Slightly ambitiously, Shokz guarantees these sports activities headphones can ship clear highs and pure mids and that the brand new twin air conduction unit design manages to produces pure vocal sound. The air conduction definitely delivers the bass, whereas the bone conduction handles the remaining. Within the battle to compete with site visitors, wind and the fitness center stereo, there’s some winners and losers right here. The bass is a giant enchancment, with a noticeable uptick in heat and punch.
Annoyingly, nevertheless, whereas extra energy means larger bass in your buck, the readability isn’t on a par with the older OpenRun. Equally, in a sound-off with the uniquely designed Bose Extremely Open, the shortage of readability is uncovered too. After I eased off the excessive tempo drum-and bass-heavy playlists to take heed to a podcast, the backward step in readability remained noticeable. This doesn’t make the OpenRun Professional 2 a foul headphone, they merely provide a shift to a sound that many runners will tremendously take pleasure in, and one which’s a bit nearer to typical bass-heavy exercise headphones.
Winner by a Nostril
You at all times should make compromises with open-ear headphones, however with the OpenRun Professional 2, the compromises are literally comparatively insignificant. For those who’re on the lookout for working headphones with extra bass and energy, however you continue to need to concentrate on your environment, these are the very best obtainable.
Different choices value contemplating embrace the Suunto Sonic ($149), which supply a really balanced sound profile from a properly weighted and comfy neckband design. The premium-priced Bose Extremely Open give higher, extra detailed sound, however a doubtful match when you’re working quick. The Sivga SO2 ($70) produce a very likable, open-ear sound and safe match.
It isn’t the large leap in high quality I would hoped for, however Shokz has achieved simply sufficient for me to suggest the OpenRun Professional 2. That being stated, you shouldn’t rule out the OpenRun Professional, which supplies you just about the identical design with stable audio high quality and battery efficiency. You simply have to recollect the place you place that fiddly, archaic, proprietary charging cable.