'OpenRun Pro 2' is a bone conduction earphone released by the corporations SHOKZ in September of last year. Bone conduction earphones transmit sound through bones rather than the ears. This method is different from typical earphones that convey sound through air vibrations.
OpenRun Pro 2 boasts a stable fit even during intense workouts. It is lightweight, and the sound quality is quite decent. Since it does not touch the skin inside the ear, consumers sensitive to ear-related conditions can use it without concern. However, the price may be burdensome at around 200,000 won. I tried using OpenRun Pro 2 for a week.
OpenRun Pro 2 has a diameter of 13 cm and weighs 30.3 g. While it is larger than other Bluetooth earphones as it rests around the neck and sits over the ear, it is lighter than the AirPods Pro (56.4 g including the case). Therefore, it can be worn around the neck for extended periods without discomfort. The color options are black and orange. The 'Kipchoge Edition,' created in collaboration with renowned Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, features a design mixing orange and white.
The advantage of OpenRun Pro 2 is that it provides decent sound quality without being inserted into the ear. This product is worn by resting the speaker part on the bone above the ear canal while hanging around the neck. It allows for hearing external sounds, such as oncoming traffic, during exercise, providing safety. OpenRun Pro 2 is notable for incorporating 'dual pitch' technology, which combines bone conduction and air conduction for the first time in the series, delivering clear mid and high-frequency sounds.
I wore the OpenRun Pro 2 and ran for about 10 minutes. The weight balance between the speaker part on the front and the power button section was well matched, preventing the earphones from falling off. The parts excluding the speaker are entirely made of silicone, ensuring they do not slip. Although it is difficult to consider the sound quality completely similar to that of earphones that directly plug into the ear, it produces a luxurious sound emphasizing the bass.
By installing a dedicated application, users can adjust the sound ranges, including vocal enhancement mode, bass boost, and treble boost. When surrounding noise is significant and the singer's voice is hard to hear, selecting the vocal enhancement mode allows for clear lyrics.
It was also possible to conduct currency without any issues. As long as the situation is not too noisy, the voice was transmitted well to the counterpart.
OpenRun Pro 2 has an IP55 waterproof rating (resistant to rain, sweat, and running water during washing). Being made of silicone, it can be easily wiped clean even if it gets sweaty, and it can be washed under gently running water. Fast charging speed is also an advantage. When fully charged, it can play music for up to 12 hours, and a quick charge of just 5 minutes can provide 2 hours and 30 minutes of usage.
However, considering it is designed for sports use, it was uncomfortable to wear in daily life. Because it hangs around the neck, wearing items like padded jackets and hoodies with attached hoods would often catch on the rear hook, causing the earphones to slip off.
Even considering its features, the price is at a burdensome level. The retail price of SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 is 249,000 won. Although it uses an insertion method, similar sports earphones from brands like Iriver and QCY are priced below 100,000 won. For consumers who do not necessarily need bone conduction earphones, this may be a factor for hesitation in purchase.