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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Soveign's biggest strength: IPX8 waterproofing plus a 32GB MP3 player that holds thousands of songs, so you can swim without your phone nearby.
• Soveign's biggest trade-off: The whole shell is wrapped in waterproof silicone and the frame is built to bend, so it leans bulky and utilitarian rather than sleek.
• XIMAND's biggest strength: IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating with a genuinely open-ear fit, plus earplugs and a storage bag included.
• XIMAND's biggest trade-off: Only 8GB of MP3 storage (about 1000 songs), so it's a smaller offline library than Soveign's.
• Choose Soveign if your priority is a huge built-in song library and total submersion confidence while swimming.
• Choose XIMAND if your priority is a lighter, dustproof open-ear design for running, cycling, and pool sessions with awareness of your surroundings.
The Soveign Waterproof Headphones (model X7) are built around one clear idea: music in the water without a phone. The IPX8 rating means it's designed to go deep underwater and stay submerged for long stretches, and the whole headphone is covered in waterproof silicone as a single sealed unit. That's a meaningful design choice — it's not a splash-resistant running headphone pretending to be a swim headphone, it's positioned specifically as a swimming earphone.
The standout feature is the storage. It runs a dual-mode system — Bluetooth or MP3 — and in MP3 mode you get 32GB of memory, which the specs say can hold more than 6000 songs. That's the difference-maker for swimmers: you load your music once, switch to MP3 mode, and never need your phone at the pool. Bluetooth is limited in water, so MP3 mode is the mode you'll actually use while swimming, and Soveign tells you that upfront.
The frame is also worth noting. It's designed to bend a full 360 degrees at any angle, which matters for a headphone you'll wear in water and toss in a bag — the middle joint is the part that usually fails on this style of headphone, and Soveign claims the premium materials and bendable design address exactly that weak point. You can flex it into a comfortable position on your head. Controls are physical buttons (volume, playback, call answering), so one-handed operation is realistic even when your hands are wet.
Who should buy it: Swimmers, divers, and anyone who wants a large offline music library on their head without carrying a phone. Also a good fit for gym, running, cycling, and hiking if you want a single headphone that handles both dry and wet sessions.
Who should skip it: If you want a slim, lightweight, barely-there fit or you prefer touch controls, the silicone-wrapped, bendable design and physical buttons may feel more utilitarian than you'd like. And if 6000 songs is overkill, you're paying in bulk for storage you won't use.
The XIMAND Bone Conduction Headphones (model Bone X2) take the opposite approach: lighter, rated for both water and dust, and focused on open-ear awareness. The IP68 rating is the higher dust-and-water protection class here — it's designed to withstand complete immersion up to 2 meters deep. That covers swimming and even shower use, which the specs explicitly call out.
Open-ear is the core of the XIMAND pitch. Because it uses genuine bone conduction rather than sealing anything in your ear canal, you keep your ears open to traffic, other swimmers, and your surroundings — a real safety advantage for road cycling, running outdoors, and walking. The specs also note that even with your ears plugged you can still hear the audio, and the package includes a pair of earplugs, which is the classic way to get better bass from bone conduction in noisy environments like a pool.
Storage is 8GB, about 1000 songs. That's a smaller library than Soveign's, but for most people it's still a solid offline playlist for a swim or a run. Battery is listed at 8 hours of talk or music playback on a single charge, with a 2-hour charge time and a 180mAh battery. Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.3 with a built-in mic and a stated range of about 33 feet / 10 meters, so calls and podcasts work fine out of the water. Controls are touch-based with volume control, and the included kit is generous: two magnetic charging cables, earplugs, a storage bag, and an English manual.
Who should buy it: Runners, cyclists, walkers, and gym-goers who want open-ear safety, plus swimmers and shower-listeners who want IP68 dust and water protection. If you like having earplugs included for better sound in the pool, this is the more complete out-of-the-box kit.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for swimming with no phone nearby → Soveign Waterproof Headphones. IPX8 plus 32GB and MP3 mode is purpose-built for phone-free laps.
• Best for dust and water together → XIMAND Bone Conduction Headphones. IP68 covers both dust and immersion up to 2 meters.
• Best for open-ear safety on roads → XIMAND Bone Conduction Headphones. The open-ear fit keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings.
• Best for a huge offline music library → Soveign Waterproof Headphones. 32GB (~6000 songs) versus XIMAND's 8GB (~1000 songs).
• Best for wet-hand controls → Soveign Waterproof Headphones. Physical buttons are easier to find and press than a touch surface.
• Best included accessories → XIMAND Bone Conduction Headphones. Earplugs, two charging cables, and a storage bag come in the box.
• Best for calls and podcasts out of the water → XIMAND Bone Conduction Headphones. Bluetooth 5.3 with a built-in mic and a 10-meter range.
• Best for a flexible, drop-resistant frame → Soveign Waterproof Headphones. The 360-degree bendable design targets the joint that usually breaks.
In my opinion, the Soveign Waterproof Headphones are the better buy if you're a swimmer first. The combination of IPX8, MP3 mode, and 32GB of storage means you actually get what you want in the water: your own music, no phone, no Bluetooth dropouts. The bendable frame and physical buttons are practical touches that suit wet, one-handed use. I'd pick XIMAND instead if you split your time between the pool and the road — its open-ear design, IP68 dust protection, and included earplugs make it the more versatile all-rounder. Decide based on where you'll wear them most: water-only and library size points to Soveign, mixed outdoor use and awareness points to XIMAND.
FAQ
Yes. Both have MP3 mode with built-in storage, so you can leave your phone behind. Soveign stores roughly 6000 songs (32GB); XIMAND stores about 1000 songs (8GB). Both note that Bluetooth is limited underwater, so MP3 mode is the way to go while swimming.
XIMAND lists 8 hours of talk or music playback and a 2-hour charge time. Soveign doesn't list a playback hour figure in its specs, so I can only compare what's stated — don't assume they're equal just because one is unlisted.
Neither spec sheet includes pricing, so I won't guess. Value here comes down to what you need: pay attention to the storage and waterproof rating that match your routine, then check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
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