Comment by cbeley | Hacker News Reader

Comment by cbeley | Hacker News Reader

Admittedly, I've really liked the Pixel Buds, but for some of the same reasons people dislike it:

* I absolutely love that I can still hear my surroundings. I've been able to bike with them in, but still feel like I can hear my surroundings. I'm not sure if I'd feel safe enough to listen to music my whole commute, but for podcasts, it just feels like I hear everything around and someone is talking next to me. Previously I'd use a speaker mounted to my bike, which I still didn't like to use too much, because I didn't want to annoy people too much.

* They are so comfortable. The first ear buds I can actually wear. I just can't stand the in-ear buds of any sort.

* For what they are and the places I'd use them, they sound rather good. I admittedly just ordered the wireless sennheiser hd-1 (which is on sale right now), so the pixel buds are not really for my high-quality listening needs either way.

* I think they look cool (I have the blue ones) and the strap is a plus for me. I also don't understand all the complaints about the case, the strap, or putting it in the case. It's super easy...

Basically, if you want in-ear buds, then avoid these. But, if you want comfortable buds that are not in-ear that you could safely wear while biking...these are pretty great.

I have them, and they're OK, but Bluetooth buds are a dime a dozen so it's really hard to see why they are worth $159. They're slightly smaller than my Anker buds, and they have a charging case, but in day to day use there's realistically no difference for me. My Anker's were $27 on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071GNH9MT).

Anker makes great products, so I completely believe you.

Those Anker ones are still in-ear, which I don't think is a fair comparison with the Pixel Buds. I think I'm a bit more sensitive to having things physically stuck in my ear canal though. Though, I'm curious, do you really think those compete in sound quality?

There arn't too many choices for buds that are not in-ear and have good sound quality that I'm aware of. But, it's also not what as many people want.

For biking look at bone-conductive headphones - they sit outside your ear and work great for podcasts while still keeping your ears open.

Oh, I never even thought to look at that option. Any idea how sound quality compares to headphones like that vs. something like the pixel buds? Though, I'd feel more comfortable listening to music with bone-conductive headphones than the pixel buds.

The sound is quite different. I would never use them for music, but for the spoken word they seem fine.

One problem they have is that low, intense frequencies (most modern pop and electronic music) can actually cause them to bounce on your skull, which is quite uncomfortable.

Personally I wouldn't recommend any type of headphones for biking unless you are on a super safe bike trail. I have been saved multiple times by hearing noises.

With the bone-conductive headphones (And the Pixel buds to a large extent), you do hear everything around you.

From what I started reading on the bone-conductive headphones, it'd be no different than having a speaker mounted on your bike in terms of being able to hear around you.

Having a speaker on your bike also seems to be a bad idea. Biking is dangerous and you should be aware of your surroundings.

Does that mean you are against stereos in cars too? Hearing your surroundings while driving is also important.

I would argue it's more important while biking. If someone cuts you off while you are in a car you can risk a collision but with the bike it doesn't help not being at fault while you are dead. So hearing cars is very helpful.

I try to bike with the assumption that nobody sees me and I have to be ready for anything. Same with a motorcycle. Always assume to not be seen and always be aware of your surroundings.

I had the "nobody sees me" philosophy for a while and ended up with a few accidents with drivers not using turn signals, not giving right of way at an intersection, or just running red lights. The worst was crashing into the side of a bus that ran through an intersection and then getting into an argument with the bus driver while I'm bleeding and concussed.

I now bike as if every driver has a mild incentive to hit me if they can so I don't trust turn signals, I run through red lights if it's clear for me, go down one way streets the wrong way to avoid traffic, flip off drivers who tailgate me when they can pass, etc. I'm "that cyclist" but it's what you have to do to survive. Zero accidents or even close calls so far this year.

At this point I'm just happy when drivers use turn signals. I have a 6 mile one-way bike commute through the city. It's rare I have a whole drive with everyone signaling properly. Thankfully, bike infrastructure here in SF has dramatically improved over the years.

Yeah, I'd just use them on an isolated bike trail, never with traffic.

I wonder how the neckband speakers that Bose has would work for biking? These wrap around and put speakers down by your shoulders, so they aren't for private listening, but they also aren't in your ear, so I would think that they'd be good for still hearing your surroundings too.

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