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Whereas Bose could also be recognized for main the audio eyewear style, different designers have chosen to leap on board. One such designer is Flows, who’ve designed a startlingly related pair of audio glasses — however how do they stack as much as others we have tried?

Design

When you’ve ever seen the first-generation Bose Frames, you are not going to be stunned by something Flows is doing. We personal a pair of Bose Frames’ “Alto,” and Flows’ “Bruno” is almost similar, with solely slight variations between the 2.

For instance, the molded nostril pads on the Bose Frames Alto are a bit thinner than the Flows Bruno, however this is not notably noticeable to both the wearer or anybody taking a look at them.

The one actual important distinction between Bose Frames and Flows is the consolation, and Flows takes the lead on that entrance.

Bose Frames have some uncomfortable seams in and across the earpieces that may dig in, which we needed to modify with some silicone pads to make them extra snug. Unpleasant, however they go unnoticed when carrying them.

The Flows, nevertheless, are considerably extra snug. The earpieces don’t have any sharp seams, and they’re snug sufficient to put on for hours on finish.

Swappable lenses

Like Bose Frames, Flows mean you can swap lenses out of the frames with relative ease. In contrast to Bose Frames, Flows sells a three-pack of further lenses for $40.

Even higher, these packs embrace clear lenses, which let you use your glasses at your laptop, outside at night time, or indoors the place sun shades may not be acceptable. We needed to buy a pair of clear lenses from a third-party retailer for our Bose Frames.

Once more like Bose Frames, your eye-doctor or on-line lens crafter can create prescription lenses on your Flows glasses.

Efficiency

Flows have been very simple to attach with each gadget we tried, together with our iPhone 11, MacBook Professional, Apple TV, and our iPad Air. When you’re already acquainted with connecting to units by way of Bluetooth, you will not have any hassle utilizing Flows.

Since Flows are geared up with Bluetooth 5.0, they do get a little bit of a boosted vary, however faucet out at round 50 toes. This wasn’t an issue for us, however in case you have a big residence and wander too far out of your units, you might expertise dropoffs as you progress from room to room.

The place the Flows fall quick, sadly, is sound high quality. Had we not been in a position to evaluate them with our Bose Frames straight, we doubtless would not really feel as upset as we do, however sadly, we did.

Let’s be clear — the sound high quality is not horrible, it is simply not nice. The mids and highs are respectable, making them completely serviceable to make use of for many issues, however the lows are severely missing. It is much more readily obvious while you put them towards the Bose Frames.

If you are going to use them to take heed to podcasts or audiobooks, or for informal music listening, Flows are as much as the duty. Nonetheless, in case you’re watching motion pictures or reveals or searching for a high-quality music expertise, Flows might not be your first selection for audio.

So far as sound bleed goes, they carried out practically identically to the Bose Frames. Until the audio is turned up unreasonably excessive, most individuals aren’t going to note any sound coming out of your glasses except they’re sitting proper subsequent to you.

This makes them preferrred for carrying on the workplace or in public areas, particularly in case you’d desire to maintain your ears unblocked.

Flows even have a built-in microphone that carried out fairly effectively. The decision recipient stated that we could possibly be clearly heard, although they did observe they might hear persistent background noise, resembling site visitors or others’ conversations.

Go all day

Nonetheless, when it got here to battery life, Flows lasted over 5 hours. Our first-generation Bose Frames have solely ever managed to get two hours earlier than needing to be recharged.

This can be a huge deal for individuals who could not be capable to cost their glasses each few hours.

Sadly, identical to Bose Frames, the Flows require you to maintain observe of a magnetic charging dongle that requires a USB-A slot to make use of. Once more, we would respect the choice to purchase a further charging case if it meant that we might cost our Flows on the go.

A decrease bar to entry

The place Flows beat out different rivals, together with the Bose Frames and the lately reviewed Fauna, is the worth. First-generation Bose Frames nonetheless value $200, and Fauna glasses are available at a steep $300.

Flows are available at a way more affordable $150, making them a good first pair of audio glasses or an excellent pair for a youthful wearer.

General

Whereas we’re not going to swap our Bose Frames for Flows, we expect that Flows are a good selection for a first-time pair of audio glasses. The five-hour battery life and cheaper price level make them stand out towards different choices. You’ll be able to choose up a pair of Flows in Bruno’s (sq.) or Tiffany’s (spherical) fashion for $150, with a three-pack of lenses accessible for $40.

Ranking: 3 out of 5

Professionals

• $150 price ticket is $50 cheaper than Bose Frames
• 5 hour battery life greater than double most rivals
• Extra lenses might be bought for lower than competitor’s lenses
• Extraordinarily snug to put on

Cons

• Lacks bass, making them much less preferrred for cinematic sounds and severe audio listening
• Magnetic charger requires USB-A port or wall adapter to cost glasses, costly to interchange if misplaced or broken
• Microphone could choose up background noise, making them much less preferrred to make use of in noisy places