Shokz's latest open-ear wireless earbuds, the OpenFit Pro, have landed on the scene with a fresh take on active noise cancellation. While they still can't match the effectiveness of their closed cousins, these earbuds deliver a noticeably improved mid-frequency sound reduction that takes the edge off life's more annoying sounds.
The OpenFit Pro boasts Shokz's first open-ear model equipped with an innovative noise reduction system designed to work in tandem with the open design. This tech reduces mid-frequencies just enough to make conversation and ambient noise more manageable, allowing users to still hear their surroundings without sacrificing sound quality.
When put through their paces, the OpenFit Pro proved decent at blocking out distracting noises - I could still hear the hum of a space heater in my office or the thump of treadmills at the gym. However, some may find that it occasionally induces an unsettling "sucking" sensation, particularly when adjusting noise settings.
While this wasn't a deal-breaker for me, using the earbuds with noise reduction enabled did lead to battery life cuts. Shokz claims 12 hours of continuous use without ANC, but in reality, I only got 6 hours before needing a recharge.
Despite some caveats, the OpenFit Pro is Shokz's best earbud offering so far, boasting better sound quality and more immersive listening experiences than their predecessors. A significant upgrade lies in their Optimized for Dolby Atmos mode, which employs spatial audio processing to create a wider and deeper soundstage - though this isn't strictly required for the experience.
Battery life is also generous at 50 hours total when combined with the charging case, although these numbers drop significantly when noise cancellation is engaged. One notable omission: Bluetooth Auracast support, a feature that could unlock new audio sharing possibilities.
Ultimately, the OpenFit Pro are an interesting option for those seeking open-ear earbuds that don't require swapping out to active noise canceling models - though users should keep in mind that true ANC still holds back this innovative design.
The OpenFit Pro boasts Shokz's first open-ear model equipped with an innovative noise reduction system designed to work in tandem with the open design. This tech reduces mid-frequencies just enough to make conversation and ambient noise more manageable, allowing users to still hear their surroundings without sacrificing sound quality.
When put through their paces, the OpenFit Pro proved decent at blocking out distracting noises - I could still hear the hum of a space heater in my office or the thump of treadmills at the gym. However, some may find that it occasionally induces an unsettling "sucking" sensation, particularly when adjusting noise settings.
While this wasn't a deal-breaker for me, using the earbuds with noise reduction enabled did lead to battery life cuts. Shokz claims 12 hours of continuous use without ANC, but in reality, I only got 6 hours before needing a recharge.
Despite some caveats, the OpenFit Pro is Shokz's best earbud offering so far, boasting better sound quality and more immersive listening experiences than their predecessors. A significant upgrade lies in their Optimized for Dolby Atmos mode, which employs spatial audio processing to create a wider and deeper soundstage - though this isn't strictly required for the experience.
Battery life is also generous at 50 hours total when combined with the charging case, although these numbers drop significantly when noise cancellation is engaged. One notable omission: Bluetooth Auracast support, a feature that could unlock new audio sharing possibilities.
Ultimately, the OpenFit Pro are an interesting option for those seeking open-ear earbuds that don't require swapping out to active noise canceling models - though users should keep in mind that true ANC still holds back this innovative design.