# How do you listen to music underwater? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnHnTnqArus Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/YnHnTnqArus Generated: 2025-10-09T17:31:25.868+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Listening to music underwater is possible using specialized bone conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, which transmit sound through the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrum, allowing for clear audio even when submerged, unlike traditional waterproof speakers which struggle with sound propagation in water. **Key Points:** - The primary method for listening to music underwater involves bone conduction headphones, such as the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, which vibrate the bones in the face to transmit sound directly to the cochlea, bypassing the eardrum. - Waterproof Bluetooth speakers tested, like the Monster S620, provided poor sound quality underwater due to sound waves reflecting off the surface and being muffled by the water. - The Shokz OpenSwim Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and has 4GB of MP3 storage, allowing users to load music directly onto the device for use underwater, as Bluetooth signals are disrupted by water. - The underwater speaker tested, the Oceaneers DRS-8, uses a piezoelectric flexural disc transducer encased in epoxy resin, designed to transmit sound effectively through water. - The Oceaneers DRS-8 underwater speaker setup requires an external amplifier/power source and is designed for applications like diver recall systems and synchronized swimming. - The sound quality from the Shokz OpenSwim Pro underwater was surprisingly clear, although the bass response was noted as too heavy when compared to the speaker's performance above water. ![Screenshot at 11:06: The Shokz OpenSwim Pro bone conduction headphones are shown resting on a rock, illustrating the primary product used for clear underwater audio playback via bone conduction technology.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-11-06.png) **Context:** The video explores different methods for listening to music while swimming underwater, contrasting the performance of standard waterproof Bluetooth speakers with specialized bone conduction headphones designed for in-water use. The host demonstrates the limitations of conventional waterproof audio devices in water and tests the superior clarity offered by bone conduction technology, specifically featuring the Shokz OpenSwim Pro headphones and an Oceaneers DRS-8 underwater speaker system. ## Detailed Analysis The video investigates how to listen to music underwater, concluding that bone conduction headphones are significantly superior to standard waterproof speakers for this application. The host first tests a waterproof Bluetooth speaker (Monster S620, IPX8 rated) submerged in a pool (03:40), noting that the sound is muffled and distorted, with low frequencies not traveling well, and reflections off the surface causing poor quality. He then introduces the Oceaneers DRS-8 underwater speaker system (03:54), a professional setup using a piezoelectric flexural disc transducer that transmits sound by vibrating the entire mass of the speaker, requiring an external amplifier. The host also tests the Shokz OpenSwim Pro bone conduction headphones (11:06), which transmit sound directly to the cochlea by vibrating the bones near the ear, bypassing the eardrum. When tested underwater, the Shokz headphones provided surprisingly clear audio, even though the bass was noted as being too pronounced compared to above-water performance. The key advantage of bone conduction is that the sound path does not rely on air or water interfaces near the eardrum, making it highly effective underwater, unlike standard speakers where sound transmission into the water is inefficient and reflective. ### Underwater Audio Comparison - Waterproof speaker (Monster S620) produces muffled, poor sound underwater - Bone conduction (Shokz OpenSwim Pro) provides clear audio by vibrating cheekbones - Underwater speaker (Oceaneers DRS-8) uses piezoelectric transducer, requiring external amplification ### Bone Conduction Technology Explained - Sound bypasses the eardrum by vibrating facial bones directly to the cochlea - Regular headphones rely on air transmission, which fails underwater ### Product Testing - Shokz OpenSwim Pro features MP3 storage (4GB) for offline use underwater (11:57) - The waterproof Bluetooth speaker (Monster S620) failed to provide adequate bass underwater (10:21) ### Oceaneers DRS-8 System - Custom-built underwater speaker using an epoxy-encased piezoelectric transducer - Requires external amplifier (400W max transformer rating) for operation (06:34) ### Final Verdict - Bone conduction headphones (Shokz) are highly effective for in-water music listening, offering superior clarity compared to waterproof speakers tested. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The host stands poolside, ready to test equipment for underwater listening.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:10: Underwater shot capturing the host swimming, demonstrating the environment for testing audio gear.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-00-10.png) ![Screenshot at 00:28: A screenshot of Amazon search results for "underwater speakers" showing various product types.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-00-28.png) ![Screenshot at 00:33: The host sitting at a table with several waterproof speakers and boxes laid out.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-00-33.png) ![Screenshot at 00:53: Graphic illustrating the vastly different speeds of sound propagation in air \(~330m/s\), salt water \(~1500m/s\), and granite \(~5900m/s\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-00-53.png) ![Screenshot at 01:13: Underwater GoPro shot capturing the speaker being submerged and the resulting water disturbance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-01-13.png) ![Screenshot at 01:37: The host interviews Renzo, the owner/operator of Synchrosound, who builds custom underwater audio solutions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-01-37.png) ![Screenshot at 03:24: Close-up of the Oceaneers DRS-8 CNC-milled underwater speaker transducer during operation, covered in white foam dust.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-03-24.png) ![Screenshot at 05:08: The host displays the Canadian \(DRS8-2\) and US \(DRS8\) models of the Oceaneers underwater speaker side-by-side.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-05-08.png) ![Screenshot at 07:24: A checklist graphic appears, ticking off items needed for the underwater audio test: Pool, Oceanears Speaker, DJ Renzo, and Microphone \(ASF-2 MKII\). \(The segment transitions to testing the hydrophone.\)](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YnHnTnqArus/00-07-24.png)