Health Tech Review: Sennheiser PMX 685i SPORTS Workout Headphones

Workout headphones, let's talk about them. I have gone through countless sets of different brands and styles of things that deliver music into your ears and I've found something to be very true: You need different headsets for different applications.

Confessions Of A Headphone Snob

I used to have a small recording studio that I recorded sound fx and music for Jonni Nitro as well as the bands I used to play in. I've recorded, mixed, and played alot of music so I'm fairly picky about headphones. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD600s that are by far my favorite headphones. They are comfortable to wear for many hours at a time, beautifully balanced without too much treble or bass, and of course they'll set you back $350. The other drawback is that they are open ear headphones which are necessary for the most accurate sound, but they don't isolate outside noise and if your volume is up at normal levels, other people will hear you in a quiet environment.

For all around usage at a much more affordable price, I like to Sony MDR7502s. They are around $50 so you use them all the time and they are closed ear so they block outside noise as well as keep you from blasting people around you with your tunes. The sound is acceptable and they are often used in recording studios for secondary cans.

Then there are earbuds. I have special place in my heart for earbuds and it's not a good one. I guess I have weird ears because earbuds never stay in my ears. I've tried every type of style and attachment for them - rubber, foam, it never makes a difference. I do like my Shure SE215s since they sound better than any earbuds I've ever had, but I can't work out in them. The minute I start working up a sweat with consistant motion, they fall out.

Criteria For The Best Workout Headphones

I give you this bit of background so you can understand the advantages and different needs for headphones. You can thank me for the off topic recommendations later, but you're most likely here to find out what workout headphones work best when you're pounding the pavement or in the gym. Over the years I've found that workout headphones must meet a certain criteria. Below is a list of my requirements:

• Sound Quality - They gotta sound decent. They physically can't match my HD600s or even the other audio delivery devices I mentioned earlier, but I'll never settle for something that distorts my music or tickles my ear with tinny treble.

• Sound Isolation - There needs to be a bit of isolation, but I need to hear what's going on around me, especially if I'm running downtown and anywhere near traffic. This may not be as much of an issue if you're working out at the gym, but it's still nice to have if someone tries to get your attention which has happened to me several times before.

• Water Resistant - I sweat. Alot. My ears even sweat. Whatever workout headset I use needs to be water resistant so I don't damage the drivers and they need to be non absorbent. Foam covered headphones get gross after a few workouts. Don't. do. it.

• Stay Put - There is nothing more annoying than fiddling with headphones while you're trying to work out. It messes up your rhythm and ruins your whole experience. You may have superior ears so earbuds may stay put for you, but they don't work for me.

• Mobile Controls - Being able to control your device with a cord remote is very handy. Whether you need to skip a song or answer an incoming call, you can keep going without skipping a beat and messing up your rhythm. I find this to be just as important for your workout experience as having them stay in your ears.

My Verdict For The Best Workout Headset

After much trial, error, and wasted money I finally settled on a headset that meets all of my criteria - Sennheiser PMX 685i SPORTS Headphones. They have been everything I've wanted for my workout. They sound decent, a lttle bass heavy, but not colored too much in that direction. They fit like earbuds but don't plug your ears up so you can still hear what's going on. They're water resistant, control my iPhone, and YES, they stay put! Thanks to the over-the-ear neckband, they stay in my ears and won't fall off no matter how much I move around. An added bonus is that they're extremely light so you forget you're wearing them after awhile.

I spent $80 on mine, but if you follow this link you can pick them up for $45 which is a steal. I highly recommend these tiny cans if you're looking to improve your workout experience.

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