Shokz Ventures into the Clip-On Earbud Market with the OpenDots One
Shokz has consistently risen through the ranks in the wireless audio space, establishing itself as a prominent figure in workout-friendly earbuds. Renowned for its cutting-edge bone-conduction headphones, the company has recently broadened its offerings with the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit Air. Now, Shokz is venturing into new grounds with its newest product: the OpenDots One — a set of clip-on open-ear earbuds tailored for outdoor fitness lovers.
Targeted primarily at runners and active individuals, the OpenDots One are designed to share music while ensuring users remain conscious of their environment. Drawing evident inspiration from the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Shokz has created a comparable cuff-style design. Nevertheless, the OpenDots One promise improved durability, extended battery life, and impressively competitive audio quality.
Of course, open-ear configurations come with compromises. Ambient sounds are always present, which means you won’t experience the same immersive audio quality as with in-ear counterparts. The feature set is also relatively basic, and the touch controls can be somewhat unpredictable.
Nonetheless, for runners and fitness enthusiasts, the OpenDots One are an attractive choice that meld safety, comfort, and performance.
Specifications and Setup
While not as feature-packed as some high-end sports earbuds like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 or Jabra Elite 8 Active, the OpenDots One still provide a commendable performance:
– 11.8mm dual speaker drivers
– Frequency response: 100Hz – 20kHz
– Dolby Audio support
– Customizable EQ through the Shokz app
– IP54 water resistance (earbuds only)
– Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing
– Up to 10 hours of battery life (40 hours with charging case)
– 10-minute quick charge offers 2 hours of playback
– Available in black and gray
Pairing is straightforward: open the case, press the pairing button, and connect via your device’s Bluetooth menu. Multipoint functionality allows simultaneous pairing with two devices, such as a MacBook and a smartphone.
Design: Recognizable Yet Practical
The OpenDots One may bear a likeness to Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds, but they have their unique charm. Touch-sensitive panels are placed on the battery arms, and a soft silicone grip ensures a comfortable fit during exercise. They remained secure during high-movement activities like jumping jacks and side lunges. However, the grip can start to feel uncomfortable with extended wear, particularly during casual use.
The open-ear design is the highlight here. It keeps users aware of their surroundings — an essential feature for outdoor runners. Whether it’s traffic, pedestrians, or construction sounds, the OpenDots One keep you informed without sacrificing safety.
Remarkable Sound for Open-Ear Earbuds
While Shokz may not be synonymous with superior audio, the OpenDots One provide surprisingly powerful sound. The 11.8mm drivers deliver clear, dynamic audio, and the customizable EQ allows users to adjust their listening preferences. Dolby Audio support adds added depth and clarity.
During evaluations, tracks like Hozier’s “Too Sweet” and Mya’s “Best of Me, Part 2” highlighted the earbuds’ capability to handle both delicate instrumentation and impactful bass. Although ambient noise can disrupt in loud surroundings, the earbuds perform effectively in quieter environments or at elevated volumes.
It’s crucial to remember that open-ear earbuds do not channel sound directly into the ear canal like typical wireless earbuds. Instead, they project audio toward the ear, which reduces isolation but improves awareness of the surroundings.
How They Compare to the Competition
When evaluated against other open and sports earbuds — including the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds — the OpenDots One stand out.
– Audio: The Powerbeats Pro 2 provide superior sound due to their in-ear design and advanced audio features. Bose’s 12mm drivers also yield excellent sound. Shokz’s OpenDots One surpass many bone-conduction and open-ear rivals in this aspect.
– Fit: Beats’ ear hooks ensure unmatched stability, while Shokz and Bose offer more compact, clip-on designs that still remain secure.
– Transparency: Both the OpenDots One and Bose’s earbuds excel in ambient listening. Beats have a decent transparency mode but lack in noise cancellation.
Battery Life That Keeps Pace
Battery life is another notable feature. The OpenDots One provide up to 10 hours of playback, with the case contributing an additional 30 hours. This performance surpasses Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds and is on par with Anker’s open-ear models. A 10-minute quick charge affords you two hours of use — ideal for last-minute workouts.
In practical usage, the earbuds sustained a week of moderate activity, including six hours of running and multiple calls. The case didn’t require recharging until the third week.
Controls and Features: Potential for Enhancement
While the design