WHAT ARE OPEN-EAR HEADPHONES? DESIGN, FUNCTION & BENEFITS SIMPLY EXPLAINED!
Want to listen to the latest episode of your favourite podcast or enjoy your favourite tunes on your next run and still be able to take in noise from your surroundings? Not a problem! With our new open-ear headphone models, AMIRON ZERO and AMIRON 200, you’ll enjoy premium sound quality – without disrupting your contact with the world around you.
But what are open-ear headphones and how are they different from in-ears? How does open-ear technology work and what are the advantages? In this blogpost, we explain everything you need to know about our open-ear headphones.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What are open-ear headphones?
Open-ear headphones allow you to enjoy your music while still being alert to the sounds in your environment. Unlike closed-back headphones, which surround the ears completely, or in-ears, which sit right at the entrance to the auditory canal, open-ear headphones sit outside the auditory canal. As a result, ambient noise, such as traffic or conversations close by, is still audible while you listen to your favourite tunes or latest podcast episode.
How do open-ear headphones work?
With open-ear headphones, sound is transported via small speakers that are positioned directly in front of the auditory canal. As a result, the auditory canal remains uninhibited, so ambient noise can still pass through to the ear.
Audio transmission in open-ear models can take place in two different ways: via bone conduction or through air transmission.
Bone conduction:
When transmitted in this way, sound signals, in the form of vibrations, travel directly to the skull bones and are then channelled into the inner ear where we’re able to perceive them as sound.
Air circulation:
The more common method of sound transmission is through air, where sound waves reach the ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then converted into electrical signals, allowing us to perceive sound.
Our open-ear models, AMIRON ZERO and AMIRON 200, use air transmission. This method ensures that high frequencies are delivered more clearly than with bone conduction, where such frequencies tend to be dampened.
For example, our open true wireless earbud AMIRON 200 features a rectangular driver (18 mm × 11 mm). The sound is tuned to deliver premium audio quality directly to the ear. Thanks to a special venting system, strong bass reproduction is achieved despite the compact design. Due to the open construction, the maximum volume level is naturally limited.
Advantages of the open-ear design
Safety:
One of the main advantages of open-ear headphones is that you can still hear ambient noise when listening to your music. This makes any outdoor activity taking place near traffic much safer.
Hygiene:
Unlike in-ears, open-ear headphones don’t sit directly in the auditory canal. Thus, a higher level of hygiene can be maintained.
Wearing comfort:
Due to their position on the ear, as opposed to directly in the auditory canal, with open-ear headphones, that pressure feeling in the auditory canal becomes a thing of the past. Their design encourages a better circulation of air around the ears. They’re also so light that you almost forget you’re wearing headphones! If it weren’t for the music, you wouldn’t notice them.
If you’re still unsure whether open-ear or in-ear headphones are the right choice for you, our blog post In-Ear vs. Open-Ear: Differences and Benefits simply explained can help make your decision easier.
An overview of our open-ear headphone models
At IFA 2025, we unveiled our latest open-ear headphones: AMIRON ZERO and AMIRON 200. Pre-register now and receive an email notification as soon as the models become available.
AMIRON 200
Open-Ear True Wireless Earphones
- Secure fit with ergonomic ear hooks
- Open design for full environmental awareness
- Powerful sound with customisable sound profile via app
- Up to 36 hours of battery life for extended training sessions
- Durable & weather-resistant for any terrain thanks to IP54 certification
AMIRON ZERO
Open-ear clip earbuds
- Comfortable to wear for hours – thanks to the innovative clip design
- Barely noticeable throughout the day – each earbud weighs just 6 g
- Stay aware of your surroundings – with the purposefully open sound concept
- Ready for action all day long – with up to 20 hours of total playback time
- Durable and stylish – thanks to premium materials and IP54 protection
