The idea behind the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 sounds almost like science fiction at first: instead of stuffing tiny speakers into your ear canals, or covering your ears with bulky cushions, these headphones simply rest on your cheekbones, just in front of the ears. The so-called bone conduction technology transmits sound waves as subtle vibrations directly to the inner ear, while your ears themselves remain completely open to the world around you.
While it’s a clever idea, bone conduction headphones are generally known for their weak, thin sound quality. To overcome this, Shokz have developed a hybrid system called “DualPitch”, which uses a tiny air conduction driver (AKA a speaker) to act as a mini subwoofer, boosting those deep bass frequencies.
The advantage of the overall concept compared to conventional headphones is obvious: if you’re jogging through the city, pushing hard on the bike, or working out in the park, it’s important to stay fully aware of your surroundings, something which is difficult to do with traditional headphones. Approaching cars, ringing bike bells and nearby voices come through clearly, while still allowing you to listen to your motivation playlist or favourite podcast.
To keep everything securely in place during exercise, Shokz rely on a lightweight neckband made from a nickel-titanium memory alloy. To ensure a proper fit, the headphones are available in two sizes, both a standard and a mini version to suit different head sizes. Thanks to an IP55 rating, they’re also well protected against dust, sweat, and rain – though you should probably skip taking them for a dip in the ocean. That’s the theory, but how does this vibrating hybrid hairband actually sound in real world use?
Manufacturer Claims: What are the Differences Between the Shokz OpenRun Pro and OpenRun Pro 2?
| Product Name | OpenRun Pro 2 | OpenRun Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Technology | DualPitch | TurboPitch |
| Weight | 30 g | 29 g |
| Battery Life | 12 h | 10 h |
| Quick-Charge Function | 5 minutes of charging for 2.5 hours of use (music playback) | 5 minutes of charging for 1.5 hours of use (music playback) |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Microphone | 2 wind-resistant microphones with noise cancellation | 2 microphones with noise cancellation |
| Charging Method | USB-C | USB-C |
| Equalizer | 4 preset EQs + 2 custom modes (in the app) | 2 preset EQs |
| Price | €199 | €139 |
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Review: Sound Quality, Bass and Comfort in Real-World Use
When you first put on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, the sensation feels a little… unusual. The flexible neckband keeps the small transducers positioned just in front of your ears with light but comfortable pressure. Admittedly, the slightly cyborg-like look is distinctive, but in the end it’s definitely more sporty and subtle than huge over-ear headphones. Pairing is pleasingly straightforward: press and hold the plus button until the voice prompt confirms the connection. With multipoint Bluetooth, which can be disabled if needed, the headset can switch seamlessly between multiple inputs, so you can listen from your laptop, then quickly switch to your phone when you go out.
Sound Check: What Does Bone Conduction 2.0 Sound Like? Let’s be honest: if you’re expecting audiophile brilliance, earth-shaking bass or a huge soundstage, you’ll need to reset those expectations straight away. The sound is clear and perfectly adequate for podcasts or the latest Taylor Swift banger during interval training, but by design it lacks the volume and punch of sealed in-ear headphones.
That said, the big advantage lies in the DualPitch upgrade: thanks to the new combination of bone conduction and conventional air-conduction speakers for the bass, the Pro 2 sounds noticeably fuller than its predecessor. This has the added benefit of removing the biggest annoyance of the previous version: the infamous “tickling” at your temples on bass-heavy tracks is barely noticeable anymore. Just be careful showing off on the subway: if you crank the bass all the way up, you’ll inevitably end up blasting the row of seats opposite you. The DualPitch drivers are effectively just mini speakers on the side of your head, so there’s noticeable sound leakage; you might want to think twice before accidentally blasting your most embarrassing guilty pleasure playlist through the whole train carriage.
The downside of open ears: because your ears remain completely unobstructed, the audio inevitably mixes with ambient noise. What can be a lifesaver in traffic quickly turns into a test of patience during a phone call on a busy main road. If the surroundings get too loud, they simply drown out the headphones – and it’s not like you can just push them deeper into your ears. One workaround is to cover your ears with your hands, so only the bone conduction remains; this is practical but looks a bit odd. A similar issue arises on the bike: beyond a certain speed, wind noise becomes so loud that you can barely make out a word of your true crime podcast.
Controls, Calls and One Small Water-Related Caveat: No matter how intense the workout gets, operation via the three physical buttons (volume up/down on the underside, plus the large action button on the left transducer) works flawlessly – even with sweaty fingers or gloves. One press is all it takes to pause a song or answer a call. Siri and other voice assistants can also be activated via the button on the left transducer. Call quality is serviceable, but it feels more like an emergency backup than a real strength – most in-ear headphones do a better job here. Still, it’s perfectly sufficient for a quick call at home or in an emergency.
The Shokz are real endurance performers when it comes to battery life. Over the course of our extensive test period, their stamina genuinely impressed us – the OpenRun Pro 2 definitely lasts longer than most in-ear headphones with active noise cancelling. With daily use of around an hour, a single charge easily gets you through a full week. And if it does run out of juice, the long-awaited USB-C port comes to the rescue: just five minutes on the cable gives you enough power for another 2.5 hours of music.
There is one small downside for absolute hardcore workouts: if you sweat heavily, there’s a chance that sweat can find its way into the small speaker openings of the air-conduction driver, causing a noticeable drop in sound quality until everything has dried out again. Giving them a good shake mid-workout generally does the trick.
A Brief Legal Note – Safety First: One final point on the legal situation, especially for gravel riders and commuters: under German road traffic regulations (StVO), your hearing must not be impaired to the extent that you can no longer hear warning signals such as horns or sirens. Conventional in-ears with strong ANC often operate in a risky grey area here. With the open design of the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, you’re on much safer ground, both legally and in terms of safety.
Buying Advice: Who Should Consider the Shokz Bone Conduction Headphones?
Let’s keep it brief: the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 isn’t a pair of headphones for everyone, and it’s definitely not for sound-obsessed hi-fi enthusiasts, or riders who spend all their time hammering along at high speeds. Instead, it’s a highly specialised tool for athletes. If you spend a lot of time running outdoors, or need to stay aware of your surroundings during workouts, this is the perfect compromise between entertainment and self-preservation. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for some daily drivers to use on noisy public transport or in a busy open-plan office, this simply isn’t the right choice. The lack of noise isolation and the noticeable sound leakage not only become annoying for you, but for the people around you too. Heavy callers should also keep in mind that the person on the other end won’t always hear them as clearly as they would with a conventional phone, or a headset with a better microphone. One particularly good use case for the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 could be for hearing aid users watching TV: they can continue to hear their surroundings normally through their hearing aids, while getting clear TV audio projected straight to the inner ear by the Shokz headphones.
Conclusion: Are The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Worth the Money?
Crystal clear: yes! For just under €200, you get a pair of sports headphones that do exactly what they’re supposed to – deliver the soundtrack to your training, without shutting you off from the world. The thinner sound is a fair trade-off for increased safety, while comfort and battery life are absolutely top-notch. A clear “hot” for athletes!
Tops
- Open-ear design
- Secure fit, lightweight and comfortable, even with glasses
- Sweat- and water-resistant for tough workouts (IP55)
- Strong battery life and USB-C fast charging
Flops
- Thin bass and slight tickling sensation at the temples at high volume
- Sound leakage: people sitting nearby can hear your music
- Mic shortcomings: callers often have trouble understanding you clearly
For more information, head to Shokz.com
Words & Photos: Robin Ulbrich, Patrick Gruber
