.

Over time, this maliciousness may have left deeper scars than I’d like to admit. Add to that the fact that you can’t do active noise cancelling. That’s something that’s been weighing more and more heavily on me – think crowded gym or packed train. And then, not long ago, I stumbled across the Beats Fit Pro. One thing led to another and, well ... they ended up in my ears and we ended up doing sports together.

Headphones

EUR203,56

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

Headphones

EUR199,98

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

Headphones

EUR204,14

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

Headphones

EUR203,56

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

Headphones

EUR199,98

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

Headphones

EUR204,14

Beats Fit Pro

ANC, 6 h, Wireless

When it fits, it fits

Oh, what a feeling! I like the Beats’ bass-heavy sound, it goes with my taste like pieces of a puzzle. Old-school hip-hop at the gym and during my commute – active noise cancelling on when I want to exercise undisturbed or work on the train, transparency mode when I’m out on my dirt bike in the woods so I can hear my surroundings. I could gush on about 3D audio and dynamic head tracking, universal-fit wingtips and the swanky design of the Beats Fit Pro. But that’d be in bad taste. After all, you are kind of my ex. But if you really want to know, here are all the dirty deets. And, if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll have to concede I have a point.

The Beats Fit Pro sit inconspicuously in my ears.

The Bose Sport Earbuds stick out of them by what feels like a foot. — The Beats Fit Pro sit inconspicuously in my ears.

We shared four beautiful years. Now it’s time to say goodbye. How does that saying go? You always meet twice. Who knows, maybe Bose will bring out a new you soon enough. With ANC and a slimmed-down body. Maybe we’ll give it another go then, you and I. But until then, I’m out.

A reenactment of my reaction after my first time with the Beats. An unexpectedly good experience. What do I do if my Bose Sports Earbuds find out?

72 people like this article

Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

Opinion

This is a subjective opinion of the editorial team. It doesn't necessarily reflect the position of the company.

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