Shokz recently announced its new open-ear headphones, the OpenDots 2, hot on the heels of the OpenFit Pro earlier this year and the OpenDots One from this time last year.
Why so many? Because they are an extremely popular form factor and the technology is rapidly evolving, and Shokz at the pointy end of this tech, wants to keep innovating and cornering the market.
The new OpenDots 2 have been launched alongside the more affordable OpenDots Air, which will be covered in a later review. The OpenDots 2 introduces deeper bass thanks to Shokz’s proprietary Bassphere 2.0, alongside improved Dolby Audio and a dedicated bone-conducting microphone that delivers better call and voice quality.
They also have a new clip-on design, producing an even more comfortable fit, so much so that you often forget that you are wearing them.
The OpenDots 2 are also being released with something no one asked for: “jewellery-inspired clip-on accessories” that latch onto the earbuds, allowing users to customise them to their personal style. These will be gifted to purchasers through the Shokz Official website for a limited time.
The design from the outside of the OpenDots 2 looks very similar to the Ones from last year but inside, the new OpenDots 2 feature a new nickel-titanium “JointArc structure which moulds naturally to different ear shapes, delivering a secure fit while maintaining lasting comfort throughout the day.”
Sounds great in marketing speak, doesn’t it? Well, without the flowery language, I can honestly say that they are slightly more comfortable than the Ones and they are one of the most comfortable earbuds I have used, ever.
I had been using them while walking the dogs and going for runs but I decided to wear them on the golf course last Friday afternoon. It was the middle of the day, and I was waiting for more work to come in, so I had to leave my phone on.
Several times around the course, I nearly dislodged the earbud in my ear because I had totally forgotten I was wearing it. I wasn’t playing any music because I’m not a fan of music on the golf course, but I could hear my phone sounds, so I heard all the messages coming through, as well as players nearby and those talking to me.
This is my perfect use case for these earbuds. Then I dislodged the earbud when changing back into my scrubs after the round because I had forgotten it was there.
The design of the earbuds also means that no matter the shape of your ear canal, you will be able to wear them comfortably without them falling out, and they will always provide decent sound.
The earbuds are also ideal for running with a high-quality sound, although I didn’t find them as stable on the ear/head as the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 that I currently use while running. The earbuds will survive all conditions, too, with an IP57 dust and water resistance rating on the earbuds and an IP54 rating on the charging case.
Another new feature of the OpenDots 2 is the new force sensor controls which allow you to manage music, calls and media with touch and pinch-and-hold gestures. I liked the new pinch-and-hold gestures because tapping just doesn’t work as well when the earbud sits loosely on the ear.
The gestures worked really well, there’s not really much else to say here. That’s all you can hope for, working consistently without dislodging them from their position. The OpenDots 2 succeed with this.
The sound quality has definitely improved over last year, and the Ones had some of the best sound quality I had heard from Shokz, so it is no mean feat to improve on that.
The bass is certainly fuller and delivers a much more powerful punch than last year. Wearing them in the gym where there is loud music playing, the sound is drowned out a bit but that is not the best use case for these as I see it. They are ideal for outdoor use for those who want to stay connected (e.g., on the golf course during work hours) or consume media while remaining aware of their surroundings (e.g., going for a run/walk).
The OpenDots 2 still do not have the sound quality of a premium closed-ear earbud but they excel at what they are designed to do. Produce good quality sound in an open-ear design, allowing the user to stay fully aware of their surroundings.
The OpenDots 2 are designed to deliver up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 40 hours with the Qi-certified charging case. I managed to get a bit under that for my use, but then I did have the music up quite loud when I was listening to it.
The charging case can also deliver another two hours of listening time with a five-minute quick charge.
Each time I try open-ear earbuds, they just keep getting better and better. The OpenDots 2 from Shokz are no different and improve on last year’s version with even better comfort and a much-improved sound quality.
They deliver decent sound quality, second-to-none comfort and awareness of your environment thereby increasing your safety. If you are looking for earbuds with these characteristics, I can highly recommend the Shokz OpenDots 2.
OpenDots 2 (RRP AU9 / NZ9) are available in Pearl White, Grey and Black.
Both products will be available via shokz.com.au and select retailers. The limited-edition jewellery-inspired accessories will be available as a complimentary gift with purchase through the Shokz official website and selected retail channels. The accessories will not be sold separately.
OpenDots 2 will be available through the Shokz Amazon Store and exclusively to JB Hi-Fi until 23 August. From 23 August, both products will be available through JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and other participating Australian retailers.
Scott is our resident open technology expert. If you can mod it, or want to use it your way, Scott has probably done it. From Laptops to phones, headphones and game consoles, he’s played with it and wants to see the next generation.
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