MP3 Player/Phone Fit Chart

This is a great product! If you get bored easily swimming laps this passes the time quickly. The only downside is it will take you a few times to figure out which ear pieces will fit you in the water, but it is well worth it. It would be great if there was a way to purchase custom ear buds, but until that happens this product will suffice. Great product. Would highly reccommend to friends. (Posted on 7/17/10)

This is my 3rd try with the iPod shuffle compatible product. (I feel like a beta tester.) Successively better with each version. Getting the right fit in the ear is the challenge. I've tried endless changes with sizing; I've augmented with silicone plugs to "fill" the gaps around the ear (inconsistent, and in the end I don't think it is the key); I'm presently using the foam plugs and have been so far happier with them (though only 2 sessions -- too early to judge.) I've tried with & without a swim cap. Overall a cap keeps the plugs in more consistently, though the cord must be tucked underneath with slack to accommodate for a slight pull from traction of the swim cap. And sometime the plugs still come loose.

Overall, I think H2O needs to improve the ear piece. (That's why 4 stars & not 5). Perhaps look at design features of Etymotic or other high-end ear phones. Maybe offer custom-fit earpiece service (not sure how). Also, the earpiece may need to have a slight bend (angled, like some higher end earphones) to lay more flush within the ear, to reduce removal of piece by water drag.

Along the same lines, the cord must be flush against the top ear (or around the lobe) and flush against scalp. A swim cap better achieves this, but the cord must eventually run external to the cap to the case. Perhaps there should be cap with 2 vents (reinforced holes) in the back that allow "internal" entry of ear plugs? In the meantime I'm experimenting using without a cap, by wrapping plugs 1-2X around goggle strap behind ear, wrapping cord around top/bottom of ear, and removing all slack using that loop around the cord.

Yes I clearly have a lot of time on my hands. No, I am not an engineer or unemployed (but would love to a beta-tester). I love to swim and think H2OAudio has got a great product and solves the boredom issue with lap-swimming.

H2O Audio Comments:
Yes, it we agree that since everyone's ears and head are different, it does take a bit of experimenting to figure out the best ear tip set up for yourself. A good piece of advice is to also make sure that you have a nice snug fit on your goggles. Since the entire unit is contained on your goggles, if the straps move around frequently while you're swimming, it can move the headphone wires and cause disruption to the ear pieces. So start with a solid goggle fit, attach the Interval and secure any loose wires in the way that you like best (wrapped around the goggle strap or tucked under a cap, etc) and get the ear plugs sealed into your ear BEFORE getting into the pool. Don't be afraid to experiment with the angle at which you insert the ear pieces and also where the cord exits the ear pieces. I swear by having the cord exit out the front top, where others swear by back bottom. Also, we're working on a few more ear tip styles, so stay tuned, we're always working to make our products better!
(Posted on 6/17/10)

It's great to listen to your favourite music while swimming.
As most of you know, swimming is rather boring... I think the interval 3G is a must-to-have: you only have to set your iPod (i could not listen to music by using another player) and...tah dah!...
Just one thing to the interval team: the product is great but what about provide earbuds with caps such as H3 Waterproof Headphones? they are quite easier to stay in place when you wear them: I customized my earbuds with caps by obtained silicone ear plugs from my recording studio earbuds... (Posted on 5/24/10)

The sound is impressive. I had an issue with my first set, but H2O Audio sorted it out quickly and without fuss and I was back to Ken Follett in no time. (Posted on 5/15/10)

I have two of them, one for me and one for my wife. We still have the unit for the smaller generation shuffle and bought the sport wraps for use on the bicycles.

the problem we both have in the pool is that after 2-3 laps the music fails in one of the ear pieces...not always the same one. I thought initially the problem was in the ipod jack itself so I bought another older model shuffle but the same thing happens in all three.

All said, I have tried several different headsets for use in the pool and this one beats all of them even with its "quirks".

H2O Audio Note:
We stand behind all our products with a one year warranty, if it's being "quirky" on you please alert our customer support team. (Posted on 4/20/10)

I swim for an hour at a time and time just flies when I have my headset on to swim with! I love this product. If I am using hand paddles and the water is really moving, one of the two earphones comes out after a few laps. It is easy to locate and put back in. Swimming has never been so fun! (Posted on 4/14/10)

The concept is excellent, the execution could be better. I received the Interval as a present on Christmas 2009. Fitting with the ear buds was a problem no matter what size I used. Eventually I solved the problem by using the gromets from a shure headphone. In March 2010 the right earphone start cutting out until it died shortly after. Support was excellent and sent me a replacement but my joy was short lived. The replacement unit right earphone died again right away after only two swim sessions. No warnings or cut out just dead. I tried to revive it with compressed air as directed without success. I am not hard on the equipment and take very good care of it with carefull handling and avoiding any stress on the wires. I will have to contact support again. It is a pitty because I like the product a lot and makes swimming much more pleasent but reliability is an issue and wish I could get at least one year before having problems. I would consider myself satisfied. (Posted on 4/13/10)

Swimming is so much better with the interval - awesome product.

I was struggling with earbud fit for the first while, but I think I've found the key -

Use a larger size bud and get your inner ear wet first, this seems to create some sort of suction seal that keeps the bud in the ear- using this technique I haven't had any further problems. (Posted on 4/8/10)

I have been swimming competitively for over 30 years and, lately have felt that swimming became more of a chore. Once I began using the 3G I am able to get into a zone and just enjoy the feel of the water. I am swimming twice as much and find myself looking for more opportunities to find pool time.

Thanks H2O Audio (Posted on 4/8/10)

I love listening to music while I swim. It seems to give you more energy. (Posted on 4/6/10)

I'm the person who takes music everywhere. My iPod lives in my purse, I've got a playlist for every situation and a running wishlist of songs and artists to track down. I also happen to be an avid swimmer and surfer. Which means, over the years I've spent a lot of time in aquatic silence. Until I found H2O Audio!! The sound quality is amazing, and honestly I think the headphones sound even better underwater than they do on land. Nothing is more motivating to get in the pool on a cold, dark, winter night after a long day of work, than knowing that I can jam out to a new playlist. And as for those nice sunny days when you want to get in the pool anyway...well music is just a bonus! I can't say enough about how much I love this little gadget. Worth every penny. (Posted on 4/6/10)

I've been swimming with the Interval using my iPod Shuffle for over a year. It's comfortable, durable and just plain easy. I used to use a case and arm band or waist band system with a Nano and rigid headset. It worked okay, but the audio was so-so & the arm/waist bands kept wearing out (not cheap). Follow the directions for fitting the ear pieces. Don't be afraid to switch out until you find the best combination -- having the buds fall out of your ears in the middle of a swim is distracting. This one is worth the money! (Posted on 4/6/10)

sound is great - just wish there was some better way to keep the ear buds in my ear. would be nice if the goggle strap could somehow be rigged to keep them in place. (Posted on 4/6/10)

I love the product it allows me to do two things that I enjoy, swim and listen to my favorite genre contemporary R&B sounds. The product is light weight and fits nicely on the back of my head, you forget that its even there.

My workouts are so much more enjoyable, it energizes you when listening to your favorites, I get into a nice groove.

I'm very pleased that I found this case and would recommend it to those swimmers who enjoy music of any kind. Thanks H20. (Posted on 4/6/10)

Best purchase of the 21st century for me. Music while you swim laps is so enjoyable and innovative people ask me all the time about the Interval. I anticipate each swim be/c of what the interval does and wish anyone somewhat doubtful on it will read this review and be sure it will be a very smart purchase.
H2O audio staff is as equally fantastic and this item makes a PERFECT gift for someone who used to swim, kind of swims or wants to swim.
thank you for taking the time to read this.
P.S. Rubber earplugs, in your size, are key - trust me. (Posted on 4/6/10)

The first year I used the interval it was great! I love swimming to music. After the first year the head phones started cutting out. Now I'm down to 1 always dead, the other cuts in and out. The product works great, but for the price, I hoped it would last longer. By the way, I take good care of my gear. (Posted on 4/6/10)