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With its OpenRun family, Shokz has established itself as one of the go-to brands for bone conduction technology among athletes from various fields. This well-deserved reputation is something the Chinese manufacturer is now looking to extend to the broader market of open earbuds. Following several iterations of its OpenFit ear loop series, including the recent OpenFit Pro, the brand is now continuing its push into the open clip-on earbuds market with the OpenDots 2.
Indeed, the past year has seen a rapid succession of new models. Realme launched with its Buds Clip, followed by Motorola with its Buds Loop and Anker with its SoundCore AeroClip. Since the start of the year, we’ve also seen major releases like Huawei’s FreeClip 2 and Sony’s LinkBuds Open.
This flurry of new products mainly showcases earbuds that are increasingly refined. Previously criticized for sound leakage or limited audio reproduction, these devices have gradually narrowed the gap with in-ear counterparts.
As a result, open listening is no longer just for athletes. Between users who want to stay aware of their surroundings, those who find traditional in-ears uncomfortable, and those who prefer a more comfortable daily wear, this category is gradually finding its audience.
Shokz aims to capitalize on this context with its new OpenDots 2, which we had the opportunity to test over three weeks, from morning jogs to crowded commutes and long office days.
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Shokz OpenDots 2Technical Specifications
| Model | Shokz OpenDots 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Clip-on earbuds |
| Battery Life with Case | 40 hours |
| Product Details |
Shokz OpenDots 2
Design: Comfortable and Stable Earbuds
The aesthetic lineage between the OpenDots 2 and their predecessors is unmistakeable. Shokz retains the same clip architecture with two modules connected by a flexible arch that hooks directly onto the ear’s cartilage. As with the first generation, the areas in contact with the skin are covered with soft, hypoallergenic silicone, while the arch still relies on a nickel-titanium structure.
Is this lack of change a problem? Not at all, as Shokz’s formula is particularly effective. The structure is flexible yet firm enough to ensure a secure fit without putting any pressure on the ear. It’s quite remarkable. Once in place, the OpenDots 2 quickly become unnoticeable. And this despite weighing 6.4 grams per earbud, which is more than the 5.1 grams of Huawei’s FreeClip 2.
However, achieving this level of comfort requires finding the right placement. The positioning remains free on the back part of the ear and may vary according to individual ear shapes. For us, with relatively small ears, we achieved the best results by placing the rear module quite low.
So, are these OpenDots 2 nearly identical copies of their predecessors? Not exactly, as Shokz indicates having reworked the design of its arch to more easily adapt to different ear shapes. This quest for universality has become particularly important for the Chinese firm.
Regarding this, we asked the brand’s engineers if they ever considered offering the same product tailored to two or three types of ear morphologies. They indicated, without further details, that the topic was under consideration at Shokz.
Enhanced Case Waterproofing
The main novelty of this second generation is undoubtedly on the durability side. The earbuds now boast an IP57 rating compared to IP54 previously. Moreover, the case also benefits from an IP54 rating, whereas the case of the OpenDots One had none at all. This feature remains quite rare in the market, except for products labeled 100% sporty.
Otherwise, the case retains the same compact, pebble-like shape with a rubbery matte base and a shinier lid. The earbuds are still securely held in place thanks to an effective magnetic system.
Our main reservation concerns the interaction with this case. Despite a small notch, it remains difficult to open with one hand. We would have also appreciated a more progressive hinge. The lid closes quite abruptly, and it’s impossible to leave it slightly open.
Shokz OpenDots 2Usage and Application: More Responsive Ergonomics
The clip-on earbuds market is still young, and no ergonomic choreography has yet become the standard. Some opt for physical buttons, like Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, while others prefer mainly swipe gestures. This includes Huawei’s latest FreeClip 2. Shokz, however, continues to rely on an original approach combining taps and pinches.
In practice, the controls are distributed across two areas of the earbud. The module located behind the ear responds to pressures (one, two, or three), with a prolonged press reserved for volume control. The arch, on the other hand, responds to one or two taps. It’s possible to do everything: navigation, calls, voice assistant, or even assign no action at all.
This appreciable freedom is complemented by another: nearly all commands can be reassigned according to one’s preferences. Only the hold gesture is exclusively reserved for volume control or no action. And overall, it’s not a bad thing, as the volume control feels quite natural with this gesture.
Importantly, we found the pinch commands significantly more convincing than on the OpenDots One. Where sometimes one needed to press quite hard, or even retry multiple times, the OpenDots 2 are much more responsive.
This is especially appreciated as the brand retains the ability to adjust sensitivity on three levels. A relevant option since our interactions with the earbuds are not the same during a subway ride as they are during a running session.
Exemplary Connectivity
The times when open earbuds paled in comparison to their in-ear counterparts are long gone. In addition to upgrading its Bluetooth chip, now version 6.1 compared to 5.4 on the OpenDots One, Shokz has not missed any of the usual refinements.
Thus, the OpenDots 2 feature smooth multipoint connection, wear detection, a low-latency mode, and rapid pairing with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. They also support AAC and SBC codecs. True, there’s no trace of the aptX family or LDAC, but this seems more like a deliberate choice than an oversight. Indeed, such codecs would make little sense on open earbuds.
The most notable evolution is ultimately in terms of localization. In addition to a function that enables ringing the earbuds, the OpenDots 2 now support Google Find Hub. It is thus possible to check their last known location directly from one’s Google account. A particularly welcome feature for the forgetful.
A Comprehensive and User-friendly App
Despite its functional richness, the Shokz app never feels like a labyrinth of sub-menus. From the home screen, a tile system provides quick access to the main settings.
In a few seconds, one can check the battery level of each earbud as well as that of the case, manage the multipoint connection, or access the main audio settings.
For these settings, several predefined sound profiles are offered, with a five-band equalizer, a Smart EQ mode, and Dolby Audio. A feature that Shokz presents as a way to broaden the sound stage and enhance immersion. We will return in more detail to its actual impact in the section dedicated to audio quality. The app also centralizes the low-latency mode, firmware updates, and localization functions.
Shokz OpenDots 2Audio: A Slight Boost in Bass, Better Overall Balance
With each new release, it’s important to emphasize that open earbuds chase two elusive goals: an extension in the lower spectrum and a sense of immersion. It’s almost a lost cause from the start, since their design inherently lacks a sealed chamber. And since these earbuds choose not to seal the ear canal, it presents a real acoustic challenge.
Yet, Shokz had already managed to circumvent some of these limitations with the OpenDots One. To do this, the Chinese firm had introduced a novel architecture called Bassphere. This consists of two 11.8 mm drivers facing each other in a spherical chamber, capable of moving as much air as a single 16 mm speaker.
Not content to stop there, the company rethought the membrane of these drivers to create a Bassphere 2.0. With two promises: reduced distortion and a bass supposed to be 30% more generous.
Upon listening, this latter claim, in our opinion, needs to be tempered. Indeed, the OpenDots 2 offer more presence in the bass, but it’s more an improvement on an existing feature rather than such a significant leap forward. The basses especially gain in consistency and clarity, which brings more substance to modern tracks and electronic music.
This slight increase in power in the bass primarily helps to rebalance the sound signature. The midranges, already successful on the OpenDots One, thus gain in coherence. The timbres never veer into the nasal, while the highs maintain their good level of detail without being overly demonstrative.
A More Consistent Frequency Response
Our measurements confirm our listening impressions. On the OpenDots 2, the bass sits on a slightly more generous plateau than on their predecessors before gradually declining below 60 Hz. This is the area of deep bass that is particularly difficult to reproduce for open earbuds.
Compared to the OpenDots One, the progression is nonetheless noticeable. The lower spectrum gains in support and density, which brings more body to the overall reproduction.
This more solid foundation also benefits the mids. Already successful in the first generation, they display a more regular rise. Thus, instruments benefit from a bit more substance.
However, the highs show practically no change. They are still slightly emphasized with the right amount of energy, without falling into a too bright reproduction. The peak observed around 10 kHz appears a tad less pronounced. And yet, it’s very subtle.
Broad Sound Stage and Surprisingly Effective Dolby Audio
Like all open earbuds, Shokz’s latest creation offers a sound stage that is broader than that of classic in-ears. A more airy reproduction naturally suits podcasts, acoustic tracks, and voice-centered titles. Certainly, the OpenDots 2 also deviate from strict neutrality, but they offer a particularly comfortable listening experience over time. This is quite a good thing for accompanying a long sports session.
Like their predecessors, the OpenDots 2 feature a Dolby Audio mode. A treatment we usually approach with caution. On classic in-ear earbuds, these virtual spatialization algorithms often tend to push the artificiality too far.
Curiously, the exercise proves much more convincing here. The already open sound stage of the OpenDots 2 seems to offer favorable ground for this type of treatment. Rather than distorting the overall balance, the Dolby Audio mode mainly brings a bit more breadth to the sides. A subtle, but appreciable gain for movies and series.
Listening Impressions
On “Shy Guy” by Diana King, the OpenDots 2 perfectly highlight the singer’s voice. Well-centered and intelligible, it maintains its presence without being overwhelmed by the instrumentation, particularly towards the end. Moreover, the slight gain in bass adds a bit more body to the whole.
Listening to “Club Foot” by Kasabian, Shokz’s earbuds demonstrate the inherent limitations of their format. Despite a pleasant sound stage and a decent separation of instruments, the saturated guitars and drums lack impact as the track intensifies.
“Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar benefits from the improvements brought by this second generation. The bass line gains in consistency without encroaching on the rest of the spectrum, while the voices, percussion, and various elements of the beat maintain excellent clarity. A nice balance surprise for this type of track.
Finally, “Tears in Heaven” in its Unplugged version highlights one of the main strengths of these earbuds. The acoustic guitars breathe, the voices maintain all their presence, and the ensemble benefits from a nice sense of airiness. It’s on this type of recording that the OpenDots 2 are most convincing.
Shokz OpenDots 2Microphone: A Modest Advance
Like all open clip-on earbuds, the OpenDots 2 prioritize environmental awareness over isolation. Certainly, this allows one to remain attentive to what’s happening around, but it also complicates the task of making phone calls. And unlike some open ear loop earbuds, like the latest OpenFit Pro, no active noise cancellation is offered. And it wouldn’t make much sense in this context, other than to drain the battery for little result.
Along with audio, call quality was one of Shokz’s major projects. To offer a decent experience, the OpenDots 2 rely on a bone conduction microphone combined with two air conduction microphones per earbud. The set is complemented by an adaptive beamforming system and AI-assisted noise reduction designed to better isolate the voice from surrounding noises.
In practice, this technical upgrade does not seem in vain. In a quiet environment, the voice appears less muffled than on the OpenDots One. During our professional calls, our interlocutors never had particular difficulty understanding us. And the pumping effects we noted on the first generation are much less present.
When ambient noise increases, environmental sounds naturally join the conversation. In public transportation or on a busy street, the OpenDots 2 still manage to preserve our voice’s intelligibility reasonably well. However, the rendering perceived by the other person on the line loses naturalness. Additionally, some artifacts appear at the beginning and end of some of our sentences, especially when there’s a sudden external noise.
Be aware, the result is far from disastrous and sometimes even better than some mid-range in-ear earbuds. One just needs to keep in mind that having an important conversation in a crowded train station or near a busy intersection is probably not the best idea.
Shokz OpenDots 2Battery Life: The Best in Their Category
Shokz saw no need to revise its approach to battery life. And it’s not much of a flaw, as the first OpenDots had already proven to be enduring. This time around, the 10 hours of listening time advertised with a single charge were almost reached during our endurance test.
At about 50% volume, with Dolby Audio mode activated occasionally, the OpenDots 2 lasted nearly 9 hours and 45 minutes before completely shutting off. For comparison, the Motorola Buds Loop give out around 8
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.