Finding songs to swim by

Comfort, sound quality still what to go by when choosing a waterproof MP3 player

If you've been avoiding the pool because exercising without music sounds like torture, it's time to find your goggles because an array of waterproof MP3 players will let you listen to your tunes underwater.

The Globe tested four models ranging in price from $90 to $150 while swimming laps to analyze comfort, ease of use, and sound quality.

Runners who listen to MP3 players usually strap them to their arms. For swimming, the players attach to goggle straps so they don't interfere with arm movement. Three of the models rely on waterproof headphones that attach to the swimmer's ears from behind; one uses a method that transfers sound waves from the cheekbone to the inner ear.

Shape contributed most to comfort. The tube-shaped Nu Technology Dolphin player was the smallest and lightest of the group, making it almost unnoticeable to the wearer. The bulky Freestyle Audio Soundwave seemed better suited for water sports that require less movement.

None of the players tested could load music directly from iTunes without converting files to the MP3 format. But once users locate the MP3 or WAV files on their computers, they can easily shift them to the devices.

After the songs are there, flipping through them can be tricky, depending on the player's position on the goggle strap. The Speedo Aquabeat, with its large forward and back button, was best for navigating music files. The Freestyle device was the only one that offered a menu screen, but its five buttons and broad array of functions made it hard to use while swimming.

Lance Fried, chairman of San Diego-based Freestyle Audio, said his company's player is thicker to help it absorb shock and withstand the rigors of land and water use.

"It was designed to cross over into other triathlon sports," he said.

Among the players, the Dolphin and the Finis SwiMP3 V2 generated the clearest sound underwater. While the Dolphin's headphones helped keep water out of the wearer's ears, some swimmers might prefer the unusual design of the Finis player.

The SwiMP3's two teardrop-shaped paddles rest on the wearer's cheekbones instead of plugging into the ears. When underwater, the player uses "bone conduction" to produce startlingly crisp sound. The device's only downside is that it relies on the goggle strap to keep the "speakers" pressed to the swimmer's head, which can be uncomfortable.

Nate McBride, head coach of the West Side Swim Club in Sudbury, forbids his 25-member team from listening to music while swimming. He considers music too distracting for serious swimmers.

"But it's probably a nice diversion for people who would normally not get into the water," he said.

Danielle Kost can be reached at dkost@boston.com

NU TECHNOLOGY DOLPHIN
Price: $99-$115, depending on storage size
Pros: The 2.4-inch-long Dolphin was the lightest and smallest of the group. Its simple, tube-shaped design made it the easiest to wear. Its headphones were also the most comfortable of the group. Offers up to eight hours of playtime per charge.

Cons: Small buttons make it difficult to scan your music files without looking at the device, though we got used to it after a short amount of time.

The final word: This player offers comfort and high-quality sound at a reasonable price.

SPEEDO AQUABEAT
Price: $144.99
Pros: The Aquabeat features a prominent forward-back button that makes flipping through songs easy, even when the device is strapped to the back of your head. It offers up to nine hours of playtime per charge.

Cons: Music often sounded tinny, and it makes an annoying beep if you skip a song.

The final word: The Aquabeat might be a good option for those with dexterity problems, but the sound doesn't merit the price.

FINIS SWIMP3 V2
Price: $149.99
Pros: The SwiMP3's paddle design offers an alternative for people who don't like to wear headphones. The device's sound is very clear, especially underwater. Offers eight hours of playtime per charge.

Cons: The device can be awkward and uncomfortable to wear underneath goggles, which in our case had to be tightened to hold the slippery paddles in place.

The final word: The SwiMP3's rich sound makes it worth trying, though its innovative design costs more.

FREESTYLE AUDIO SOUNDWAVE
Price: $89.95
Pros: The Soundwave was the cheapest of the group, and the only device that offered a radio feature. It also offers 18 hours of playtime per charge, the most among the players we tried.

Cons: It's bulky and awkward to wear, especially when connected to a goggle strap. The device can also be worn with an armband, but the cord can get in the way for swimmers. It features a screen that tells you the radio frequency, name of the song file, and helps you change settings, but it's challenging to navigate.

The final word: This player might be a better fit for other sports that involve water.