OpenRock S Review — Open-Air Headphones with Massive Battery Life

Experience extended music sessions with OpenRock S, the open-air headphones boasting powerful battery life and sporty comfort.

Embracing Open-Air Sound: A Fresh Approach to Fitness Headphones

If you’re like me and love to stay connected to your environment while working out, open-air headphones like the OneOdio OpenRock S are an intriguing choice. These are not your typical earbuds that seal off the world; instead, they let you enjoy your favorite tunes without missing a beat of the outside world. The OpenRock S, the second generation of OneOdio’s open-air headphones, promises longer battery life and a friendlier price tag than its predecessor, the OpenRock Pro. But are these improvements enough to make them a must-have for fitness enthusiasts? Let’s dive into the details.

What is Open-Air Conduction and How Does OpenRock S Use It?

Open-air conduction is all about letting you hear your music and the world around you simultaneously. Unlike bone conduction headphones that use cheekbones to transmit sound, or the AirPods Pro 2’s transparency mode which amplifies external noise digitally, OpenRock S uses a tiny speaker placed just above your ear canal. The sound is directed into your ear through a small air gap, so you avoid blocking ambient sounds like traffic, chatter, or even a barking dog.

This design is brilliant for workouts where awareness of your surroundings is crucial — think running alongside busy roads or biking through a park. However, historically, open-air tech hasn’t been known for studio-quality sound, and OpenRock S is no exception. While you can jam to your playlist and stay safe, the trade-off is a sound experience that favors awareness over audio fidelity.

Battery Life That Keeps Up With Your Longest Adventures

One of the standout features of the OpenRock S is its jaw-dropping battery life. These headphones can keep the music flowing for an astonishing 19 hours straight on a single charge. Need more? The charging case boosts that to a whopping 60 hours — that's some serious endurance for any athlete or adventurer.

To put it in perspective, many sports headphones barely last half as long before begging for a recharge. Whether you’re on a lengthy hike, a marathon training session, or just someone who hates running out of juice mid-day, this battery performance is a game-changer.

Design and Comfort: Built for Motion and Forgetfulness

The OpenRock S headphones strike a balance between ruggedness and comfort. At just 12 grams each, they feel featherlight on your ears. The standard ear-hook design ensures they stay put whether you’re tearing up city streets on a mountain bike or sprinting cross-country. I can personally vouch for their secure fit — during my testing, not once did they budge or fall out, even on bumpy runs.

The charging case, however, is a different story. Unlike the compact cases we’re used to from other brands, this one’s a hefty plastic clamshell. It’s solid and protective but bulky enough that you won’t be slipping it into a slim jacket pocket anytime soon. Think more like a mini eyeglass case than a sleek pocket companion.

A Few Functional Quirks: Sensor Controls and Equalizer Modes

Now, onto the quirks: the OpenRock S comes with touch-sensitive controls, where tapping the OpenRock logo lets you play, pause, or take calls. In theory, this is neat and intuitive. In reality, it’s a bit finicky. I found the sensors often ignored my taps, especially when my fingers were sweaty or damp from rain. There were moments where I ended up furiously tapping my ear trying to stop a track, only to resign to using my phone instead.

On top of that, OneOdio offers two equalizer presets — “Rock” and “Relax” — toggled by holding both earbuds simultaneously. Cool in concept, but the difference is barely noticeable, and you can’t switch modes on the fly during music or calls without pausing first. Without a dedicated app, fine-tuning sound to your preference is tough, which is a missed opportunity.

Performance: Good Enough for Fitness, But Limited for Audiophiles

Here’s the honest truth: these headphones won’t win any audiophile awards. The open-air design naturally sacrifices some sound isolation and richness. The maximum volume is surprisingly low, making it challenging to drown out noisy environments like gyms with thundering treadmills or city streets echoing with traffic.

The included TubeBass technology attempts to boost bass frequencies to balance the open-air soundscape, but its effect is subtle at best. Between the two EQ modes, “Rock” provided a livelier sound, while “Relax” felt somewhat flat and uninspired.

However, in quieter settings, the OpenRock S delivers a pleasant enough experience. The unique positioning of the sound source outside the ear canal creates a different listening vibe, which may grow on you if you prioritize situational awareness over deep bass and highs.

Specs at a Glance

Pricing and Availability

Released in October 2023, the OpenRock S comes at a wallet-friendly price of $99, making them an affordable option in the open-air headphones market. Compared to the $119 OpenRock Pro and the pricier $179.95 Shokz OpenFit, OneOdio’s new entry targets budget-conscious buyers seeking decent performance without breaking the bank.

They’re widely available through various marketplaces and audio electronics stores, making them an accessible choice for fitness buffs and casual listeners alike.

Comparing OpenRock S to Its Peers

OpenRock Pro: The Premium Sibling

The OpenRock Pro, at a higher price point, offers a snugger fit, slightly better sound quality, and a more compact charging case. It doesn’t last as long on a single charge but feels a bit more premium overall.

Shokz OpenFit: A Strong Competitor

Shokz OpenFit headphones are lighter and generally sound better. However, their battery life is shorter, and the fit isn’t adjustable, which might be a dealbreaker depending on your needs.

How We Tested the OpenRock S

I spent over a month with the OpenRock S, putting them through a variety of real-world scenarios. Though I was sidelined from exercise for a bit due to illness, I still got plenty of time to test them in daily life.

Rides through city streets, runs in busy and quiet parks, gym workouts, and quiet at-home listening all helped reveal the headphones’ strengths and weaknesses. Testing on an Android phone for music and calls provided a thorough picture. I also compared the experience side-by-side with the OpenRock Pro to understand the upgrades and trade-offs.

“OpenRock S may not be perfect, but their phenomenal battery life and comfort make them a worthy companion for fitness lovers.”

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for affordable, open-air headphones with exceptional battery life and secure comfort, the OpenRock S delivers in spades. Their sound won’t steal the show, especially in noisy spaces, but for fitness fans who want to stay aware of their surroundings, these headphones tick a lot of boxes.

FAQ

• What is the main advantage of OpenRock S headphones?
  Their standout feature is the phenomenal battery life—up to 19 hours on a single charge and 60 hours with the case.
• How does open-air conduction differ from bone conduction?
  Open-air conduction uses a tiny speaker above the ear canal to send sound through an air gap, allowing you to hear ambient noise naturally, unlike bone conduction which transmits sound through bones.
• Are OpenRock S headphones waterproof?
  They have an IPX5 rating, meaning they resist low-pressure water jets and sweat but aren't suited for heavy rain.
• Can I switch sound profiles during playback?
  No, to toggle between Rock and Relax modes, you need to pause music first, which isn’t very convenient during workouts.
• How does OpenRock S compare to OpenRock Pro?
  OpenRock S offers longer battery life and a lower price but compromises slightly on sound quality and has a bulkier case.

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