The Shokz OpenFit 2 wi-fi earbuds had been designed particularly for me. I do not know the way Shokz’s engineers managed to pander to my life-style so completely; I believe they employed spies, or my fiancee is a sleeper agent.
Sunday Runday
On this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks talks concerning the world of wearables, apps, and health tech associated to operating and well being, in his quest to get sooner and more healthy.
Ever since I reviewed the first-gen Shokz OpenFits in 2023, I’ve worn them for a whole lot of runs, walks, and hikes, no exaggeration. My ear canals have had an unprecedented break from exercise earbuds jammed into them, saving me from buds falling out throughout exhausting runs (which causes the sound to worsen), impacted ear wax, and the synthetic hissing of transparency modes.
However utilizing them for over a 12 months made me effectively conscious of the OpenFit’s many flaws, from an obnoxious charging subject to finicky contact controls and common sound high quality. So, I am thrilled that the Shokz OpenFit 2 instantly mounted or improved on virtually all of my complaints.
Shokz is finest recognized for its bone conduction headphones, and I am no audiophile to evaluate how the Shokz OpenRun Professional 2 sound high quality compares to the OpenFit 2’s air conduction. All I do know is that I want the latter’s “pure” sound whereas nonetheless giving me (principally) unimpeded situational consciousness throughout runs and races. And now, I am more likely to make use of the OpenFit 2’s multipoint pairing and put on them in non-fitness contexts.
| Class | Shokz OpenFit 2 |
|---|---|
| Supplies | PC, silicone |
| Weight | 9.4g (earbuds); 51g (case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4; As much as 2 gadgets |
| Audio profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| Battery life | 11 hours (56mAh); as much as 270 days standby |
| Charging | 60 minutes in case; As much as 48 hours of charging capability (600mAh) |
| Frequency | 50Hz–16Hz |
| Sensitivity | Woofer: 965.dB ± 2.5dB; Tweeter: 94.5dB ± 3dB |
| Safety | IP55 (earbuds, not case) |
Extra comfy than ever
My appreciation for the unique OpenFit was how its ear hook positioned the speaker instantly over my ears with out impeding them; I might safely hear approaching cyclists or “in your left” runners and even the sounds of nature if listening to quieter content material like audiobooks. They’ve by no means as soon as fallen off. I neglect they’re there other than gentle strain on the again and facet of my ear, and the audio high quality was adequate.
The Shokz OpenFit 2 retains the identical idea and target market (athletes) however with minor tweaks that started with the Shokz OpenFit Air — which had been extra comfy however too budget-focused to be “higher” than the originals.
The OpenFit 2 has a thinner outer hook that rounds right into a softer, wider silicone edge than the unique mannequin. It is exhausting to explain the distinction between the 2, however the OpenFit 2 someway sits extra naturally in its over-ear place, whereas the unique OpenFit feels as if it is urgent more durable towards my pores and skin to remain in place. Plus, the thinner hook makes it take much less ear-top area, sliding gracefully underneath my glasses temples with out the identical strain as earlier than.
Mainly, you bought used to the Shokz OpenFit’s match for abbreviated exercises, however you will take pleasure in carrying the OpenFit 2 for longer stretches.
The Shokz OpenFit design has no ANC and minimal passive blocking, however that is the entire level. I put on these whereas studying or doing chores round the home as a result of I by no means miss my companion or cat calling for consideration.
There’s some noise air pollution for bass-heavy songs should you put the amount loud sufficient — so it is probably not the perfect match for an workplace atmosphere — however on the regular 25% quantity I exploit indoors, individuals solely hear one thing in the event that they absolutely disregard my private area and lean in.
Shokzingly wealthy sound
Equally essential to consolation is sound, and the OpenFit 2 wanted an improve. I famous that you simply “should not essentially count on a symphony on your ears” with the unique OpenFits, defaulting to the Bass Increase possibility to supply cheap low-end oomph and tolerating having to pump up the amount to the higher ranges simply to listen to cellphone calls or podcasts clearly. Not less than for “regular” music, the sound sounded higher than you’d count on, due to the “DirectPitch” tech.
Shokz instantly addressed these points with the OpenFit 2, including a bigger low-frequency driver and an impartial high-frequency unit for “DualBoost Expertise.”
Ditching the advertising communicate, I really feel way more comfy utilizing the inventory EQ setting as a result of it hits highs and lows in a balanced, wealthy approach; “luther” by Kendrick Lamar & SZA sounds wealthy and harmonious for each the deep and excessive parts, whereas Tommy Richman’s “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” hits these falsetto notes and low beat with equal high quality.
For people searching for that various (or emo) really feel, Billie Eilish’s “WILDFLOWER” or Bon Iver’s “Holocene” not sound fairly as tinny as they did on the first-gen earbuds; in truth, the OpenFit 2 hits exhausting sufficient that even 50% quantity is simply too loud for me for these quiet songs (until I am outdoors and coping with ambient noise).
Now that I’ve began utilizing these earbuds for my every day work grind, I do use the Treble Increase or Voice EQ settings for my instrumental & lo-fi soundtracks or my YouTube Let’s Performs, however they typically sound fairly beautiful.
Truthfully, the one unfavorable to this audio increase is that when the music is loud sufficient, it’s going to get in the way in which of listening to your environment a bit. However so long as you are not blowing up your eardrums, you will be bopping to the beat, and you will stay alert.
What else the Shokz OpenFit 2 mounted
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Different key OpenFit 1-to-2 adjustments embrace a extra energy-efficient Bluetooth chip, new bodily buttons for contact controls, and one IP-level increase to water resistance.
The bounce from Bluetooth 5.2 to five.4 lets the OpenFit 2 sit in a low-power mode for for much longer in case you neglect to place them within the charging case, in addition to keep strongly linked in busy sign areas. The unique OpenFit earbud had the identical capability, and but the OpenFit 2 is rated to final 11 hours, a four-hour bounce. In my expertise, they did final simply throughout a complete workday of streaming, and ultramarathoners can rely on the OpenFit 2 extra.
By bettering from IP54 to IP55 safety, Shokz made the OpenFit 2 able to withstanding water jets; they’re shower-proof and simpler to securely clear underneath a powerful sink, in different phrases. Your OpenFits are going to get gunked up with sweat over time, and the higher resistance may make them final a bit longer earlier than the speaker and mic high quality are affected.
My favourite improve is the brand new bodily button, nevertheless. The primary-gen OpenFit solely used touchpad controls, and I am unable to inform you how typically they failed to acknowledge double-taps or made me by accident grasp up on individuals once I merely wished to regulate their match.
In contrast, the brand new elevated buttons are simple to search out and activate — however not one thing you will press by mistake. They mix into the silver end of the earbud, so they do not look cheesy or old style. And most significantly, the touchpad solely has one optional-on characteristic for Gemini or Siri, eliminating any confusion and frustration.
| Button / contact shortcut | Motion |
|---|---|
| Faucet button as soon as | Play/pause music; reply name; finish name |
| Lengthy-press button | Left bud: quantity down; proper bud: quantity up |
| Double-tap button | Subsequent observe; reject name |
| Triple-tap button | Earlier observe |
| Lengthy-press touchpad space | Activate cellphone voice assistant |
The most essential Shokz OpenFit 2 change is not one thing Shokz put in its specs sheet. After my preliminary evaluate interval, I observed that the OpenFit would keep linked to my cellphone contained in the charging case, that means they weren’t charging. I am unable to inform you how typically I would discover one earbud useless and the opposite absolutely charged the following day. I would should wipe down the magnetic pins and shift the buds round, then shut the case and verify the app to see if each had efficiently disconnected.
I requested Shokz about this subject since many OpenFit house owners had comparable complaints. They assured me that the OpenFit 2 had fewer contact factors (2 vs. 3) and a a lot stronger magnet than the last-gen buds. You are still alleged to “preserve the pins dry and clear throughout use to keep away from any residue affecting correct contact,” and it will take months to see if an identical drawback pops up; for now, although, I am very optimistic, as I can really feel how securely the OpenFit 2 snaps into place when inserted.
Do you have to purchase the Shokz OpenFit 2?
I nonetheless have requests for the Shokz OpenFit 3, most notably put on detection — in order that they flip off and do not take calls when sitting outdoors the case — and a approach to ping the charging case. If you happen to purchase the black OpenFit 2, select a constant place to place the case after exercises, otherwise you will lose them consistently. Plus, the Shokz app ought to ideally notify you when the case hits 0%.
However these complaints really feel extra nitpicky in comparison with the elemental points with the first-gen OpenFit. By and huge, the Shokz OpenFit 2 sound implausible, really feel pure when worn with glasses, and allow you to preserve your ear canals open as an alternative of getting exhausting plastic shoved into them for hours at a time.
The Shokz OpenFit 2 will not match your wi-fi headphones and even regular wi-fi earbuds for surround-sound high quality or ANC, in order that they is probably not the suitable alternative should you’re in search of an all-day alternative for each situation that intently syncs together with your smartphone. It is nonetheless a distinct segment and pretty costly product.
That mentioned, I fall inside the goal Shokz OpenFit 2 area of interest, and I am supremely proud of them!
Constructed for runners
Followers of bone conduction headphones know and love Shokz, however the Shokz OpenFit 2 switches to air conduction whereas preserving the identical driving precept: take pleasure in music with out counting on transparency modes or having your ears filled with cumbersome earbuds for hours on finish. They’re my new favourite wi-fi earbuds, each for operating and for on a regular basis life.
