At CES, Underwater Headphones Good For Swimming Laps

At CES, Underwater Headphones Good For Swimming Laps

LAS VEGAS – Pineapple Electronics’ Rumble KW Headphones have an unusual design, which makes them 100 percent waterproof. Unlike most other earbuds, the Rumble KW Headphones are good for swimming laps, snorkeling, or just taking a shower.

The in-ear style buds create sound not through sound waves, like traditional headphones and earbuds, but through bone conduction. The Rumble KWs vibrate bones in the listener’s skull, creating sound in the inner-ear.

“See, it has no holes whatsoever,” said Pineapple’s Philip Kye, as the Rumble Headphones played in a glass of water.

On the show floor of CES, the KW’s sibling headphones — Pineapple’s Rumble K Headphones, which aren’t waterproof — sounded pretty good, if a little muddy. The bass is outstanding, and they create a freaky buzzing and thumping in your ear.”The technology is tuned for lower frequencies, more bass,” Kye said.

The KWs are limited to 100 decibels, so can’t damage the listener’s hearing. They seemed well-suited for gaming — or listening to music while cleaning the hull of a boat.

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Pineapple Electronics’ website.

About the author

Leander Kahney

is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in CES 2010, iPhone & iPod Accessories, Music, News |

  • Darcy McGee

    I realize your pasty, flabby, wanna-be-geek body might not be aware of this but there’s this other thing some of us do underwater called “swimming.” It’s a form of exercise.

  • imajoebob

    Now if they’ll just invent a waterproof NYTimes crossword puzzle my Sunday morning soak will be complete.

  • cody

    good idea, but underwater headphones are no good without an underwater iPod or mp3 player…which I’m not aware of.

  • phil

    There are several mp3 players that are completely waterproof on the market. Speedo just released a water proof mp3 player and other companies have developed covers that can protect your mp3 players.

  • Tylr

    Simply Amazing

  • http://www.cheappoolproducts.com Pool Supplies

    This is amazing! Perfect for music lover, like me. By this, we can do everything while listening to our favorite mp3 players and without being afraid of getting it wet.

  • http://www.poolmerchants.com/ Pool Supplies

    What a great invention. Summer is approaching and this one will be one of the things I must have because I am a music lover. Listening to music while swimming is a good way to relax.

  • http://www.bedinabagbeddingsets.com/ Bedding Guru

    Great idea, I would definitely like to have an underwater earphone.
    Good for all swimmers.