Let me begin by saying, this Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is my first open-ear headphones. Considering I’ve owned a dozen earbuds and headphones, this may surprise me as I have no prior experience using this technology.
The company behind this product is called Shokz (formerly known as AfterShokz). Shokz was founded in 2011 in New York to pioneer bone conduction technology. They primarily focus on Open-ear Headphones using bone conduction technology.
What is Bone Conduction technology?
According to Wikipedia, bone conduction is the conduction of sound to the inner ear primarily through the bones of the skull, allowing us to perceive audio content even if the ear canal is blocked. Bone conduction transmission occurs constantly as sound waves vibrate bone, specifically the bones in the skull, although it is hard for the average individual to distinguish sound being conveyed through the bone as opposed to the sound being conveyed through the air via the ear canal. In other words, they’re worn around our ears and deliver sound through our cheekbones.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is their latest flagship sport bone conduction headphones and we’re going to review it today.
The first impression of the new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is great. The headphones are feather-light (only 30.3 grams) and the material feels premium (made of nickel-titanium alloy). You also get a nice carrying bag with a zipper, plus a USB-C cable.
What’s in the box?
- OpenRun Pro 2 Headphone
- Carrying Bag
- USB-C charging cable
- After-sales service card
- User guide
Features
- DualPitch for superior sound
- Open-ear design for personal safety
- Secure fit for worry-free listening
- 12 hours of playtime for prolonged listening
- IP55 sweat and water resistant
How’s The Pairing Process?
With Bluetooth v5.3, the pairing couldn’t be simpler. I just took it out of the box and turned it on for the first time (it’s automatically in pairing mode when it’s flashing red and blue – otherwise press and hold the power button for 5 seconds). Then, I turned on my phone Bluetooth, scanned for the device and paired it. Voila, it’s connected.
Afterwards, I downloaded the Shokz app from the Google Store, which prompted me to update the firmware. Please note that you’ll have to register an account first before using the app.
How’s The Comfort?
Here’s the biggest surprise. I must say when I tested this during my morning jog, they were super comfortable. There is no strain whatsoever. The band is so elastic that I nearly forgot that I was wearing them. Even when I was wearing my sunglasses, these headphones were still comfortable.
The best thing about this open-ear design is that I get to be aware of my surroundings without compromising the comfort and sound quality. I never knew that I’d been wanting this technology all this time.
How’s The Control?
There are three physical buttons: a multifunction button, a power/volume+ button and a volume- button.
The multifunction button is for:
- Single click: play/pause, answer call, and end call.
- Double click: next song
- Triple click: previous song
Overall, they’re pretty straightforward to operate.
How’s The Sound?
With the Shokz app, you can change the equaliser that suits your taste. There are a few EQ modes: Standard, Vocal, Bass Boost, Treble Boost, and Custom.
I just chose Bass Boost as it is the most suitable setting for my taste (I listen to both podcasts and music). They all sound terrific and especially with the proprietary DualPitch (dual drivers) technology, the bass is more than sufficient.
Plus, there is a noise-cancelling microphone for clear phone calls.
How’s The Battery?
The 150mAh battery has 12 hours of playtime for prolonged listening and this is more than enough for most people, even if you’re a marathon runner, you’ll be fine.
Furthermore, a quick five-minute charge will give you 2.5 hours of listening.
Tech Specs
Battery
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Charge Time: 1 hour
- Standby Time: Up to 10 Days
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Battery Capacity: 150mAh
- Maximum Charging Voltage: 5V±5%
- Quick Charge: Yes. 5-min charge 2.5 hours of usage
Connectivity
- Bluetooth: v5.3
- Multipoint Pairing: Yes
- Wireless Range: 10 metre
- Compatible Codecs: SBC
- Compatible Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
Design
- Sweat & Water Resistant: IP55
- Weight: 30.3g
- Materials: Nickel-titanium alloy ear hook and frame
- Moisture Detector: No
- Command Controls: Multifunction button, volume button
Sound
- Frequency Response: 20Hz~20KHz
- Sensitivity: Air conduction driver: 96dB±2.5dB
- Bone conduction driver: 101.3dB±3dB
- EQ: 4 preset EQs + 2 custom modes
Microphone
- Microphone Type: 2 noise-cancelling mics
- Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dB ±1dB
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Review Verdict
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones offer a unique and impressive listening experience that combines comfort, safety, and quality sound. With their lightweight design and secure fit, these open-ear headphones are perfect for active individuals who want to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying music or podcasts. The bone conduction technology, enhanced by the DualPitch dual drivers, delivers surprisingly good audio quality with customizable EQ settings to suit different preferences.
While the OpenRun Pro 2 may not replace high-end audiophile headphones for critical listening, they excel in their intended use case: providing a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable listening experience for active lifestyles. For those who prioritise situational awareness and comfort during their workouts or daily activities, the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is an excellent choice that doesn’t compromise on sound quality or features.
You can get them at Shokz’s website for RRP A$319, Amazon, or your favourite local retailer.
Disclosure: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review sample was supplied for reviewing
