Shokz OpenDots 2

Open-Ears – A New Approach, High Standards

In typical Shokz fashion, the OpenDots 2 are headphones that deliberately keep the ear canal clear. Particularly in everyday professional settings, public transport and during sport, awareness of the surrounding environment is beneficial for direct communication and for reasons of safety. Shokz has consistently pursued this approach since its founding in 2011, when it traded under the name Aftershokz. The company now offers three concepts across its own product lines: bone conduction transducers (OpenRun, OpenSwim), the OpenFit bracket designs, and the clip-on models.

During an on-site visit to Shenzhen, company co-founder Qian Chen outlined the manufacturer’s commitment to customer-oriented, innovative feed-forward product development. This manifests at Shokz in the form of a large R&D department, more than 6,000 patents worldwide, and a sophisticated manufacturing process including in-house silicone production.

This commitment is also reflected in a comprehensive quality assurance programme. Testing covers the stability and reliability of both the mechanical construction and electronics, including drop tests, material wear from sweat, abrasion in trouser pockets and in rain, thousands of pairing cycles, stretching of the retention frame, and repeated opening and closing of the case lid. It is no coincidence that Shokz has, by its own account, now sold more than 20 million open-ear headphones and grown to become the market leader in the sports and open-ear segment.

Design and Construction

The OpenDots 2 feature a plastic housing styled like a piece of jewellery, with an effective matte-glossy metallic contrast. They are available in Pearl White, Grey and Black. The compact charging case with USB-C port follows the same aesthetic.

Each individual clip-on weighs just 6.4 grams. The construction is nevertheless well-considered and of high quality: the round driver housing is connected to the rear battery cylinder via a so-called JointArc clip. The earphones are thus “clipped” to the side of the outer ear. To ensure this works securely, Shokz uses a nickel-titanium alloy for the frame, which is surrounded by a rubberised layer of soft silicone. There is genuinely no pressure or irritation.

Two dynamic drivers with an 11.8 mm diameter and special diaphragms per clip-on have been arranged in the BassSphere 2.0 configuration. These are designed to deliver powerful bass reproduction in everyday use. According to Shokz, non-linear distortion has been reduced by up to 70% compared to the original BassSphere. This driver arrangement also has a positive effect on sound leakage. The additional DirectPitch and MirrorPitch technologies are intended to direct sound optimally towards the ear canal and eardrum while minimising sound travelling in the opposite direction.

Practical Use

The wearing comfort of the Shokz OpenDots 2 is excellent. The clip mounting adapts to most ear shapes, though careful positioning is recommended for the best sonic results. Once in place, the headphones sit securely and pressure-free over extended periods. Glasses wearers should have no problems whatsoever with these headphones. And the Shokz OpenDots 2 are also recommended by the manufacturer for users with small ears.

The headphones can therefore be worn comfortably throughout the entire day. This includes sports use: the Shokz OpenDots 2 remain securely in position. They are also rated to IP57 and IP54 (case) for protection against splash water and sweat.

Battery life is equally practical: at around ten hours of playback for the clip-ons, or 40 hours with the charging case, the Shokz OpenDots 2 last for several days depending on volume. If needed, five minutes of USB-C charging delivers approximately two additional hours. Unlike the OpenDots Air, wireless charging is also supported.

The Bluetooth connection uses version 6.1, with pairing being quick and stable across multiple rooms. Multipoint pairing with two sources is supported, along with the SBC and AAC audio codecs.

Functionality

Music playback functions, phone calls and voice assistant activation are all handled by pressure-sensitive sensors on the battery pack and JointArc. These are designed to avoid the accidental triggering typical of conventional sensors. Single and double clicks, a hold function for the rear cylinder, and double and triple taps on the JointArc can all be configured separately for the left and right side via the app, allowing extensive personalisation of the controls. Exemplary.

The Shokz app for Android and iOS is well-designed and adds firmware update capability (test firmware: EU_V_06), a local find function, and useful automation features such as automatic assignment of clip-ons to the ear being used and pausing playback when the headphones are removed. A fall detection function is already in beta.

For personal sound adjustment, Shokz offers a five-band equaliser with several predefined presets, custom saveable settings, and a semi-automatic adjustment in the form of a multi-step sound comparison.

A revised implementation of Dolby Audio (OpenDots One) is also included, designed to automatically optimise and spatialise the sound.

Sound

Compared to the OpenDots Air, the Shokz OpenDots 2 step up a class in every discipline. Playback is well-balanced and delivers a sound image that is simultaneously full and open, offering genuine listening pleasure. Thanks to generous headroom, the clip-ons are capable of producing a punchy, pressurised sound. The result is defined, distinctly full-bodied and detailed. The stereo panorama is also well illuminated, and even spatial depth is perceptible in quiet environments.

As expected, the best quality is achieved in a quiet environment. Ambient noise inevitably affects the sound quality and dynamics of open-ear headphones. Music enjoyment with open-ears therefore always involves a degree of compromise, though the results here are genuinely impressive. It is also worth noting that even at higher volumes, the level of disturbance to others remains pleasingly low.

Such sound quality is by no means a given for an open-ear product. That said, it would not be fair to measure the Shokz OpenDots 2 against high-quality in-ear headphones, which have the advantage in terms of bass performance and signal-to-noise ratio. Despite good bass volume, true sub-bass remains beyond the OpenDots 2 (Rihanna: Pon De Reply). The reproduced mid and upper bass, however, is articulate and convincingly rendered in terms of level progression, dynamics and tonality.

In the midrange, Shokz achieves a coherent sound signature that harmonises well with most instruments, voices and genres without any explicit colouration. The treble tuning can also be described as successful. The sound is comparatively open and detailed, which also benefits spatial imaging and transient reproduction. No unwanted harshness was apparent.

In addition to a slightly increased volume level, the Dolby Audio function brings a “potential” improvement in sound quality and enhanced spatial depth. The music signal is brought further to the foreground and genuinely gains in fullness. This is generally an advantage. In the metal genre, however, I repeatedly noticed an alteration of the mid spectrum that did not serve the mix well. The algorithm apparently heads in the wrong direction here (Exodus: Shovel Headed Kill Machine).

Comparing the OpenDots 2 with Shokz’s bone conduction models, I find the sound quality of the clip-ons to be clearly superior. The proximity to the ear canal enables both quieter playback levels and a higher intensity of listening experience than the OpenFit models – the flagship OpenFit Pro with noise reduction notwithstanding.

Call Quality

For phone calls, the Shokz OpenDots 2 use two conventional microphones and one bone conduction transducer per clip-on. An integrated noise suppression system and wind noise protection are also included. The result is predominantly clear, intelligible voice transmission in both directions. The switchable AI-assisted noise cancellation also contributes, reliably filtering out disruptive traffic noise, for example. Issues arise only in the presence of a headwind or public transport announcements. For office conferences and private phone calls, the Shokz OpenDots 2 are a definite recommendation.

Verdict

The handsome Shokz OpenDots 2 raise the bar in the open-ear clip-on headphone category. They deliver a comprehensive package for everyday private and professional communication, sports activities and music playback. The fashionable design alone allows Shokz to appeal to a new audience beyond the typical sports and office user. Constant acoustic awareness of the environment is maintained at all times and proves to be a genuine advantage over conventional designs in many situations.

Build quality, functionality, wearing comfort and sound quality all underpin the manufacturer’s high standards and offer customers an even broader choice when it comes to finding the right open-ear product.

Compared to the OpenDots Air, there are compelling reasons to opt for the larger model: the sound quality thanks to BassSphere 2.0 and Dolby Audio optimisation is superior and, in our view, already justifies the price premium. Call quality is also a step up. Athletes will appreciate the better splash and sweat resistance and the marginally larger battery. In short: a clear winner. One final thought: whether a Pro version with noise reduction might be achievable remains an open question – though knowing Shokz, I would not rule it out.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Shokz OpenDots 2

What sets the Shokz OpenDots 2 apart from the OpenDots Air?

The OpenDots 2 is the flagship model and offers superior sound quality via BassSphere 2.0 and Dolby Audio, better call quality thanks to additional bone conduction microphones, a higher IP rating (IP57 vs IP55), wireless charging, longer battery life (ten vs nine hours) and faster quick charging (five vs ten minutes).

Do the Shokz OpenDots 2 support wireless charging?

Yes. Unlike the OpenDots Air, the OpenDots 2 support wireless charging of the case. The case can also be charged via USB-C.

How good is Dolby Audio on the Shokz OpenDots 2?

In most genres, Dolby Audio adds fullness, a slightly elevated output level and enhanced spatial depth. In the metal genre, however, the algorithm can alter the mid spectrum in an unflattering way. The function can be toggled on or off in the app as needed.

Are the Shokz OpenDots 2 suitable for office calls?

Yes. The combination of two air conduction microphones and one bone conduction transducer per clip-on enables clear, intelligible voice transmission. The switchable AI noise cancellation reliably filters out traffic noise. Strong headwinds and public transport announcements can occasionally pose a challenge.

Who are the Shokz OpenDots 2 best suited for?

The OpenDots 2 are ideal for everyday and professional users looking for a stylish, lightweight open-ear headphone with excellent sound quality and full communication capability. The IP57 rating and secure fit also make them suitable for sport. Particularly recommended for glasses wearers and those with small ears.