Article by Jeff Valliere
Suunto Wing Wireless Bone Conduction Headset $199.99
Available October 17, 2023
Suunto Wing Key features:
Weight: 33 grams
Material: titanium and silicone
Technology: bone conduction technology
Fully charged in 1 hour for up to 10 hours of playing time
Charge for 10 minutes and your device can last for 1-3 hours
Portable charging station can be used as a power bank and extends the battery life by up to 20 hours
Dual microphone and cVc (clear Voice capture) noise cancellation
Head Movement Control
Bright LED lights on the side of the module
IP67 certification
Temperatures from -20°C up to 60°C
Introduction/First Impressions:
Suunto is dipping its toes into the wireless bluetooth headset market, with the Wing, featuring bone conduction technology to increase safety for those who like to run, hike, bike or walk with music, podcasts or audio books.
Bone conduction technology uses vibrations to conduct sound, using a transducer to convert audio data to vibrations, which then travels through the user's bone structure to the cochlea. This leaves the user's ear canal free to hear ambient sounds, such as approaching cars, bikes, other trail users, falling rocks, trees, rattlesnakes, bears, etc…
I have long used headphones on my daily trail runs and have gravitated towards an over the ear wireless bluetooth model that rest lightly in my ears so that I can be mostly aware of my surroundings (I only listen to podcasts and audiobooks on the run). Even so, I still turn them off and remove them in high risk situations, such as going off trail during the summer months (rattlesnakes) or through areas of high bear activity in the fall. The bone conduction technology used in the Wing though provides the best of both worlds, being able to continue to enjoy whatever you are listening to, while being fully aware.
Out of the box, it is immediately clear that the Wing is of premium quality, with a rugged and sturdy design. They also have an IP67 certification where they could potentially be submerged for up to 30 minutes (although underwater they would not actually play/conduct sound), so can easily be used in a downpour or even in the shower, although I have not tried that yet. Constructed of silicone and titanium, the Wing headphones are light, which helps add to their comfort and lack of bounce.
Also included in the box besides the headset and charging dock, are the cable, manual and a set of earplugs which can be used to enhance volume while in overly noisy settings like a busy airport or on an airplane.
Operation/Functionality:
One thing that has always been a make or break for me for any headphones, no matter the sound quality or general utility is a logical and functional layout/operation of buttons. While the included users manual is quite spartan, it is enough to get up and running and the rest was very easy to figure out.
On the right side behind the ear, there are two small buttons that are easy to feel out with your fingers, with the forward button serving triple duty as the power/pair/volume up button, where the rear button is volume down. Pairing the headset with my phone (long press of the pair button) was really easy and quick.
Also on the right side, forward of the ear on the transmitter is a very small mic that is used for voice commands (as well as long pressing the button that is in the same spot on the left side transmitter).
The button on the left side works to start/stop a track with a single tap, where a double tap advances to the next track. Long pressing for a few seconds enables voice commands on your phone (Hey Siri!).
I find this configuration of buttons and operation to be very easy and intuitive. Once I first figured them out, I never had to think about it again. Putting the headphones on is easy, which can easily be done one handed. While the headphones are heavier than earbuds, they feel light on the head and fit securely, even when running. Because of the somewhat rigid design where the headphones loop around the back of the head, working around a bike helmet takes a little care and results may vary depending on the helmet.
Sound Quality:
Sound quality is great for podcasts, audio books, phone calls and casual music listening, but for the audiophile looking for deep rich sound and a wide range of highs and lows should look elsewhere (but to be fair, that is not what these headphones were designed for). Otherwise, I have no problem hearing what I am listening to under most circumstances, but I do find that I struggle to hear my podcasts when there is a lot of surrounding noise, such as at a busy airport, on an airplane, along a busy highway, or other loud environments.I do find though that if I use the earplugs, the blocking of the ear canal enhances the conduction and allows me to “hear” them better. This is of course only intended for benign environents, not “on the run”, so to speak. In quiet environments and especially on the trail, the Wing is absolutely ideal, providing adequate quality and volume, while of course being safe and allowing full awareness.
Battery/Charging:
The Wing comes with a charging base that charges via a USB-C cable (not included), where the headset can charge independently with a magnetic charging cable (included). The headset on its own has a battery life of 10 hours, while the base can provide another 20 hours of use. The headset on it’s own can fully charge in 1 hour and 10 minutes of charge from an empty battery will get you 3 hours..
Included cable
Charging on the dock with its internal rechargeable battery provides an extra 20 hours of listening time. The dock is charged by using a USB-C cable (not included).
The magnetic charging cable (at left) attached to the headset.
Conclusions:
To say that I am impressed with the Suunto Wing is an understatement. They are incredibly high quality, have exceptional battery life on their own and then adding an additional 20 hours from the rechargeable base really adds to their utility. Button operation and functionality is easy and intuitive, with voice activation, a clear mic for phone calls, easy BT pairing, While music sound quality is less than ideal, I acknowledge that these are not made for true rich sounding musical enjoyment but work ideally for podcasts and audiobooks or for just easy music listening while being safe on the trails. I love the added situational awareness Wing offer and would highly recommend them for anyone who recreates outdoors and is looking for that extra level of safety.
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1 comment:
For podcasts, audio books, phone conversations, and casual music listening, the sound quality is excellent. However, audiophiles seeking rich, deep sound with a wide range of highs and lows should go elsewhere.
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