The Aeroclip lack options like Spatial Audio, though I wouldn’t really expect that at this price, and of course there’s no noise cancellation, which is something of a contradiction for open earbuds anyway. That’s one reason I say most people will need another pair of regular noise-canceling earbuds to be a go-to option for all conditions. Not to mention the sound quality, which is always going to be partly compromised in open-ear buds.
Music in Your Mind
The biggest compromise with the open earbud design is quite simple: bass. Without the tight seal (or occlusion) of a bud that fills your ear canal, open buds have trouble reproducing deep and impactful low frequencies. That’s not to say they can’t provide an enjoyable experience, and the Aerclips are among the most enjoyable I’ve tried at their price point.
The true magic of open-ear devices, which includes options like smart glasses, is how music, calls, or podcasts just seem to pop into your brain like magic. When done right, it feels almost like the sound is expanding into your binaural pathway all on its own. The Aeroclips do a great job creating this effect, providing good balance between the frequencies, clear definition, and a relatively expansive stereo image that glides from the center of your head and into the far sides of your ears.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
You’ll find poppy percussion, clear vocals, and zippy textures for instruments like electric guitars, synths, and percussion. Instruments are placed nicely in space, making for a great soundtrack as you go about micro-adventures like your daily dog walk or baby stroll. And of course, you’re always aware of other sounds around you, if not always focused on them, which keeps you grounded in the moment.
That makes the Aeroclip handy for situations like making dinner or working around the house when you need to listen for a yell from your significant other, the doorbell, or the kids. The Aeroclip even work well for bike and ebike rides, thanks to their aerodynamic loops that reduce wind resistance compared to options like the Linkbuds Open. That may just be my favorite use case for them.
