Shokz has announced the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, a new contender for both the best bone conduction headphones designed for runners, and the best running headphones. Featuring audio upgrades that promise deeper bass and longer battery life than the original OpenRun Pro, they look set to be Shokz’s best headphones yet.
The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 has the same look and feel as its predecessors, the original Shokz OpenRun Pro (and this goes back to older models, when the brand was still called Aftershokz). It has a super strong strap with a silicone coating and transducer pads that are specifically designed to fit around the temples.
This standard bone conduction design allows you to keep your ears free to hear the world around you. This is ideal for staying aware of potential hazards while running. At the same time, sound is transmitted through your temples to your eardrum.
The OpenRun Pro 2 sees several minor changes here, with both bone conduction drivers and air conduction speakers. The bone conduction driver is said to feature a “new dual reed and coil innovative design that stabilizes the vibration system, producing clearer vocal sound”, while the air conduction speaker is tuned lower for “booming, deep bass”. It looks like our test runs for this one will be well-soundtracked.
The OpenRun Pro 2 also offer a longer battery life (12 hours, compared to the original’s 10), multipoint pairing with two devices, and 2.5 hours of listening time from just a five-minute charge. They’re available now for $179.95 / £169 / AU$299.
Analysis: If it ain’t broke…
Bone conduction headphones haven’t changed much in design since the days of the Aftershokz Aeropex (though we now have the best open-ear headphones, too). And with the OpenRun Pro 2, Shokz isn’t changing a tried-and-true formula.
It simply improves on what is already there, with better audio quality and longer life. To be honest, that’s all it was supposed to do, and I’m definitely in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” camp.
I’m an avid user of the original Shokz OpenRun, so the prospect of great sound quality and 2.5 hours of playback from a five-minute charge is an exciting prospect. Watch this space for a full review soon.