Hands On: i360 Music Infused Polar Headband

It’s getting chilly, and we’re starting to think about keeping warm. This means hats, scarves, and gloves, but if you look closely, the dangling white iPod headphones are bound to be hiding somewhere in the mix. A little cold weather won’t keep us from rocking out!

This is where i360 and its Music Infused apparel step up to bat. The company offers headbands, beanies, and hat beanies that have built-in pockets in which to stash your iPod nano and its provided headphones.

I had the chance to try out the Music Infused Polar Headband ($49.95 direct) that was designed for the 1st-generation nano. This model comes in black or white for both the 1st- and 3rd- generation nanos.

Installation is simple; plug your iPod and the packaged headphones into the pre-threaded wire and then slip them into the side pockets. The headphones stay completely hidden within the band, while a round hole in the front gives you access to the iPod controls.

After I had my iPod loaded into the headband, I tried it on. And here’s where the first and biggest problem arises.

Though many will concur that I have an exceptionally large mental capacity, my actual head is average size. The one-size-fits-all headband was too snug for me, though, causing the integrated electronics to push uncomfortably into my scalp. Additionally, to get the phones in a good listening position requires pulling the headband down to a point where it both looks and feels awkward. And if you’re an eyeglasses wearer like me, expect to have the frames dig into the side of your head, adding more pain to the mix.

Had this been a product I wasn’t reviewing, it would have already ended up right back in the box for a swift return. Grunting through my discomfort, I felt around haphazardly for the nano controls, which were exposed near the front of the headband. When I finally figured out how the buttons were orientated, it was time to hear how these puppies sounded.

A tinny tone and a severe lack of bass were immediately apparent. I continued to fiddle around with placement, thinking that was causing the degradation in sound, but the only improvement came by pushing the headphones even more uncomfortably close into my ears. This created an improvement in the bottom end, but it’s not a reasonable solution.

Volume-wise, these things can get pretty loud when you crank the sound up, and I heard no significant degradation in sound or distortion at full volume. The downside is that even when you’re listening at normal sound levels, the people around you hear it too, since the speakers are unenclosed.

My recommendation is to stick with your favorite pair of ear buds and throw a comfortable hat or headband over the top. This is especially true for any classic iPod owners out there who wouldn’t otherwise be able to fit their players inside the i360 headband.

Via GearLog