The remark may seem obvious, but let’s clarify an entry point nonetheless: Due to the very particular nature of audio glasses, we measure the listening experience that is offered by considering the specifics of that product. Of course, you shouldn’t expect the same experience as a traditional mobile headset, or even a bone conduction headset, although we’re not very far from the latter’s usual outcome here…
The Bose Frames Soprano clearly don’t impress with their sound reproduction. Despite good relative tonal balance, at least a certain homogeneity in the reproduction, one should not expect to be in an appropriate position to appreciate his music. The sound signature is primarily tailored to the reproduction of voices and more generally to vocal content (radio broadcasts, podcasts, etc.), with a certain respect for their timbres and guaranteed intelligibility.
Beyond this exercise, the Frames Soprano are quickly found wanting, firstly due to the glaring lack of bass/treble extremes, creating a rather narrow and not very immersive sound, further compounded by the total lack of soundproofing (which is certainly the aim, that this type of product is aiming for). As a result, we’re almost forced to turn up the volume to try to capture as much information as possible, at the risk of tickling your office neighbors or those seated in transport, as the speakers’ strong directivity has its limits. ..
Not to improve anything, the accuracy is very average, not to say bad, when the content gets a little too rich in sources to reproduce. Cool double kiss effect, the power is very limited and the dynamics of the signal gets more and more chopped up as the volume increases, with the added bonus of unsightly pumping effects.
So, from the strict point of view of raw sound performance (listening comfort and wearing experience are separate points), it’s hard to see what would lead to choosing this model of glasses over a bone conduction headset. Even considering the small size of the speakers embedded in the temples of the glasses, we at least expected a more generous extension in the bass, which the Frames Soprano cannot offer. A result that is all the more disappointing when you consider that its sisters, the Frames Tempo, do it with great efficiency… Reserved for the occasional extra listen, especially for vocal content.