Compare H2O Audio TRI 2 PRO Headphones vs H2O Audio Sonar 2 Pro

Reviewer opinion is split by use case: underwater and swim use often sounds good or even impressive, while several reviewers criticize above-water sound as tinny, muddy, or below regular earbuds.

Underwater sound is the headline strength: every reviewer found it clear or enjoyable in the pool, with several calling it excellent or top-tier. It is not audiophile-neutral, though, and one test placed it behind Shokz for balance and clarity.

Sound leakage is mixed: pool use appears discreet, but above-water leakage can appear at higher volumes.

One reviewer found that the open bone-conduction design leaks audio noticeably, especially when listening louder.

Bass is highly inconsistent: some reviews praise punch or improved bass in water, while others say land playback lacks low-end impact or becomes woolly and hollow.

Bass has plenty of impact underwater, which some testers loved for energetic swimming. Others found the low end too dominant, with kick drums capable of overpowering the rest of the mix.

Frequency balance is not very accurate; reviewers describe the response as not crisp and noticeably unbalanced.

The tuning is not especially neutral. Multiple reviewers heard an elevated low end, and one said the overall balance trails the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.

Charging feedback is positive where reviewed, with magnetic connection clarity and roughly one-to-two-hour charging times.

Charging drew a specific complaint about the proprietary cable, which adds another dedicated lead to keep track of.

Battery life is mostly good for workouts and swims, though one review found real-world drain below the stated claim.

Battery life is generally considered strong for swimming, with reviewers citing roughly 9–10 hours in some modes and calling that enough for serious sessions. One test saw shorter endurance from the onboard player.

Case quality is mostly praised as nice, protective, or convenient, though one reviewer found the standard case bulky.

The soft-shell case is compact, but it does not provide extra charging. One reviewer called out that missing function when comparing the headset’s battery package with wireless earbuds.

Volume is adequate for some voices and workouts, but multiple reviewers had to raise it high, noticed vibration, or found volume changes distracting in water.

There is ample underwater volume, and two testers actually found the output strong enough to turn down. One comparison still judged its power below the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.

Midrange and vocals range from clear and full in some testing to static, under-defined, or not very cutting in more critical reviews.

Mids are generally easy to follow underwater, with vocals and spoken-word content coming through clearly. One reviewer found the midrange less smooth than ideal.

Treble is serviceable but not consistently crisp; reviewers mention rolled-off, grainy, or missing high-end detail, with a few brighter elements coming through well.

Treble drew mixed reactions: two reviewers said the highs stayed crisp or clear underwater, while another heard a grainy edge.

Offline playback is the product's defining advantage for swimming, but Playlist+ recording and syncing can be cumbersome or unreliable.

Phone-free playback is a major advantage for swimming. Reviewers liked the onboard player and Playlist+ for keeping music and podcasts available underwater, but several complained that getting streaming content onto the headset takes too much time.

Portability is supported by a compact, gym-bag-friendly case in the review that discussed it.

The smaller profile was praised as streamlined for swimming, making the headset less bulky than its predecessor.

Stability is a major strength in water and workouts, although one reviewer with fit issues felt less secure while running.

Secure fit is one of the product’s clearest strengths. Multiple reviewers could not knock the headset loose through flips, fins, butterfly, or vigorous laps, although one tester raised concerns about cable and strap stability.

Charging and transfer cable feedback is mixed, from necessary for waterproofing to inconvenient proprietary limitations and one failed USB loading experience.

One tester wanted the flexible cable between the two sides to feel more stable, especially because the headset depends on goggles or another strap for support.

Included accessories are useful, especially earplugs, a protective case, and clear documentation that improve swim use and setup.

The included waterproof earplugs are more than filler accessories; testers found they improve intelligibility and make the bone-conduction presentation sound richer underwater.

Water readiness is the strongest consensus area, with reviewers repeatedly praising pool, underwater, and waterproof performance.

Water protection is a major strength. Reviewers repeatedly praised the IPX8 rating and treated the headset as fully suited to sustained swimming at its stated depth limit.

EQ customization is essentially absent, with reviewers explicitly noting no EQ or presets to tune the sound.

There is no useful onboard EQ for memory playback, a notable limitation because several reviewers found the default tuning bass-heavy. More app-based EQ control was specifically requested.

Controls are divisive: some reviewers found them reachable or simple, while many criticized stiff buttons, accidental presses, and unreliable secondary commands.

The physical buttons are tactile and generally workable in the water, with some testers finding them simple and intuitive. Others found the layout crowded, the command combinations clunky, or experienced accidental changes from strap contact.

Bluetooth experiences vary sharply: pairing can be easy on phones and laptops, but underwater use, stutters, random disconnections, and clumsy setup hurt reliability.

Underwater Bluetooth streaming worked better than one reviewer expected when the watch was positioned close to the headset, but occasional dropouts remained during turns and certain strokes.

Setup is mixed: drag-and-drop loading can be easy, but Playlist+, app handling, and troubleshooting are often described as clumsy or time-consuming.

Setup is the most persistent friction point. Playlist+ can require real-time recording, the optional watch clip can make fitting awkward, and one tester called music setup challenging, although direct file transfer was straightforward in another test.

The app is adequate but limited; some found it easy to navigate, while others wanted clearer instructions, more customization, or smoother access to stored music.

The companion app covers battery status, stored tracks, updates, and Playlist+, but opinions are mixed. One reviewer called it simple, while several found the Playlist+ workflow old-fashioned, slow, or clunky.

Comfort is generally strong thanks to low weight and soft contact, though a few reviewers report long-wear soreness or fit quirks.

Once fitted under goggle straps or a swim cap, the headset can all but disappear during a workout. Two testers said it became effectively unnoticeable.

Design works well for aquatic use and looks clean to some reviewers, but fit gaps and sizing for smaller heads create caveats.

The goggle-clip design is highly effective for its intended job and was even called game-changing for pool use. The tradeoff is severe specialization: several reviewers found the form factor awkward to put on and poor for running, cycling, or everyday listening.

Value depends heavily on the use case: swimmers often get enough benefit, while land users and audio-focused buyers face better-value alternatives.

For dedicated swimmers, the price is generally viewed as reasonable or justified by the secure fit and underwater performance. Import costs and optional accessories can weaken the value in some markets.

Android compatibility is supported by a reviewer pairing successfully with a Google Pixel phone.

Adjustability is limited, with one reviewer wishing the band could be adjusted for a looser fit.

Instrument separation is weak in critical listening, with strings, guitar, and bass parts getting lost or failing to cut through the mix.

Maximum-volume playback is a recurring weakness, with distortion, muddiness, overpowering tracks, or bone-conduction tickle appearing at louder levels.

Multi-platform compatibility is positive in the review that paired the headset with both a Google Pixel phone and a MacBook.

Overall sentiment is strongly positive when the headset is used for lap swimming: reviewers repeatedly call it excellent, easy to recommend, or outstanding in that niche. Enthusiasm drops sharply when judged as an all-purpose headset.

The open-ear design preserves awareness in the pool, letting swimmers hear coaches or people around them while still listening to audio.

Build quality is a strength, with reviewers describing sturdy construction, flexible durability, and soft-touch or sleek materials.

At louder levels, one reviewer noticed the familiar bone-conduction vibration tickle, making high-volume listening less comfortable.

Weight comfort is a clear strength; reviewers repeatedly call the headset lightweight enough for running, swimming, and extended workout use.

One reviewer warned that buyers importing the headset may not have local warranty servicing, creating a support risk outside officially served markets.

Watch-based underwater streaming is usable but not perfectly stable. One reviewer experienced occasional dropouts during turns and found reliability better when the head stayed submerged.

Passive isolation depends on the open-ear tradeoff: awareness is strong, but external noise can drown out playback unless earplugs are used.

One reviewer found that the soundstage opens up nicely underwater, giving the presentation more space than expected from this swim-focused bone-conduction design.

Call quality is a weak point overall; some calls are usable, but several reviewers report quiet, distant, or incomplete microphone pickup.