OpenRock S2 Open-Ear Earbuds Review – Hook design ideal for gym and fitness use

The health audio market has seen a big shift in the direction of open-ear designs, and OpenRock’s newest providing, the S2, positions itself as an inexpensive entry level into this rising class. These earbuds promise to ship the advantages of situational consciousness while sustaining sound high quality that gained’t disappoint throughout exercises. With a pretty value level of £60 and options sometimes discovered on costlier fashions, the S2 represents an intriguing proposition for health lovers and informal customers alike.

OpenRock, a subsidiary of OneOdio, has established itself since 2021 as a model targeted particularly on sports activities and health audio options. The S2 continues this legacy with a hook-clip hybrid design that goals to unravel the perennial drawback of earbuds falling out throughout intense bodily exercise while conserving customers linked to their environment.

Specification / Options

Specification Particulars

Options

Audio Expertise

Driver Configuration

The S2 incorporates 12mm drivers with BassDirect know-how. This technique channels low-frequency vitality instantly in the direction of the ear canal while sustaining the open-ear design precept. The drivers ship as much as 30mW output energy with a frequency response vary of 20Hz to 20kHz.

Audio Codecs and Processing

Assist consists of LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs, with Hello-Res Audio certification. The LISO 2.0 algorithm gives dynamic bass and treble adjustment. Three preset sound modes can be found: Rock, Chill out, and Growth, alongside customisable EQ settings by way of the companion utility.

Connectivity and Controls

The earbuds utilise Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint connection functionality, permitting simultaneous pairing with two units. Connection vary extends past 10 metres beneath optimum circumstances.

Bodily button controls are positioned on the ear hook part quite than touch-sensitive surfaces. This consists of built-in digicam distant performance for smartphone pictures when the system is in digicam mode.

Water Resistance and Sturdiness

The S2 carries an IPX5 ranking for water resistance. The safety system incorporates three components: angled carrying place to encourage sweat runoff, impartial driver chamber design to isolate digital elements, and nano-coating remedy on circuit boards and electrodes.

Inside testing signifies the titanium wire elements stand up to over 5,000 bending cycles while sustaining structural integrity.

Name High quality and Microphones

4 MEMS microphones are positioned throughout the earbuds, utilising beamforming know-how and AI noise cancellation algorithms. This configuration goals to take care of voice readability throughout calls, significantly in windy circumstances.

Companion Utility

The OpenRock utility gives entry to EQ customisation, firmware updates, system location options, and well being monitoring features. The well being options embrace listening time reminders and quantity restrict settings to encourage safer listening practices.

Design

The S2 utilises a hook-clip hybrid design weighing 7g per earbud. The development employs 0.6mm titanium wire filaments mixed with liquid silicone supplies. This method creates a three-point assist system that contacts the ear rim, ear clip, and ear wheel areas. The earbuds function a 20-degree angle alignment meant to match the pure ear canal orientation.

The charging case provides 51g to the whole system weight, bringing the entire package deal to 58g. The case design incorporates a speckled coating with textured end components that resist fingerprints and supply a safe grip. The case sits flat when positioned on surfaces, avoiding the instability points that plague some competitor designs.

Construct high quality feels stable all through, with supplies that don’t seem cheaply manufactured. The matte black end with delicate gold flecks creates an understated aesthetic that ought to attraction to most customers. The USB-C port is sensibly positioned on the aspect of the case quite than beneath, permitting for secure charging while sustaining the case’s compact footprint.

The earbuds themselves function a chrome-like end on the motive force housing, contrasted with the matte black of the hook part. This two-tone method provides visible curiosity with out being ostentatious. The titanium wire building gives glorious flexibility while sustaining structural integrity – these earbuds might be twisted and bent significantly with out concern for harm.

Match / Consolation

The hook-clip design represents a center floor between pure ear-hook types and easy clip-on configurations. The 7g weight per earbud locations them among the many lightest choices within the open-ear class, making them nearly undetectable throughout prolonged put on. The three-point contact system distributes weight evenly throughout a number of areas of the ear, decreasing stress factors that may trigger discomfort throughout lengthy classes.

The titanium wire flexibility permits for some lodging of various ear shapes, although this isn’t as customisable as reminiscence wire options discovered on some premium options. The 20-degree angle alignment works nicely for many ear anatomies, positioning the drivers appropriately for sound supply while sustaining the open-ear precept.

Nevertheless, match might be considerably variable relying on particular person ear anatomy. Some customers might discover the drivers sit barely increased than optimum, probably decreasing quantity and bass impression. The driving force placement on the higher portion of every earshell also can lead to partial obstruction by the tragus for sure ear shapes, which can muffle output high quality.

The liquid silicone materials feels nice in opposition to the pores and skin and reveals no indicators of inflicting irritation even throughout prolonged put on durations. The earbuds stay comfy for multi-hour classes, making them appropriate for lengthy exercises or all-day put on eventualities.

How do they carry out throughout intense fitness center exercises?

Throughout weightlifting, HIIT classes, and different high-intensity actions, the S2 demonstrates glorious stability. The hook design prevents the earbuds from dislodging throughout fast actions, burpees, or inverted workout routines. The safe match means customers can concentrate on their exercise quite than always adjusting their earbuds.

The IPX5 ranking gives ample sweat resistance for many fitness center actions. Testing with heavy perspiration confirmed no degradation in efficiency or match safety. The angled carrying place does assist encourage sweat runoff as marketed, although this isn’t foolproof in all circumstances.

One consideration for fitness center use is the open-ear design’s interplay with ambient noise. While this permits customers to stay conscious of their environment for security, it additionally signifies that in noisy fitness center environments, customers may have to extend quantity ranges to take care of audio readability, which might impression battery life and probably disturb close by fitness center customers.

How do they carry out working open air?

For out of doors working actions, the S2 excels in offering the situational consciousness that makes open-ear designs interesting to safety-conscious runners. Site visitors sounds, approaching cyclists, and different environmental audio cues stay clearly audible while music playback continues uninterrupted.

The safe match interprets nicely to working actions, with the earbuds remaining secure throughout varied working gaits and terrain adjustments. Testing on each street working and path working confirmed minimal motion, even throughout more difficult terrain navigation.

Wind noise presents extra of a problem for the S2 in comparison with ear-cuff designs. The hook configuration and driver positioning can create extra wind noise throughout breezy circumstances, which can intervene with audio enjoyment. This can be a widespread difficulty with hook-style open-ear earbuds however bears consideration for customers who steadily run in uncovered, windy areas.

The battery life benefit turns into significantly obvious throughout lengthy runs, the place the 8-hour single cost period simply accommodates ultra-marathon distances or all-day out of doors adventures.

Normal Sound High quality

The BassDirect know-how delivers surprisingly sturdy low-frequency efficiency for an open-ear design. The 12mm drivers produce fuller bass response than many rivals on this class, although expectations ought to stay calibrated to the open-ear format quite than sealed in-ear options.

Vocal readability stays sturdy throughout the frequency vary, with good articulation and presence. The LISO 2.0 algorithm does present noticeable enhancements to dynamic vary, although the advantages are most obvious at increased quantity ranges the place the open design sometimes struggles.

The three preset modes supply genuinely completely different sonic signatures. Rock mode gives essentially the most versatile tuning for common use, while Growth mode emphasises low-frequency vitality for high-intensity actions. Chill out mode presents a extra laid-back presentation appropriate for informal listening or low-intensity actions.

The LDAC codec assist gives entry to higher-resolution audio streams, although the sensible advantages are considerably restricted by the open-ear design’s inherent compromises. Ambient noise intrusion can masks the delicate element enhancements that high-resolution codecs sometimes present.

Soundstage presentation advantages from the open design, making a extra spacious and pure presentation than sealed earbuds. This could make music really feel extra stay and fascinating, significantly for acoustic and orchestral content material.

Nevertheless, the open design does impose limitations. Most quantity ranges might not fulfill customers accustomed to sealed earbuds, significantly in noisy environments. Sound leakage at increased volumes also can disturb others in quiet environments, limiting utilization eventualities.

Battery Life

The claimed 8-hour single cost period proves correct in real-world testing, with slight variations relying on quantity ranges and codec utilization. The overall 32-hour capability with the charging case gives glorious longevity for multi-day actions or customers preferring rare charging cycles.

The 5-minute fast cost offering one hour of playback proves genuinely helpful for last-minute exercise classes or when caught with depleted batteries. Full charging from empty takes roughly 90 minutes for the earbuds alone, extending to a number of hours when the case additionally requires charging.

Battery efficiency stays constant throughout completely different utilization patterns, although enabling LDAC codec assist does cut back general longevity by a modest quantity. The shortage of wi-fi charging represents a minor inconvenience however isn’t uncommon at this value level.

The battery indicator integration with each the case LED and companion app gives clear standing info, serving to customers plan charging schedules successfully.

Worth and Different Choices

The OpenRock S2 have an RRP of £80. The older OpenRock S has an RRP of £75 however is out there for £45

The OpenRock Professional Open-Ear Air Conduction Sport Earbuds have an RRP of £97 however can be found for £75

The OpenRock X Open-Ear Air Conduction Sport Earbuds have an RRP of £150

There are many comparable various choices, together with:

• Nothing Ear (open), which can be found for round £90
• Soundcore AeroFit 2, which can be found for round £90
• Huawei FreeArc for £100
• Shokz OpenFit 2+ which can be found for £179 or the OpenFit 2 for £169
• Cleer Audio ARC II, which can be found for £200

At £60, the S2 represents aggressive worth within the open-ear phase. The function set, construct high quality, and efficiency justify the value level, significantly when contemplating the included LDAC assist and intensive battery life.

The pre-order pricing of roughly £50-55 makes them much more enticing, positioning them as one of the inexpensive routes into high quality open-ear audio. Nevertheless, customers ought to rigorously think about whether or not the open-ear format fits their listening preferences and utilization eventualities earlier than committing to this design method.

General

The OpenRock S2 are a good pair of open-fit earbuds.

I typically choose the efficiency of ear-cuff earbuds as they place the motive force nearer to the ear canal.

However, with these, you’ve the additional advantage of the hook design, which suggests this can be very unlikely that the earbuds will fall off your ear throughout intense exercises.

The draw back is that they’re extra vulnerable to wind noise than ear cuff earbuds, and all open-fit earbuds are vulnerable to this drawback within the first place.

The S2 is a superb choice for customers particularly looking for the safety benefits of hook-style open-ear earbuds. The mixture of light-weight building, stable construct high quality, respectable sound efficiency, and glorious battery life creates a product that successfully serves its target market.

Nevertheless, the open-ear format itself presents inherent limitations that no quantity of engineering can fully overcome. Customers accustomed to the isolation and bass response of conventional earbuds might discover the S2’s efficiency underwhelming, no matter how well-executed the implementation could also be.

The driving force positioning and match variability characterize essentially the most vital issues, as they’ll considerably impression the listening expertise relying on particular person ear anatomy. Potential consumers ought to ideally check the match earlier than buying, although the cheap value level does mitigate the danger of an unsuitable buy.

For health lovers prioritising safety, situational consciousness, and luxury over most sound high quality, the S2 delivers glorious worth. The great function set, together with multipoint connectivity, digicam distant performance, and intensive customisation choices, provides sensible utility past fundamental audio playback.

The construct high quality conjures up confidence in long-term sturdiness, while the IPX5 ranking gives ample safety for many train eventualities. Battery efficiency exceeds most rivals, making these appropriate for prolonged actions or customers preferring minimal charging upkeep.

Finally, the S2 represents a well-executed implementation of the hook-style open-ear idea at an inexpensive value compared to the options. Customers who perceive and settle for the inherent trade-offs of this design method will discover a lot to understand, while these looking for most sound high quality or sturdy bass response could also be higher served by conventional in-ear options or higher-end open-ear choices with extra subtle driver positioning techniques.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good residence units.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to convey a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech tendencies.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-07-10 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API