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There are currently countless options for headphones and earbuds in various categories, from the massive over-the-ear models to tiny wireless in-ear design buds. But most still use the same classic technology. Only a few models stand out and instead go for the bone conduction of sound.
The bone conduction sound transmission technology has a lot of advantages over the standard solution. The sound is transmitted directly through the bone vibrations against the skin to the brain’s auditory nerve, bypassing the ear canal. That means your ears are entirely free, without the sometimes annoying pressure of in-ear buttons. It’s also more hygienic and, of course, much more comfortable to wear.
HAYLOU PurFree BC01 is the king of bone conduction sports headphones and proves it in many ways. It uses rigid memory titanium wire for its skeleton, making it lighter, comfortable and not easily deformed. Let’s discuss these fantastic headphone in our review.
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Design
The headphones use a skin-friendly full-package design, which does not feel uncomfortable when worn. In addition, the tough memory titanium wire is used as the skeleton, and the integrated design does not deform easily after repeated turning and is easier to store.
A multifunction button is located on the outside of the left sound unit. Functions such as answer/hang up, play/pause, next song, previous song and wake up the voice assistant can be performed by single click/double click/triple click/long press for 2 seconds. In addition, long press multifunction button and volume + button simultaneously in pairing status to enable dual-device connection to connect two devices simultaneously.
The brand logo is also printed on the outside of the right side, and there is an indicator light below it, which is used to display the switch and pairing status.
At the bottom of the right side is the volume +/- button, and the volume + button can realize the on/off function by pressing it for 2 seconds. Press and hold the button for 5 seconds to turn on the Bluetooth pairing function in the off state. The other side is the charging contact, which supports magnetic charging.
Comfort
Overall, comfort is excellent: the combination of materials and design makes the PurFree BC01 very comfortable to use, even for extended periods. This design also proves to be very good for those who don’t like having anything around (headphones) or in (earphones) their ears, so in that sense, it’s an excellent alternative to traditional designs.
Thanks to HAYLOU PurFree’s aviation-grade memory titanium wire skeleton, the weight is controlled at 28g, and it feels very light and comfortable to wear. The gooseneck ear hook contour features an ergonomic multi-point support design. I did jogging tests, and the HAYLOU PurFree hangs firmly on the ear without coming loose due to shaking and the like.
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Connectivity
The HAYLOU PurFree BC01 uses a Qualcomm QCC3044 chipset, making it compatible with the Bluetooth 5.2 standard and with the SBC, AAC and aptX codecs. The chip also supports dual device connections, which means you can keep the headphones connected to two sources simultaneously (e.g., your phone and your computer), which is very convenient. The range is generally excellent, and so is the stability of the connection; in my usual test where I walk around the house, the signal remains strong except in the farthest parts where there are several walls between the headphones and the source.
Sound Quality
Although it supports aptX high-definition sound quality, bone conduction headphones are not born for music, so they are inferior to in-ear earbuds in terms of sound quality. But HAYLOU PurFree has done an excellent job; even at maximum volume, there is no sound breakup or sound leakage. The low-frequency extension is ok, mid-frequency vocals are relatively clear, and high-frequency musical instruments have a good sense of layering and distortion.
People usually buy bone conduction headphones for outdoor sports or exercise, so during the audition session, I chose some songs that are suitable for listening to while exercising. As for the listening experience, you can feel the full-bodied sound and full tone of the HAYLOU PurFree. When you listen to songs like “Enemy,” “Believer,” and “Radioactive” by Image Dragon, it is easy to get people to move to the rhythm of the music, which can bring you more pleasure while exercising.
HAYLOU PurFree uses Directional audio technology to make them sound more concentrated while deepening the low-frequency extension to achieve these effects. In addition, the sound unit is a 360° closed sound cavity, effectively avoiding sound leakage, protecting the privacy and preventing embarrassment.
Battery Life
The manufacturer estimates battery life at 8 hours, which is a realistic figure that matches my experience. I’ve noticed that the headphones don’t automatically turn off even when not connected to a source, so you must remember to turn them off when you’re not using them anymore. It takes about an hour to charge the battery fully, and 10 minutes of charging will give you about 2 hours of battery life.
Final Words
Overall, the PurFree BC01 is pretty good. Comfort is generally quite good, once again proving that this design effectively provides a good wearing experience. The sound quality is top-notch thanks to bone conduction technology and high-quality air vibrators. Also, the Qualcomm QCC3044 chip with Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity also guarantees perfect sound reproduction. Long battery life of around 8 hours is another plus, thanks to the high-capacity battery and energy-efficient chip. And the convenient magnetic fast charging interface is also convenient.
You can find these bone conduction headphones for just $74.79 on Amazon, using the $20 house coupon and the HAYLOUBC01 discount code for an extra 21% off. All in all, this is a certain price drop from the regular price of $119.99. So don’t waste your time and go check it out soon.