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Zygo Solo is the only pair of headphones that can stream content from a phone when you’re underwater.
to
- Underwater content streams
- Application with tips and exercises
- Easy to set up
- Excellent sound
- FM transmitter works as a walkie-talkie
against
- It requires a lot of equipment
- Works best with earplugs
- The headset has no buttons
- The charging case does not contain a battery
H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport gives you the option to listen to whatever you’ve downloaded to your 8GB flash memory or live stream from your phone via Bluetooth.
to
- Bluetooth and 8 GB flash memory
- Overall great sound quality
- The highest waterproof rating
against
- The main button controls a lot
- Special rope is used
- The music is a bit too bass y y underwater
The Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are excellent headphones for the water. They both have an IP waterproof rating, make use of bone conduction technology, and come with different types of connections that work well in water.
While they share a lot of similarities and are both a better choice than a standard pair of earphones, even waterproof ones, the Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are very different products in more ways than one. While both are among The best waterproof headphones There, one is likely to be better than the other.
If you’d like to dig deeper into either product, we’ve reviewed both Ziggo Solo And H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport And giving them a rating of 4 and a half, which is hard to come by and is about as perfect as any waterproof headphones have ever had. This might be a bit of a spoiler alert but no matter which one you choose, you’ll end up with something excellent for the pool, beach, or whatever water activities you want sound or music for.
Having said that, we think taking these two and putting them face to face is important because they are so different. And one will definitely be the best fit for your needs.
Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport: Price and availability
- H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is half the price and available in Australia
- Zygo offers a Peloton-like subscription for water workouts
First and foremost, any Australian reading this should know that the Zygo Solo is not available there. If you want a husband, you’ll have to smuggle him in the way a former celebrity couple tried to smuggle their dogs. However, those in the US and UK need not worry about ordering. Next up, the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport really has it, at least for those who live in the South Pacific because it’s available in the US, UK, and Australia.
Just looking at the price, the H2O Audio seems like a better deal. And while it’s certainly affordable at $149.99 (£128.00, AU$225.00), which is almost half the Zygo Solo’s $299.00 / £218.00 (about AU$400.00) price, there’s more going on here.
While we’ll go deeper into this article, the Zygo Solo does two things that nothing else is waterproof or Bone conduction headphones an act. The first is the marquee feature. Zygo Solo uses an FM transmitter so you can still use a streaming service like Spotify to listen to music or podcasts. Bluetooth doesn’t work well in the water, so you’re usually limited to using an MP3 player that’s either built into the headset as with the Tri Multi-Sport or that you have to buy it separately and hold it in some way while you’re running. In the water. This also means that you should obtain and transfer MP3 files before swimming.
The other feature is similar to Peloton and other workout subscriptions. The Zygo All Access monthly plan costs $14.99 / £12.99 (around $20) per month and gives you access to several swim-related workouts that can help you become a better swimmer or get in shape while in the water.
While these are two unique features that set the Zygo Solo apart, we think the H2) Audio Tri Multi-Sport is still a slightly better value. It comes with an MP3 player already built in and costs half as much as the Zygo Solo. And although you can’t use it in the water, the Tri Multi-Sport also comes with Bluetooth connectivity.
- winner: H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport
Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport: Design
- The Zygo Solo uses an FM transmitter to broadcast but requires additional equipment
- H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is simpler with an MP3 player but takes planning
Since the Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are both bone conduction headphones, they share a similar design. Both have bone conduction sensors that rest on the upper cheeks attached to a headband that rotates over the ear and behind the head, using some appropriate clamping force to stay in place. Since the ears aren’t covered at all as with bone conduction headphones, both headphones come with earplugs to use so the sound quality doesn’t change when getting in and out of the water.
However, they do not look alike. The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport includes an 8GB MP3 player and still weighs just 33g while the Zygo Solo instead opts for a built-in FM receiver, so it has a larger body and weighs 66g.
In addition, Zygo Solo requires some additional equipment. Since you’re streaming audio to them, you need to bring your phone or audio source along with the included FM transmitter to send the audio to Solo. With the H2O headphones, you don’t have to deal with carrying extra equipment, which can be a major concern if you plan to use one of these in a public place.
Alternatively, the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport’s built-in MP3 player lets you carry plenty of music with you. It’s 8GB translates to about 1,500 to 2,000 songs. Of course, you have to take the extra time before going anywhere to connect the Tri Multi-Sport to your computer and transfer MP3s (which also means you have to buy the songs you want if you don’t have them).
While both connection methods come with their own issues or concerns, the H2O Audio headphones offer Bluetooth. Now, Bluetooth doesn’t work well in the water which is why you can’t grab any earphones you have before going into the pool. But Bluetooth connectivity means that when you’re using the Tri Multi-Sport for some other activity like cycling or running, you can switch to Bluetooth to expand your listening options. This makes the H2O Tri Multi-Sport even more versatile.
Of course, Zygo Solo has its place in that monthly subscription form. Yes, it’s an additional monthly cost on top of an already premium rate. But, if you’re looking for some stimulation or another tool to maximize your time in the water, this is something you won’t find with other headphones.
Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport: Performance
- Zygo Solo offers slightly better sound quality
- Both headphones come with tricky controls
When it comes to sound quality, there are a few caveats to note with bone conduction headphones. Since there is nothing in your ear to reproduce sound, using them out of the water can be frustrating. It is thin with little bass. And this is the case with every pair of bone conduction headphones. After all, sound travels through your bones.
However, once you plug your ears, either by submerging them in water or using the included earplugs, the sound quality changes. Under these conditions, the Zygo Solo looks pretty good. It is filled with a lot of bass. The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport turns out similarly. However, it does have a bit of bass in these conditions.
When it comes to onboard controls, the Zygo Solo ends up being the weaker of the two headphones. If you think about the technology you’re using, there’s no way around that. The Solo only comes with volume and down, and the controls for play/pause or skip a track are on the FM transmitter that’s likely next to your phone and away from you. So while you can stream your music, unlike the Tri Multi-Sport, you have to have a playlist queued up before you go into the water. Otherwise, you’ll have to get out of the water to navigate your phone to play new material.
While the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport comes with three buttons that give you plenty of control over the headphones themselves including even turning on shuffle mode, the buttons are small and a bit finicky, and pressure doesn’t always register. This is an issue when your hands are too wet to try to modify anything on your phone.
- winner: Zygo Solo (via Hair)
Zygo Solo vs H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport: Which is Right for You?
The Zygo Solo and H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport are not one better than the other. Both are excellent choices for water and are the most ideal choice according to your own criteria.
The Zygo Solo has a slight objective advantage in sound quality. However, as for everything else, it’s completely subjective. You don’t have to preload anything to use it. You just plug in the transmitter, choose your music and go. You also get access, for an extra fee of course, to a range of water-related workouts. As mentioned, there are some downsides as well, most notably the fact that you’ll have to bring your phone or audio source as well as an FM transmitter, both of which can be stolen if you’re in a public place.
The H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is much cheaper (and available in Australia). You don’t have to bring any extra equipment as you can load any music you want directly onto the built-in MP3 player. This means you’ll have to get the MP3s and you’ll have to forgo using streaming services like Spotify when you’re in the water, which is the Zygo Solo’s main attraction. It should also be noted that the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is the best option if you plan to use it for floor workouts as well since it also comes with Bluetooth.
Basically, if streaming is a priority, the Zygo Solo is the way to go. If you’re on a tight budget or want to take to the water without carrying a phone and FM transmitter, let alone using MP3 files, the H2O Audio Tri Multi-Sport is the most ideal choice.