Safety is a huge concern whenever I run with my earphones in. But I need music to run. Otherwise all I hear is the sound of my own breathing. So I’ve found a compromise: I run with only one earphone in. The music sounds off. It’s an imperfect solution.
An updated pair of headphones, called AfterShokz, aim to do better. AfterShokz bills itself as using bone conducting technology to conduct music from the front of the ear, delivering sound through your cheekbone and inner ear. This keeps your eardrum (鼓膜) free to hear everything else.
“Earbuds (耳塞式耳机) are typically designed to block out all sound, which is fine when you’re inside. But when you’re outside, you need all your senses. It would be like sending you out cycling with a blindfold on,” says Rod Annet, managing director of AfterShokz.
Here’s where AfterShokz comes in. The headphones hook over the back of your head with the main “bud” resting high up against your cheek. This keeps your ear free to delight in other sounds.
So do they work? In a word, yes. During a 45-minute jog, they didn’t bounce or shift. I heard far more of my environment than I normally do: a nearby bike there; a runner passing me again to my left; and so forth.
What about the downsides? If you’re a huge fan of high-quality sound, you might find the headphones a bit tinny. One friend expressed concerns about missing the ability to get lost in the music as you might be distracted by other noises, although I personally didn’t find that an issue.
Yet those are all minor details. For me, probably the biggest problem is the price. Ranging between £ 49.96 to £ 83.29, AfterShokz headphones aren’t exactly cheap.
With all that considered, would I recommend them? Yes. AfterShokz headphones are quite useful. While out jogging, they were light, painless, and easy to use. They made me feel safer.
【小题1】What is special about AfterShokz headphones?
| A．They are a good choice for inside use. |
| B．They allow users to hear other sounds. |
| C．They can make music sound more beautiful. |
| D．They can deliver sound through your eardrum. |
【小题2】What does the author’s friend think of AfterShokz headphones?
| A．They prevent users getting lost. |
| B．They deliver high—quality sound. |
| C．They often move while users are running. |
| D．They fail to allow users to enjoy the music. |
【小题3】The author thinks AfterShokz headphones
.
| A．are too expensive | B．seem quite useless |
| C．make users feel pain | D．are too complex to use |
【小题4】What is the main purpose of the text?
| A．To express worries. | B．To introduce a product. |
| C．To share a personal story. | D．To complain about a product. |
