Shokz - OpenFit Air

I couldn't find that many opinions online so I thought I'd throw in my two cents. A bit of background, I'm a bit of a headphone enthusiast but nothing crazy - my main headphones are the the HD650, HD620s, and previously the AKG K701. I use the Etymotic er3xr on the go in addition to some random wireless Sony bluetooth earbuds. I also have the Bose QC45. I bought the OpenFit 2+ as an upgrade over the OpenFit Air which I currently own as a pair of cheap(ish) open headphones for situations where I'd like to hear the environment outside. To be honest the old OpenFit Air are kinda bad but they are cheap and are tolerable for some background music. The OpenFit 2+ are a substantial improvement and actually provide decent sound quality. Overall I'd describe the sound signature as being overall pretty well balanced and slightly V shaped with plenty of treble sparkle. The treble resolution isn't amazing but it's hard to fault given the category doesn't have that many contenders. The sub-bass rolls off a little as well which is expected for this form factor, but bass extension is surprisingly good. Soundstage is good, reasonably wide, which is not exactly surprising given V shaped sound signatures does tend to assist to that effect. Compared to my er3xr, the Shokz has a laid back midrange with a hotter treble and is of course less detailed across the board. It's brighter than the HD650's with a rougher less refined sound. I bought them for $339.00 AUD, I'd highly recommend them for anyone who is after some open sporty headphones and is willing to pay for good sound quality.

The original OpenFit? They're essentially the same as the OpenFit Air in terms of sound quality i.e. kind of bad and honestly not very tolerable to listen to, I mainly use them to listen to podcasts or videos where sound quality doesn't matter very much. I haven't tried the Bose Ultra Open but the form factor is quite different.

Just picked up Shokz Open Fit Air, loving the open form factor.

The price has dropped on these. Costco now sells them & has the ear bud type that are 2 separate pieces as well as the single set. I replaced my first After Shokz set because the mic didn't work well & I was having trouble talking to clients. The 2nd set is the Open Run that has a USB-C connection but I still have complaints that they can't understand me so I'm putting the phone closer to my mouth but end up switching to speaker phone. Shokz customer service suggested using their model that has a mic but I 'm not ready to buy a 3rd pair. The newest set has a smaller size option so it fits better than the Air Shokz. They're great cause you can hear your surroundings. To enjoy music, get over the ear phones.

I really like my Shokz for this use case, less so for public transit commutes principally because it \_doesn't\_ block enough ambient noise. As an unfortunate aside, my 2021 Shokz just died, or are close to dead. Waiting for customer support to get back to me with an outcome. This pair lasted about 4 years (6 weeks shy really) and the pair before that lasted less, about 2.5 years. They got heavy use, and I'm not surprised that something I sweated in daily at least 8 months of the year eventually gave up the ghost, but those are my observations. I'll be buying another pair, in any case.

Shokz Open Fit Air. My first pair had to be warrantied within the first two months of getting them. The replacement pair I received were brand new sealed and have been great.

Shokz openfit air are great. “*only*” 100$, great battery life, great awareness, decent enough quality.  Max volume is a little low for them to be my only headphones - they get drowned out by the bus sometimes.  Had a beats pair once upon a time that died the second they got moist for the first time. 

So freaking true! I've returned my Shokz Open Air's 4 times. Open Run 1 time. It's so frustrating. I'm thinking about the Open Air 2s. I really like how the neutral colors blends and the ability to really hear ambient noise.

Also keep in mind because it doesn't create a seal, the bass would be severely lacking compared to ones with silicon tips. Did you try previously changing the tips to different sizes?

I've found nothing that will both stay in my ears and stay comfortable for a long run, plus I don't like losing situational awareness. They may not be BIFL but Shokz are the way forward for running imo. My Trekz Titanium which I bought 2nd-hand in 2017 is still going strong even with the abuse of living in my bag with no case for 8 years, but I upgraded last year to the Openfit Air for better sound quality. I sometimes forget to take them off and end up wearing them all day because they're so unobtrusive. The Openrun is better sound quality but less comfortable for me. There are obvious tradeoffs in sound quality but this is just an area where compromises need to be made, at least with current tech.

Not sure open ear earbuds can successfully cancel noise. I have the Shokz Openfit 2 and Air. I don't have any complaints, except maybe the carrying case is a little bulky compared to my Airpods...