No Cell Reception? No Problem—IsoTunes Has Your Radio Needs (And Ears) Covered
Sometimes, we have to look to the past to move forward. While we’re not actually regressing, older technology is at the heart of the IsoTunes Air Defender AM FM radio earmuffs. We’re going to make the case that it’s a very good thing.
IsoTune Air Defender AM FM Radio Earmuffs Hearing Protection
- Over-ear design
- Memory foam pads
- NRR 24 rating
- CSA Class A rating
IsoTunes uses an over-ear design for these. When you consider the hardware that has to go into making the entertainment side of things work, it was the only real choice. Personally, I don’t mind considering I typically reach for over-ear hearing protection rather than in-ear for the majority of my work.
It’s a comfortable setup. Extendable earpieces ensure that nearly any adult can find a good fit. The pads are memory foam and the tension avoids being so tight on your head that it’s uncomfortable. Additional padding across the headband dodges the creation of a pressure point there as well.
When you have them properly covering your ears, you get an NRR 24 rating, reducing the ambient noise around you by 24 decibels. If you’re north of the border in Canada, these earmuffs have a CSA Class A rating.
The final piece of the comfort puzzle is weight and IsoTunes did a nice job of keeping it reasonable. With the batteries installed, the unit weighs 13.6 ounces.
IsoTune Air Defender AM FM Radio Earmuffs Entertainment
- AM/FM radio
- 3.5mm aux input
- 85-decibel max volume
- IPX4 ingress rating
- 60-hour battery life with 2 AA batteries
The primary source of entertainment is an AM/FM radio, powered by two AA batteries. While that may seem like a step back with all the Bluetooth options around, it’s for a reason. First of all, not everyone gets to work where there’s a reliable cell signal. No signal, no data. No data, no music streaming. It’s as simple as that. Of course, you can always download music if you have the space.
Another reason is that (wait for it) some people actually prefer listening to the radio over streaming. Some of us who are old enough to remember the launch of the first iPhone still like radio programs and personalities.
If that’s not you, just go with the original Air Defender and its Bluetooth connection.
For those of you who want the best of both worlds, there’s a 3.5mm aux cable input you can use to listen via phone. Those of us using the most updated phones just need to remember to bring an adapter since the aux jack has gone away on many models.
As usual, IsoTunes limits the volume to 85 decibels, keeping you OSHA-compliant while you work.
Controls
Controlling the radio is simple. Press and hold the power button to turn it on. Short press the power button to cycle between AM and FM bands.
The + and – buttons take care of tuning to the station you want to listen to and the unit holds that station in memory once you turn it off. There’s an LCD screen to help you keep track of the band frequency you’re on.
When it comes to sound quality, the main limitation is that you’re primarily listening to radio bands. From our experience, the sound is excellent for a headset. When you use the aux cord and a high-quality audio file, the sound quality is pleasing, though not at the level you would get from premium brand headphones.
IsoTune Air Defender AM FM Radio Earmuffs Price
The retail price for these earmuffs is $69.99 and they come with a 1-year warranty. Note that batteries are not included, so grab a pack from Amazon so you can use them right away. IsoTuines does include an aux cable, though.
The Bottom Line
Not everyone needs an AM/FM radio as their primary source of jobsite entertainment. For those of us that do, the IsoTunes Air Defender AM FM radio earmuffs take care of entertainment and hearing protection in a comfortable two-in-one design. Even though it doesn’t add Bluetooth and a rechargeable battery system, it’s able to keep the price reasonable because of it. So go out and grab a set, and let the afternoon DJ help you get through the work day.
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