OneOdio OpenRock S2 Review: Stylish and Affordable Fitness Earbuds

Experience sleek, budget-friendly fitness earbuds designed for comfort and decent sound with the OneOdio OpenRock S2.

Introduction to OneOdio OpenRock S2

Lately, I've tested so many top-tier open-back earbuds that they’ve started to blur together—but I’ll never forget the first two that stood out for their uniqueness. One of those was the OneOdio OpenRock S, and now its successor, the OneOdio OpenRock S2, is finally here. However, these two are worlds apart.

The original OpenRock Pro and OpenRock S were rather bulky earbuds compared to today’s standards, but they were perfect for active lifestyles—running, hiking, you name it—thanks to their impressive battery life, sturdy build, and rigid casing.

The OpenRock S2, on the other hand, takes a completely different approach. It aligns more with 2025’s market trends in terms of design and features. While that shift might disappoint some, these new earbuds could appeal to a wider audience, so I can see why the changes were made.

OneOdio OpenRock S2 – Sleek and compact fitness earbuds

Who Are the OpenRock S2 For?

These earbuds offer a more affordable alternative to many bulky earbuds released this year. I recommend the OpenRock S2 to anyone seeking solid earbuds without demanding the absolute best sound quality, feature set, or marathon battery life.

The S2s are lightweight with a flexible design and a much smaller carrying case, making them easy to toss into your bag or wear comfortably. However, that flexibility affects their fit. I sometimes found them shifting during use or catching in the ear’s folds, and I missed the sturdiness of the older model’s design.

Battery life is another trade-off—roughly half that of their predecessors—but they compensate with new perks: notably, OpenRock has finally introduced an app for these earbuds, something the original lacked.

Key Specifications of OneOdio OpenRock S2

Price and Availability

OneOdio OpenRock S2 – Compact and affordable

• Released: June 2025
• Price: Approximately $100 USD

The OneOdio OpenRock S2 launched in June 2025 as the second generation of the OpenRock open-ear fitness earbuds. They're priced lower than the originals, which debuted in October 2023, making them one of this year’s most budget-friendly open-back earbuds. If you’re looking to save while getting a decent pair, these are worth a look.

Design Insights

• Small, lightweight pebble-shaped case
• Lightweight earbuds with slightly flexible build
• Firm physical buttons

After trying previous OpenRock models, I expected the S2 case to be bulky (like old earbuds where cases resembled a floss container), but was pleasantly surprised. The S2’s pebble-shaped case weighs only 58 grams and fits neatly in your hand.

Though made of somewhat fragile plastic unlikely to endure heavy impacts (no drop tests done), its speckled pattern stands out compared to many competitors.

The earbuds themselves are smaller and sleeker than earlier versions. Weighing just 7 grams each, they feature a small earbud part, a thin rubber sports loop, and a larger counterweight/battery that hooks behind the ear.

They’re among the most comfortable earbuds I’ve tested thanks to their lightness—often, I forgot I was wearing them.

However, the fit isn’t very secure. The thin, flexible sports loop often lets the earbuds wobble or shift during movement, impacting sound quality, especially while running or walking.

Another design quirk is the control scheme. Managing controls on earbuds is tough for many brands, but the S2’s button placement is tricky: the control is on the bottom of the counterweight, so pausing music means pressing upward, which risks popping the earbud out. You have to hold the earbud to press the button, which is more hassle than using your phone.

Design rating: 3.5/5

Features Overview

• 8 hours battery life per earbud, 32 hours total with case
• New companion app with additional features
• Reliable Bluetooth 6.0 connection

Battery life took a hit compared to the original OpenRock S, dropping from 19 to 8 hours per earbud, and 60 to 32 hours in total. This is average for open earbuds but disappointing considering the predecessor’s stamina.

No active noise cancellation here, which is typical for open-back earbuds. Due to the design, ambient sounds are quite audible, and the relatively low maximum volume means city noises may drown out your music.

The OpenRock S2 pairs with the OpenRock app, offering some neat extras:

• Three EQ presets (Rock, Relax, Boom) plus a 7-band custom equalizer
• Spatial audio mode
• Balance adjustment between left and right channels
• Hi-Res mode
• Multipoint connection
• Customizable touch controls (expected in updates)
• Alarm feature reminding you of listening time
• Volume limiter

Adjusting EQ presets causes music to briefly pause and restart, which can be distracting during frequent tweaks.

The Bluetooth connection was quick to pair and stayed solid throughout my tests.

Features rating: 4/5

Sound Quality Breakdown

• 12 mm drivers per earbud
• Warm sound profile with boosted bass
• Low max volume may affect audibility in noisy places

Each earbud houses a 12mm driver supporting LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. LDAC is enabled via the app. For the price, they sound good, though audiophiles might want more.

A signature feature returning from the original OpenRock is the TubeBass technology, which boosts low frequencies to overcome the common open-ear challenge where bass can feel weak or “lost.” It works well, making these earbuds a solid pick for bass lovers, especially those who listen to workout music with deep beats.

Bass isn’t overpowering, so highs stay clear. The sound is warm, with bright guitars and powerful horns, but vocals lack crispness and upper-mid clarity. Mids sometimes get overshadowed even in rock tracks with heavy rhythm guitars.

The soundstage is limited; instruments occasionally blend together, but that’s to be expected in open-ear designs where ambient noise intrudes.

Sound quality rating: 3.5/5

Value for Money

Pricing the S2 below many premium open-ear earbuds was a smart move. They provide an appealing alternative to pricier models from brands like Nothing, Huawei, and Honor, especially for budget-conscious buyers.

While they might not scream "must-have" on value alone, they’re definitely worth the price and become an even better deal with future discounts.

Value rating: 4/5

Summary Table

How I Tested the OneOdio OpenRock S2

I spent around two weeks with the OpenRock S2, adding them to a long list of open-ear buds I’ve tried.

During testing, I paired them with an Android smartphone, primarily streaming Spotify but also using them for calls, gaming, TV shows, and voice notes. These activities took place during runs, gym sessions, strolls, and at home.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Earfun OpenJump: Another budget open-ear option with longer battery life and more customizable EQ, though sound quality is slightly weaker.
• JLab Epic Open Sport: Modern earbuds with better sound than OpenRock S2 but differing specs, especially in battery.

OpenRock S2 strikes a balance between affordability and workout-ready features, even if it sacrifices some uniqueness from the original.

– Reviewer's Insight

Conclusion

The OneOdio OpenRock S2 is a refreshing, budget-friendly pair of open-ear fitness earbuds that cater well to casual listeners and workout enthusiasts. While they lack the robust battery life and ruggedness of their predecessor, their lightweight design and new app features make them a strong contender for many users.

Would you trade some battery time for comfort and compactness? Let me know what you think!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does the battery last on the OpenRock S2?
  The earbuds offer about 8 hours per charge, with a total of 32 hours including the charging case.
• Are the OpenRock S2 earbuds waterproof?
  They have an IPX5 rating, so they’re splash and sweat resistant but not suitable for swimming.
• Do the OpenRock S2 earbuds support noise cancellation?
  No, these are open-back earbuds and do not feature active noise cancellation.
• Can I use the OpenRock app with these earbuds?
  Yes, the earbuds work with the OpenRock app, providing EQ settings and other features.
• Are the OpenRock S2 good for sports and running?
  Yes, their design is tailored for fitness, but some users might find the fit less secure during vigorous activity.

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