1 min readShokz new headphones promise to bridge the gap between two worlds.
The newly-announced Shokz Open Run Pro 2 headphones incorporate both direct pitch and bone conduction audio tech to offer a more dynamic and immersive soundscape without compromising on comfort or sound quality. The idea here is that the former focuses on delivering more precise mids and highs while the latter deals with the bass.
It’s a tall order, but going by the spec-sheet it seems like Shokz are going to take a half-decent swing at it. The company has been working with bone conduction for a decade and the Open Run Pro 2 represents the apex of that investment.
Like the previous Open Run Pro, Shokz’ freshly-updated set of flagship headphones comes with ergonomic ear hooks and titanium unibody frame. The open-ear gear is available in the same two sizes, but features an adjusted fit that promises to reduce clamping force by 16 per cent.
That’s not the only upgrade in the mix here. There’s also a new dual reed and coil system that cuts down vibration and a custom audio processing algorithm that promises to help the hardware deliver more balanced, dynamic and immersive 3D soundscapes.
Despite the shift to incorporate more premium materials and speakers, the Shokz Open Run Pro 2 weighs just a single gram lighter at 30g. The headphones also retain the same IP55 rating for water and dust resistance found in predecessors.
In terms of battery life, the open-ear headphones offer 12 hours of playback off a single charge. This is a 20 per cent increase on the 10 hours offered by the previous model. Shokz has also traded out the proprietary charging port for a USB-C one that supports faster charging speeds. If you’re in a pinch then you can get 2.5 hours of playback from just 5 minutes of charging.
In Australia, the Shokz Open Run 2 Pro headphones are priced at $319 and set to go on presale via the Shokz website from 28 August 2024 ahead of a September 5 launch.
