I'll admit it - I was skeptical. The Cleer ARC II Sport open-ear headphones had been sitting in my gym bag for weeks, a testament to my stubborn loyalty to traditional earbuds. But then came that fateful Monday morning when my trusted workout companions gave up the ghost, their batteries completely depleted. There they were, the ARCs, practically winking at me from the bottom of my bag. "Fine," I thought, "let's see what you've got."

Two hours and one surprisingly energetic workout later, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about workout audio. These weren't just another gimmicky pair of sports headphones - they were something entirely different, and dare I say, better in ways I hadn't expected.

Features: More Than Meets the Ear

The spec sheet reads like an audiophile's wishlist. At the heart of these earbuds are 16.2mm neodymium dynamic drivers - significantly larger than what you'll find in traditional wireless earbuds. They're powered by Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, meaning you can stay connected to both your phone and laptop simultaneously. The codec support is comprehensive: AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive, and even aptX Lossless, though you'll need a compatible device to take advantage of the latter.

The Cleer+ app transforms these from simple earbuds into a sophisticated workout companion. Beyond the expected EQ controls, you get adaptive call volume that automatically adjusts based on your environment - particularly useful when moving from the quiet gym floor to the cacophonous cardio area. The enhanced anti-wind algorithm proves its worth during outdoor runs, and the step counting feature has proven surprisingly accurate against my fitness tracker.

The app includes thoughtful additions like a sedentary reminder(bugging you to move after 60 minutes of sitting), and an anti-loss reminder that could save you from leaving these behind at the gym. The auto power-off feature helps preserve battery life, while voice assistant integration works seamlessly with both Siri and Google Assistant.

One of the more innovative features is the 6-axis motion sensor enabling head gesture controls. While novel, I found myself turning this off during workouts - nodding along to music shouldn't skip tracks. The standard touch controls are more than sufficient, offering easy access to volume, track control, and call management.

Design: The Devil's in the Details

The engineering here shows meticulous attention to detail. Each earbud weighs 14g - noticeably more than traditional earbuds like the AirPods Pro's 5.5g, yet the weight distribution across the ear makes them feel lighter than the numbers suggest. The matte black finish (my review unit's color) manages to look both sporty and sophisticated.

The charging case deserves special mention. At 130g total weight including the earbuds, it's substantial without being bulky. The magnetic closure provides a satisfying snap, and the UV sterilization feature is more than just a gimmick - it actually helps keep the speaker area sanitized, particularly welcome for workout gear.

Battery life is where these really shine. You get 8 hours of continuous playback from the buds themselves, with the case providing an additional 27 hours for a total of 35 hours. In real-world use, I've gone well over a week of daily workouts without reaching for the USB-C cable. When I do need a quick boost, the quick charge feature delivers: 10 minutes gets you about an hour of playback. The USB-C to USB-A charging cable included in the box is a decent length, though I would have preferred USB-C on both ends.

Fit: Security Without Sacrifice

Let's be clear about the fit - these aren't your typical earbuds. The open-ear design rests above your ear canal rather than inside it, with an earhook that wraps around the back of your ear. While there's no adjustable hinge (I initially thought there was), the flexible material of the earhook conforms well to different ear shapes.

During workouts, they've proven remarkably stable. Through bench presses, shoulder presses, and running on the treadmill, they've stayed firmly in place. Even during more dynamic movements like box jumps and battle ropes, they've remained secure. The IPX5 water resistance rating has handled my sweatiest workouts without issue, though I'd love to see this pushed to IPX7 in future versions for complete peace of mind.

The one adjustment period comes from the feeling of having something resting on your outer ear rather than in it. After about a week of regular use, I stopped noticing it altogether. One minor note: if you wear glasses, you might need to adjust the placement slightly to accommodate both the earhooks and your frames.

Performance: Surprising in All the Right Ways

The open-ear design presents unique acoustic challenges, which makes the sound quality all the more impressive. The audio is full, rich, and detailed, with enough volume to overcome gym noise when needed. The stereo separation is particularly noteworthy - you get a genuine sense of space in your music, something often lacking in traditional workout earbuds.

Guitars and bass on Shaboozey's "Tipsy" get my feet tapping, with clear separation between instruments and vocals. The overall sound signature is fun and engaging - I frequently find myself wanting to listen to just one more track. The mid-range clarity makes these excellent for podcast listening during longer cardio sessions.

The only real compromise comes in the ultra-low bass department. The bass drop in Imagine Dragons' "Believer" lacks that visceral punch you get from traditional earbuds. It's there, and it gets the point across, but physics is physics - without a sealed ear canal, you're just not going to get that same deep rumble. The Cleer+ app's EQ can help boost the low end, but it can't completely overcome the limitations of the open-ear design.

Call quality, powered by the dual-microphone beamforming setup, is surprisingly good. The open-ear design actually helps here - you can hear your own voice naturally, preventing that closed-in feeling and helping you maintain a normal speaking volume.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Addition to Your Audio Arsenal

The Cleer ARC II Sport won't replace all your other headphones, but that's not their purpose. What they offer is something different: a thoughtfully designed, comfortable option for those times when you want great sound without isolating yourself from the world (or jamming silicone tips into your ears).

At $189, they're competing with some serious traditional earbuds, but they've carved out their own niche. For workouts, runs, or just general use where spatial awareness matters, they're my new go-to. The combination of solid battery life, impressive sound quality, and practical features makes them a compelling choice for anyone seeking an alternative to traditional earbuds.

The ARC II Sport represents a significant evolution in workout audio - proving that keeping your ears open doesn't mean compromising on sound quality or features. While they might not deliver the skull-rattling bass of sealed earbuds, they excel in nearly every other category. For anyone tired of constantly adjusting their earbuds during workouts or looking for a more comfortable alternative to traditional designs, these deserve a serious look. Who knew keeping your ears open could sound this good?