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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220 — biggest strength: dual dynamic drivers with a detachable MMCX over-ear cable and three sizes of ear tips, so you get isolation and a secure fit; biggest trade-off: it is wired, so you are tethered to a source and there is no waterproofing claim.
• RR SPORTS IP68 — biggest strength: IP68 waterproofing rated to 2 meters, 32GB of built-in storage, and Bluetooth 6.0; biggest trade-off: in MP3 mode only for swimming and bone conduction sound means you sacrifice bass depth and isolation.
• Best for the nurse who wants to block out a noisy break room or chart in peace → Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220.
• Best for the nurse who needs to hear call bells, alarms and coworkers while staying aware → RR SPORTS IP68.
This is a two-item bundle, and that matters. You get the Mackie MP-220 in-ear monitors plus a molded carry case, and you also get a Rockville RPAK charcoal backpack with a padded laptop pocket that fits up to a 15-inch machine. The backpack's main compartment measures 15" W x 21.75" H extended and 15" W x 18" H folded, with a hidden side zipper, two open side pockets, and padded adjustable straps. So the bundle is really "serious listening plus a commuter bag" in one box.
The MP-220 itself is the star for anyone who wants to disappear into their audio. Dual precision dynamic drivers give it strong bass and vocal clarity, and the ergonomically molded low-profile enclosure is built for sound isolation. In practical terms, that means when you seat the right tip size — and you get three types in three sizes — outside noise drops and you hear your content, not the hallway. The over-ear cable routing keeps the wire behind your head so it does not snag, and the detachable MMCX connector swivels for comfort and can be replaced if the cable wears out. The shielded braided cable is there for durability. It is wired, with 8-ohm impedance and a frequency response up to 20 kHz.
Who should buy it? A nurse who wants to decompress on a break, study for a certification, or listen critically on a commute will get a lot out of the isolation and the fit options. Anyone who wants a single bag-and-audio purchase handled at once gets the backpack thrown in. Who should skip it? If you need to hear the world around you for safety, or you want to swim or shower with your headphones, this is not the pick. There is no waterproofing spec here, and the sealed in-ear design is the opposite of open and aware.
The RR SPORTS IP68 is a completely different animal, and the model is X26. It is a bone conduction, open-ear headphone in a mint finish with on-ear placement. Nothing goes inside your ear canal, so your ears stay open to ambient sound while the drivers vibrate against your cheekbone. The brand frames that as both safer than in-ear and over-ear designs and easier on your hearing over time.
The headline spec is the IP68 rating. It survives submersion in up to 2 meters of water, and the seals plus a nano-hydrophobic coating keep sweat, rain and pool water out. You can wear it with a swim cap and goggles. There is a critical catch: for swimming you must use MP3 mode, because Bluetooth does not work underwater. That is where the built-in 32GB of memory earns its keep — it holds roughly 7,000 songs and plays MP3, WMA, WAV and FLAC without a phone. A magnetic charging cable handles both charging and file transfer from a computer.
When you are above water, Bluetooth 6.0 gives you up to 10 meters of range and up to 7 hours of battery. It plays nice with iOS, Android and other devices. The frame is ultra-soft silicone with a lightweight, ergonomic shape that stays put during intense activity. Who should buy it? Swimmers first, then runners, cyclists, and anyone who works up a heavy sweat and wants to stay aware of traffic, alarms or a coworker calling their name. Who should skip it? If you want deep bass, total isolation, or a wired connection with no charging to think about, this is not the one.
• Best for sound isolation → Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220. The molded enclosure and multi-size tips are designed to seal out noise.
• Best for water and sweat → RR SPORTS IP68. IP68 submersion to 2 meters is a real, stated capability the Mackie bundle does not claim.
• Best for situational awareness → RR SPORTS IP68. Open-ear bone conduction keeps your ears uncovered, which matters on a busy floor or a bike lane.
• Best for critical listening and bass → Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220. Dual dynamic drivers and a wired connection favor fidelity.
• Best for phone-free workouts → RR SPORTS IP68. 32GB of storage means no device required.
• Best for a bundled everyday carry → Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220. You also get a backpack with a padded 15-inch laptop pocket.
• Best for battery independence → Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220. It is wired, so there is nothing to charge.
• Best for comfort over marathon sessions → RR SPORTS IP68. Ultra-soft silicone and a lightweight open-ear frame reduce pressure over long wear.
For nurses specifically, think about your actual shift. If you want to tune out a chaotic break room, study on the train, or listen closely without distraction, an isolating in-ear monitor is the natural fit — and if you have struggled with earbuds that fall out, the over-ear routing and three tip sizes here address exactly that "best comfortable clip on" frustration. If instead you need to keep one ear on your surroundings, answer a call without pulling anything out of your ear, and never worry about sweat, the open-ear bone conduction design wins. That is also why many people hunting for active noise cancelling earbuds for nurses end up in a different category than they expected — real noise cancelling shuts the world out, while open-ear designs do the reverse. Decide which of those two you actually need before you buy.
In my opinion, I would buy the Audiosavings Bundle Mackie MP-220 if my priority is audio quality, isolation and a wired setup I never have to charge — and the included backpack makes it a genuinely practical two-in-one buy. For a nurse who wants a focused, private listening experience on breaks and commutes, this is the stronger choice. I would only switch to the RR SPORTS IP68 if swimming, heavy sweat or staying aware of my surroundings is non-negotiable, because that is the one job the Mackie bundle simply cannot do. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that is the one variable I cannot pin down here.
how to open back headphones work
Open-back and open-ear designs let air and ambient sound move freely around the driver instead of sealing your ear canal. The RR SPORTS IP68 uses bone conduction, so it vibrates against your bone and leaves your ears completely open — you hear your audio and your surroundings at the same time.
what is open back studio headphones
It is a headphone design where the outer shell is vented so sound escapes and outside noise leaks in, which many listeners prefer for a wider, more natural soundstage. Note that the Mackie MP-220 in this bundle is a sealed in-ear monitor — the opposite approach — so it isolates rather than opens up.
what are the best open back headphones
There is no single answer, because "best" depends on your use. For swimming and outdoor awareness, the RR SPORTS IP68's IP68 rating, 32GB storage and bone conduction fit the bill. For isolation and fidelity, a sealed in-ear monitor like the Mackie MP-220 is the better match.
They are better for awareness and comfort, not for blocking noise. Open designs keep you safer near traffic and alarms, but they let sound in and typically deliver less bass. If you want to shut the world out, sealed in-ear monitors are the better pick.
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