Over the past year, I’ve made a significant shift from traditional earbuds to open-ear headphones. This decision was prompted by a combination of factors, including discomfort with earbuds, constant misplacement issues, a growing concern for my auditory health, and the need for safety during runs.
In the running community, there has been a noticeable trend towards eliminating headphone use during races, with events like Hood to Coast strongly discouraging the use of “headphones/buds in the ear” – which makes sense for runners navigating small backcountry roads, especially during nighttime hours.
The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has also issued guidelines against the use of personal music devices as a safety measure and risk management strategy – although the enforcement of these guidelines may vary from race to race. But, sometimes, insurance just wins out in the end…
In my personal journey away from in-ear headphones, I adopted a pair of Shokz Openrun headphones about a year ago and found them to be an excellent choice. However, one notable aspect of this transition from traditional earbuds was the fact that these Shokz headphones are physically connected together (though they do have some true wireless versions), preventing the comfortable use of just one side or when lying in bed.
Recently, my exploration of open-ear audio led me to the OpenRock brand. Their innovative approach to open-ear headphone design intrigued me, prompting me to undertake a detailed review of their OpenRock S headphones.
Sound:
One notable aspect of these headphones are the audio quality. These definitely have less of a “tinny” sound than some of my other pairs – and it’s likely by design. The TubeBass tech goes over my head. Phrases like 16.2mm dynamic driver and high quality biological diaphragm make it clear I am not an audiophile. However, when the end result is a much richer sound, I’ll take it. It has Rock Mode and Relax Mode – designed to be used for whatever sort of workout you are doing.
My wife also highlightedrelative effectiveness of the OpenRock S headphones in minimizing sound leakage. According to her, the headphones performed at least as well as my over-the-ear options in terms of preventing sound from disturbing others. This feature proves beneficial not only during runs but also in shared spaces such as airplanes, where consideration for fellow passengers is crucial. It’s not perfect (when it’s on full volume – as its unlikely to be in social settings – it can for sure be heard) but honestly what headphone is outside of true completely over-the-ear options?
Looks:
In a market dominated by streamlined and sleek headphone designs, the OpenRock S defies the current trend with a slightly bulkier profile. At first glance, it’s evident that these headphones make a statement, and there’s no mistaking that you have them on. Unlike the discreet designs that blend seamlessly with the wearer, they embrace a more robust aesthetic. It’s not bad – just different.
They come in two color options – black and khaki – with the latter having the best aesthetics in my opinion.
Fit:
Despite their chunkier appearance, the OpenRock S manages to strike a balance by remaining surprisingly lightweight. This mitigates any concerns related to the bulkiness of the design, as the lightweight nature ensures comfort during extended wear. I experienced no significant bouncing or jostling during workouts.
The fit is also more customizable than other options I own. The rubber piece is adjustable, allowing users to angle it for a more tailored and comfortable fit, accommodating ears of various sizes. It also means that my ears are more free of discomfort after wear. They sort of distribute the weight and pressure around the ear, which I didn’t really realize I was missing until putting these on and wearing around.
Function:
The standalone battery life of the OpenRock S is commendable, boasting an impressive duration of upwards of 19 hours. This number is extended (a claim of 60 hours!) when utilizing the rechargeable case. It’s important to note that the actual battery performance may vary based on external factors such as volume levels and ambient temperatures.
Nevertheless, the provided longevity suggests that these headphones can endure through nearly any run or workout session, providing users with a reliable and sustained audio experience.
Since the new year, I have kept them in my garage for use when doing treadmill, cycling, strength, or yoga. I have not had to charge them at all since the new year, and the case level still remains steady. These are really in it for the long haul.
The OpenRock S are also water-resistant – a necessity here in the PNW. Bluetooth pairing was a cinch, and it was easy to get them connected to my iPhone and Apple Watch immediately. They also have a microphone so you can make/take calls when they are in use. The people on the other line from me had no issues with hearing me.
In Use:
I have too many things running around in my brain when I am putting in the miles. One thing that always seems to escape me – in all my headphones, not just OpenRock – is the quick controls on the headphones. Most of the time I am just pulling my phone out to do anything of importance (like skipping a track for instance). As long as I can figure out how to adjust the volume and play/pause, I’m good to go.
I did encounter a slight challenge with the buttons on the OpenRock, as they lacked the tactile response I am accustomed to. It took some adjustment to remember the basic functions. I don’t think its operator error, but I could only get the music to pause with a single click on the right one, and only get it playing again with the left one.
However, incorporating double clicks and timed holds made it a lot of trial and error until I figured it out. Holding the button for 1.5 seconds to skip a track is fine – but holding your hand up to your head while in the middle of a tempo run is not ideal either.
Charging Case:
The bulkier design philosophy extends to the charging case, which mirrors the bulkier nature of the headphones. However, this design necessity does not pose a problem when placing the headphones in a backpack or running bag, where their size fits comfortably without any issues.
While some users may initially find the case to be larger than what they’re accustomed to, there are practical advantages to this design. As someone who has repeatedly misplaced or outright lost (or washed) smaller cases, the bulkier build of the OpenRock case is actually beneficial to me.
Overall:
Whether embarking on a long-distance run or engaging in a full day of activities, the OpenRock S headphones, when coupled with their rechargeable case, provide a dependable audio companion that can withstand the rigors of diverse environments. They also cost about half as much as others out there on the market – a HUGE benefit.
We have grown to love these headphones over the past month or so and would recommend them as a budget friendly option that really packs an audio punch!
