Oladance OWS Sports Review: Best waterproof Open-Ear earphone for athletes
Introducing the Oladance OWS Sports earphones—your ultimate companion for active lifestyles.
The Oladance OWS Sports earphones represent a departure from the traditional in-ear or over-ear designs. Instead, they adopt a round-the-neck form factor, similar to offerings from established brands like Shokz or Aftershokz. However, what sets them apart is Oladance’s innovative ODWS technology—an acronym for Open Wearable Stereo Sound.
ODWS technology is at the heart of Oladance’s philosophy, aiming to provide users with an immersive audio experience without blocking the ear canal.
Oladance has positioned itself as a trailblazer in this space, challenging the dominance of true wireless earbuds by prioritizing long-term ear health and environmental awareness. By opting for open-ear designs, they believe they can offer a safer and more socially connected audio solution.
Oladance OWS Sport: Video Review
Specs | Oladance OWS Sports |
Driver | 23 ×10mm dual speakers |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Codec | aptX HD/aptX/AAC/SBC |
Range | 10m |
Microphone | Two built-in MEMS microphones |
Microphone sensitivity | -38 dBV/Pa |
IPX rating | IPX8 |
Headphone battery | 150 mAh |
Charging time | about 2 hours |
Headphone playback time | about 15 hours |
Dimensions case | 122 x 188 x 65 mm |
Weight case | 200g |
Dimensions headset | 128,7 х 101,6 х 44,9 мм |
Headset weight | 25.9g |
Materials | Body: Titanium alloy steel wire with memory effect. |
Ear suspension: silicone. | |
Color | Silver |
Oladance OWS Sport: Design
The OWS Sports headset has an impressive IPX8 rating, making it completely waterproof. Whether you’re sweating it out at the gym or lounging poolside, these earphones are designed to withstand any environment. Accidentally drop them in the pool? No problem. The IPX8 rating ensures they’ll come out unscathed, ready for more action.
What’s more, the Oladance OWS Sports doesn’t compromise on convenience or style. It comes packaged in a premium hard case, reminiscent of those found with high-end audio products like Beats Studio headphones. The zipper on the case is also durable and waterproof.
Inside the case, you’ll find a dedicated compartment for the proprietary magnetic charging cable, ensuring everything stays organized and easily accessible.
Speaking of the charging cable, its magnetic design simplifies the charging process. Just snap it onto the side of the case, and you’re good to go. No more fumbling with tangled cords or struggling to find the right orientation.
Visually, the Oladance OWS Sports exudes sophistication with its back-hanging sports headset design. The “Endorphin Silver” color variant boasts a sleek dark gray body contrasted by silver-white accents on the sound chamber’s exterior. Crafted from medical-grade liquid silicone, these earphones prioritize comfort, providing a skin-like feel that’s perfect for extended wear.
Functionality is at the forefront of the design, with intuitive controls conveniently placed on both sides of the headset. The left side features the Oladance logo and a multi-function button for easy navigation, while the right side houses a volume key combination that also serves as a switch button. Additionally, a pickup microphone is strategically positioned for clear hands-free calls.
There is a magnetic charging contact located at the bottom of the earhook on the right side.
Peering inside the sound chambers reveals meticulously crafted speaker openings directed towards the ear canals, guaranteeing immersive audio performance with every use.
Connection
Connecting and utilizing the Oladance OWS Sports is a breeze, aligning with the familiar setup of most rear-mounted sports headphones. Simply press the power-on button located on the right side, and the headphones will emit a power-on prompt, indicating readiness. For first-time users, a quick search for “OWS Sports” in your phone’s Bluetooth settings will quickly establish a connection.
Once connected, you can effortlessly select the Oladance OWS Sports as your preferred audio output on your device, ensuring seamless integration into your audio ecosystem.
Oladance APP
Enhancing your experience is the dedicated Oladance app, which serves as the hub for optimizing your OWS Sports. Within the app, users gain access to real-time headset power monitoring, gesture adjustments, and EQ tuning. Advanced settings such as device renaming, ear balance adjustments, and dual device selection further personalize your audio setup to your preferences.
Control of the Oladance OWS Sports is streamlined, with primary functions concentrated on the multi-function button located on the left earbud and the volume button on the right. The left button handles media playback and phone call management, while the right button governs power and volume adjustments. Additionally, the app empowers users to customize operations for single, double, and triple clicks of the multi-function button, catering to individualized needs.
Speaking of the app, it’s essential to download and utilize it for keeping your OWS Sports updated and unlocking additional features. While EQ options are available, it’s noteworthy that the emphasis may not solely be on audio customization, as there are other intriguing functionalities at play.
Despite utilizing Bluetooth 5.1, which may seem surprising compared to Oladance’s other products featuring Bluetooth 5.2 and 5.3, the OWS Sports offers multi-point connection capabilities. Moreover, equipped with a Qualcomm chip, it delivers Apex HD playback, providing an exceptional audio experience. However, opting for Apex HD may disable multi-point connection, requiring users to prioritize between connectivity and audio fidelity.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a home theater chip minimizes latency for an immersive viewing experience, ideal for movie and TV show enthusiasts. This chip also enhances the spatial sound profile, augmenting the already expansive audio delivery of the open-ear design, resulting in a captivating 360° soundstage.
Wearing experience
Through intense everyday and sports use, we’ve found the Oladance OWS Sports headphones to excel in two important areas: comfort and stability.
Let’s start with the earhook fixation structure, which plays a pivotal role in determining overall wearing comfort. The Oladance OWS Sports shines in this aspect, thanks to its meticulous design and choice of materials. Crafted from medical-grade silicone skin-like material, the earphones offer a soft, cushioned feel against the ears, ensuring unparalleled comfort even during prolonged use.
The ergonomic design of the earhook curve further enhances the wearing experience, seamlessly conforming to the contours of the ear. This ensures a snug fit without exerting excessive pressure—striking the perfect balance between stability and comfort. Whether you’re running, cycling, or engaging in intense sports like basketball or badminton, the Oladance OWS Sports stays securely in place without causing discomfort or slippage.
Utilizing OWS technology, these earphones offer a unique advantage over traditional in-ear headphones by eliminating the stethoscope effect often experienced during vigorous activities. By not entering or blocking the ear canal, the Oladance OWS Sports ensures continuous airflow, maintaining comfort and clarity—even during intense workouts or in humid conditions. Additionally, the use of air conduction sound further enhances comfort by eliminating the vibration, numbness, and “bone knocking” issues associated with bone conduction headphones.
Moreover, the Oladance OWS Sports boasts an impressive IPX8 water resistance rating, making it impervious to sweat and water damage. Tested under rigorous conditions, including immersion in water up to 2 meters deep for 30 minutes, these earphones emerge unscathed, with no discernible change in sound performance.
Oladance OWS Sport: Sound quality
Let’s delve into the audio performance of the Oladance OWS Sports, where 10mm drivers deliver a powerful sound signature reminiscent of their higher-priced counterparts, such as the Pro model priced at $229. While these earphones undeniably pack a punch in terms of volume, the marketing emphasis on boosted bass may lead some users astray.
Contrary to expectations, the Oladance OWS Sports doesn’t quite deliver the thunderous bass commonly associated with “boosted bass” marketing claims. Instead, the emphasis lies in the nuanced details of the midrange and treble frequencies. The mids are rendered with exceptional clarity, allowing for the subtle nuances of vocals and acoustic instruments to shine through. Vocal-centric content, including podcasts, movies, and TV shows, benefits from this forward vocal presentation, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Moreover, the treble exhibits a bright, detailed character without veering into harshness or causing listener fatigue. Acoustic instruments are imbued with intricate detail, adding depth and realism to the audio reproduction. However, it’s worth noting that while the bass possesses a slight punch, it lacks the depth and impact expected from bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or metal.
Despite the relative deficiency in bass reproduction, the Oladance OWS Sports compensates with its spacious soundstage—a hallmark of open-ear design and air conduction technology. This expansive sound profile creates an immersive listening, enveloping users in a 360-degree audio environment.
On the communication front, the built-in microphones excel in capturing clear voice transmissions, even in noisy environments. Utilizing noise reduction technology, the OWS Sports effectively minimizes background noise during phone calls, ensuring crystal-clear communication for both parties.
Autonomy
The Oladance OWS Sports headset has impressive battery life. On a full charge, users can enjoy up to 15 hours of playback – an impressive result in itself. Plus, the inclusion of fast charging technology means just 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 5 hours of use, ensuring you’ll never be without your favorite tunes when you need them most.
Oladance OWS Sport: Conclusion
The Oladance OWS Sports earphones offer a refreshing take on audio technology, prioritizing comfort, safety, and immersive sound experiences. As we’ve explored throughout this review, these earphones excel in several key areas:
Firstly, their innovative ODWS technology sets them apart, providing an open-ear design that allows users to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying high-quality audio. This approach not only enhances safety during outdoor activities but also promotes long-term ear health.
The design and construction of the OWS Sports earphones prioritize comfort and stability, making them ideal for extended wear during workouts or commutes. The soft, skin-like material and ergonomic earhook curve ensure a snug fit without causing discomfort or slippage.
While the emphasis on boosted bass may not fully meet the expectations of bass enthusiasts, the OWS Sports earphones shine in terms of midrange and treble clarity, making them well-suited for vocal-centric content such as podcasts, movies, and TV shows.
Additionally, the OWS Sports earphones boast impressive battery life, with up to 15 hours of playback on a full charge. The inclusion of fast-charging technology ensures that users can quickly top up their battery levels.
Whether you’re hitting the gym, commuting to work, or enjoying leisure activities, these earphones are sure to enhance your audio journey with their innovative design and exceptional performance.
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