X3

Earbuds that itch after hours of wear, headphones that slip mid-run, and the worry of water near electronics are the problems MultiEffectElf says it set out to address with the X3. The design keeps the ear canal open, and the maker pitches it for settings ranging from the pool to the meeting room.

Two ways to carry sound

Bone conduction sends vibrations through the skull to the inner ear, leaving the ear canal free so ambient sound stays audible, but it has traditionally struggled with low frequencies. The X3 combines bone conduction for clarity in the upper range with air conduction to reinforce bass. According to the maker, this delivers 30% deeper bass response than conventional bone conduction headphones.

Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 6.0. A single tactile multifunction button manages playback and calls: one press plays or pauses, a double press skips tracks, and a long press summons a voice assistant such as Siri or Google Assistant.

Fit, weight and water

The frame uses a titanium memory structure that the maker says follows the curve of the ear and holds its shape once adjusted, with medical-grade silicone at contact points intended to resist slipping when sweaty. The whole unit weighs 25 grams, which the maker compares with typical bone conduction headphones at around 35–40 grams.

The X3 carries an IPX8 rating, described by the maker as withstanding immersion at a depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes. The maker positions it as the only dual-mode bone and air conduction headphone with IPX8 waterproofing, a claim Modern-G has not verified.

• 140mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, rated by the maker for at least 5–8 hours of continuous playback
• Snap-on magnetic charging port that aligns the cable automatically and detaches under tension
• Open-ear design the maker says works alongside glasses and masks
• Suggested uses include swimming, running, cycling, office calls, commuting and gaming

Taken together, the X3 is pitched as a single open-ear headphone for sport, work and everyday listening, with the dual-mode audio as its central technical idea.