We occasionally have the opportunity to evaluate products with a niche appeal, a prospect we find particularly engaging. The Shokz Open Fit, while categorized as headphones, presents a unique challenge in defining the optimal environment for their use. Our testing revealed scenarios where the Open Fit excelled, as well as situations where they proved unsuitable. Ultimately, this is an intriguing product with a somewhat limited scope of application and user suitability.
Shokz Open Fit – An Overview
The Shokz Open Fit utilizes an open-ear design, differing from Shokz’s bone conduction models. They function as miniature speakers that rest against the ear, secured by a headband. This design allows for complete environmental awareness, as no auditory isolation is provided. The headphones offer a streamlined feature set with limited customization options. Users can configure button controls, but features such as wireless charging, personalized sound optimization via hearing tests, and earbud/case tracking are absent. While EQ profiles are available, including custom settings, the feature set remains basic. Impressively, the battery life supports all-day use with remaining capacity.
The Experience
The Shokz Open Fit are not designed for high-fidelity music listening. Audio quality is acceptable, but remains unremarkable. Their primary applications are audiobooks, podcasts, and phone calls. The lack of isolation restricts their usability in noisy environments like buses or subways. While use is possible in such settings, the required volume levels to overcome ambient noise can lead to auditory fatigue.
Furthermore, Shokz’s emphasis on maintaining environmental awareness while listening presents a trade-off. The constant influx of environmental sounds creates a competitive listening environment, potentially diverting focus and leading to listener fatigue.
Shokz Open Fit – When Are They at Their Best?
Despite the aforementioned limitations, the Shokz Open Fit possess appealing qualities. Foremost among these is comfort, a parameter we approach with caution due to its subjective nature. Weighing 7 grams per earbud, they are not the lightest headphones available. However, the open-ear design, which avoids obstruction of the ear canal or surrounding areas, combined with the ear’s support, enables extended wear. Users can comfortably wear them throughout the evening, answering calls and listening to podcasts as desired, with minimal awareness of their presence.
The microphone quality is commendable, and multipoint connectivity (two devices) enhances their suitability for office use. As previously noted, the optimal environment is critical. The ambient noise level must be sufficiently low to avoid interfering with audio playback. Under these conditions, the Shokz Open Fit excel, offering a natural listening experience that surpasses transparency modes.
An unanticipated use case emerged during testing. We found the Shokz Open Fit to be surprisingly effective for children in public settings. By allowing a child to listen to media without complete isolation, parental awareness is maintained. Volume levels can be easily monitored, and the ability to gain the child’s attention remains unimpaired.
While the controls are relatively basic for the price range, the cost remains a significant consideration. At approximately 2,500 SEK, the Shokz Open Fit face competition from a wide range of alternatives, including high-performance headphones such as the Sony WF-1000XM4. The limited scope of application may make it difficult to justify the investment for some users.
Shokz Open Fit – The Conclusion
The Shokz Open Fit are a unique pair of headphones with a restricted application range. However, they offer distinctive advantages, including exceptional comfort and an unobtrusive design. Their limited versatility relative to their price point presents a challenge. Ultimately, the suitability of the Shokz Open Fit depends on individual preferences and usage scenarios rather than pure performance metrics. While we appreciate their unique qualities, they are best suited as a secondary pair of headphones.
Shokz provided review samples for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted objectively, with a focus on the interests of our readers and consumers.
