Curious if the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ can elevate your workout or swim sessions? These wireless bone conduction headphones prioritize sound quality and environmental awareness.

Made for the active individual, they offer waterproof capabilities and comfortable wear, making them a viable option for your athletic endeavors.

Quick Summary

• Creative Outlier Free Pro+ bone conduction headphones boast a waterproof IPX8 rating, a built-in 8GB MP3 player, and Bluetooth 5.3.
• At a reduced price of $119, the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ provides solid value for active users, but it may not satisfy audiophiles or professionals needing superior call quality.

The Creative Outlier Free Pro+ Bone Conducting Headphones

Bone-conducting headphones have been around for a few years and are awesome for athletes. For cycling, they allow the wearer to hear traffic or other riders whereas traditional in-the-ear headphones (earbuds) do not.

The Creative Outlier Free Pro+, at first glance, comes with a promising array of features that capture the attention. The manufacturer claims:

• Waterproof capabilities that can be worn for up to 40 minutes while swimming
• A 10-hour battery life
• Built-in MP3 player
• Adjustable transducers (the part that rests against your skin near your ear)

Let’s go over these claims, and compare them against their actual performance.

I have been using the Shokz Open Run Pro headphones for about 4 years, and love them. I use them every time I run or cycle during the warmer months. I’m excited to see how the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ headphones compare to the Shokz.

Unboxing and Initial Setup

The unboxing experience of the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ includes:

• The headphones themselves
• A magnetic charging cord & data transfer cable
• A set of three microphone plugs (to be used while swimming)
• A pair of silicone earplugs
• A quick start guide

I immediately hooked up the charging cable to my computer to make sure the charge was at 100%. I was able to upload a few MP3 files onto the headphones for testing purposes.

It’s worth noting that the Outlier Free Pro uses a proprietary USB-A magnetic charging cable for both charging and file transfer, so be sure to keep it handy.

NOTE – These do not come with a case. I tend to throw my gear in my bag and my other headphones come with a hard-shell case for protection.

Design and Build Quality

Most bone-conducting headphones look fairly similar, so not much differentiation here. It does come in two colors though – midnight blue and matte black or midnight blue and fiery orange.

At the core of its construction is a neckband-style frame crafted from a combination of silicone and titanium. I found the choice of materials to be both durable and flexible, allowing the headphones to be comfortable for extended wear. The titanium memory alloy provides good structure while keeping the overall weight low, contributing to the headphones’ comfort during long workout sessions. I never really felt them.

Visually, the Outlier Free Pro’s rubberized finish looks premium but also provides a secure grip, even when wet.

One of the key design elements that sets the Outlier Free Pro apart is its adjustability. The headphones come equipped with adjustable transducers (the part that sits in front of your ear). Its slight adjustment range allows users to fine-tune the fit for optimal comfort and sound quality.

This feature is particularly important for bone conduction headphones, where proper contact with the cheekbones is crucial for the best audio experience and to maximize sound conduction efficiency. My girlfriend liked a smaller fit than me, so she loved the adjustability.

It’s worth noting that the back loop of the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ is not adjustable, and rather rigid. So it might cause some irritation when used while lying down or during yoga.

Also, as with every bone-conducting headphone I’ve tried, I wouldn’t wear them under a winter hat in the colder months. The reason is that they leave a substantial gap by my ear and cold air is funneled in, causing me to get very cold quickly. For that reason alone, I stick to earbuds in the winter.

User Interface and Controls

The user controls are located on the right side of the headphones. Three physical buttons serve as the primary control interface. With these buttons you can manage:

• Playback control
• Volume adjustment
• Call management
• Voice assistant activation
• Power options

While the middle button is slightly larger, I did find that the close proximity of these buttons can occasionally lead to accidental presses, particularly when adjusting the headphones during workouts.

Maybe the best feature I found is that by double-clicking on the middle button, I can switch between Bluetooth and MP3 playback. Why is this awesome? I often listen to audiobooks or podcasts while working out. But a long bike ride may last 4 or more hours. If I get tired of my book, I can switch over quickly to music easily. I found this by accident and absolutely love it.

Audio Quality and Call Performance

When you turn the headphones on, you’ll hear the computer voice mention how “POWER IS ON” or “BLUETOOTH CONNECTED”. I mention this because I found the computer voice to be annoying compared to Shokz. It sounds very computer-generated, and not a cool voice or anything. It kind of sounds cheap. Not a big deal, but something I wanted to mention.

Audio Quality

As far as the audio quality while listening to music, I found the headphones to be good. Not great, but good. I’m not a true audiophile, so I don’t nitpick over every note. Overall, I found listening to music to be a good experience and easily heard.

If I wanted to nitpick, the bass tends to be slightly less than other headphones. I had to turn the volume up louder than normal to hear certain songs more clearly. Again, not a huge deal, but worth noting.

The Creative Outlier Free Pro+ may not offer the best audio experience compared to some competitors like the Shokz Open Run Pro, but it still manages to deliver a sound quality that is good enough for enjoying music and podcasts during various activities.

The key here is the balance between audio quality and situational awareness – a trade-off that I love, especially while cycling. The open-ear design allows ambient sounds to be heard clearly, which is crucial for safety during outdoor activities or in busy environments.

NOTE – Wind noise has an effect on audio quality. This is not an issue with this particular product, but all bone-conducting headphones. When I’m cycling in heavy wind, my ears are taking in competing sounds that compete with the bone-conducting audio signals. It’s not a common occurrence, but something to think about if you routinely cycle in typhoons.

Call Quality

The microphone quality during calls is not exceptional. I did a side-by-side comparison between multiple cordless headphones and the microphone quality was poor on these headphones. People commented that my voice sounded “hollow” when speaking, but still understood.

While the call quality may not be the strongest aspect of the Creative Outlier Free Pro+, it’s clear from our ongoing evaluation that the headphones offer a functional and safer option for active users who value environmental awareness over flawless audio quality.

Waterproof Capabilities and Swimming Performance

NOTE – I have not tested these headphones in the pool. I’m a bit nervous about doing that since they’re not only made for swimming. So the following data below is from the Creative website only.

A standout feature of the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ is its impressive waterproof capabilities, making it a strong contender for water sports enthusiasts and swimmers. With an IPX8 rating, these headphones are designed to withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 40 minutes. This is a significant advantage over many competitors in the market, allowing users to enjoy their audio content during swimming sessions or other water-based activities without worry.

To swim with these headphones, Creative has included a few additional accessories. The package comes with silicone ear plugs and a small elasticated microphone hole protector. These additions serve dual purposes: the earplugs improve sound isolation underwater, while the microphone protector safeguards the device from water damage.

I’ve read other reviews where some people report the sound quality actually improving underwater. This is due to water filling the gap between the skin and the sound unit, potentially enhancing the bone conduction effect. However, it’s important to note that while these headphones are suitable for swimming in freshwater, their performance and longevity in saltwater environments are not recommended.

Battery Life and Charging Efficiency

The Creative Outlier Free Pro+ headphones claim an impressive playtime of up to 10 hours on a single charge (based on a moderate volume level). This is on par with the Shokz Open Run Pro and is great for extra-long training sessions or outdoor adventures. It’s worth noting that actual battery life may vary depending on usage patterns, volume levels, and whether the built-in MP3 player is being used instead of Bluetooth streaming.

If you do find yourself on a low battery, a ten-minute charge will give you two hours of playback time (according to Creative). A full charge only takes two hours.

NOTE – When the battery is getting low, a small LED indicator will blink red every three seconds. This is fine, although I wish there was a way to check the battery power before it gets low though. I don’t need it failing two hours into a bike ride.

Overall Assessment and Value for Money

I’ve been comparing the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ to the Shokz Open Run Pro since the Shokz are regarded as one of the best products in the industry.

With a current price point of $119, these bone-conduction headphones position themselves as a mid-range option in the market. This price reflects a significant drop from its launch price of $149.99, making it a more attractive proposition for potential buyers.

Pros & Cons

Ultimately, the Outlier Free Pro represents a solid choice for active individuals seeking a versatile audio solution, particularly for aquatic activities. While it may not be the perfect fit for everyone, it certainly carves out a niche for itself in the competitive landscape of bone-conduction headphones.

Those who place a premium on audio quality or microphone performance might opt for the more expensive Shokz Open Run Pro.

Alternatives and Price Comparison

Conclusion

The standout attributes include its impressive IPX8 waterproof rating, making it a viable choice for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. The built-in MP3 player adds versatility, especially in aquatic environments where carrying a smartphone isn’t feasible. With a battery life of up to 10 hours and a quick charge feature, the Outlier Free Pro proves to be a reliable companion for extended use.

The audio quality, while sufficient for most users, may not satisfy audiophiles, particularly when it comes to bass-heavy genres. The microphone performance, especially in outdoor settings, leaves room for improvement. Despite these limitations, the Creative Outlier Free Pro+ represents a solid value proposition at its current price point of $119.

Frequently Asked Questions

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