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These headphones are purpose-built for a particular type of user, and if you don’t fit the profile, you are better off with a pair of standard earbuds. Bone conduction headphones are not meant for a high-quality audio experience, as we’ll discuss a bit more in this Suunto Sonic Bone Conduction headphones review. Instead, they are designed to let the users experience music more safely when in situations that could be dangerous if their hearing is impaired.
They do not deliver near the audio quality of a pair of in-ear buds, as they rest outside the ear and use bone conduction to produce sound. That being said, these are the perfect solution if you are a cyclist, runner, walker, hiker, etc., and want to listen to music while still maintaining awareness of your surroundings.
Learn More about the Suunto Sonic Here ($149.00)
Suunto Sonic Bone Conduction Headphones Review At A Glance
Features:
Open-ear design
Rich sound experience
Enhanced bass
IP55 Sweatproof & water resistant
Up to 10 hours of battery life
Lightweight
What we love:
- High-speed charging, ten minutes will get you 3 hours, and sixty minutes will get you 10 hours
- Comfortable and lightweight
- We love the yellow colorway
- They stay in place well while running, etc.
What we don’t like:
- It would be nice if it had a USB-C charging port rather than the proprietary cable
- Bone conduction is not for everyone; some users will feel an odd vibration at louder volumes or when listening to songs with heavy bass
Rating: 4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Design and Build Quality
The Suunto Sonic Bone Conduction headphones have a sleek, modern design that balances functionality and aesthetics. They come in bright yellow and black colorways. The headphones feature a robust yet lightweight titanium and silicon frame, providing durability without compromising on comfort. The band is flexible enough to fit various head sizes snugly, and the rubbery feeling silicon coating ensures a secure grip, even during intense physical activities. We ran stairs, stretched, and did sit-ups, and the Sonics stayed in place relatively well, unlike other buds we’ve used.
The build quality is what we would expect for a pair of headphones designed for athletes, with attention to detail evident in every aspect. The controls are intuitively placed and easily accessible, allowing for effortless adjustments on the go. The headphones are IP67-rated, making them resistant to dust and water, so you don’t have to worry about these bad boys unless you fully submerge them. That being said, it would be amazing to have a pair of these that were waterproof for swimming.
Audio Quality
The audio quality of the Suunto Sonic bone conduction headphones is where things get tricky and very subjective. Bone conduction technology allows users to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying their favorite tunes, but there are severe restrictions for volume, bass, and the overall quality of audio. The sound is delivered through vibrations that bypass the eardrum, providing a unique listening experience that, for some, might sound too thin and brittle.
Despite this drawback, the overall audio quality will be good enough for the users it’s targeting, especially considering the open-ear design. The headphones also work decently during calls, with clear voice transmission if you are in a somewhat quiet environment. However, the call function was not great in environments like a crowded airport or anywhere with lots of loud ambient noise.
Functionality and User Interface + App
Functionality is a strong suit for the Suunto Sonic headphones; they know precisely who they were designing for. They come equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable and seamless connection with up to two devices simultaneously. They also work with SBC and APTX Adaptive codecs for higher streaming quality. Pairing is straightforward, and the connection remains robust even far from the source device. The baseline spec is ten meters, but we got it to go further before the headphones lost contact.
The user interface is intuitive, with two multifunction buttons that handle power, volume, and playback controls. The buttons are responsive and provide tactile feedback, making it easy to operate the headphones without looking at them, which is especially important for the target audience.
The battery life is quite good for a small device, offering up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. The headphones also feature a quick charge function, providing three hours of playtime with just a ten-minute charge. Getting enough juice for a run in the time it takes to make a pour-over coffee is clutch; as we all know, we forget to charge our buds occasionally.
The Suunto App functionality is very basic for the headphones. It uses the same app that we used for our Suunto 9 Peak watch (reviewed here), which is nice rather than having to download another app. You can quickly change the sound settings from Normal (inside) to Outside, which lets you go slightly louder. The app also shows you your remaining battery life and allows you to manage your connected devices, which you can have up to two at a time.
Summary
In summary, the Suunto Sonic bone-conduction headphones are an excellent option for athletes, commuters, and people who want to be more aware of their surroundings. They offer a well-rounded package with solid design and build quality, decent audio performance, and a user-friendly interface. The one caveat is that you need to understand the sonic quality you will get with these headphones. It’s not going to compare to high-quality in-ear buds, so if you are looking for full, rich sound, these are not for you. The Suunto Sonics are fantastic for those who prioritize situational awareness and comfort during extended wear and are a top contender in their class. While they may have some minor audio limitations, the overall performance and innovative design make them a worthwhile addition for those looking for the best of both worlds.
David Ireland is a professional strategist, creative, and marketer. He began his career in 1995 as creator and publisher of BPM Magazine. In August 2000, BPM Magazine merged with djmixed.com LLC, an online media company based in Los Angeles, which later evolved into the Overamerica Media Group [OMG] in 2003. In 2009, Ireland left Overamerica Media Group to serve as the VP of Marketing at Diesel. In 2011, he returned to his roots in media and cofounded the online electronic music publication Magnetic Magazine and created The Magnetic Agency Group. In June 2018, Ireland joined Winter Music Conference (now owned by Ultra Music Festival) as the Director to lead the reboot for 2019 and usher in a new era for the iconic brand. He served as Chief Marketing Officer at Victrola for three years, guiding product innovation and brand growth. He currently serves on the advisory board of Audiopool, a new music tech startup focused on AI-generated music licensing and artist revenue models.
