Review: Shokz OpenFit Pro

For several years, Anker Soundcore was often at the forefront of fun and interesting technical solutions such as Liberty 4 with its “stretch your neck” warning or Sleep A20 with its extremely low profile for working on the pillow. Recently, Shokz has also begun to take up space. The bone-conducting concept, in which Shokz was a pioneer, has been augmented by open-ear models like OpenFit 2+ or the symmetrical OpenDots One (where the earphones themselves figure out which ear they are in). Generally, the open-ear trend has continued to spread, and with it, clear improvements have come with each model from several headphone brands. The time when even we at senses.se were somewhat hesitant about the narrow field of application is over, and open-ear is a brilliant solution in almost all environments. And increasingly so.

With the latest model, Shokz OpenFit Pro offers something truly special. As the first open-ear model, Shokz has included noise cancellation. In addition to that, the battery life with noise cancellation enabled is on par with other models’ normal values. And with it turned off, it lasts an impressive 12 hours on a single charge. Alongside all the features, the shape has also changed, and the question then becomes whether the previous agility has been lost? With the OpenFit Pro, Shokz has certainly delivered something to sink your teeth into.

First experience – Shokz OpenFit Pro

OpenFit Pro comes with the sleekest and most elegant case to date. It truly exudes quality and feels premium. At the same time, Shokz has taken a step away from the initial line where robustness and training were the primary focus. This one wants to be, and is, a different type of product even though it still fits as a workout option. The headphones are IP55 rated, which means they can withstand sweat and water but are not waterproof like, for example, Jabra Elite 8 Active. They still sit securely but now have a different appearance than just being worn in exercise contexts.

In addition to the innovation of including noise cancellation, Shokz has also included a small support that you can easily attach to the headphones. The small support affects the soundscape to some extent as the headphones sit a bit higher in the ear. In return, you hear your surroundings a bit better, and the earphone itself lifts slightly from the ears, making them barely felt.

With OpenFit Pro, touch buttons have been completely abandoned and replaced with a physical button which admittedly requires a firm press (it sometimes clicks misleadingly without a successful press). We recently tested Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero and hinted in that test that Shokz has long benefited from different button combinations. And with OpenFit Pro, five variants are used on the same button: one-click, two-click, three-click, long-press, and short + long-press. The last two options are tied to noise cancellation and volume adjustment, while the first three are relatively free to be customized to how you are used to. But overall, you can control all parts from the headphones, meaning the phone can stay safely in your pocket or on the desk. Because the OpenFit series has always been an excellent headset for calls, and OpenFit Pro carries that torch forward. The other party hears you clearly, and you hear how loud you are talking due to the open construction—an important detail in many contexts.

The sound profile – Shokz OpenFit Pro

It is an impressive sound throughout and above all, but almost not only, for being within the open-ear category. All frequency ranges are clearly represented, and there is a dynamic in the sound that we haven’t experienced with any of Shokz’s previous models. Shokz OpenFit 2+ admittedly raised the bar at their launch as well. The sound is created by dual 11×20 mm diaphragms (equivalent to 16.7mm round diaphragms), which makes the soundscape convincing at both low and high volumes, which is important in this context. We have already mentioned it, but the feeling of being able to have faint background music on while you are sitting and working is a pleasant experience, though the volume can’t be particularly high.

But that is only one side of what OpenFit Pro can deliver. Hanz Zimmer – Buyer Beware is, as always, an excellent benchmark for how bombastic a pair of headphones can manage to be before it starts getting muddy. OpenFit Pro succeeds in getting the pressure up while maintaining mid-frequencies and trebles. It gets somewhat unclear at times, but now we are comparing it to, for example, Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 and the fact that we are even doing so says a lot about the sound quality.

Overall, there is no genre that OpenFit Pro cannot handle. Everything from FM-84 Arcade Summer to Alan Jackson – Drive via Gustavo Santaolalla – Cordon de Plata. Sometimes it might possibly be appropriate to activate the EQ setting Bass Boost, and then it also has a clear impact. These are not audiophile headphones, but nowadays it is truly possible to enjoy music without having to excuse the quality by citing other features.

Shokz breaks new ground – Open-ear Noise Reduction

To answer your first question directly: does it work? Yes, it does. And it feels a bit remarkable. But actually, it’s not. It’s all based on the exact same principle as all other noise-canceling headphones. The headphones listen to the surroundings and send out the same sound inverted. One should keep in mind that these are still a pair of completely open headphones, so of course, it won’t be completely quiet like with a pair of over-ear or in-ear headphones. A crying child near you will obviously not be dampened away; you will still hear your surroundings.

However, the chatter disappears, and what you hear becomes like a muffled and relieved version. Noise cancellation removes sounds from across the frequency bands, and in a cafe, in a car, on a bus, or in the subway, it is good enough for you to hear your music more clearly, and the soundscape is hardly affected. It is actually a bit astonishing and really cool.

The noise cancellation can be adjusted manually, and if it is set to the highest level, we come to the only drawback of the concept. It is not just heard, it is felt. Significantly. With previous headphones like Sony WH-1000XM4, which of course are not alone in this phenomenon, ears get tired after a while with heavy noise cancellation. It feels like there is a pressure over them, and it’s nice to turn it off after a while. But the noise cancellation is effective even at lower values such as Default, and then it is significantly more comfortable for the ear canals.

It is something of an achievement to include noise cancellation in a pair of open-ears, not just technically but also from a conceptual perspective. But it works and is a feature we didn’t know we wanted until it arrived. And Shokz deserves an extra commendation for that.

Final Word – Shokz OpenFit Pro

With OpenFit Pro, Shokz hasn’t just opened up for a new way of thinking regarding the open-ear concept; they have further expanded the field of application for what was, with the first models, after all, quite limited. With OpenFit Pro, it is possible to sit in a cafe and get rid of the hubbub, or stand next to motor traffic and be relieved from annoying rumbling frequencies. Along with the noise cancellation, they have also succeeded with an impressive soundscape, technical flexibility, and squeezing in a battery capacity that isn’t half bad either.

Price-wise, we understood early on that these would likely cost a pretty penny. And they do; you have to pay approximately 2,800 kronor for a pair. But at the same time, Shokz OpenFit 2+ has periodically cost 1,600 kronor while starting at 2,300 kronor. There are thus good chances of getting a lower price during a sale, and then there is no doubt that these are a superb choice.

Because in the open-ear genre, OpenFit Pro is a top choice from every perspective. Even if there are protests from the wallet.

Shokz sent review units for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.