- Suunto has launched a new open-back headset, the Suunto Spark.
- They appear similar to the Shokz OpenFit 2+ at first glance, weighing just 9g each
- However, they also offer head movement controls and neck health monitoring.
Have you ever wished you had more parameters to take into account during your race? Well, you’re in luck: Suunto, maker of some of the best running watches and best running headphones, has launched the Suunto Spark open-back headphones.
The earbuds weigh just 9g each, 1g less than the Shokz OpenFit 2+, offer 36 hours of listening time with the case, feature a titanium earhook, and deliver high-resolution LHDC 5.0 audio. They’re IP55 waterproof and sweatproof, meaning they’ll withstand heavy rain and sweat, but you shouldn’t submerge them in water. They cost £129.99 / AU$309 (US price TBC, but UK price conversion puts it at around $175).
Preset or customizable audio EQ modes are available in the app, but the benefit of open headphones is that you can hear the world around you while you listen, helping you stay aware of traffic, pedestrians, or office conversations. They are ideal for runners who want to stay attentive on the roads while listening to long melodies. Usually, open-back headphones are the only ones allowed in official races such as marathons.
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So far, they’re right up there with the other entries on our list of the best open-back headphones in terms of specs and price. For reference, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ costs $199.95 / £179 (around AU$370), so it’s nice to see the Suunto coming in a little cheaper.
However, there are also a number of additional features we need to talk about, especially when it comes to running.
For starters, the Suunto Spark headset offers head movement control. Shake your head from side to side when you run and you’ll immediately skip to the current song on your playlist. You can also use this feature to answer a call.
In a press release, Suunto said: “Spark goes beyond audio to become a workout companion. Real-time information helps runners monitor cadence, stride and running mechanics, while voice guidance provides pace, heart rate, distance and lap updates directly when connected to a Suunto watch.
While voice guidance based on watch data is nothing new, the prospect of cadence and stride data gleaned solely from the headset’s gyroscope is undeniably interesting. I have contacted Suunto for more details on this and hope to test it in due course.
Finally, Suunto Spark earbuds also track “neck health,” monitoring “flexibility, daily neck activity and fatigue, sending alerts that help users maintain better posture and avoid overexertion.” This is new to me, but given that many of us spend the day with our necks bent, looking at our phones, this will probably come in handy.
Budget smart tech maker Amazfit actually made a pair of earbuds with a similar feature in 2021 – but obviously the idea never caught on. Looks like Suunto is giving the concept another chance.
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