OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Your perfect workout buddy

Forget everything you think you know about sport earbuds. OpenRock, a name whispered among fitness fanatics since 2021, is about to redefine your workout soundtrack. They’re not just making earbuds; they’re forging sonic companions for every drop of sweat, every burst of energy. The mission? Earbuds that stay put, sound amazing, and fuel your passion.

Enter the OpenRock S2, the culmination of that vision. I strapped these on two weeks ago, a skeptic ready to put them through their paces. The burning questions: Could they actually stay locked in during my most intense workouts? And could they possibly compete with the audiophile-grade sound of my beloved Pixel Buds Pro 2? My ears, and my playlist, were ready for the challenge.

Imagine my surprise! I’ve always been walled off by noise-canceling behemoths, so stepping into the OpenRock arena with the S2 earbuds felt like shedding a heavy coat on a spring day. These aren’t your typical sound-isolating pods; they’re designed with an open-back that welcomes the world in, offering a listening experience I wasn’t quite prepared for. A breath of fresh audio, if you will.

Table of Contents

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Specs
OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Hardware and Design
OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Battery Life and Charging
OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Comfort and Fit
OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Features
OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Sound Quality
Should You Buy the OpenRock S2 earbuds?

Specs

OpenRock S2 Specs

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OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Hardware and Design

The OpenRock S2 earbuds made a striking first impression, even before a single note played. Lifting them from the box, their solid construction hinted at a promise of quality. The unique ear-hook design immediately caught my eye, a clear signal these weren’t your average earbuds. Slipping them on confirmed OpenRock’s dedication to comfort – a welcome revelation from the very first wear.

From the moment I unboxed the OpenRock S2, I was struck by the almost velvety texture of the material. My skin breathed a sigh of relief – no scratchy discomfort here. Tactile buttons grace the underside of each earbud’s hook, a welcome, deliberate design choice at your fingertips.

Forget those phantom taps and accidental skips! Growing up in the golden age of tactile feedback, I’ve always craved the satisfyingclickof a real button. That’s why OpenRock’s brazen ditching of touch controls is music to my ears. Sure, the button’s diminutive, but my thumb found its groove in no time. Presses are precise, intentional – no more fumbling! The earbud itself? Picture this: a sleek command module, cradling mics and speakers, anchored by a whisper-thin, yet surprisingly robust, band of liquid silicone. It’s flexible, conforming to the unique landscape behind your ear like a second skin, ensuring a rock-solid, comfortable fit.

Build quality

Relief washed over me the moment I unboxed these earbuds. They weren’t some flimsy, plastic disappointment. Both the buds and their sleek charging case exude quality. Speaking of the case, portability is a dream. It practically disappears into my pockets, even the notoriously shallow ones in my running shorts. Finally, earbuds I can actually take on a jog without feeling like I’m lugging around a brick.

The charging case isn’t just black; it’s a constellation contained within a matte finish. Gold flecks, like tiny stars, glimmer subtly, revealing themselves only upon closer inspection. On the right, a USB-C port stands ready, a gateway for replenishing power to both earbuds and their celestial haven. The OpenRock S2 exudes a reassuring sturdiness. After nearly two weeks of rigorous use, my confidence in its resilience remains unwavering.

Forget bulky buds. At a featherlight 7 grams, the OpenRock S2 earbuds redefine comfort. These are the lightest OpenRock has ever created, practically disappearing in your ear. Say goodbye to mid-workout adjustments and hello to all-day listening. OpenRock’s ingenious 50/50 weight distribution ensures a secure, barely-there feel, making them so comfortable you might forget you’re even wearing them.

The OpenRock earbuds achieve perfect equilibrium, each section meticulously balanced at a mere 3.5 grams. This ingenious design banishes that lopsided, about-to-fall-out sensation, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit, no matter how vigorous your workout. And speaking of workouts, unleash your inner athlete – these sweat-resistant wonders are built to endure even the most intense sessions. Choose your vibe with Obsidian Black or Moonlight White.

OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Battery Life and Charging

Comfort and sound quality can lure me into the world of true wireless earbuds, but battery life is what keeps me there. I’ve been burned before. Several promising pairs, boasting crystal-clear audio and a snug fit, ended up gathering dust. Their fatal flaw? A battery life that evaporated faster than morning mist. Ultimately, I always find myself gravitating back to the dependable workhorses that can keep the music playing.

I tried to break the OpenRock S2s. I really did. I threw my whole workday at them – fiddling with controls, blasting my playlist on repeat – a gauntlet designed to drain their power. But these earbuds? They just kept going. Almost made it bell-to-bell before finally begging for a charge.

OpenRock boasts an 8-hour battery life, and in my testing, that claim largely holds water. I squeezed nearly the full duration – a mere 5-10 minutes shy, which, for all intents and purposes, rounds up nicely. You can reasonably expect a similar, near-marathon listening session before these buds need a power nap in their charging case.

Charging time

What’s neat is that these will provide an hour of listening time after only 5 minutes of charging.

From zero to full power, expect around 90 minutes to resurrect your earbuds. Battling a dead charging case too? Brace yourself for a few hours tethered to the outlet. While not lightning-fast, it’s par for the course in the true wireless earbud arena, a familiar wait that doesn’t feel out of line.

The only real snag? The charging case skips wireless charging, shaving off a sliver of convenience. Hardly a deal-breaker, though. The stellar battery life and snappy charge times more than compensate, making it a non-issue for me, and likely for most users.

OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Comfort and Fit

Forget battery life for a second. Let’s talk about the real MVP of true wireless earbuds: comfort. We’re talking all-day wearability, that sweet spot where you forget you’re even wearing them. No fidgeting, no aching, just pure audio bliss for hours on end. And that, my friends, is where the OpenRock S2 shines, and it’s for one very specific reason.

Forget everything you know about earbuds. The OpenRock S2 throws the traditional design out the window, opting for an open-back experience. Instead of jamming into your ear canal, these earbuds gently perch just outside, like a whisper of sound. The result? Pure comfort. Say goodbye to that throbbing ache, that desperate need to yank them out after an hour. The OpenRock S2 lets your ears breathe, so you can lose yourself in the music, not the discomfort.

Forget that plugged-ear feeling! The OpenRock S2’s innovative design makes it feel like the music is floating right outside your ear, not jammed inside.

A secure fit that ensures the earbuds stay put

Once these are on, they’re LOCKED. I’ve put them through the wringer, practically headbanging to test their grip, and they haven’t even hinted at slipping. Seriously impressive hold.

These earbuds became my go-to for any activity involving serious movement. I put them through the wringer: several runs where sweat was pouring and even OpenRock’s suggested head-banging test. They didn’t budge. This is huge for me because, yes, I’m one ofthosepeople who watches videos while I eat. Previous earbuds, though secure during a light stroll, would inevitably succumb to the powerful jaws of chewing, popping loose and tumbling out. Not these.

Thankfully, the OpenRock S2 side-stepped that pitfall, a detail that sparked genuine relief, considering how often similar earbuds have tormented me with the same issue.

Ultra-lightweight, so you can focus on your workouts and your music

Weighing in at a featherlight 7 grams, the OpenRock S2 earbuds practically disappear in your ears. That’s my favorite part about their comfort – all-day wear without a hint of fatigue. For athletes and fitness fanatics, this weightless design is a game-changer.

Forget bulky earbuds weighing you down. The beauty of a lightweight build boils down to one simple truth: pure, unadulterated music. These earbuds aren’t just about tunes, though. They’re engineered for your sweat sessions and outdoor adventures. Designed for athletes and fitness fanatics, they lock securely in place, letting you unleash your energy without missing a beat.

Forget those lead-weight earbuds that constantly remind you they’re there. The OpenRock S2’s featherlight design banishes the burden, leaving you free to lose yourself in pure, unadulterated sound, unparalleled comfort, and a wealth of features you’ll actually notice.

OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Features

The OpenRock S2 earbuds offer a familiar landscape of controls, a well-trodden path for true wireless devices. Think of it as your sonic command center: skip tracks with a flick, orchestrate the perfect pause and play, and seamlessly navigate calls. Volume adjustments are fingertip-precise, and muting your mic is as simple as a thought. Consider these features less of a revelation, and more of a baseline expectation in today’s crowded earbud arena.

Unleash your inner photographer with a hidden earbud superpower: remote shutter control! Forget awkward timer dashes. Prop up your phone, strike a pose, and with a simple button press on your earbuds, capture the perfect hands-free shot. Tripod selfies? Leaning landscape masterpieces withyouin them? Consider it done. Your earbuds are now your personal, pocket-sized photography assistants.

Forget fumbling for the shutter button! This hidden gem lets you snap photos with a simple tap. Seriously, how many earbuds let you dothat? Here’s the catch: your camera app needs to be live and kicking. Otherwise, you’ll just be adjusting the volume (oops!). But once you’re in photo mode, prepare for magic. Four quick taps on either earbud, andclick– the perfect shot, captured almost instantly. Effortless doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Preset modes let you enjoy several different genres

Beyond the OpenRock earbuds themselves, the companion app unlocks a playground of personalization. Tweak your audio experience with preset modes tailored to your every mood. Need a sonic blast to power through that grueling workout? Engage "Boom Mode" and feel the energy surge.

Rock mode became my daily driver. It’s the Swiss Army knife of sound profiles, adapting effortlessly whether I was crushing a workout or navigating the urban jungle. Need to unwind? Switch to relax mode. Suddenly, yoga sessions and evening strolls transform into sonic sanctuaries. And for the safety-conscious, there’s a built-in volume limiter – a guardian against accidental eardrum assaults. I didn’t use it much, but its existence offers peace of mind, especially when sharing earbuds.

Gesture controls for the most important functions

Customize your sonic experience with intuitive gesture controls. Straight out of the box, a single tap handles playback and calls – a simple press to play, pause, answer, or hang up. Craving a new track? A quick double-tap skips forward or politely declines an incoming call. Feeling nostalgic? Triple-tap to rewind to your previous jam. The four-tap camera shutter function is fixed to ensure those quick photo moments aren’t missed. But the customization doesn’t stop there. Dive into the long-press settings and tailor each earbud to your liking. I, for instance, crank up the volume with a long hold on either side, putting me in full control of my auditory landscape.

Fine-tune your audio with intuitive volume controls, spatial soundscapes, pinpoint sound balance, and a hi-res mode that unlocks studio-quality audio. A word of caution: choosing hi-res means sacrificing spatial sound and shaving off some battery life. Multi-point connection also takes a back seat for pure, high-fidelity bliss. If you’re a single-device listener craving the richness of LDAC codec, hi-res is your go-to. But for everyday MP4s, spatial sound adds immersive depth. The best part? Tactile, physical buttons put total control right at your fingertips. A thoughtfully designed feature set makes these earbuds a compelling choice for nearly any audio enthusiast.

OpenRock S2 Ultimate Review: Sound Quality

Forget everything you think you know about earbuds. Comfort is king, battery life is queen, but don’t sleep on sound quality. That’s where the OpenRock S2 struts in. Frankly, I was floored. These aren’t just earbuds; they’re tiny portals to pure sonic bliss. Each track became an immersive experience, a front-row seat to my favorite bands. With the OpenRock S2, I didn’t just listen to music; Ifeltit.

These earbuds don’t just deliver bass; they unleash it. I was genuinely surprised by the depth and punch they packed, handling everything I threw at them with ease. But where they truly sing is with EDM, hip-hop, and funk. I practically mainlined Above & Beyond’s "Group Therapy" sessions through these, multi-hour sonic immersions that put every facet of the audio – and my patience – to the ultimate test. The result? Pure, unadulterated aural bliss.

Don’t neglect the spatial sound feature

Spatial sound on these earbuds? Think front-row seats at a concert, even if it’s one you’ve only dreamed of. The open design gives you a taste of that live performance vibe, a spaciousness you just don’t get from typical earbuds. It’s like a mini-festival in your ears, suddenly I’m practically at an Above & Beyond show (bucket list item!). And for the bass heads? Prepare to be blown away. OpenRock’s BassDirect tech is pure magic, delivering rich, booming lows without sacrificing sound quality or disturbing those around you. You get all the thump, none of the leakage.

Should You Buy the OpenRock S2 earbuds?

The million-dollar question: OpenRock S2 earbuds worth the hype and your $98.99? Absolutely. If you crave untethered sound, the kind that lets the world in, and demand a workout buddy thatwon’tbail mid-burpee, then these deserve your attention. Forget flimsy fits and muffled audio; the S2 nails secure comfort and signature sound without breaking the bank. Think featherlight freedom – perfect for workouts, podcasts, or just tuning into your surroundings without sacrificing audio quality.

Buy the OpenRock S2 if:

You want a more open sound profile for your music
You’re looking for something under $100
You’re looking for an ultra-lightweight pair of earbuds with good battery life

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