H20 Audio TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones Review

Waterproof headphones for exercise.

I don’t usually exercise to music because spending time in nature is one of the main reasons I walk and hike at local parks and swim in the nearby lake. I don’t want to tune out from my surroundings, and I don’t want to be burdened with additional gear. Having said that, I have thoroughly enjoyed testing TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones over the past couple of months because they are so easy to use and they make my music sound incredible, even in water. I’m a convert!

Simple, Waterproof

Made out of a smooth, soft black silicone material, and designed to be waterproof up to 12 feet of submersion (IPX8 rated), the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones are much more comfortable than I expected. I assumed there would be earbuds involved, and I was a wee bit anxious because I’m not a fan of putting things in my ears. I was happy to learn that the headphones are so much cooler and more high tech than I could have imagined. The TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones consist of a single silicone ring with arches on both sides that rest around the tops of my ears and culminate in nickel-sized discs at the ends that rest against my head, just in front of my ear. So simple to put on, and very pleasant to wear for long periods of time because there is no binding or “fitting” involved. The headset rests gently against my head and stays in place on its own. I don’t even notice it’s there most of the time. 

Stellar Acoustics

It’s been many years since I last reviewed any headphones, and I haven’t exactly sought out ear gear for exercising, so I feel very late to the game when it comes to tiny speakers designed for exercisers. The TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones use bone conduction technology to transmit sound. It’s an incredible concept: complex and simple at the same time. I don’t fully understand it, but I can confirm that it works beautifully and that I appreciate being able to listen to my music while also keeping my ears free to hear the sounds I need to hear: a phone ringing, an ambulance approaching, a friend yelling “hello” from across the parking lot at the park.

The first time I tried the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones it took only a few seconds to slip the device over my ears and turn it on by pressing a small button on the control area, just behind my ear. (Despite its small size, I had no trouble locating the button when needed.) My headset came pre-loaded with a playlist of my favorite music, so it was thrilling to hear the Who suddenly roar through my head. I was instantly impressed with the sound quality and balance. Very clear and crisp. I could hear the high notes, the instruments, and the rhythm. Somehow it all came out sounding perfectly stereophonic. I was expecting the sound to be more condensed and flat, the device to feel and sound more clacky, but it exceeded my expectations. It was wonderful to have a rich sound experience from such small, lightweight headphones. 

Versatile

I spent the first few weeks testing the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones around the house. I wore the headset while working on admin at my computer, while cleaning my bathroom, while making my bed. I have a roommate, and out of respect for her I had never played music in the house. With the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones I could play my music whenever I wanted to without bothering her. I found myself wearing the headset constantly. I wore it in bed while watching movies on my laptop, even though the sound was not loud enough for my roommate to hear. I especially enjoyed wearing TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones while preparing dinner. I actually started dancing along to the music one evening, and then it become a thing. “I’m gonna dance a little bit every day. Why haven’t I been doing that?”

Use with Care

Still, I wasn’t sure about wearing the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones outside the house while exercising because I think it’s important to be safe. Being seen wearing headphones signals to others that I’m not paying attention to my surroundings. So, I experimented with wearing the headset on low volume while walking in the park along a circular trail, but I only listened to music when the park and trail were full of people. I turned off the sound for the walk home or when it started getting dark and there were fewer people on the trail. It made walking alone go by so much faster. I enjoy exercising, but anything that makes it more fun is always welcome.

High-Quality Sound

The first time I tried to use the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones for open water swimming I couldn’t figure out how to get the playlist to play. The headset kept linking to the music on my iPhone. Since H20 Audio recommends using the headphones on playlist mode in the water, I was frustrated that I couldn’t make it work. I later realized that I needed to click the mode changing button twice very quickly to access the playlist. I had been clicking too slowly. Whew. Once I figured that out, I was able to turn on the headset for my lake swim. Wow. Again, the Who sounded strong, big, and free. The Jayhawks sounded full and lush. The Clash sounded intense and sharp. I almost felt a bit guilty for enjoying rock music while in nature, but honestly, I loved every minute of it. 

H20 Audio recommends wearing ear plugs while swimming (they are included in the package) to reduce the sound of water sloshing, but I chose not to because I welcome natural sounds and want to be able to hear boats and other sounds. Since that first swim I have worn the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones many more times. I wear a lot of gear in the lake, including a 5mm hood with another hood over it. I was afraid the pressure of the neoprene might hurt the headset, but enduring some squeezing and pressure didn’t seem to damage it or impact the sound.

The winter months are brutal for swimming because it’s so cold and there’s not as much to see under the water. Having my favorite music piped into my head helps me stay in the lake longer because the time goes by so quickly. I am always careful to keep the volume low enough that I can still hear other sounds, and I remove the headphones on the beach so I can pay attention while I’m getting out of the wetsuit and into dry clothes. 

Built to Last

Over a couple months of use, the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones has felt pretty durable. They do not show any signs of wear, and the silicone material still looks new. I’m not super careful with them. I tend to toss them in my bag or wear them around my neck. When I remember, I store and transport the headset in the carrying case included with purchase. It’s a bit bulky for such a thin device, but I’m glad I have a sturdy case (with an inner mesh sleeve for stashing the USB charging cord) for travel. The case has a large nylon loop at the end, making it easy to hang on one of the coat hooks on the inside of my front door. 

Music and More

Having the option of pairing the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones with my phone, laptop, or iPad means I have some privacy while watching Ted talks, movies, and YouTube videos. I like that I can also load the device with my own songs when I’m ready for a change of pace and can move about without carrying my phone. The device has eight GB of storage, so I’m not limited. I can add loads of songs, podcasts, and audio books using a bluetooth connection or the H20 Audio app to load them. The instruction guide is easy to follow. I wish it was a bit smaller so I could keep it in the carrying case since I’m never going to be able to remember all the information. 

Charging Case

I also tested the H20 TRI Charging Case (on right side of photo). It’s essentially the same case that the headset comes with, but it has a charging cable built into the moulded grooves that hold the headset. All I have to do is attached the magnetized charger end to the headset, then plug in the USB cord to my laptop (using a USB-A to USB-C adapter). There are blue indicator lights on the outside of the case to show me that the charger is connected to power. I’m not sure I see the value of purchasing an extra case just for the convenience of leaving the TRI2 Pro Multi-Sport Headphones inside for charging, but maybe previous versions of the headphones didn’t come with such a nice case. 

User Feedback

There is a small light on the control section of the headset to let me know when it’s fully charged. The battery lasts a long time, between six to nine hours, depending on which mode I use. I go days in between charging, and often charge the device while I’m sleeping, so I rarely pay attention to how long it takes. H20 Audio says it takes two hours or less, but since I often charge it while doing something else I never feel like it takes long to charge. When I turn on the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones I’m greeted by a female voice letting me know if the battery charge is high, medium, or low. I don’t know why she has a British accent, but I appreciate someone letting me know what’s going on!

Bottom Line

I have been surprised by how much I love the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones. I’ve enjoyed spending more time with my music, and the headset has been mostly simple to use, with a few hiccups because I didn’t read enough of the instructions. The device has held up well to getting dumped into bags full of wet gear and smooshed by neoprene hoods. I think the sound quality is stellar for such a small device. The TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones have been ideal for travel, too, and sturdier and easier to use than my flimsy and delicate wired ear buds.

I am grateful to have my favorite music available now in so many different exercise and movement settings. Strength training is so much more tolerable, and lap swimming goes by so quickly. 

Details

The TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones come with charger cord, carrying case, ear plugs, and helpful instruction booklet and quick start guide. The TRI Charging Case comes with USB charge cord ($49). If you already enjoy listening to music while active, you’ll love the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones. If you’re new to it, like me, you’ll love the TRI2 PRO MULTI-SPORT WITH PLAYLIST+ Headphones.

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Always be careful to remain alert to your surroundings when using any headphones, and do not use them unless you are in a safe place.