Maybe you’ve had your eye on Bose’s second-generation Frames audio sunglasses, but you looked at the US$250 price tag and said no thanks. JLab Audio will be releasing a US$49 alternative this spring. The JBuds Frames are essentially open-ear true-wireless earbuds that clip onto your existing glasses.

It’s an intriguing concept that JLab describes as a bring-your-own-frame design, although it’s clearly a bit kluge-looking and a bit disingenuous to call these earbuds “frames.”

JLab says its JBuds Frames are comprised of “two independently operating Bluetooth true wireless audio devices, which can be affixed to the temples of sunglasses, eyeglasses, and similarly styled blue-light blocking eyewear.” They have 16mm drivers and JLab claims that your music can’t be “heard by those close by.”

Battery life is rated at eight hours and the clip-on devices have an IPX4 water-resistance rating, making them splash-resistant. They charge with a proprietary pogo-pin cable.

You can use them for making calls. “Conveniently located button controls let the user accept or decline phone calls, adjust volume, and switch between JLab’s Signature and Bass Boost EQ settings,” JLab says.

Bose’s Tempo Frames feature 22mm drivers — virtually all of the audio non-Bose audio sunglasses, and Bose’s new Frames 2.0 offer improved bass. While the sound quality is surprisingly good, it’s not on par with a decent set of true-wireless earbuds. But the JLab Frames cost a fifth of the Bose Frames’ price, so if they simply sound decent enough, you may be happy with their performance.(SD-Agencies)