OpenRock S2

Hardware

The OpenRock S2 rest in a rounded, flat case that charges via USB-C, but not wirelessly (Qi). A charging cable is not included. The open-ears can be hooked over the ears with their flexible ear loops, which are made from a titanium frame covered in a thin layer of silicone. However, the frame feels a bit floppy and not as stiff as some competitors, so the 12 mm drivers can bump against the ear when moving quickly, and they don’t always stay steady near the ear canal. This doesn’t have a major impact on sound, but it’s slightly annoying as you often feel the need to adjust them.

With an IPX5 rating, the OpenRock S2 are adequately protected against splashes and rain, but not submersion.

Functions and controls

The OpenRock S2 use Bluetooth 6.0, support SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, and offer multipoint so two devices can be paired and used alternately. Each bud has a button for controls, but it’s not located on the driver housing as usual—it’s behind the ear at the bottom of the battery unit. Initially, I wasn’t convinced by this design, but holding the battery between your thumb and forefinger and pressing the button with your thumb actually works well, and all essential functions, including volume, are accessible.

In the app, only the long-press action can be reassigned; single, double, and triple presses are fixed.

The EQ offers three presets and a freely configurable 7-band option—just remember to save your changes, or they’ll be lost. There’s also a volume limit to protect your hearing, a sleep timer, and a wear-time reminder that prompts you to take a break after a set period. A “find my buds” feature plays a loud tone from missing but still paired earbuds. Spatial audio can be enabled, and firmware updates are available.

Sound

A common drawback of open-ear designs is reduced bass response, especially if DSP, tuning, and hardware aren’t perfectly coordinated to push enough low-end through the open path between ear and driver. Unfortunately, the OpenRock S2 don’t manage this particularly well. Even with bass boosted via EQ, the sound lacks impact, leaving the overall impression muted and underwhelming.

The mids are prominent and add some depth, but the highs lack the freshness needed for clarity and openness. As a result, the OpenRock S2 sound somewhat grey and restrained—fine for background listening during sports, but underwhelming if you want energising, bass-driven sound. The spatial audio mode doesn’t help—it shifts the sound so far toward the highs that it can become tinny and, at times, even uncomfortable.

Battery life and calling

Battery life is around eight hours, or 32 hours including recharges from the case—solid, but not exceptional. Four beamforming microphones with AI assistance provide decent call clarity, but in loud environments, the noise-cancelling algorithms cut in aggressively, making your voice sound choppy to the listener.

Conclusion

The OpenRock S2 pack in plenty of modern features. For example, pressing the remote button four times with your phone’s camera active takes a photo. The earbuds’ low weight comes at the cost of slightly floppy ear hooks, and the case feels light and a bit cheap. Sound quality has room for improvement—especially in the bass. However, for podcasts or light background music during activity, their airy comfort and secure-enough fit earn them some points.