10-hour battery life. Please refresh the page and try again. The Shokz OpenSwim are incredibly lightweight. For more information on charging your headphones, contact support@aftershokz.com. On the left earpiece, there's a single button used to control playback. Open-ear sound. The multifunction button isfrustratinglyon the front part of the earpiece, the vibrating element that sits pressed against the side of your head, while the volume buttons are on the rear module that sits behind the ear. Learn on the go with our new app. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. We're not convinced anything is particularly potently done but the bass sounds suitably strong which is where you need it. In my own testing, I never noticed any of the problems my colleagues described from previous versions. Simple one-button controls. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. The Shokz OpenSwim are highly situational. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, One click plays or pauses music, two clicks plays the next song, and three goes back one track. Certainly not when you slide the Shokz OpenSwim under your swim cap for safe keeping. It picks out tracks entirely randomly meaning you can end up having the same music track repeated frequently, even if you've used most of the 4GB storage space. The moment you reach dry land, you'll long to be able to hook it up to Spotify to change things up but for a very specific purpose, these do the job well. The OpenRun Pro uses a proprietary charging cable that attaches to the back of the right ear module. Swimmers will greatly appreciate the Shokz OpenSwim while everyone else will probably go elsewhere. It's easy enough to do and a good solution to water leakage while swimming but we are a little worried about what happens if you lose your charger. Simply being able to listen to music or audiobooks clearly is a big advantage when swimming, again highlighting just who their target audience is.
Audio performance is decent enough for such active headphones. No more head buzzing. Predictably, there's no way of changing things around or adjusting the EQ with that sole distinction coming from the Mode button which changes things up a little. At $149.95 / 139.95 / $219.95AU, they're yet to drop in price since their launch in 2019 because there's not really a need for them to do so. You can also answer or end a call with one click. However, the audio felt just the tiniest bit muffled. One button dictates the mode button which lets you shuffle your music, set your playlist to repeat, or activate the in/out water mode which improves the quality of the sound when in the pool. It's fairly easy to do as your computer recognises the headphones as a 4GB external hard drive. You're an avid swimmer That's both good and bad depending on what you need from them. Jennifer Allen It magnetically snaps into place and can rapidly charge the headphones enough to get at least one full workout in after about five minutes. These are essential headphones for regular swimmers. The other buttons double up as volume as well as skip buttons and they're suitably responsive. I'm probably pickier than most people when it comes to workout headphones, and the OpenRun Pro still managed to impress me.
In the case of the Shokz OpenSwim (formerly known as AfterShokz Xtrainerz), these are MP3 headphones rather than wireless, which means no Bluetooth connectivity and a fairly simple layout. If bone-conduction headphones sounded this good before, I probably would've picked them up a lot sooner. You want to avoid putting anything in your ear As we keep mentioning, the Shokz OpenSwim lack Bluetooth support. The only major downside to the audio on the OpenRun Pro is that it's shockingly easy for other people to hear them. That's no problem with a selection of music tracks but if you're trying to transfer an audiobook, you'll need to be aware of how you're doing it. The Shokz OpenSwim headphones are good for bone-conduction headphones but there are better options if you want to hear the finer nuances of your favorite songs. And until my colleagues told me that they'd had a problem with previous versions of the headset, I never would have suspected there were any problems with the concept. On the right-hand side of the waterproof headphones are four buttons for controlling the action.
Open ear headphones that use bone conduction technology so that you can #BeOpen to the world around you. Trekz Titanium, Bluez 2S, Sportz Titanium, and Sportz 3 can all be charged using a micro USB. It could also make it through a full workday of continuous use, which is handy if you have an outdoor job that keeps you active. As long as I remembered to turn off the headphones when I was done, I really needed to charge the OpenRun Pro only a couple of times a week, when using them between one to two hours a day. They're truly active headphones, depending on the fact that you want some great background music while you swim rather than expecting you to be listening out for detailed mids and so forth. They simply fit just in front of your ears transmitting their sounds down your bones effectively. When you un-box your AfterShokz headphones, theyll be 50 percent charged. You want something lightweight As they don't rely on Bluetooth connectivity, you transfer music across via your PC or Mac before use, meaning there's no need to carry anything extra around with you. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. These waterproof headphones are solely designed with the audio experience in mind and, primarily, aimed at swimmers because they make most sense when you're underwater.
Alongside the headphones unit comes a charging cradle. It's not a major deal, but the overly particular part of my brain that favors symmetry would've loved if the buttons were on roughly the same spot on each side of my head. Once I got used to it, the difference was subtle enough that I never really noticed. Elsewhere is the power button and volume/skip buttons. You can plug the USB end into a computer or into a USB wall charger. Other features are basically non-existent. Because they use bone-conduction technology, you also don't have to worry about finding the right fit for your ears. Love podcasts or audiobooks? Want headphones that work well while exercising and commuting? Unusual, yes, and we're sure someone will end up misplacing the charger eventually, but it does the job. Again, if you hate bulky earbuds or headphones, the Shokz OpenSwim are a good way of avoiding this thanks to their slight design. Heres why you can trust us. Don't count on noticing the subtleties of David Bowie's Under Pressure but do enjoy the fact that it still sounds attractive while you swim. Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The volume-up button also doubles as the power button. In practice, we haven't liked them very much. If you haven't used such technology before, it feels like magic in a good way. The Worlds Highest Resolution Medium Format Camera Hasselblad, First of all, this is my personal review and experience using the TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS-WIFI of. They provided great sound and much better situational awareness, and they were stood up to heavy workouts. That makes the OpenRun Pro (the latest in the line formerly called Aeropex) that much more impressive. Being able to hear the sound of passing cars or other people near me made me feel much more sure of my surroundings when out for a run or wandering around a city block. Youll need to peel back this flap to insert the connector. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries.
The battery is rated to last around 10 hours, and my experience was pretty close to this. The advantage of using something more standard means you can always find a replacement (and often already own one) so this could turn expensive if you're liable to misplace things. The sound quality from the earpieces was deep and rich, and the headset was comfortable on my head. There's no active noise cancellation (and we wouldn't recommend these for your commute), no voice assistant support, or the ability to take calls for obvious reasons. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Obviously, this depends on switching over to Underwater mode, but that's a simple toggle away. You want the best sound quality The only downside to the charger is that if you break or lose it, you can't just charge the headphones with a generic USB cable. There was a problem. All of them are suitably tactile and responsive without overcomplicating matters. When swimming, it makes sense that Bluetooth is useless but for other purposes, you may long for the back up of that sweet wireless connection. You'll ideally need a separate pair for commuting. Eye tracking, a new era for VR or just another gimmick? When fully charged, the LED light will turn blue. Adrienne also found that they fit comfortably under a helmet while cycling. Never stop listening, never stop moving.
Thanks to bone-conduction technology, you won't have to worry about finding the right fit for your ears. It's slightly awkward to rate the Shokz OpenSwim on audio performance because it's safe to say that these aren't meant to be headphones for listening in the sanctuary of your own home. The two bone-conduction modules are connected by a flexible semicircle that can bend outward to fit your head, but beyond that there aren't any adjustable pieces to the design. When I first tried out the OpenRun Pro, it took me a bit to mentally adjust to what I was hearing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. As mentioned, the Shokz OpenSwim are a little prone to sound leakage out of the water so they're not a great bet when dealing with more conventional scenarios.
That's hardly the point though. Shuffle is a little awkward too. The promise of Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) bone-conduction headphones has always been an appealing one: you can listen to music without plugging your ears, so you can still hear the sounds around you. Finally, a pair of bone-conduction headphones were eager to wear. You will receive a verification email shortly. Perfect for swimmers in particular, the Shokz OpenSwim (formerly known as Aftershokz Xtrainerz) are an appealing set of bone-conducting headphones. Rather than simply using micro-USB or USB-C, the Shokz OpenSwim require a proprietary charger that you slot the headphones into to charge up. In her spare time, she enjoys the cinema, walking, and attempting to train her pet guinea pigs. That fact alone might be the best compliment I can give the OpenRun Pro over its predecessors. Sure, you might not be particularly impressed because they're nothing special but they simply just work. You can now play Stray in splitscreen multiplayer, We used an original iPhone in 2022 and its basically useless, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Makes sense: The sound is traveling through a lot more of my cartilage and bone on its way to my inner ear, so it's going to sound a little different. Shokz (which changed its name from AfterShokz in December 2021) is no stranger to the bone-conduction headphones field with a range of wireless headphones that are ideally suited if you hate the idea of placing earbuds in your ears while still desiring the freedom that over-ear headphones just don't provide. Asymmetrical button placement. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! New York, To protect your headphones from damage, moisture, or debris, remember to secure the protective rubber flap over the charging port back in place. Ad Choices. Moreover, So, who also got to use the OpenRun Pro, told me that for the first time she was wearing them for fun.. The Shokz OpenSwim are decidedly for the active user. Just slot them in front of your ear and you're ready. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED. They're a little expensive for what they offer because, well, there's no Bluetooth and you can't use them to take calls either. Weighing just over 1oz, they slip around your head in a way that means you soon forget about them.
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. By that nature, the Shokz OpenSwim do the job well. I was skeptical of the OpenRun Pro's single-piece design at first.
Why Building Automation is Not as Smart as You Think ( Part-1 ), How to quickly transfer a schedule to Google Calendar, 8 of the Best Document Management Software of 2022, 8 Tips for a Better You on How to Save Money on Your Lifestyle. This is the first pair of bone-conduction headphones I've reviewed. Learn more. Don't turn off automatically.
On a couple of occasions, I found they were dead the next time I needed them. It's easy enough but there's some planning involved, especially if you ordinarily use streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music for your other music listening needs.
She is yet to succeed. Switch to swimming mode and you'll be impressed to still hear clear music even when you're splashing around. All rights reserved. When it comes to the controls, we appreciate their simplicity. I was worried this would make for an awkward fit, but it was surprisingly comfortable.
last updated 8 July 22. Charging is conducted via a slightly unusual looking proprietary charger that encases part of the headphones within itself so that it can charge effectively.
Audio performance is decent enough for such active headphones. No more head buzzing. Predictably, there's no way of changing things around or adjusting the EQ with that sole distinction coming from the Mode button which changes things up a little. At $149.95 / 139.95 / $219.95AU, they're yet to drop in price since their launch in 2019 because there's not really a need for them to do so. You can also answer or end a call with one click. However, the audio felt just the tiniest bit muffled. One button dictates the mode button which lets you shuffle your music, set your playlist to repeat, or activate the in/out water mode which improves the quality of the sound when in the pool. It's fairly easy to do as your computer recognises the headphones as a 4GB external hard drive. You're an avid swimmer That's both good and bad depending on what you need from them. Jennifer Allen It magnetically snaps into place and can rapidly charge the headphones enough to get at least one full workout in after about five minutes. These are essential headphones for regular swimmers. The other buttons double up as volume as well as skip buttons and they're suitably responsive. I'm probably pickier than most people when it comes to workout headphones, and the OpenRun Pro still managed to impress me.
In the case of the Shokz OpenSwim (formerly known as AfterShokz Xtrainerz), these are MP3 headphones rather than wireless, which means no Bluetooth connectivity and a fairly simple layout. If bone-conduction headphones sounded this good before, I probably would've picked them up a lot sooner. You want to avoid putting anything in your ear As we keep mentioning, the Shokz OpenSwim lack Bluetooth support. The only major downside to the audio on the OpenRun Pro is that it's shockingly easy for other people to hear them. That's no problem with a selection of music tracks but if you're trying to transfer an audiobook, you'll need to be aware of how you're doing it. The Shokz OpenSwim headphones are good for bone-conduction headphones but there are better options if you want to hear the finer nuances of your favorite songs. And until my colleagues told me that they'd had a problem with previous versions of the headset, I never would have suspected there were any problems with the concept. On the right-hand side of the waterproof headphones are four buttons for controlling the action.
Open ear headphones that use bone conduction technology so that you can #BeOpen to the world around you. Trekz Titanium, Bluez 2S, Sportz Titanium, and Sportz 3 can all be charged using a micro USB. It could also make it through a full workday of continuous use, which is handy if you have an outdoor job that keeps you active. As long as I remembered to turn off the headphones when I was done, I really needed to charge the OpenRun Pro only a couple of times a week, when using them between one to two hours a day. They're truly active headphones, depending on the fact that you want some great background music while you swim rather than expecting you to be listening out for detailed mids and so forth. They simply fit just in front of your ears transmitting their sounds down your bones effectively. When you un-box your AfterShokz headphones, theyll be 50 percent charged. You want something lightweight As they don't rely on Bluetooth connectivity, you transfer music across via your PC or Mac before use, meaning there's no need to carry anything extra around with you. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. These waterproof headphones are solely designed with the audio experience in mind and, primarily, aimed at swimmers because they make most sense when you're underwater.
Alongside the headphones unit comes a charging cradle. It's not a major deal, but the overly particular part of my brain that favors symmetry would've loved if the buttons were on roughly the same spot on each side of my head. Once I got used to it, the difference was subtle enough that I never really noticed. Elsewhere is the power button and volume/skip buttons. You can plug the USB end into a computer or into a USB wall charger. Other features are basically non-existent. Because they use bone-conduction technology, you also don't have to worry about finding the right fit for your ears. Love podcasts or audiobooks? Want headphones that work well while exercising and commuting? Unusual, yes, and we're sure someone will end up misplacing the charger eventually, but it does the job. Again, if you hate bulky earbuds or headphones, the Shokz OpenSwim are a good way of avoiding this thanks to their slight design. Heres why you can trust us. Don't count on noticing the subtleties of David Bowie's Under Pressure but do enjoy the fact that it still sounds attractive while you swim. Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The volume-up button also doubles as the power button. In practice, we haven't liked them very much. If you haven't used such technology before, it feels like magic in a good way. The Worlds Highest Resolution Medium Format Camera Hasselblad, First of all, this is my personal review and experience using the TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS-WIFI of. They provided great sound and much better situational awareness, and they were stood up to heavy workouts. That makes the OpenRun Pro (the latest in the line formerly called Aeropex) that much more impressive. Being able to hear the sound of passing cars or other people near me made me feel much more sure of my surroundings when out for a run or wandering around a city block. Youll need to peel back this flap to insert the connector. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries.
The battery is rated to last around 10 hours, and my experience was pretty close to this. The advantage of using something more standard means you can always find a replacement (and often already own one) so this could turn expensive if you're liable to misplace things. The sound quality from the earpieces was deep and rich, and the headset was comfortable on my head. There's no active noise cancellation (and we wouldn't recommend these for your commute), no voice assistant support, or the ability to take calls for obvious reasons. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Obviously, this depends on switching over to Underwater mode, but that's a simple toggle away. You want the best sound quality The only downside to the charger is that if you break or lose it, you can't just charge the headphones with a generic USB cable. There was a problem. All of them are suitably tactile and responsive without overcomplicating matters. When swimming, it makes sense that Bluetooth is useless but for other purposes, you may long for the back up of that sweet wireless connection. You'll ideally need a separate pair for commuting. Eye tracking, a new era for VR or just another gimmick? When fully charged, the LED light will turn blue. Adrienne also found that they fit comfortably under a helmet while cycling. Never stop listening, never stop moving.
Thanks to bone-conduction technology, you won't have to worry about finding the right fit for your ears. It's slightly awkward to rate the Shokz OpenSwim on audio performance because it's safe to say that these aren't meant to be headphones for listening in the sanctuary of your own home. The two bone-conduction modules are connected by a flexible semicircle that can bend outward to fit your head, but beyond that there aren't any adjustable pieces to the design. When I first tried out the OpenRun Pro, it took me a bit to mentally adjust to what I was hearing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. As mentioned, the Shokz OpenSwim are a little prone to sound leakage out of the water so they're not a great bet when dealing with more conventional scenarios.
That's hardly the point though. Shuffle is a little awkward too. The promise of Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) bone-conduction headphones has always been an appealing one: you can listen to music without plugging your ears, so you can still hear the sounds around you. Finally, a pair of bone-conduction headphones were eager to wear. You will receive a verification email shortly. Perfect for swimmers in particular, the Shokz OpenSwim (formerly known as Aftershokz Xtrainerz) are an appealing set of bone-conducting headphones. Rather than simply using micro-USB or USB-C, the Shokz OpenSwim require a proprietary charger that you slot the headphones into to charge up. In her spare time, she enjoys the cinema, walking, and attempting to train her pet guinea pigs. That fact alone might be the best compliment I can give the OpenRun Pro over its predecessors. Sure, you might not be particularly impressed because they're nothing special but they simply just work. You can now play Stray in splitscreen multiplayer, We used an original iPhone in 2022 and its basically useless, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Makes sense: The sound is traveling through a lot more of my cartilage and bone on its way to my inner ear, so it's going to sound a little different. Shokz (which changed its name from AfterShokz in December 2021) is no stranger to the bone-conduction headphones field with a range of wireless headphones that are ideally suited if you hate the idea of placing earbuds in your ears while still desiring the freedom that over-ear headphones just don't provide. Asymmetrical button placement. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! New York, To protect your headphones from damage, moisture, or debris, remember to secure the protective rubber flap over the charging port back in place. Ad Choices. Moreover, So, who also got to use the OpenRun Pro, told me that for the first time she was wearing them for fun.. The Shokz OpenSwim are decidedly for the active user. Just slot them in front of your ear and you're ready. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED. They're a little expensive for what they offer because, well, there's no Bluetooth and you can't use them to take calls either. Weighing just over 1oz, they slip around your head in a way that means you soon forget about them.
WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. By that nature, the Shokz OpenSwim do the job well. I was skeptical of the OpenRun Pro's single-piece design at first.
Why Building Automation is Not as Smart as You Think ( Part-1 ), How to quickly transfer a schedule to Google Calendar, 8 of the Best Document Management Software of 2022, 8 Tips for a Better You on How to Save Money on Your Lifestyle. This is the first pair of bone-conduction headphones I've reviewed. Learn more. Don't turn off automatically.
On a couple of occasions, I found they were dead the next time I needed them. It's easy enough but there's some planning involved, especially if you ordinarily use streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music for your other music listening needs.
She is yet to succeed. Switch to swimming mode and you'll be impressed to still hear clear music even when you're splashing around. All rights reserved. When it comes to the controls, we appreciate their simplicity. I was worried this would make for an awkward fit, but it was surprisingly comfortable.
last updated 8 July 22. Charging is conducted via a slightly unusual looking proprietary charger that encases part of the headphones within itself so that it can charge effectively.