Baseus Bass BC1 open-ear earbuds ZDNET's key takeaways Baseus' Bass BC1 earbuds are available now for $40 on Baseus' website.
With the help of the available app, these earbuds can produce very good sound for outdoor activities
Use caution when using the BC1 earbuds outdoors so you can still hear ambient sound. View now at Baseus
When I'm out for a run, I'm not looking for studio-quality sound that would satiate my inner audiophile. I just want sound with plenty of lows and highs, but with enough mids that I don't miss anything (after all, vocals live in the midrange).
I also need a pair of earbuds that won't be destroyed by my xenomorphic sweat, which means I have to use either bone-conducting or open-ear headphones.
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I used to swear by bone-conducting headphones, until I met the clip-on style, which almost always produces superior sound. Such is the case with the Baseus Bass BC1 clip-on earbuds. They're only $40, and worth every penny.
My experience
I've grown accustomed to Baseus producing decent earbuds and headphones, so I no longer assume what I'm about to test will be subpar. The Bass BC1 earbuds continue with that trend. Although these aren't going to convert audiophiles over to using $40 earbuds, they might certainly win over active people who don't want to spend a lot of money on earbuds they'll only wear while running, hiking, biking, or other outdoor activities.
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The BC1 earbuds do not support Google Fast Pairing, but connecting them to my Pixel 9 Pro was as easy as going to "Connected devices," and then tapping "Pair new device." It took all of ten seconds, and I was ready to push play on Spotify.
When the first strains of "Riddles Are Abound Tonight" (by Les Claypool's band Sausage) rolled out, I knew I was going to have to tweak the sound, so I opened the Baseus app on my phone, connected the earbuds to the app, and immediately went to the EQ section.
The EQ is limited to 8 bands and can take some time to get just right. Jack Wallen/ZDNET
For most listeners, the predefined Rock Classic EQ setting will probably be good enough. It offers plenty of bass, muted mids, and enough highs to suit the average person. For me, I jumped right into Custom and created my own curve (you can create as many as you want - one for each genre if necessary).
I found that I had to spend a bit more time than I like getting the EQ just right, which tells me the app's EQ isn't quite as sensitive or refined as I'm accustomed to. After a while, I had it dialed in and was ready to take them for my first run.
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My current running earbuds use a touch interface to interact with Spotify, and I've always found it a bit less than ideal, whereas these have physical buttons on both left and right earbuds. I actually prefer having physical buttons, as when I'm running in the heat, my fingers get so sweaty that the touch pads do not respond.
As I was pounding the pavement, I was able to utilize the controls with ease. Yes, the buttons are small, so you have to get used to controlling your music as you bounce around. It took no time to get up to speed, and before long, I was controlling my music like a champ (if only I were running like a champ, as well).
I could wear the BC1 earbuds all day. Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Again, these aren't going to bring out your inner audiophile, but they will certainly make sure you hear every note, word, and drumbeat, no matter your surroundings.
Which brings me to a warning. Because these earbuds can get pretty loud, you want to make sure to adjust the volume so you can still hear ambient sounds. You don't want to get plowed into by a car because you didn't hear it coming.
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After my first run with the BC1 earbuds, I came to this conclusion: it's best to adjust the EQ to the activity and not the music. For instance, if I were on my bike, I'd boost the mids to account for wind noises. While running, I can keep the mids subdued because there's less noise. Your mileage may vary, but as long as you're willing to spend some time adjusting the EQ, these earbuds will sound great outdoors.
ZDNET's buying advice
If you're like me and spend a good amount of time outdoors running, cycling, or any other similar activity, do yourself a favor and spend the $40 on these earbuds. Not only can you get pretty good sound out of them, but they'll also stay on your ears without causing any discomfort.
The Baseus Bass BC1 earbuds might not blow you away with high fidelity, audiophile-pleasing sound, but they do a great job of pumping good sound into your ears, with comfort and easy-to-use controls. From my perspective, that's the perfect earbud for an active lifestyle.
Baseus Bass BC1 earbuds tech specs
Ear Placement: Open Ear
Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0
Drivers: 12mm dynamic
Mics: 4 ANC mics
Water resistance: IP55
Battery: 6.5 hours on full charge with 38 hours total time using the charging case