AirDrives Interactive Earphones
Manufacturer: InAir Technology Part number: INA099100
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- AirDrives Interactive Earphones are a good choice for active users with average-size ears who don't want to stick earbuds into their ear canals and prefer less low-end response.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | In stock Try Free Amazon Prime for one Month | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 12/08/2009 | |
| RadioShack.com | | In stock | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
AirDrives Interactive Earphones price range: $33.05 - $79.99
- Reviewed by: Jasmine France
- Reviewed on: 10/24/2007
- Released on: 11/01/2007
The good: The AirDrives Interactive Earphones are good for active pursuits, thanks to a clip-on design and earbuds that rest outside the ear. The earclips are bendy, so they should fit most users.
The bad: The standard AirDrives Interactive Earphones--which offer higher quality sound--may not fit those with smaller ears. Bass response is almost completely absent.
The bottom line: AirDrives Interactive Earphones are a good choice for active users with average-size ears who don't want to stick earbuds into their ear canals and prefer less low-end response.
What with the likes of Shure and Ultimate Ears seemingly dominating the earbud market with their sound-isolating models, we don't see a lot of sport style earbuds here at the CNET review desk. That is, there's not a huge selection of quality clip-on 'buds that rest outside the ear, and these models can be just the ticket for active users who don't like sticking things into their ears. This is why we were pleased to hear about AirDrives Interactive Earphones a while back--and even happier to finally get a review sample in the office. These $99 earphones offer reasonable sound quality and a fairly stylish and secure design.
Small-eared folks be warned: You will have difficulty achieving a proper fit with the AirDrives, despite their semiadjustable rubber clips. On the plus side, there is a kids' version, which is smaller, cheaper ($69), and should fit fine. However, this model doesn't use the same magnesium acoustic housing as the standard version, so the audio quality won't be quite as good. If you have more of a regular-size ear, the AirDrives are quite comfortable, and the bendy clip should allow you to achieve a secure fit for your ear shape.
As far as style is concerned, both the standard and kids' sets are inoffensive; the standard is black with a silver earbud, and the kids' model comes in white. Either should complement your audio gadget just fine. The cable is a little on the thin side, so that raises some concern for durability and tangling. We like the inclusion of an inline remote, though. Cable length is also adequate at 4 feet for the standard and 3.5 feet for the kids' model. The included soft pouch is no Shure clamshell case, but at least it provides some minimal protection for the headphones.
As AirDrives itself asserts, the placement of the earbud outside the ear allows for a more open sound experience, akin to open-back headphones of the full-size variety. However, unlike their larger kin, the AirDrives offer virtually nothing in the way of bass. That said, clarity and detail were good and the mids came across well, and music sounded good overall. Still, since these 'phones don't offer any passive noise blocking, we had to turn up the volume on our test player quite a bit to get to the levels we wanted--and once that was done, there was some sound leakage. If you don't mind disturbing your neighbor on the bus, though, this might not be an issue.
User reviews
-
-
Excellent at what they do
by surprisinglysoftpants on December 12, 2008
Pros: The ability to hear ambient noise as well as anything you'd like to listen to is fantastic. I find myself listening more and more to my mp3 player since I bought these.
Cons: No bass response to speak of. You can rectify this to some extent with a dynamic EQ, but even then it isn't that good. Also, they are a touch pricey.
Summary: Overall, I think these things are great. The audio quality is very good, if you can forgive the lack of bass response. I'm a sound designer, and I have ...
Summary: Overall, I think these things are great. The audio quality is very good, if you can forgive the lack of bass response. I'm a sound designer, and I have actually done work using nothing but these headphones before, and the work came out fine. Again, being able to listen to music without loosing environmental awareness is great, and if your hearing is important to you, you're probably reluctant to stick things in your ear canals, and these provide a great alternative. I'd recommend these to anyone.
-
Great for running, biking, or listening at work.
by WomanWithAnIssue on December 9, 2008
Pros: I can hear what's going on around me when I need to. Earbuds are worn on the outside of the ear. Plus the sound quality is supberb.
Cons: Needs more variety in colors. I'd buy them in all different colors.
Summary: My ears start hurting after 30 minutes or so of using traditional earphones. AirDrives are worn on the outside of the ear, allowing me to listen to my iPod for ...
Summary: My ears start hurting after 30 minutes or so of using traditional earphones. AirDrives are worn on the outside of the ear, allowing me to listen to my iPod for hours if I want to with no discomfort. And due to the fact that I can hear everything that's going on around me, I can wear them at work without risking the ire of the boss because I can hear when a customer walks into the shop. I love these things!
-
amazing headphones hear your surroundings + tunes
by dukkyonline on September 15, 2008
Pros: They fit great. Stay on your ears while doing sports like running. And i can still hold a conversation at the skatepark with friends and little kids in between skating
Cons: the only cons i can think of is people might think since you have headphones on you cant hear them. BUT you can!!!
Summary: I Got these headphones mainly for skating. There great i can hear my friends while they talk and zone out my music. But then when i get ready to skate ...
Summary: I Got these headphones mainly for skating. There great i can hear my friends while they talk and zone out my music. But then when i get ready to skate i can skate focus on the music and the trick. I love these headphone so much i got a pair for my iphone and i run with it everynight.
This is the link to the iphone ones at the apple store http://store.apple.com/us/product/TS047ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Ng&mco=NzYwMDQ4
and if you look for the ones without the iphone controlls they run about 30 to 40 dollars cheaper.
great sound and great fit.
DUKKYONLINE -
airdrives worth the cost?
by tom756 on July 2, 2008
Pros: they basically work as advertised.
Cons: weakened bass response.
Summary: I own a pair of airdrives and they work as advertised. I also use a product called lobie from mylobie.com. Same basic features but lobies only cost $12, come ...
Summary: I own a pair of airdrives and they work as advertised. I also use a product called lobie from mylobie.com. Same basic features but lobies only cost $12, come in lots of colors including clear, some with glitter. Lobies work with your ipod earbuds or any other earbud. bass response seems better.
-
Easy on the ears
by Walter Goodman on May 23, 2008
Pros: Good sound,comfortable while working out,
Cons: At lower volume not as clear sound
Specifications
- Manufacturer: InAir Technology
- Part number: INA099100
- Bottom Line: AirDrives Interactive Earphones are a good choice for active users with average-size ears who don't want to stick earbuds into their ear canals and prefer less low-end response.
General
- Additional Features Gold plated stereo plug
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones
- Headphones Form Factor Over-the-ear
- Connectivity Technology Cable
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
- Sensitivity 95 dB
- Impedance 16 Ohm
- Magnet Material Neodymium
Product series
-
AirDrives Interactive Earphones
Manufacturer: InAir Technology
Specs: Over-the-ear, Stereo, Gold plated stereo plug
-
AirDrives Interactive Earphones for Kids
Manufacturer: InAir Technology
Specs:
Manufacturer info
- InAir Technology
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse InAir Technology products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.inairtechnology.com/default.html
- Address:
7480 Mission Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92108 - Phone: (619)683-9830
- Email: Sales@InAirTechnology.com
- Fax: (619)683-9839
