People who avoid standard earbuds typically have the same complaints: pressure in their ears after a few minutes, sweat that builds up and causes things to come off, or the feeling of something strange trapped in there. For years, bone conduction headphones have provided an alternative by sending sound through your cheekbones rather than closing off the entire ear canal. Shokz’s latest product, the OpenRun Pro 2, priced at $150 (was $180), goes this a step further and offers results that may persuade even the most ardent skeptics.
Sound is delivered to you via a combination of bone conduction, which produces clear mids and highs, and a dedicated air conduction speaker directed at your ears, which provides a little more bass depth. Early bone conduction devices frequently suffered with low-end frequencies, sounding tinny and unappealing unless played loudly enough to cause head vibrations. Sound is supplied to you through a combination of bone conduction, which creates clear mids and highs, and a dedicated air conduction speaker aimed at your ears, which adds a bit more bass depth. Early bone conduction devices usually suffered from low-end frequencies, which sounded tinny until played loud enough to generate head motions.
- Unparalleled Audio and Premium sound - Dual drivers combine the clear highs of Bone Conduction Tech with the deep bass of Air Conduction Tech for...
- Open-Ear Awareness - SHOKZ's signature open-ear design helps you power through your workouts while keeping you safely aware of your surroundings...
- Secure Stable, Lightweight Fit - The weight-optimized design of this unibody frame integrates a Ni-Ti alloy memory wire and ergonomic ear hooks. The...
One of the most important reasons to keep an open ear is for safety, which means being aware of what is going on around you. Runners, cyclists, and anyone else on the road can still hear cars, conversations, and the rest. With no ear canal in your skull, you’re less likely to be surprised by a car or a pedestrian approaching you. That safety concern is especially important whether you’re out running or cycling early in the morning or late at night. There’s even a reflective strip on the frame to increase your visibility to cars in poor light.
What truly sets these headsets apart is their ability to remain comfy for extended periods of time. The ultra-lightweight titanium frame weighs only around 1 ounce, and the ear hooks keep everything in place with just enough pressure. The memory in the headband keeps the shape without requiring you to constantly adjust it, and the fit stays in place during all types of activity, including runs and long walks. People rave about how they can be used for hours without tiring or causing stiffness, as opposed to traditional earbuds. Sweat and rain don’t affect them; they’re completely waterproof, and the open design prevents moisture from becoming trapped in your ears.
The battery lasts for a full 12 hours on a full charge, and you can rapidly recharge it for a few more hours of playback. Bluetooth 5.3 makes it simple to link your phone and watch, and it can even connect to two devices simultaneously, allowing you to move between them easily. They also make calls sound fantastic, thanks to two microphones that filter out wind noise and background sounds.
The app offers a few settings to experiment with, so you can choose the original bone conduction sound or a louder sound profile if you’re in a noisy environment. These minor adjustments make the headphones feel more personal without overcomplicating things. Oh, and the transition to USB-C charging makes it much easier to keep things charged; farewell to all those bothersome old proprietary cords.
