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The Bose Frames ($200) are Bose’s first dive into eyewear. They’re sunglasses — available in two styles of frames, round (Rondo) or square (Aldo) — with speakers built into each arm.
Since the Bose Frames don’t rely on an earbud or ear pad that goes in or over your ear, the audio has a wider soundstage. That means the sound is more accurate to what the artist intended. There’s an augmented reality angle, too, or at least there will be. The company says the glasses will eventually give wearers audio cues, helping them navigate from place to place or identify interesting landmarks or restaurants. However, the Bose Frames aren’t able to do any of that just yet (and no ETA has been set). Essentially, they’re sunglasses that look like normal sunglasses, but they also can replace your wireless headphones.
The Good: The Bose Frames don’t look obnoxiously techie, so most people won’t be able to tell they aren’t “normal” sunglasses. That said, the sound quality is probably the most impressive thing about them. The clarity and expansiveness of the audio make the Bose Frames sound as good as many over-ear headphones — arguably better. Integrated mics mean you can answer calls and talk on the phone while wearing them.
The setup process is painless and the battery life of the glasses is pretty good. When you take them off and place them upside down, they’ll go in a standby mode to conserve battery life, which is a convenient feature. Lastly, the price is reasonable. Most nice sunglasses go for between $150 and $200, or more, and the Bose Frames hit that mark — plus they play music.
Who It’s For: Anybody that really likes Bose or wants something innovative and truly unique. The truth is that most people already have headphones and sunglasses they like, and thus, they won’t need Bose Frames.