Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds
Shokz Holding Limited is now surprising with the presentation of the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds, because this solution introduces headphones that do not rely on the so-called Shokz Bone Conduction Technology, but are designed as so-called Shokz Air Conduction Transducers and thus rely on the Shokz DirectPitch Technology. The open-ear design, which is intended to ensure the best possible comfort, is also emphasised.
- With the Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds, Shokz presents headphones that do not rely on Shokz Bone Conduction Technology, but rather on Shokz DirectPitch Technology as Shokz Air Conduction Transducer.
Shokz Holding Limited is a pioneer in the field of headphones with an open-ear design and can point to an impressive number of innovative solutions in the field of personal audio devices, with the product range dating back to 2011, and the Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds as the latest solution.
In this context, it is exciting that Shokz Holding Limited is particularly concerned with products that have to prove themselves in a sporting environment and are therefore particularly robust and have a special design for comfortable use during sport. Of course, all this also applies to the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds.
Headphones with open-ear design
Compared to conventional in-ear headphones, the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds are not inserted into the ear canal, nor do they rest as directly on the ear as conventional earbuds do. Here, the so-called open-ear design is used, whereby this solution is ultimately held securely in position by a special bracket.
The housing with the driver rests above the auditory canal, so the ear remains largely free, so that you can still hear quite a bit of the surroundings.
A so-called dolphin-arch earpiece with an ergonomic design guarantees a comfortable yet secure hold. The earpiece is a flexible memory wire that is only 0.7 mm thick and covered with ultra-soft silicone. Incidentally, the earphones weigh no more than 8.3 g. The Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds are IP54 certified and thus resistant to splash water, sweat and dust.
Shokz DirectPitch Technology instead of Shokz Bone Conduction Technology
Current solutions from Shokz Holding Limited are characterised by a special feature, namely the so-called Shokz Bone Conduction Technology. Here, the sound is not transmitted through the air, but directly to the user’s cheekbones by means of a special driver, through which the sound ultimately reaches the user’s eardrum. This is why it is also referred to as bone sound technology.
The new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds are completely different, however, because they use air conduction transducers to transmit the sound via Shokz DirectPitch Technology.
This technology dates back to 2011, when PremiumPitch 1.0 was introduced, followed by PremiumPitch 2.0 in 2019, TurboPitch last year, and now the latest generation Shokz DirectPitch.
Shokz DirectPitch is said to be distinctive in that it uses a new method of sound transmission that allows for highly directional projection of sound into a specific area without the need for large arrays of speakers. The sound is said to be perfectly directed from the Air Conduction Transducer directly into the user’s ear canal, with targeted phase cancellation ensuring that the environment is not disturbed.
Shokz Air Conduction Transducer with DRC and Shokz OpenBass
The aforementioned Shokz Air Conduction Transducers feature a rather complex construction and a composite membrane based on carbon fibre with 18 x 11 mm, and were of course specially developed for the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds.
According to the manufacturer, they are said to be characterised by a particularly natural sound experience, with a frequency response of 50 Hz all the way up to 16 kHz.
DSP algorithms such as DRC and Shokz OpenBass are said to contribute to the fine sound, which can be adjusted via the Shokz app for Apple iOS and Google Android.
Signal transmission via Bluetooth 5.2
Interestingly, Bluetooth 5.2 is already used, but only the SBC and AAC codecs and the A2DP, AVRCP, HSP and HFP profiles are supported.
For telephone calls, the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds are equipped with corresponding microphones as well as active noise cancellation, so that crystal-clear conversations can always be held, according to the manufacturer’s promise, who thus recommends the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds not only for sports, but also for professional as well as private everyday life.
Seven hours of playtime
The integrated lithium-polymer battery with 58 mAh is supposed to provide a playing time of up to seven hours, while the lithium-polymer battery in the transport case with 600 mAh is supposed to provide a total of 28 hours of playing time. Five minutes of charging via USB-C is enough for another 60 minutes, and the transport case and earbuds should be fully charged after just 120 minutes.
It should also be mentioned that the Earbuds can of course be conveniently controlled directly via sensor fields on the outside of the Earbuds.
Prices and availability
The new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds are to be available from 6 July 2023, directly on the manufacturer’s website, at amazon.de and at Media Markt, for example. The customer has the choice between black and beige. The price is listed at € 199,-.
Getting to the point
With the new Shokz OpenFit Open-ear True Wireless Earbuds, the specialist for personal audio devices in sports Shokz Holding Limited introduces headphones that are not based on the so-called Shokz Bone Conduction Technology, but on the Shokz DirectPitch Technology. The so-called open-ear design guarantees comfort, and with a playing time of up to seven hours, nothing stands in the way of comfortable use, even over long periods of time, both in sports and in everyday professional and private life.
| PRODUCT | SHOKZ OPENFIT OPEN-EAR TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS |
|---|---|
| Price | € 199,- |
| Brand | SHOKZ |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shokz Holding Limited |
| Distribution Austria | Shokz Holding Limited |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
