The Open-Ear Revolution Meets a New Challenge
Open-ear wireless earbuds have undeniably carved out a significant niche, offering a liberating listening experience that keeps users connected to both their audio and their surroundings. For many, the unparalleled comfort and situational awareness are game-changers. Yet, this innovative design has always come with two significant trade-offs: compromised sound quality in noisy environments and the complete absence of active noise cancellation (ANC). Without passive isolation, traditional ANC seemed an impossible dream – until now.
Shokz, a pioneer in open-ear technology, is challenging this long-held belief with its latest innovation, the Shokz OpenFit Pro. Priced at $250 and available in sleek black or white, these earbuds introduce the company’s first open-ear noise reduction system, aiming to bridge the gap between ambient awareness and focused listening. While not a direct competitor to the robust ANC found in closed-ear models like the Apple AirPods Pro, the OpenFit Pro promises a noticeable dampening of mid-frequencies – just enough to take the edge off life’s more persistent background hums.
Noise Reduction in the Open: A Practical Test
The concept of noise reduction on open-ear earbuds is intriguing, and in practice, the OpenFit Pro delivers on its core promise. During testing, the persistent drone of an office space heater was perceptibly halved, creating a calmer environment without sacrificing awareness of household activities. Similarly, at the gym, the relentless thrum of treadmills and the ubiquitous in-house music were significantly diminished, though not entirely eradicated. This targeted reduction of mid-range frequencies proves effective for mitigating common irritants.
The Unexpected Sensation: A Trade-off for Quiet?
However, this novel noise reduction system introduces an unexpected side effect: a physical sensation akin to the “sucking” often associated with some ANC products. The reviewer experienced an inward pressure, an “unpleasant” feeling that prompted a desire to disable the feature after only a few minutes. While not painful, this discomfort is a notable drawback.
The Shokz companion app allows for adjustment of the noise reduction level. Reducing it from its maximum setting alleviated the pressure sensation, but unfortunately, it also diminished the noise reduction to a point where its effectiveness was negligible. The good news is that this pressure sensation is significantly reduced when music is playing, and crucially, the noise reduction system does not compromise the OpenFit Pro’s sound quality.
Elevating Open-Ear Audio: Sound Quality and Spatial Immersion
Beyond the innovative noise reduction, the OpenFit Pro truly shines in its audio performance. These are, without a doubt, Shokz’s finest earbuds to date. While the improvement over models like the OpenFit 2+ or OpenDots One (both $199.95) isn’t monumental, there’s a clear enhancement in bass response and overall detail, likely attributable to a larger, dual-diaphragm driver. While truly powerful low-end remains a challenge for open-ear designs, the OpenFit Pro sets a new benchmark in this category. They also elegantly sidestep the sibilance issues that plagued earlier OpenFit 2 models, delivering a smooth, distortion-free listening experience even at higher volumes.
True to their open-ear nature, the OpenFit Pro offer an airy and expansive soundstage, providing a more natural, speaker-like listening experience than traditional earbuds.
Dolby’s Spatial Magic on Open-Ears
This natural soundstage is further enhanced by the “Optimized for Dolby Atmos” mode. Despite its somewhat misleading name (it’s not exclusive to Dolby Atmos content), this feature leverages Dolby’s advanced earbud-based audio software, combining spatial audio processing with optional head tracking. The result is a significantly wider and deeper soundstage that works with any content, though Dolby suggests optimal performance with Atmos-encoded material.
This marks the first integration of Dolby’s spatial technology into open-ear earbuds, and it proves to be an excellent match. The system effectively boosts the perceived width and height of the audio space without negatively impacting dynamic range or loudness – a common pitfall for similar technologies. While the effect is more pronounced with Atmos content, it elevates stereo playback significantly. The reviewer, having tested Dolby’s spatial tech on various products, found the OpenFit Pro’s implementation compelling enough to keep it enabled for music listening, a rare endorsement. However, it’s noted that Bose’s Immersive Audio on their Ultra Open Earbuds still offers a smoother head tracking and more convincing spatial processing.
The Verdict: A Bold Step for Open-Ear Audio
The Shokz OpenFit Pro represents a bold and innovative stride in the open-ear earbud market. With exceptional sound quality, impressive call clarity, robust battery life, and effective spatial audio, they stand out as a premium offering. The inclusion of noise reduction, while not perfect and potentially causing discomfort for some, is a significant technical achievement for open-ear design. It offers a tangible benefit in reducing mid-frequency annoyances, even if it doesn’t rival traditional ANC.
Ultimately, the OpenFit Pro earns a respectable 6/10 rating, reflecting its strengths and acknowledging the trade-offs of its pioneering noise reduction. For those seeking the comfort and awareness of open-ear earbuds without entirely sacrificing a degree of environmental control, the OpenFit Pro offers a compelling, albeit unique, solution.
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