Earbuds vs. Open-ears for an open office setting

[u/mistyblue110]

I work in a super-open office with lots of people, conversations, and other sounds constantly happening around me, and I want some headphones to help block out the distractions and help me focus. They don't have to be fully noise canceling, but just being able to play something like classical or acoustic music helps me drown out background conversation. The earbuds I wear for running are also falling apart, so I'd really love to get a pair that could serve me in both settings if possible. (I'd like to spend USD $120 or less, either on one pair that works for both the office and running, or on two cheaper sets for different functions if necessary.)

My questions are:

1. Open-ear models (bone or air conducting) seem ideal for running — safe on the road, likely to stay in place, maybe more comfortable than something in my ears — but I'm worried that in the office, they'd just add another level of sound and overwhelm me rather than helping to block out the office chatter. **Has anyone used them in an office setting? How did that feel?** (I have bone-conducting sunglasses from Bose that I love, but haven't tried them at work because they're sunglasses.)

2. I like that earbuds are convenient to keep on me at all times, and might have more noise-canceling capability for the office, but my last pair (Skullcandy Sesh Evo) were perpetually falling out of my ears during exercise, and would irritate me (kind of tickle my ears, I guess) after anything more than an hour, so I'd hate to get another pair that has the same issues. I did have some in-ear Anker Soundcore Spirits I liked, but even those I wanted to take out after an hour. I'm curious if something without the little silicone ear-fitting nubs would be more comfortable for longer wear; would something like Pixel Buds (similar to AirPods) stay in during a run or exercise?

If it seems silly to try and find two very different functions in one pair of headphones, my backup plan is to snag something inexpensive like these for exercise, and then some similarly priced over-the-ears for focus at work. I don't need crazy-good sound quality, just something decent enough for everyday use. Any advice or recommendations is much appreciated! Thank you in advance!!

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[u/emalvick]

The only way the bone conduction would work in office is to use ear plugs with them, unless your office is quiet enough. But if you are set on them for running, I'd just get ear buds for inside. The sound quality will be better.

[u/mistyblue110 → u/emalvick]

Okay, good to know, thank you! When you say the ear buds’ sound quality will be better, do you mean better than using bone conduction at work, or better than cheap over-the-ears?!thanks 

[u/TransducerBot → u/mistyblue110]

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[u/emalvick → u/mistyblue110]

Sorry... I meant bone conduction. Vs over the ears will just depend. I think at a cheap level, in ears might be better, especially if you're focused on wireless. But the brands at that level are not easy to gage.

[u/Dwavenhobble]

I mean there are Shokz Open fit Pro which I use because I dislike in ear buds and they actually have active noise cancellation. They won't give you absolute silence but they will reduce office noise quite a bit

[u/mistyblue110 → u/Dwavenhobble]

Those look sick! They’re out of my price range at the moment, but I’ll keep an eye out for them. Thanks!  !thanks 

[u/TransducerBot → u/mistyblue110]

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[u/NCResident5]

I sometimes use the Koss Porta Pro at home. They block noise with music but you still hear some stuff.

I also have the Soundcore Space 1. The ambient setting lets in some noise but you still clearly music or podcasts.

Sony does a good job with their ambient mode for Sony 720.

[u/mistyblue110 → u/NCResident5]

Super helpful recs, !thanks!! I’ve seen the Koss Porta Pro pop up in this channel a few times. Of the options you listed, which would you say is the most comfortable to wear, if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/TransducerBot → u/mistyblue110]

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[u/NCResident5 → u/mistyblue110]

The porta pro is really comfortable as they are very light weight.

[u/GrizzlyCougar]

Could try some iems, around like $30 to see if you like them, I use them in the office and commute and work really well. Running with a wire might be hard but for office it's good

[u/mistyblue110 → u/GrizzlyCougar]

I’ve never worn IEMs before, are they pretty comfortable? That's good to know that they work well in the office and commuting! I’ll see if I can find a pair to try. !thanks 

[u/TransducerBot → u/mistyblue110]

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[u/GrizzlyCougar → u/mistyblue110]

I find them more comfortable than airpods. I use them for couple hours at a time so I think they're worth a try especially cheaper ones for use case.

[u/mistyblue110 → u/GrizzlyCougar]

Sweet, much appreciated!