Sound Quality

Although the sound quality of the Active Stadions isn’t bad, it just can’t keep up with the quality of the other earbuds in the test. It’s obvious that the focus of the earbuds was creating a good fit for runners and other athletes, and not necessarily on producing the best sound. They were good in the mid-ranges but it was in the upper and lower ends of the range where you could really tell the difference between the Stadions and most of the other models in the test. However, it’s a safe bet that the sound quality is better than many other similarly priced earbuds on the market that aren’t designed specifically for working out.

Comfort & Fit

The Active Stadions feature a coiled cord that connects the earbuds, which are designed to wrap over the top of the ears. The buds fit securely in the ears and the coils hold the cord tightly against the back of the head, but the pressure ends up pulling on the earhooks above the ears and even the buds inside the ears. At first, the Active Stadion feel comfortable and secure, but after awhile, the pressure gets to be too much and the comfort is sacrificed. Other than the PowerBeats, though, the Active Stadions had a more secure fit than any of the other earbuds in the test.

Ease of Use

The Active Stadions were easy to set up and start using, but fell short when it came to practical use while running or working out. Instead of having the controls in the earbuds themselves, the controls for the Active Stadion are on the band that rests against the back of your head. This makes it problematic to reach the controls while running, especially when you’re near the end of an especially long run and holding your hand behind your head while you try and adjust the volume is the last thing you want to do.

Versatility

Because of their secure fit, the Active Stadions are practical for many different activities. However, the joined-earbud design, especially with the coiled cord, means that it would be extremely difficult to use only one earbud at a time, so they wouldn’t be the best choice for any activities where it’s advisable to have an ear open to the surroundings.  

Features

The most notable feature of the Active Stadions is the coiled cord that holds the earbuds securely in place during even the most rigorous exercises. Other than that, the Active Stadions are a fairly simple, straightforward design without a lot of extras. The 7 hour playtime is impressive, though still fell short of the 12 hours of the PowerBeats 3.