Shokz (formerly Aftershokz) continues to push boundaries, and in the world of audio technology, with the Shokz OpenFit Air, they are serving us a noserap, a decidedly innovative bonephone for our ears. The model tries to be a more affordable version of the OpenFit, but sacrifices sound quality for comfort and carry-ability. Listed below is an in-depth analysis of the OpenFit Air Shokz to make sure this is worth your hard earned money or not.
Shokz OpenFit Air Specifications
General
- Type: Open-ear bone conduction headphones
- Weight: 29 grams
- IP Rating: IP54 (earphones)
Design
- Material: Lightweight titanium frame
- Fit: Over-the-ear, open-ear design
- Colors: Black, Gray
Audio
- Technology: Bone conduction
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Microphones: 4 with Qualcomm cVc 8.0 noise reduction
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Range: Up to 10 meters
- Codecs: SBC, AAC
- Multipoint Pairing: Yes, up to 2 devices
Battery
- Playback Time: Up to 6 hours
- Total Battery Life: Up to 28 hours with case
- Fast Charging: 10 mins for 2 hours playback
- Charging Time: 2 hours (earphones and case)
Controls
- Touch Controls: Yes (skip, play/pause, volume)
- App: Shokz App with minimal customization and EQ presets
Comfort
- Ergonomics: Curved base, thin earpieces, pressure-free design
- Secure Fit: Stays in place during activities
Additional Features
- Awareness: Open-ear design for situational awareness
- Use Case: Ideal for running, cycling, outdoor activities
Pros
- Comfortable, lightweight
- Good battery life
- Stable Bluetooth connectivity
- Multipoint pairing
Cons
- Limited audio fidelity
- No high-res audio support
- Performance drops in noisy environments
Perfect for active users prioritizing comfort and safety over high-fidelity sound.
Design and Comfort
Simple Design Meets High Comfort
Design The Shokz OpenFit Air has a simple design that leans towards sporty to be comfortable to use. The case for the headphones is an elongated, kidney-shaped base combined with a soft, rubberized ear hook that fits over your ear AttributeError. The base is slightly curved and the earpieces are thinner, which promotes comfort, especially for those who wear spectacles.
The headphones are designed ergonomically and laid on the pinna, product surface does not apply pressure, very comfortable, in a long time of use, the feeling can be said to have light.COMFORTABLE & ERGONOMIC DESIGNDamper to enable fit to be perfectly suited to your ears. The non-insert open-ear design helps keep the ear canal open, increasing comfort and safety by surrounding rather than covering the ear.
Comfortable and Secure Fit
The lightweight titanium frame (29 grams) adds to the comfort, ensuring durability without sacrificing wearability. The earpieces are soft, robust, and feature rounded edges, making long-term use pleasant. They stay firmly in place during fast movements, thanks to their secure fit.
Sound Quality
Balanced but Limited Audio Performance
The Shokz OpenFit Air are balanced headphones that should work for most kinds of music, as well as higher-volume speaking podcasts and phone calls. But, the sound quality is more than what you would get from a standard set of headphones. The open-ear design and bone conduction technology mean there's no bass and the sound is a bit tinny, with high pitches sometimes harsh at higher volumes.
Skimp on the low end, the open design leaks and large drivers sound full and warm, good volume. The mid frequencies are well present and as a result instruments and vocals are bright and crisp. Nevertheless, the treble can be acute and irritating to the ears, especially at high volumes.
Comparison with Competitors
Compared to the Huawei FreeClip, the Shokz OpenFit Air falls short in both comfort and audio quality. The FreeClip offers better detail and airiness across the sound spectrum. Despite this, the Shokz OpenFit Air’s sound quality is sufficient for most users, especially in quiet environments.
Features and Operation
Basic but Reliable Features
Shokz OpenFit Air features Bluetooth 5.2 and deliver about 10 meters of operating range. This means it will play nice with the usual suspects (SBC and AAC), but there are no high-resolution audio codecs supported. Panasonic these are precisely these drawbacks — the abscence of the wear detection and mono mode, and the presence of Bluetooth multipoint providing two devices to be paired simultaneously.
User-Friendly Operation
Operation is simple: double-tapping the touch surfaces skips songs or pauses playback, while holding down adjusts the volume. The companion app offers limited customization, mainly for controls and EQ presets (standard, conversation, bass, treble), with the standard mode delivering the best sound.
Battery Life
Decent Battery Performance
Shokz claims a total of 28 hours battery life with 6 hours of music on a single charge with the OpenFit Air and a further 22 provided by its carry case. With the Fast Charge feature you'll get 2 hours of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the earphones and case.
Microphone Quality
Clear Voice Quality Indoors
There are four microphones on the Shokz OpenFit Air, and also includes Qualcomm's cVc 8.0 technology for noise suppression. The microphone is good indoors, but it doesn't fare well in noisy outdoor places. While generally good with background noise, we had the occasional hard time understanding the other party on the line, particularly in noisy environments..
Conclusion
Shokz OpenFit Air - Comfort: Winner, Value: Winner The design provides an open ear fit which assists wear-ability, safety and comfort over long periods of use. But there are still the issues of audio quality, particularly in noisy environments, as well as the treble becoming high-pitched at louder levels.
Although the Shokz OpenFit Air can not directly compete with a high-end model like the Huawei FreeClip, it is a good choice if you are looking for a pair of open-sounding headphones that you need to use comfortably, safely, and at a very competitive price. While the sound is merely okay, it is good enough for casual listening and there's a tight fit so active users can get away with them.The GoodThe BadSummary Price $60 at Amazon $60 at Amazon $60 at MegJayTate at Bloomingdales Jun 22, 2012 6.8 DECENT The Marshall Minor headphones are a good fit for active listeners with fashionable tastes. If freedom, and comfort, are at the top of your list - then the Shokz OpenFit Air is definitely worth a look..