While awaiting my dad’s exit from the shop, a woman approached me politely, saying, “Sir, can you step aside? We need to park our car.” I nodded, took out my Truly Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbud from my right ear, and cleared the way for the car to park. This incident brought back a memory of a similar situation on the Metro, where a man next to me asked to vacate a seat for an elderly person, but I struggled to hear his request. Some may label me as ignorant, but the truth is, when you wear TWS earbuds, they effectively block out external noise and disconnect you from the surrounding environment. However, Sony’s innovative Float Run wireless headphones offer a distinct experience.
Featuring an open design, these headphones allow ambient sounds to pass through, keeping you aware of your surroundings. As they deviate from the conventional design of wireless earbuds and headphones in the market, I was intrigued to test them and determine if this concept truly delivers. Here’s my comprehensive review of the Sony Float Run.
Sony Float Run price in India (as reviewed): Rs 10,990
Design: Upon receiving the Float Run, my initial surprise stemmed from their distinct appearance. They don’t conform to the typical look and feel of either True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds or traditional headphones. Instead, they bear a resemblance to neckband sports earphones, yet the Float Run boasts a unique design. Sporting an ear hook that gracefully wraps around the front of your ear, it seamlessly connects to the neckband.
To clarify, the Float Run doesn’t enter the ear but also distinguishes itself from bone-conduction headphones. The fundamental idea behind these headphones is to maintain awareness of your surroundings even while immersed in music, and this philosophy is evident in their design. Throughout a day of wearing and jogging with them, I found them to be consistently comfortable, though it’s worth noting that they might pose a slight discomfort for glasses wearers.
Although they are lightweight, they lack the foldability of traditional headphones or the compactness of TWS. However, you can easily take them out of your ears and let them dangle. The control interface comprises three buttons for playback and volume adjustments. Admittedly, it takes some time to become accustomed to the button layout. Despite offering good tactile feedback, their placement on the extreme right end of the ear hook can make swift operation challenging compared to TWS or traditional headphones. Notably, the Float Run does not support Sony’s Headphones Connect app, which means there’s no option to tweak EQ or other settings. The available color is exclusively “black,” and Sony provides a case for convenient storage.
For me, the standout feature of the Float Run is their secure fit in the ears, eliminating concerns about finding the perfect fit. There’s no need to adjust fins or tweak buds, as is often required with TWS. Sony highlights that the Float Run is IPX4 splashproof, making them suitable for workouts and runs.
Sound: “How do they sound?” was my immediate query upon trying the Float Run for the first time. The prospect of wireless sports headphones with an open design intrigued me, as it was a novel experience. Now, having spent time with them, I can affirm that they sound good, although not on par with the WF-1000XM4.
The Float Run offers an open and natural auditory experience, a quality I found appealing. The headphones deliver a pleasant, well-balanced sound with commendable details. However, it’s essential to temper expectations regarding bass levels, as they may not match those of traditional TWS or headphones.
For instance, while listening to “Teri Yeh Baatein” from the movie “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” the vocals and instruments exhibited greater distinctiveness. The sound is notably precise and crisper when enjoyed in a quiet room, free from external disturbances.
That said, my enjoyment of the Float Run’s audio quality varied when transitioning from home to open spaces. In noisy environments, they share a common limitation with all open wireless earbuds—allowing ambient sounds to penetrate. Since they lack active noise cancellation or a transparency mode, some users may find the Float Run’s music playback to be too audible. Despite the addition of 16mm drivers, the speaker drivers’ external positioning contributes to the pickup of ambient noise, affecting the overall sound quality. Imagine a small speaker attached to headphones, projecting sound directly towards your ears.
Is the Sony Float Run the Right Choice for You?
As mentioned earlier, the Float Run deviates from the conventional wireless earbuds, aiming to keep you connected with the outside world while immersed in music. This unique concept has its proponents, but it may not resonate with everyone. Keep in mind that the Float Run represents the first generation of this model, leaving room for significant enhancements in future iterations. While open headphones offer comfort, it’s important to note that they may not deliver the same level of volume in noisy surroundings. However, if you can accept these limitations, the Float Run does provide an excellent sound experience.
Pros:
*Fit comfortably and securely with a lightweight design
*Good sound for open earbuds
*Open design allows you to hear the outside world
*Excellent headphones for taking calls
*Solid battery life (up to 10 hours)
*IPX4 splash proof
Cons:
*May not get as loud as TWS and other headphones
*Missing app support
