In the midst of saturated personal listening devices, Shokz managed to come up with a product that captures a genuine niche in the market.
Shokz OpenFit is an earphone that is not in-ear or over-ear, but around the ears, aptly called open-ear technology, leaving your ears open to hear the world around you. This feature allows you to have personal music, podcasts, and/or calls whilst also allowing you to be fully aware of your audible surroundings. Some typical use cases include for when you are at work and in need to create your own focus zone but still need to be aware of the surroundings, or when you are walking or cycling outdoors and want to stay safe and alert.
Test Drive
Shokz OpenFit is quite comfortable to use. At 8.3 grams, it has a lightweight and ergonomic design that properly secures itself around your ears without causing any pressure or discomfort. The ear hooks have an arc shape (they call it Dolphin Arc Ear Hook) that are very comfortable and easy to wear with glasses. They don’t even fall off the ears when I changed my t-shirt at the gym, which is a common problem with other earphones.
Being made to be more spatially aware, Shokz Openfit is probably less effective when you go to places that will give you conflicting sounds. Having used them at the gym where there is loud music, it takes a while to learn how to focus on what you want to listen to and ignore what you don’t.
Additional Features
Shokz OpenFit has a long battery life of 7 hours per charge and 28 hours with the case. You can also get an hour of listening time with just 5 minutes of charging.
OpenFit has a smart noise cancellation feature that makes your calls clear and crisp. It uses dual microphones to pick up your voice and filter out the background noise, using a technique called Adaptive Beamforming. This way, you can communicate easily even in loud places.
With MultiPoint Pairing, you can connect the Shokz OpenFit to two devices at once and switch between them easily. Just get the Shokz App and follow the simple steps to pair your devices. Then you can enjoy your Shokz OpenFit with any device you want.
In addition to MultiPoint pairing, the Shokz OpenFit app offers several other features. You can check the battery level of the earphones, change the EQ modes (standard, vocal, bass, treble, or add your own modes), and customise the controls for the double-tap and press-and-hold gestures to any of the presets available.
Shokz OpenFit Review Conclusion
In conclusion, the Shokz OpenFit stands as a significant innovation in the realm of personal audio devices. Its unique open-ear design successfully carves out a niche for those who seek a blend of personal audio without losing touch with their environment. The lightweight, ergonomic build, coupled with the Dolphin Arc Ear Hook, ensures comfort and stability, even during active use. While the open-ear concept might require some adjustment in noisy environments, it excels in scenarios where situational awareness is key.
The impressive battery life, rapid charging feature, and advanced noise cancellation for calls add to its practicality, making it a versatile companion for both work and leisure. The addition of MultiPoint Pairing and customisable controls via the Shokz App further enhances its user-friendly appeal.
Overall, the Shokz OpenFit is an excellent choice for those who value safety, awareness, and comfort without compromising on sound quality, making it a standout product in the crowded field of personal audio devices. Shokz OpenFit is available now for purchase at A$289.
Disclosure: Shokz OpenFit review sample was supplied for reviewing
