As most of my friends and family know, I listen to music and podcasts. A lot. Be it on a run, at work, or doing yardwork, I am continually plugged in. I have gone through a variety of headphones in my day – both wired and wireless, each with their benefits and drawbacks. Obviously, I was pretty excited to try out my hands on a new pair of headphones – from running watch stalwart Suunto no less – the Suunto Sonic.
I don’t know about you, but my ears typically don’t do well with in-ear headphones while working out. We have tried (and even liked!) in-ear versions, but many still tend to be too big, fall out and /or start to hurt after a little bit. We are recent converts to the bone conducting options out there – you know the ones that sit around the ear instead of inside – and Suunto’s Sonic performs really well in this space.
Looks:
The Suunto Sonic headphones come in two colors – black and lime (reviewed). The latter is pretty bold, but probably assists with not losing them (as I am apt to do). The design s pretty straightforward – a simple curved connection that sits at the base of the head, a slightly thickier control/sound bump, and an above the ear output.
Function:
The open-ear design is not only stylish but also functional, allowing users to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying their music. Many races (especially those late-night relay races and/or those on non-closed streets) are not recommending – and even actively banning – in-ear headphones. This is an option that is safer and allows you a little more ability to stay aware of the surroundings.
The headphones are light thanks to a construction of silicone and titanium alloy. The fit is nice – a little squeeze to keep things in place, but not too pressure filled. These hold up to runs just fine. I will say if you are a sunglass wearer when running – especially those with thicker arms – there can be a lot battling for space on top of the ear. Regardless, they can be worn in conjunction without too much issue.
A likely necessity in most headphones is their ability to be sweat and water resistant. And, the Suunto Sonic achieves this with their IP55 rating – perfect for all-weather sports enthusiasts, especially those in the PNW. The intuitive controls and compatibility with the Suunto app enhance the user experience by allowing easy customization and setting adjustments right from your phone.
Sound:
I am not an audiophile by any means, but I can tell the difference between headphones that have that “tinny” sound, and those that are able to appropriately accompany the varying layers of a song. For being bone conducting, they have a very nice sound. They definitely delivered. Chalk it up to their new sound transducer which they claim to increase sensitivity and reduces noise leakage. If you do want a more personalized sound, the Suunto app will allow you to adjust your audio levels to what suits you.
Recharging:
Wireless headphones used to be terribly limited in their charging, but things are much better in this space now. The Sonic’s boast a 10-hour playtime, I can confirm that this is pretty spot on. I found they went a little shorter if I was continually wearing them (while doing yardwork all day for example), but not by much.
While playback time was impressive, the absolute best part about the X3’s power capabilities is how quickly they recharge. I was able to get them recharged in short order (just 60 minutes), and even a shorter boost of 10 minutes was able to get enough power for about three hours of playback – perfect for when you realize you are low on juice, but want to get an after-work run in.
Overall:
We are very impressed with these and love having them in our arsenal for working out this summer season. We expect our runs to feel and sound great in 2024!
Suunto Sonic Headphones
Socials:
