Shokz ’s firstopen - ear earbuds — theShokz OpenFit — showed me just how comfortable earbuds can be . I was so impressed by the design and materials that I forebode them the most easy earbuds in the world . However , as comfortable as they are , the OpenFit struggle with sound quality , have a limited set of control , launched withoutBluetooth Multipoint , and they do n’t tolerate wireless charging . Any of these omissions might have been acceptable if the OpenFit had been priced around $ 100 , but at $ 180 they ’re among the most expensive open - auricle earbuds you could buy .
Now that Shokz hasreleased the OpenFit 2with the same $ 180 Mary Leontyne Price , has it addressed these concerns or is there still room for betterment ?
Let ’s assure them out .
What’s changed?
While Shokz has n’t grant every item that was on my wishlist , it has made a pregnant number of changes on the OpenFit 2 :
Shokz OpenFit 2 specs
Design
Thankfully , Shokz has hire an if - it - ain’t - broke approach to the OpenFit 2 . You get the same , silicone - wind , extremely conciliatory earhooks , but they have a tighter curve compared to the OpenFit . This novel shape is less about making them more secure — the first - gen were more than up to of staying put during physical exercise or run — and more about maintain them correctly positioned . There was a bit of wiggle to the OpenFit ’s shape , which mean you at times had to shift them . The OpenFit 2 cling a petty more tenaciously .
Shokz says it has used a young version of its “ radical - mild silicone polymer ” on the OpenFit 2 . I ca n’t separate the difference ; they ’re every act as comfortable as the first - gen , even when put on specs .
For me , the large advance is the inclusion body of strong-arm button . I ’m not a big fan of touch controls at the best of times , and I find them specially difficult to work with on capable - ear earbuds , because the dead body of the earbud tends to move about . Being able to fascinate that body between my ovolo and index ( while using my forefinger to entreat the clit ) makes life way prosperous .
The charge case is also largely unchanged . It still provides excellent access to the earbuds with its wide - clear clamshell shape , and it remains on par with other earhook - determine earbuds for its size and weight . One modest improvement is the addition of a dedicated Bluetooth couple push button . Shokz tells me that some of its customers were confused by the OpenFit ’s pairing process : you need to weightlift and defy on both earbuds for five seconds ( while the earbuds stay on in the caseful ) . The case push button is perhaps more obvious , but I do n’t recall it makes the pairing appendage any faster or easier .
The one charging case melioration I had been hope for is still missing : There ’s no radio charging .
I ca n’t explain it , but this seems to be an industry - wide progeny . Wireless charging has become nearly world-wide in wireless earbuds ’ cause , but it ’s far from ubiquitous in the undefended - spike category .
Controls and connections
Once you ’ve get the OpenFit 2 paired via Bluetooth , it ’s a very unchanging connection . I never had any issuing with the OpenFit ’s stability , however , the purpose of Bluetooth 5.4 on the OpenFit 2 should theoretically improve dependability . Unfortunately , Shokz has n’t taken vantage of one of BT 5.4 ’s best features : LE AudiowithAuracastsupport . look on the chipset Shokz chose for these earbuds , these features could be added with a succeeding microcode update , but the ship’s company has n’t said it it plans to do so .
I ’m thrilled thatBluetooth Multipointis available out of the box seat ( the OpenFit received this capability as a firmware update three month after they launched ) and I really wish the way it ’s carry out in the Shokz app . you may see a list of all previously paired devices and manually choose which two you desire to be connected . Switching between these connections was quick and unlined .
I ’m also very glad with the new physical push button . As I tell above , they ’re easy to press , even with a lean stage set of gloves . With single- , double- , and triple - click motion ( plus a press - and - hold motion ) there are now more than enough options for curb playback , call direction , volume , and voice assistant access . My one critique is that the app only have you tailor-make some of these gestures . For instance , the double- and triple - dog gestures can only be used for running - skipping . loudness can only be control via press - and - hold , and the exclusive - click gestures ca n’t be change at all — they ’re always used for play / pause .
Sound quality
The first - gen OpenFit did n’t get very loud ( a big problem for an unresolved - spike design ) and even within their limited mass spectrum , bass torture would creep in around 75 % . The bass response itself was mediocre .
The OpenFit 2 make big gains ( literally ) in sound calibre . They ’re loud enough to overtake all but the noisy conditions ( though voice - threatening subject matter like podcasts will still be easy drowned out ) . In fact , they ’re louder than several competitors let in the Soundcore’sAerofit 2 , C40i , andAeroClip . There ’s an appreciable amount of bass , though , like most open - pinna , competing extraneous sounds may cut down your power to hear it . I was n’t aware of any distortion , even at the loud setting .
Overall , the sound signature is nicely balanced and when you ’re in a restrained , indoor setting , there ’s an telling amount of detail . The only defect is a inclination toward sibilance when you ’re above 65 % volume . It ’s most noticeable when heed to s - sounds in language or vocals , but if you ’re a detailed listener , you may notice it on cymbal and gin collision too . There are some handy EQ tweaks available within the app — some of which may help to offset the sibilance effect — but I found the default option setting to be the best for overall speech sound .
One of the best thing about opened - capitulum earbuds is that they naturally make a wider soundstage than traditional , shut - fit earbuds . The OpenFit 2 are especially up to in this regard , giving the imprint that the sound seed is much further away than it is .
Call quality
call on the OpenFit was already really good , a high spot in fact . It ’s even well on the OpenFit 2 .
I have been amazed at how earbuds like theAirPods Pro 2andSony WF-1000XM5can make it seem like you ’re speak to your callers from a quiet , residential neighborhood , even as big urban traffic rumbles by . The OpenFit 2 can pull off that same trick , with unspoiled precision .
That was demonstrated during one of my trial recording . A cement motortruck passed within ten feet of where I was endure . I could barely hear myself tattle , but the OpenFit 2 trim the truck to a whispering while scarce altering my articulation .
I ’ve always study open - ear earbuds to be the best design for have calls and the OpenFit 2 are hands - down the best open - pinna for this activity .
Battery life
How long do you take your earbuds to last while they ’re out of their charge typesetter’s case ? I would have articulate the OpenFit ’s 7 hour is plenty , but that was before I found myself wearing these things all day — something I ’d never be able-bodied to do with regular earbuds . With the OpenFit 2 ’s take 11 hours of life between boot , all - day purpose is now conceivable . Just keep in mind that Shokz ’s numbers are based on an manufacture - received 50 % intensity . That ’s probably gaudy enough for indoor use , but you ’ll need more big businessman outdoors .
The case itself stretch forth the full playtime to 48 hours ( 20 60 minutes more than the OpenFit ) and the fast - charging feature generates about an hr of playtime for every five min of charging prison term .
Conclusion
It ’s always honorable to see companies respond to feedback when designing a second - gen product . The OpenFit 2 address nearly every critique I had of the OpenFit ( except the lack of wireless charging ) and even improve battery life to the point where you could apply them all day .
With audio quality and volume levels that finally justify their $ 180 price , I recall they ’re an splendid pick for anyone who require the benefits of an subject - ear design .
Shokz says it plans to continue selling the first - gen OpenFit for the foreseeable future , but with only a $ 20 discount , I do n’t suppose that ’s enough reason to corrupt them instead of the OpenFit 2 .
