Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Are the Best Bone Conduction Headphones I’ve Tried
When I first learned about bone conduction headphones (BCH), I was mostly just curious: what would it be like to wear them? To me, transmitting vibrations through the head to transmit sound sounded like technology from a science fiction book. When I got my hands on my first pair, it was disappointing to say the least. None of my sci-fi fantasies have come true—the sound quality is lacking compared to traditional in-ear headphones or headphones—but the experience is still fairly new.
Yes, this technology is still relatively new when it comes to headphones, and device manufacturers are still experimenting with how best to use it. However, the main advantage of BCHs is obvious: they do not cover your ears, so you retain full spatial awareness while wearing them. I’ve since tested several styles and brands of these headphones, but none from Shokz, one of the biggest names in the industry. So when the new Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 came out in December, I decided to see how they would perform.
After many runs, workouts, bike rides, calls, and podcasts, I can easily recommend these headphones to anyone who needs headphones that allow them to hear their surroundings when they’re out and about without sacrificing too much on sound quality. I don’t recommend them if you’re looking for true audio fidelity (traditional headphones will always sound better), want to use them in a noisy environment (like a very noisy gym), or are looking for headphones to use underwater (I recommend the OpenSwim Pro instead).
Pros, cons and characteristics of Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
Characteristics
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Type : bone conduction headphones.
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Battery life : up to 12 hours; A 5-minute charge gives 2.5 hours of battery life.
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Connectivity : Bluetooth 5.3, only supports SBC Bluetooth codec.
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Application : Shokz application with full equalizer.
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Speakers : Optional 18-by-11-millimeter woofers for enhanced bass with a rated frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
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Water resistance : IP55 waterproof rating.
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Weight : 1.02 ounces
Pros
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Best sound I’ve ever heard from BCH
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Best bass I’ve heard from BCH
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No rattling vibration that tickles your ears
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Wind-resistant microphone for clear calls
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Long battery life
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MultiPoint allows you to connect to two devices
Cons
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Expensive
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The bass is still weak compared to regular headphones.
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Not waterproof
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Sound leak
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 first impressions
Comfort
The OpenRun Pro 2 feels like premium headphones. They are lightweight but durable. The silicone coating feels good against the skin and is very light, with the 1.02 ounce weight distributed evenly so you’ll barely notice they’re there.
Shokz offers two sizes, Regular and Mini , as well as a sizing guide , which I found very helpful in determining which one was right for me. I often find that BCH headphones feel too big, with the back sagging, lifting the front and making them unpleasant to wear. However, the regular size Open Run 2 felt custom made to me, with a tight fit that made them impossible to shake off. They are easy to put on and forget about, which is the best thing I can say about any headphones.
Battery life
Shokz claims that you get 12 hours of listening time, which seems to be accurate according to my tests. These headphones use a USB-C charger, which is a big change from the previous model, which had a rather unique charging cable . With USB-C charging, Shokz joins the rest of the tech world in offering a more versatile fast charging option.
Physical buttons for media controls are a plus, considering these headphones are made for working out and being outdoors (touch controls tend to break down as soon as the image gets wet). The power and volume controls are located behind the right ear and are easy to find and press even while running. On the left side you will find the play/pause button. Unlike other BCH headsets I’ve tried, it’s cleverly positioned where you can apply pressure, so you can press it with one finger instead of squeezing with two.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is a hybrid of bone conduction and in-ear headphones.
Remember when I said that companies are still experimenting with BCH technology? Shokz is trying an interesting new combination of features with the OpenRun Pro 2. They call it DualPitch technology, and it combines bone conduction technology with old-school headphone technology that transmits sound through the air. OpenRun Pro 2 adds an additional 18-by-11-millimeter speaker designed for low-frequency sounds, which addresses one of the biggest complaints about BCH headsets: weak bass.
More powerful and smooth bass
Enhancing the bass does a lot to improve the overall sound quality, even if the end result still can’t compare to traditional headphones. Anyone who has given up on BCH due to lack of bass should at least give the OpenRun Pro 2 a chance – although keep in mind that the bass is good for BCH headphones, but still weak compared to regular headphones (the bass on BCH headsets will never reach level, say, Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 ).
Perhaps an unintended consequence of DualPitch technology is that it eliminates another drawback of the BCH – that annoying rattling vibration that tickles my ears when playing music at higher volumes or when reaching certain tones. When using OpenRun Pro 2, I never felt such an annoying sensation, even when I hacked them (with one exception, which I will talk about later). Usually the bass is the main culprit for that unpleasant ticklish sensation, but since this set pumps extra bass through the air through additional speakers rather than through your skull, that sensation goes away.
A little leaky, too quiet
BCH headphones tend to leak a little, just like open-ear headphones. Considering these headphones use both of these technologies, this is definitely an occasional issue. Sitting next to my fiancée while we work from home and listen at 45% volume, she can tell exactly what song I’m playing (though, to be fair, 45% volume is a higher level in a quiet environment).
Conversely, I found the volume to be insufficient in noisy environments. When I took them to a workout at a local gym, the gym’s speakers easily drowned out my headphones, creating a chaotic jumble of sound. (In this environment, however, they worked better for listening to podcasts or audiobooks.) Using them while running, I could hear the music, but didn’t experience it as much as using regular headphones due to the noise around me and the limited volume. But I guess that’s the whole point of the BCH headphones.
I was pleasantly surprised at how well these headphones picked up my voice outdoors. The microphone uses artificial intelligence to isolate your voice and eliminate background noise, which is useful when running or cycling. I was able to have a normal conversation despite the strong wind and background noise. Sometimes I had trouble hearing the other person, which is due to the volume restrictions I mentioned earlier. Even when testing in the quiet environment of my office, the sound is a little muffled, but still fairly clear.
Universal connection option
I love that Shokz includes MultiPoint, allowing me to easily switch between two devices, such as a phone and a computer. This makes the headphones more versatile and a great option for working at home, given that I can hear my phone, the dog, the door, other people, or anything going on around me while I’m using them and switch between headphones. phone and laptop. Unfortunately, since they are only IP55 waterproof, I can’t take them into the shower or would probably never take these headphones off.
Shokz app
The Shokz app is simple yet easy to use. It has a fully customizable equalizer that allows you to save your favorite settings. There are also six presets that are useful in different cases: “Vocal” for audiobooks or podcasts, “Volume Up” for walks in nature, etc.
One of the presets is “Classic,” which turns the headphones into full BCH (meaning no DualPitch technology). When using this EQ setting, you really feel the vibration at high volumes. I really like that this option was included in the equalizer as it gives people freedom of choice if they aren’t into hybrid audio technology.
Bottom line
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are some of the best BCH you can get right now, with impressive audio and call quality, making them a great choice for those who want to hear their surroundings while on the go. They also make surprisingly good headphones for working at home, thanks to their MultiPoint connectivity, natural open-ear design, and relatively good sound quality. These headphones are not suitable for those looking for headphones for working in noisy environments or those hoping to swim or shower with them.
The bass is the best I’ve heard in a bone conduction headphone, with no rattling to tickle my ears. They serve their purpose well, but are expensive at $179.99.