Shokz has revolutionized the world of open-ear wireless earbuds with its latest model, the OpenFit Pro. For those who want to hear their tunes or podcasts and the outside world at the same time, these earbuds are a game-changer. The fact that they're more comfortable than traditional closed earbuds is either a bonus or the main reason for purchasing them.
However, open-ear earbuds suffer from two major drawbacks: sound quality takes a hit unless you're in a perfectly quiet environment, and there's no way to passively isolate external sounds. This means that active noise cancellation (ANC) isn't an option. Or is it?
Enter the Shokz OpenFit Pro, which boasts the company's first open-ear noise reduction system. While it can't match the effectiveness of closed earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, it delivers a noticeable reduction in mid-frequencies that takes the edge off life's more annoying sounds.
When testing the OpenFit Pro, I noticed that sound quality improved significantly when using the device's noise reduction feature. The fan in my office became much less distracting, and the treadmills at the gym were quieter than usual. However, I also experienced an unusual side effect: a feeling of pressure or "sucking" sensation when using the earbuds.
Luckily, this sensation subsided after adjusting the noise reduction setting, which is easily done through Shokz's companion app. The sound quality didn't suffer much in this process, and it was noticeable that the OpenFit Pro were delivering improved bass response and detail compared to its predecessors.
The earbuds also boast an airy and open soundstage that provides a more natural listening experience than regular earbuds. This is achieved through the use of Optimized for Dolby Atmos mode, which combines spatial audio processing with optional head tracking. The effect is enhanced when listening to Dolby Atmos content, but it's still effective with stereo music.
One notable aspect of the OpenFit Pro is their comfort design, particularly in regards to stability. The ear hooks project directly into the ear canal, ensuring a snug and secure fit. However, some users may find them slightly less comfortable than previous models due to the direct contact between the earbud and the inner part of the ear.
The buttons on the OpenFit Pro are easy to press and feature wear sensors for music auto-pause. This is a thoughtful addition that eliminates the need to fumble with the device when someone starts talking to you.
Battery life is impressive, especially when not using noise reduction, with up to 12 hours on a single charge and 50 hours total with the charging case. However, these numbers drop significantly when using noise reduction, which may be a drawback for some users.
The only notable omission in the OpenFit Pro is Bluetooth Auracast support, which would have been a game-changer for open-ear earbuds. Despite this, the device remains an interesting option for those seeking quiet time or who want to blend situational awareness with electronic audio sources.
Ultimately, noise cancellation still has limitations when it comes to open-ear earbuds, largely due to the physics of sound. Nevertheless, the Shokz OpenFit Pro offers a unique solution that's worth exploring for those in need of some quiet time at work or play.
However, open-ear earbuds suffer from two major drawbacks: sound quality takes a hit unless you're in a perfectly quiet environment, and there's no way to passively isolate external sounds. This means that active noise cancellation (ANC) isn't an option. Or is it?
Enter the Shokz OpenFit Pro, which boasts the company's first open-ear noise reduction system. While it can't match the effectiveness of closed earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, it delivers a noticeable reduction in mid-frequencies that takes the edge off life's more annoying sounds.
When testing the OpenFit Pro, I noticed that sound quality improved significantly when using the device's noise reduction feature. The fan in my office became much less distracting, and the treadmills at the gym were quieter than usual. However, I also experienced an unusual side effect: a feeling of pressure or "sucking" sensation when using the earbuds.
Luckily, this sensation subsided after adjusting the noise reduction setting, which is easily done through Shokz's companion app. The sound quality didn't suffer much in this process, and it was noticeable that the OpenFit Pro were delivering improved bass response and detail compared to its predecessors.
The earbuds also boast an airy and open soundstage that provides a more natural listening experience than regular earbuds. This is achieved through the use of Optimized for Dolby Atmos mode, which combines spatial audio processing with optional head tracking. The effect is enhanced when listening to Dolby Atmos content, but it's still effective with stereo music.
One notable aspect of the OpenFit Pro is their comfort design, particularly in regards to stability. The ear hooks project directly into the ear canal, ensuring a snug and secure fit. However, some users may find them slightly less comfortable than previous models due to the direct contact between the earbud and the inner part of the ear.
The buttons on the OpenFit Pro are easy to press and feature wear sensors for music auto-pause. This is a thoughtful addition that eliminates the need to fumble with the device when someone starts talking to you.
Battery life is impressive, especially when not using noise reduction, with up to 12 hours on a single charge and 50 hours total with the charging case. However, these numbers drop significantly when using noise reduction, which may be a drawback for some users.
The only notable omission in the OpenFit Pro is Bluetooth Auracast support, which would have been a game-changer for open-ear earbuds. Despite this, the device remains an interesting option for those seeking quiet time or who want to blend situational awareness with electronic audio sources.
Ultimately, noise cancellation still has limitations when it comes to open-ear earbuds, largely due to the physics of sound. Nevertheless, the Shokz OpenFit Pro offers a unique solution that's worth exploring for those in need of some quiet time at work or play.
like people are reporting pressure sensations and stuff. have you seen any reviews from people who've actually used them for extended periods? also, 50 hours total battery life is a joke. how do they even achieve that with noise reduction on?
. I mean, they're all about balance, right? You get to hear the music and podcasts, but also have a bit of awareness of what's going on outside. It's like having your cake and eating it too - or in this case, hearing your tunes and not getting blasted by the world around you 
. I know some people might say it compromises sound quality, but I think that's kinda a small price to pay for the freedom to focus on whatever you're listening to. Plus, the new noise reduction system is a total game-changer - I was surprised at how much of a difference it made in my daily commute 
. Now, if only they could add Bluetooth Auracast support... that would be amazing 
!
. That being said, if you're someone who's always looking for a way to block out distractions and just zone in on your music or podcast, then these earbuds might be worth checking out 
- I mean, I can actually hear my podcasts without feeling like I'm being pulled into some other world. And the bass response is insane 
! But on the other hand, I do feel like it's messing with my ear a bit, you know? It's like, "Hey, this thing is sucking on my eardrum!" 
But hey, maybe that's just me being weird 
...
. still, the fact that they improved sound quality with their noise reduction system is pretty cool 
.
The noise reduction feature does help a lot though, I feel like I can focus on my notes now. One thing that's kinda weird is that they make me feel a bit dizzy at first 
I'm SOOOO hyped about the new Shokz OpenFit Pro! 
They've finally figured out how to make open-ear earbuds not suck 
Plus, the sound quality is way better than I expected, and the bass response is insane 
. And omg, have you seen how comfy these earbuds are? 
. I do wish they had Bluetooth Auracast support, but honestly, the noise reduction feature is worth sacrificing a little battery life for 
. Overall, I'm totally obsessed with my new Shokz OpenFit Pro and I know you guys will love them just as much as I do 
! 
. But, I do wish they had better sound quality on a consistent basis. 12 hours of battery life sounds pretty cool too, even if it does drop when using noise reduction 
.
. Still, I think these earbuds are worth checking out if you're all about that quiet time or situational awareness 
.
