Shokz Openrun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones in test: lots of bass at the end

Bone conduction headphones are especially popular for swimming or outdoor sports. The ear canal remains clean and the surrounding environment is always present. This is an important safety aspect, especially when running or cycling in traffic. However, bone conduction technology has a major sonic drawback: the low frequency range cannot be easily delivered through the bone, which is why powerful bass basically falls by the wayside. With the OpenRun Pro 2, Shox now aims to address this sonic shortcoming.

The trick: Special Bone Sound technology combined with the innovative open-ear design concept with airborne sound transmission, as can be experienced, for example, with the Shox OpenFit (test report). This means that two additional membrane drivers – in the classic way – work with airborne sound and, together with bone sound transmission, mainly take care of the bass foundation. Our test clarifies how well this particular concept works and whether these innovations are also worthwhile for owners of the previous model Shokz Openrun Pro (test report).

The Shokz Openrun Pro 2 is available in black and orange colors and two band sizes: standard and mini. Compared to the previous model, there is not much change at first glance. This is a good thing, because the design concept has worked very well so far. Still, there are some new details to discover: the most noticeable change is the now integrated USB-C port as well as two enclosed membrane drivers for bass reinforcement.

In the hand, the Shokz Openrun Pro 2 feels of little value due to its extensive rubberized coating, which attracts dust like a magnet. But you shouldn’t let him fool you. When it comes to the quality of workmanship there is nothing to complain about. It should be clear here that functionality is the top priority for playing the game. Thanks to the rubber coating and IP55 protection class, the headphones are well protected against sweat, water and dirt and can therefore be cleaned quickly and easily after exercise. However, it cannot be completely immersed in water.

When it comes to comfort and fit, the Shokz Openrun Pro 2 proves to be comfortable and cozy. No matter what we try – from head banging to handstands to head shaking – it won’t go away. At the same time, it weighs only 30.3 grams and is easy to hold and can be easily forgotten when worn for a long time.

Initial setup and pairing of the Shokz Openrun Pro 2 works without any problems – thanks to the included quick start guide. The 3-button operation through headphones is intuitive and quickly learned. As the motto goes: less is more – and we feel the same way here. At the bottom right are two buttons for volume control, which are also used for switching on and off and pairing. The outer left side has easy music controls and a multifunction button for answering or ending calls. It’s a shame: buttons can’t be assigned individual functions.

The Shokz Companion app is stripped down to the bare essentials and the usability is disappointing. Apart from EQ and maybe multipoint controls, there’s no other reason to stop here regularly.

However, when it comes to technical details, there is something else to mention: with Bluetooth 5.3, quick charge function and multipoint feature, which makes it possible to pair with two devices at the same time, the OpenRun Pro 2 beautifully is contemporary with. It’s a shame: the only codec available is SBC.

According to Showcase, the battery lasts up to twelve hours, which matches our own testing experience pretty well. Standby time is up to ten days. Thanks to quick charge, the battery gets recharged quickly. Five minutes is enough for about two and a half hours of use.

Shoxz has definitely filled a small sonic gap with their hybrid concept of bone and air sound. By using two air conduction drivers that focus primarily on bass performance, the OpenRun Pro 2 sound significantly better and more balanced than pure bone conduction headphones, while staying true to the open-ear concept. As long as we live in a universe with open ears, a little sonic revelation can be expected here. The sound in the ears (half) is definitely much better, especially when it comes to bass.

Shokz Openrun Pro 2 offers a total of four preset EQ profiles (Standard, Conversation, Bass and Treble), each of which changes the sound significantly. We find the Standard profile best when it comes to listening to music. Otherwise, you can optionally create two different EQ profiles through the app. There were no unpleasant vibrations when the volume was turned very high or at maximum bass, as we saw in the previous model.

The wind-resistant double microphones and AI-assisted noise cancellation do a good job when it comes to voice quality. It is easier for us to understand the traffic even in windy weather.

With an RRP of 199 euros, the Shox OpenRun Pro 2 is in the upper price segment. Almost a month after its release, most shops still want it 199 euros (Amazon). Sometimes the headphones are available online for even 190 euros.

The Shokz Openrun Pro 2 is designed for outdoor athletes and road users who need to pay attention to surrounding noises. Yes, almost every in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphone now has a – more or less good – Aware mode. But in practice this is simply not the case and safety should always be the top priority when listening to music or talking on the phone in potentially dangerous environments.

So if you want an open-ear model, the OpenRun Pro 2 currently represent a special solution thanks to its hybrid system of air and bone conduction technology, it sounds better than any classic bone conduction headphones, which are open The -ear sector counts as one of the sportiest models on the market and offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. A rock-solid pair of sports headphones, with the only details worth complaining about.