Outi bone-conducting headphones actually look reasonable

We've seen quite a few bone-conducting headphones, and apart from a couple pricey exceptions, they've all brought the ugly pretty fierce -- enough so that we were actually surprised when we saw these new Outi headshakers from Zelco and didn't immediately flinch. The active headphones clip onto the back of your ears and transmit sound through the skin and cartilage, creating what the company calls a "sensual new surround sound." We're not exactly sure what that means, but it's generated by a battery-powered amp that runs for six to eight hours on a 90-minute charge, and it's yours now $110 in limited quantities.

[Via Popular Mechanics]

[waiownsyou @ Dec 19th 2007 4:22PM]

That looks like it hurts to put on

[mr friggles @ Dec 19th 2007 7:48PM]

They come with a lubricant and applicator to fit in your anus. Tailbone acoustic stimulation provides the best audio output. Glad I won't have to ruin anymore headphones with lube and "other matter".

[SFO Kevin @ Dec 19th 2007 4:29PM]

How tight are the clips?... Can then be used on ones nipples?

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 19th 2007 4:30PM]

listen to music through your half dollar nipples.

[Matthew Hilario @ Dec 19th 2007 4:29PM]

i'll stick to my innies.

[Tommy @ Dec 19th 2007 4:30PM]

Its cool that it doesn't damage your hearing. Most of the ear buds that size are so bad at letting in the outside noise that you have to turn them way up to compensate, which has lead to hearing loss of many. Maybe our kids or grand kids won't have to worry about going deaf because they want to hear their music better.

[wiz420 @ Dec 19th 2007 4:35PM]

I've been waiting and waiting for a decent pair of bone-conductors (I hate headphones for general use because they cover my ears and block out ambient noise), but I'm not excited about a separate battery powered amp.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2007 5:45PM]

Or you could just get a pair of in ear monitors and have the option to spend less than 110 dollars (or many hundreds if you choose) for amazing noise isolation.

[wiz420 @ Dec 19th 2007 6:09PM]

I prefer to use speakers when I want a hi-fidelity experience.

I don't want amazing noise isolation when I'm in public... I don't like not being able to hear people talking to me when I'm in the office, or cars approaching when I'm walking somewhere or on a run.

[Anthony @ Dec 19th 2007 4:42PM]

Great- now I can hear the shit music of fellow airline travelers even more clearly (as these project more loudly than earbuds).

Last night was spent listening to a guy's '70s stadium rock collection as he flipped from song to song w/o going more than 30 seconds into each.

[shaka999 @ Dec 19th 2007 6:20PM]

Ever consider that different phones are appropriate for different situations?

For inside/plane use I'd want noise isolating. For walking down the street or on a bike I'd rather hear what was around me.

[Zach @ Dec 19th 2007 6:00PM]

I was born with Single-Sided Deafness and wonder if these would allow me to perceive sound from both channels? Obviously I still would not be able to detect position across the stereo spectrum, but I wonder if the headphone from my non-hearing side would be strong enough to travel to the other side of my head, similar to the Entific BAHA bone-conducting hearing aid. Any thoughts? I've already emailed the company to ask about this

[nih @ Dec 19th 2007 6:38PM]

I'm afraid you're out of luck. Bone conduction only works in mono. The bones in your skull are just too good at transmitting sound, much like water. Incidentally, the very best place to put the driver is against a tooth. Heat-powered bluetooth tooth replacements would be ideal.

[HKV @ Dec 19th 2007 4:50PM]

Now make them water resistant and I´ll take them for a swim....

[Rock Stone @ Dec 19th 2007 6:28PM]

Oh Bone Fone... where are you when I need you? It's cold up here in Alaska and I want an MP3 player that also keeps my neck warm.

http://www.pocketcalculatorshow.com/magicalgadget/index3.html#bonefone

[nih @ Dec 19th 2007 6:38PM]

Goddamnit, people. Bone conduction only works in mono.

[Towncivilian @ Dec 19th 2007 8:34PM]

"and it's your now $110 in limited quantities."

Yes, it's my now.

[The Steven @ Dec 19th 2007 10:28PM]

Seems like the Bone Fone rears its' head again!

[Scott @ Dec 20th 2007 1:52AM]

Looks pretty cool

[adam @ Dec 21st 2007 9:07AM]

http://www.engadget.com/2005/12/30/audiobones-bone-conduction-earphones/

would these not be a better solution? no clip, so no worry about major discomfort. no amp required. 13 bucks more? what say j00?