OpenRock X: Premium open-ear earbuds deliver comfort, safety, and impressive sound quality
OpenRock X Open-Ear Air Conduction Sport Earbuds. Picture: OneOdio.
Over the last few years, I’ve tested several open-ear earphones, and the technology has consistently improved. The latest to pass my desk is the OpenRock X, open-ear air conduction earbuds designed to deliver exceptional sound quality, comfort, and safety for fitness enthusiasts and audiophiles alike.
The OpenRock X boasts an open-ear design, ensuring your ear canals remain dry and breathable during workouts. This design enhances situational awareness, which is great for outdoor activities like running or cycling.
The OpenRock X earbuds and charging case feel premium. They are made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel and solid aluminium alloy. The earbuds also feature IPX5 water resistance for protection against sweat and light rain.
The case opens in an unusual way — press the bottom, and it un-clicks and drops down to reveal the earphones, which are magnetically held in place. This is not only cool but also looks stylish! The OpenRock X comes with a keyring that hooks through a rubber loop on the top of the case so that you can keep it safe.
The earbuds feature ear hooks made from soft, skin-friendly liquid silicone rubber. The adjustable biaxial joint, which OpenRock says is inspired by luxury watch brands, allows the earbuds to fit securely regardless of ear size, offering ergonomic comfort and stability. I found the comfort exceptional because they wrap around your ears and rest there.
The OpenRock X features OneOdio’s proprietary BassDirect technology, which transmits energy to the ear canal to deliver extra bass. While the bass isn’t as powerful as standard earbuds, it’s impressive for an open-earbud design.
The 14.2 mm dynamic driver, constructed with a nanometer bio-fibre and cis-molecular polymer diaphragm, reproduces excellent sound quality with low distortion and provides a detailed listening experience. The soundstage is wide, with good detail retrieval and clarity in the highs for an overall balanced sound.
Of course, you will hear everything around you, so they’re not ideal for noisy environments. However, sound leakage is minimal, and most of the time, I didn’t have to pause the audio if I needed to have a quick conversation.
The call quality is also good, with four mics and an AI noise-cancelling algorithm that effectively reduces background noise.
The app displays the current battery levels of the buds and case and provides options for Spatial Sound, Sound Balance, Auto Power-Off Time, and Voice Prompt Volume. Each earbud has a physical button for playback, calls, and voice assistant features. The button gestures can be customised in the app. There’s also a Find My Buds feature, which, when activated, sends a high-pitched sound to the earbuds to help locate them if they’re out of the case.
The OpenRock X is equipped with three EQ modes tailored for different workout scenarios:
Rock Mode: Enhances deep bass and rhythmic audio, ideal for high-energy activities like running or HIIT workouts.
Relax Mode: Offers a natural, comfortable sound, perfect for yoga, stretching, and meditation.
Boom Mode: Maximizes sound pressure levels, ensuring powerful music experiences even in noisy environments. A custom mode allows users to tweak the seven-band equaliser to their personal taste.
The OpenRock X features Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection capability, allowing you to switch between devices. This feature is handy for those who juggle multiple devices, such as a laptop and phone.
The buds offer up to 12 hours of playback time, and when used with the charging case, you can get an impressive 48 hours of playback time. Charging is via the USB-C port on the case, though there’s no wireless charging option.
The OneOdio OpenRock X sounds great and offers excellent battery life, comfort, and safety during workouts, where being aware of your surroundings is crucial. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or enjoy the occasional jog or casual walk, the OpenRock X comes highly recommended.
OneOdio OpenRock X €158 www.openrock.com
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