H20 Audio's SV i700 Waterproof Housing and Armband [Archive]

Tim Adams

04-29-2005, 05:30 PM

<img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_top.jpg" /> Product Category: MP3 Audio Accessory Manufacturer: <a href="http://www.h2oaudio.com">H2O Audio</a> Where to Buy: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=jasondunn-20&creative=9325&camp=1789&link_code=ur2&path=tg/detail/-/B00068DURQ/qid=1113618322/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846">Amazon [Affiliate]</a> Price: $84.55 USD for the SV i700; $29.95 for the armband (sold separately) Pros:<li>Completely waterproof MP3 housing solution (up to 3m); <li>Lightweight; <li>Useful for multiple activities.Cons:<li>Submerged volume is restricted; <li>Headset is slightly small (for those with large heads); <li>Difficult to install in armband.Summary: Love your music, but are afraid to take it everywhere for fear of damage? Ever wanted to lounge in the hot tub while jamming to your latest iTunes/Napster purchase? An avid watersports gal/guy but can never take your favorite music with you while you participate? H2O Audio has come up with an ingenious package that not only allows you to take your MP3s almost anywhere, but also keep your ears happy. In this review we are covering the SV i700, the waterproof housing for the iRiver iFP-700 series. Curious about the results? Read on for the full review!<!> <PAGEBREAK> Not-So-Soggy Bottom Boys The design of the SV i700 is quite ingenious. It's almost as if the unit was designed right along side the iRiver iFP-700 (even though it was developed after). The most difficult task is remembering that the front panel buttons (Figure 1) are reversed to take full advantage of the rocker-style switch. The top buttons (Figure 2), if you can remember what they are normally, are laid out the same as the iFP-700 outside of the casing. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_buttons1.jpg" /> Figure 1: The front button panel with its reversed layout. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_buttons2.jpg" /> Figure 2: The top button panel on the SV i700. Keeping all the bits together is a locking mechanism (Figure 3) that has a <a href="http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/wildlife/molluscs_common_whelk.html">whelk's</a> chance in a <a href="http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/snr.html">supernova </a> of opening accidentally. This is a two-hand, three step operation. Don't get me wrong - I would rather have to really work at getting my device out of the casing than risk a flood that would send my tunes to Davey Jones' Locker. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_lock.jpg" /> Figure 3: The locking mechanism for the SV i700. <PAGEBREAK> The Water Music; Overture Furthering the master design plan, H2O uses a high-grade "T" seal (Figure 4) to keep the water out of the main body of the SV i700. Two are included (one as a spare), and H2O Audio is very careful to point out that you should check these seals each time you use the device or you could risk a flood (which they will, obviously, not be held liable for). <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_seal.jpg" /> Figure 4: Two high-grade "T" seals (the dark blue area) are included in the package (one as a spare). While it looks like the original intent of the SV i700 was for watersports (Figure 5), I could also see these being used for mountain biking (an H2O suggestion), skiing (okay, so that's more or less water-related, but you get the point), and wet-weather jogging/running. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_water.jpg" /> Figure 5: The SV i700 can be submersed up to 10ft/3m. The headphones themselves are connected to the SV i700 in such a way to once again, keep the water out of the casing (with a little help from the included Silicon Super-O Lube). This is not to say that water doesn't touch the headphones at all (water can fill up the ear pieces themselves, but they too are sealed). I did find the headphones a little difficult to attach to my huge head (even in its currently shaved state), but once on, they weren't uncomfortable as the actual speakers can move up/down/rotate as necessary. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_headphones.jpg" /> Figure 6: Almost too small for a large head, the SV i700 headphones still work as intended, keeping the water out and the music in. Of course, design can only take you so far. If the performance is bad, even the best musical instrument cannot help. In any situation where the headphones were not completely submerged, the audio was, while a little bright and tinny (nothing that a little equalization couldn't fix), fine considering its application. Beneath the water, however, the sound level was cut drastically. As soon as my ears and the speakers filled with water, the volume seemed to drop at least 50%. Rise to the surface, the water drains, and the volume would return. Sadly, the iRiver can only go up to "40" which made the underwater level seem like just above soft. Still good enough for the average lap pool, but in a public swimming pool (ie mucho kiddos), your music might get drowned out by the occasional cannonball. <PAGEBREAK> Where to Wear Once you've decided on where you are going to use the SV i700, you then have to make the choice about where you are going to wear the case. Included in the package is a wrist lanyard which is actually quite comfortable, but not really the optimal solution in most cases. H2O Audio also has additional accessories for the SV i700 such as a neoprene armband (Figure 7) or even swimbelts. <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/762/ta_h2o_arm.jpg" /> Figure 7: Additional accessories, such as this neoprene armband can be purchased separately. While the armband was the most comfortable way (compared to the lanyard) to wear the SV i700 while swimming, it was quite a pain to put the two together. The armband also requires additional maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape. Personally, I think the armband should have been included for the price of the SV i700. Conclusions I found the SV i700 to be fascinating. And those I showed it to were equally intrigued. Knowing that I'm not a daily swimmer, I showed it off to some folks at the local Courthouse Athletic Club and asked their opinion. While they said that they probably wouldn't use it (at first glance), they would mention that probably a lot of people would be interested. Considering that this case is an extremely focused solution (you have to own an iRiver iFP-700 series device), I could understand the issue. Thankfully, H2O is producing more of their cases for other styles of audio players. All in all, a great solution, while a bit on the pricey side without the armband.