Hey gang, Valkor here. A few weeks ago, I posted a small preview of AVIwear Boneheads Eyewear, which included Audio, iPro (Audio and Video), and their 4K models. Well, just recently, I was given the chance to try out the audio pair in the Val-Cave. And while they looked stylish, it was more about the sound quality. And I have to say, I was pleased with the results.
My initial expectations of the Boneheads Audio sunglasses was that they wouldn't fit right and they'd have a couple of earbuds dangling from the side. However, that was quickly shut down when they arrived and I found a pretty swank pair of shades that fit perfectly with nothing hanging from them. Both arms of the Boneheads Audio has a speaker embedded within. However, it's the right arm that features all the tech; from there you have your power on/off/pairing button, and a microUSB port for charging the shades. To connect the shades to whatever device you'd like (smartphone, gaming, etc), you have to first make sure the device is in discovery mode. You then press/hold the power button on the shades until you hear the voice prompt. Once connected you're ready to go with your favorite media. When you're done and you've disconnected, the Boneheads shutoff automatically.
For this round of testing, I went with the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 for music, some videos, and light gaming. I wanted to test it out with some serious gaming, but the Nintendo Switch doesn't have Bluetooth capabilities (fail) and I am without a charging cable for my PlayStation Vita (On the Way). Regardless, I don't believe the average person would have either handheld with them on any given day. So, with that in mind, let's take a dip into the TOV Breakdown.
The Bang:
First up, I have to give props to AVIwear for the design of the Boneheads Audio; these are shades that look pretty impressive and stylish enough that you'd want to wear them on the daily. They're very lightweight and comfortable enough that I can wear them for long stretches without feeling bothered. But forget all of that, you want to know about the sound quality, am I right? Well, it's not bad actually. I have to say, I was impressed by how they sound. I wasn't expecting to be blown away with super surround sound, rich bass, immersive audio. However, given the proximity of the speakers to your ears, the overall quality comes across canned but the vocals are clear enough that you can easily sing along to any song. And depending on your choice of music, you won't be immersed by your beats, but you'll be able to enjoy them. I find that pop and some rock come across the clearest, while anything with a heavy bass gets distorted a bit at the higher levels. Finally, what I really like about the Boneheads Audio, is that once you remove the shades, and the music is still playing, it's not super loud that it would bother others around you - if anyone should happen to be nearby. In the end, if you're looking for a pair of sunglasses that work not only for your daily wear but also something to mellow with, then I'd definitely look to give AVIwear Boneheads a try.
The Slack:
The initial retail price for the sunglasses is $150, which is pretty pricey and might scare some folks away. I get that you're also paying for the tech, but it's still a hit. Next, this one is more nitpicking on my part, but I'm not the biggest fan of matte black as I'd prefer something more on the glossy side. That's not really a negative towards the shades, it's just my own personal view. Also, I hope there are more colors coming down the pike, which would really make the shades “pop”. I'm talking about a fiery red or gunmetal gray!
AVIwear scores their first win in the TOV Val-Cave with Boneheads Audio Eyewear; don't go into this expecting to get your eardrums blown away. These shades are more for your own personal enjoyment. Not only that but they're mad comfortable to boot. If you'd like to know more about these shades and the others, just click that logo to the right! In the end, out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving AVIwear Boneheads Audio Eyewear a 4.
