Audio quality, immersion, ANC, balance, sound stage, etc. These are all terms we use to properly describe our headphone\/earbud experience. However, we never use the term \u201cPerspective.\u201d It might seem like an odd term to use, but here\u2019s a question: From your perspective, what are earbuds? I was given the opportunity to review the OpenRock X Open-Ear Air Conduction Sport Earbuds. Like any pair of earbuds, they provided me with a listening experience, yes, but more importantly, they changed my perspective on what a pair of earbuds could be.
\nThe OpenRock X are a pair of air-conduction earbuds that don\u2019t deliver sound in the way that in-ear earbuds do. Rather than sipping into your ear canal and driving the audio directly to your eardrums, they sit just outside your ears. This makes for differences in how they sound compared to in-ear earbuds, for better and for worse. The question is whether you should choose these.
\nWhat about the OpenRock X make them the ideal earbuds for you? What about them should make you pass them up? How can they change your perspective on what a pair of earbuds should be? That\u2019s what I\u2019m here to answer.
\nHow I tested these earbuds
\nTo make sure that I properly put the OpenRock X through the wringer, I was a bit systematic with my testing. Firstly, the OpenRock app has a set of EQ presets along with a mode that lets you customize it. Out of the box, the EQ was set to the Rock Mode which has a boost in the bass with a dip in the mids. However, for testing, I flattened the EQ. At some points in my testing, I did boost some frequencies temporarily, but the testing was typically with a flat EQ.
\nAs for the content I listened to, I used all of types of music that I listen to typically. This includes music anywhere from the 2020s to the 1720s. This includes classical, rock (60s \u2013 80s), pop (60s \u2013 present), R&B (70s \u2013 90s), film scores (late 90s \u2013 present), video game music (90s \u2013 present), and others. Each of these genres and time periods has its own characteristics that test headphones in different ways. I\u2019ll point out certain songs and genres in my testing so that you can hear what I\u2019m talking about.
\nNot only did I test these earbuds inside, but I also tested them outside (in calm and windy conditions). Since these are targeted at athletic people and fitness-focused individuals, testing outside was crucial. I also took them into loud coffee shops and supermarkets.
\nTo test the battery, I used these for full writing sessions at work and for casual listening. I also conducted a more clinical test where I fully charged them, cranked them up to full volume, and timed how long it took for them to run to 0% battery.
\nTo test the fit, I did many of the activities that you\u2019d do when working out. I jogged, sprinted, and ran at full speed. I also spun around, shook my head fiercely, and collapsed onto my bed.
\nOpenRock X Review: Hardware and design
\nI can tell that OpenRock prides itself on its hardware. There\u2019s a level of quality here that I just don\u2019t get with most other earbuds, and some of them are much more expensive than the OpenRock X. They feel extremely well-made and premium. Picking them up, I felt that reassuring heft that lets me know that the company opted for quality materials.
\nThey\u2019re primarily made from plastic, but we\u2019re not talking about some cheap plastic you\u2019d find on a set of $20 SkullCandys. It\u2019s a sturdy plastic that I know will protect the internals from all sorts of abuse. Basically, if I drop them, I don\u2019t have to worry if I\u2019m going to need to shell out for a new pair.<\/p>\n
The main housing is made from plastic, but the part that wraps around the ear is made from a flexible, liquid silicone rubber that feels rather nice. There\u2019s some nice flex to it, but it always snaps right back into place. Separating that and the main body is a hinge that lets you lock the buds into place on your ear. It can rotate 50\u00b0 vertically and 45\u00b0 horizontally. The hinge is also smooth, but it can still hold its place when you turn it.
\nThe OpenRock X cost $169; I\u2019ve used earbuds that cost this much before. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve felt this level of build quality with any other earbuds at this price point. In fact, after just taking them out of their case and trying them on, I had to double-check the price to see if I wasn\u2019t mistaken. There are $300 earbuds that don\u2019t feel quite as premium as these.
\nThere are companies that prioritize affordability, but it\u2019s clear that OpenRock prioritizes build quality. Adding to the build quality, they\u2019re IPX5 water-resistant. This means that your sweat won\u2019t get into them during a workout.
\nCharging case
\nThe superior build quality also extends to the charging case. First things first; OpenRock knows about a little something called Presentation. You don\u2019t simply open the case. Rather, the earbuds emerge from a sliding mechanism. I\u2019ve reviewed a lot of audio devices, and I\u2019ve never reviewed any with a charging case like this. I honestly think that it was the coolest thing I\u2019d seen.
\nThe company went with a pretty boxy design for the case, and I think that it was mostly for the sliding mechanism. Admittedly, the case\u2019s design isn\u2019t all that inspired, but damned if it doesn\u2019t have some aesthetic flair. Firstly, it\u2019s made from metal. I love the feeling of cool metal when I pick up the case. It\u2019s a constant reminder that these earbuds are all well-built.
\nThere are also the chamfered edges that give the case an almost industrial quality. Think about some of the older metal smartphones from the mid-2010s, like the Google Nexus 6P or the HTC 10. They\u2019re boxy, but there\u2019s this beauty to them that the edges lend to them. There are chamfered edges around the top, bottom, and USB-C port on the case, and they boost the design in my opinion.
\nLastly, I love the matte texture of the metal. It feels really nice on the hand. Not only that, but when it\u2019s in the light, it gives off almost a glittery look.
\nI know where OpenRock\u2019s head\u2019s at
\nOpenRock launched its first device in 2021, so it\u2019s a relatively new company. Also, it\u2019s a smaller company in the grand scheme of things, with only a handful of devices out. But, that\u2019s the beauty of it! I\u2019m using a pair of earbuds that were crafted, not manufactured. OpenRock poured its heart into making a beautiful and well-crafted product. I can feel and see the passion that went into making the OpenRock X.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re lightweight, but they\u2019re not cheap
\nI mentioned that these earbuds have a nice heft to them. I can feel it when I\u2019m holding them, but not when I\u2019m wearing them. In fact, it honestly feels like there\u2019s nothing on my head when I\u2019m wearing them. Sure, earbuds aren\u2019t heavy in general, but most other earbuds have the majority of their weight hanging off your ear.
\nMost of the weight of the OpenRock X seems to sit in the cylindrical tip opposite the main housing. Well, these earbuds really hug your ear, so all that weight sits as close to the ear as possible. This makes them feel so much lighter than they are. The feeling is a part of why these changed my whole perspective.
\nOpenRock X Review: Sound
\nThese earbuds look good and they feel good, but do they sound good? There\u2019s something special about the sound that the OpenRock X produce that set them apart from many of the other earbuds on the market. As I said before, you don\u2019t insert them inside your ears to hear the audio. Rather, they sit outside of your ears, and that plays a huge part in the overall audio quality. This is for better or for worse, depending on the listening situation. But let\u2019s go down the line.
\nTreble
\nI consider the treble performance a high point of the OpenRock X\u2019s performance. I really appreciated the tactile punch that they give to higher tones. Depending on the genre of music you listen to, the higher tones could play a bigger part in the overall sound. But no matter what I listened to, I could hear an ample amount of bite in the higher-pitched sounds.
\nWhat\u2019s more important than bite is balance. Overall, they kept from sounding tinny, which is pretty easy for lower-quality earbuds to do. I listened to a wide range of music, but it did put a bit of a focus on 80s pop when evaluating the treble, as there\u2019s plenty of high-pitched icy synth and crunchy bass.
\nOverall, I think that the OpenRock X tends to be a bit top-heavy; there\u2019s a slight emphasis on the higher-end that I could start to hear after a while. It\u2019s not bad, but after some time of listening, I could start to feel just a little bit of fatigue. It never drove me to take them off, however. It\u2019s just something that could be addressed by making a tweak to the EQ.
\nBass
\nThe bass is a bit of an interesting story. The sound coming from the earbuds is pretty open, which aligns with the company\u2019s philosophy. As such, the bass isn\u2019t as substantial as what you\u2019d get from a pair of in-ear earbuds. There are just some lower tones that don\u2019t travel as well in the space between the speaker and your eardrum. This leaves the bass sounding a bit weaker than what I\u2019m used to.
\nBelieve me, I\u2019ve heard much weaker from in-ear earbuds. While it\u2019s not as powerful, it\u2019s still pretty warm and engrossing. I can still hear some rumble and depth to the lower end. The majority of the music I listened to sounded really good, and I didn\u2019t have an issue at all with the bass.<\/p>\n
When I listen to notably bassy and warm music like 90s R&B, the OpenRock X really shine. I still don\u2019t feel 100% of the rumble from the music, but the exaggerated bass from the song makes the OpenRock push out a warm and velvety sound. It\u2019s that perfect amount of bass that draws you into the music.
\nI temporarily pushed the bass to its maximum in the EQ, and it did deliver some more depth, but it\u2019s still not exactly what you\u2019d get from a pair of in-ear earbuds. The funny thing is, however, that I didn\u2019t find myself missing my in-ear earbuds. I couldn\u2019t really understand why. There\u2019s something about the way that OpenRock X push the lower tones that still immerses me in the sound despite missing some of the depth. It brings the words \u201cJust right\u201d to mind.
\nI chalk this up to the BassDirect technology that they use. This tech reduces the sound leakage while delivering great bass response.
\nMids
\nThe mids can often be overlooked. Heck, there are several EQ presets that straight-up cut out the mids. In our bass-heavy world, it can be tough to find companies that don\u2019t just boost the bass and ignore the rest.
\nHowever, this is something you mostly see with low-quality audio companies. I had no issue with the OpenRock X as far as the mids went. Just like the treble and bass, I could hear that the company paid equal attention to the mids. I really felt this when listening to classical music. The thing about classical music is that all parts of the audio spectrum are important.
\nSure, higher instruments usually take the melody, but the melody hops from the higher instruments down to the lower instruments often. The melody hops down from the violins and flutes down to the violas and clarinets. You want to hear just as much detail in the lower instruments as you want to hear in the higher instruments, and I do. I can hear the subtle grit of the violas\u2019 bows scraping against the strings. I can hear all of the subtle nuances of instruments that take up the mid-range. This also goes for more modern music with guitars, pianos, and other instruments.
\nWhen it comes to vocals, I\u2019d say that I\u2019ve definitely heard better, but the OpenRock X aren\u2019t shabby at all. Voices project rather clearly over the mix, and I can hear some nice detail. I wouldn\u2019t call it spectacular, but I rather enjoy them.
\nBalance
\nThe overall balance is what really ties everything together. When I listen to these earbuds, I hear this beautiful balance that makes everything I listen to sound amazing. There\u2019s just enough treble, mids, and bass to add life and character to whatever I\u2019m listening to. 70s pop has this certain warmth to it, 80s pop has this high-pitched and tactile charm, 90s R&B has this deep and warm nature, and 2000s music has this punch to it. All of these genres, and others, sound amazing through the OpenRock X. I think that the company really knocked it out of the park with these earbuds.
\nOpenRock X Review: Sound stage
\nOpenRock\u2019s founder, Jack Lee, wanted to create earbuds that let you immerse yourself in your music while having a more open experience. This is the singular most important aspect of the sound. Again, the audio isn\u2019t being shot directly into your eardrums. Rather, it exists around your ears.
\nThis was my first experience with a pair of earbuds like these, and I had this \u201cAh Hah!\u201d moment. During a work session, I took the OpenRock X off to charge them, and I immediately switched to my open-back headphones. Guess what, I didn\u2019t hear a difference in the overall audio. That\u2019s when it hit me, what these earbuds are all about. They\u2019re meant to give you the same kind of feeling that wearing a pair of open-back headphones gives you.<\/p>\n
Despite being so open, the sound still envelops you. There are times when I forget that I\u2019m not wearing in-ear earbuds. The sound is just that immersive. Be that as it may, it still has this light and open quality that you\u2019d get from a pair of open-back headphones.
\nThis is great, but\u2026
\nObviously, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution to audio. The OpenRock X can be great for people who want a more open sound. They can be perfect for people who love their open-back headphones, but can\u2019t take them on the road with them. However, while they share many of the best attributes of open-back headphones, they also share their main downfall.
\nOne thing I was worried about was wearing OpenRock X outside or in a loud location. I typically work in a crowded coffee shop. Well, when I\u2019m wearing these earbuds, I can hear EVERYTHING. This includes the wind, cars, people, music, etc.
\nThat\u2019s not much of a problem when you\u2019re trying to stay aware of your surroundings. However, these are the kind of earbuds that define what kind of music listener you are. Are you a person who likes to put their music on and tune out the world? Or, are you the kind of person who wants their music to augment the world around them?
\nHonestly, I\u2019m the former. I\u2019m the kind of person who puts their earbuds in on a long walk or writing session, turns on ANC, and just gets lost in what I\u2019m doing. So, using these earbuds outside for the first time was a bit jarring. Was it bad? No. After a bit of time, I was able to adjust. This is because the audio is so full and immersive that it\u2019s able to overpower much of the ambient noise.
\nThe only issue with that is that I sometimes find myself turning my volume up pretty high to have the music overpower the surrounding noise. That could lead to some pretty intense fatigue before too long.
\nIf you\u2019re the kind of person who doesn\u2019t like the outside getting in, then you might not find yourself reaching for the OpenRock X all too often.
\nAs for me, these earbuds opened my eyes
\nIt took some getting used to, but it didn\u2019t take me long to see the beauty of open earbuds like these. Even though I like to tune out the world, I really appreciate the sort of experience they\u2019re meant to give you. Like I said, the OpenRock X feel so lightweight that I often forget that I\u2019m wearing earbuds in the first place. Well, the sound is so open that it truly feels like the audio just exists around me.
\nI discovered this while walking through a quiet neighborhood. I could still hear the wind through the trees, my footsteps, and the neighbors while listening to music. It hit me that enjoying music didn\u2019t mean cutting all of those sounds out. It was like being a part of the world while listening to music rather than being apart from it.<\/p>\n
Granted, this changes when I walk around heavy traffic. So, if I know that I\u2019m going to be around a lot of noise, I\u2019d switch to another pair. However, I find myself reaching for the OpenRock X rather often when I\u2019m in quiet environments.
\nOpenRock X Review: Battery
\nThe battery life in these earbuds is a game-changer. I can honestly say that none of the earbuds I\u2019ve used can match the OpenRock X\u2019s battery longevity. To test the battery life, I ran the earbuds at full volume on a nonstop playlist and just let them run out. It took more than 9.5 hours for the earbuds to die on their own. That was pretty insane. There are many earbuds I use that can\u2019t survive an eight-hour writing shift without needing to charge at least once.
\nI ran the test with the volume at full blast, so if you have it at a lower level, then you\u2019ll get much more mileage. OpenRock says that you can get up to about 12 hours, so don\u2019t be surprised if you get somewhere close to that figure.
\nI can comfortably go through a full writing shift without even getting the \u201clow battery\u201d warning. The charging case further extends the battery life immensely. To put things into perspective, I had received more than one pair. I fully charged a pair to run the battery test, but there was one pair that I used casually as my main earbuds. The case came with north of 60% of power left and the earbuds were full. I successfully went an entire week of listening before I even plugged the case in, and I still didn\u2019t get the low battery warning. I never felt any urgency to refuel the case.
\nIf you\u2019re a casual listener, then you should have no problem going more than a week without needing to charge the case. Heavier users will still get a handful of days before needing to charge.
\nAfter running the batteries dry on one pair, they were back up to full charge in no time, thanks to the fast charging. I know that, if I\u2019m in a pinch, a quick 5-minute charge will be enough to get me an hour of listening time.
\nOpenRock X Review: App & Other Features
\nThese earbuds come with a companion app, and it ranks highly on my list. Like most other companion apps, I\u2019m greeted with the battery level for both of the earbuds and the case at the top. Under that, I see a feed of items like the EQ, gestures, and toggles for certain settings. These settings are the Max volume limiter (this keeps the volume from rising to a dangerous level), spatial audio, sound balance (a feature that lets you adjust the volume level of each earbud individually), auto power off, voice prompts, and the over-time wear reminder.
\nIt\u2019s all pretty straightforward, and I don\u2019t have many complaints. I wish that there were more EQ presets, as you only have three by default. I do like that I can customize the EQ to better suit my own tastes. It\u2019s a neat 7-band EQ that lets you adjust between 6dB and -6dB.
\nMy only other complaint is that the button gestures are pretty much set in stone. There\u2019s a single button on each of the earbuds, and you use it to perform several actions. A single press will play\/pause music, a double press will play the next track, and a triple press will play the previous track.<\/p>\n
Wish that I had the ability to change these. The only gesture I can adjust is the long-press gesture. I can choose between volume up, volume down, microphone on\/off, and voice assistant. However, I wish that I could choose the function for all of the gestures.
\nMulti-device connectivity
\nThe OpenRock X Open-Ear Sport Earbuds can connect to two devices at the same time. They\u2019ll remain connected consistently and automatically play audio from the device that\u2019s in use. I typically find myself switching between my computer and my phone, so I found this feature useful. They\u2019re pretty quick to switch to the other device once it starts playing audio. It doesn\u2019t take more than about five seconds.
\nCarrying case
\nOpenRock also sent over the unique carrying case for the earbuds. Just like everything else, the carrying case is high-quality. It closes magnetically, and it has a clip at the end that you can use to attach it to your bag.
\nOpenRock X Review: Final verdict
\nSo, how did these earbuds change my perspective on earbuds? I\u2019ve always viewed earbuds as an escape from the world around me. They were a way to isolate myself with my music. While I still maintain that mentality much of the time, the OpenRock X introduced me to the notion that music can become part of the world. While I\u2019m outside, in a line at the market, or just sitting at home, I can casually listen to music while still being aware of the world. It almost feels like they add a soundtrack to my world.
\nThat\u2019s the mentality behind these earbuds. They\u2019re designed for people to be aware of their surroundings while working out. I can hear cars while on a run, which makes me feel safer.
\nI\u2019m not sure I would have had this revelation with a low-quality pair of earbuds. However, the OpenRock X are extremely high-quality. The sound they produce is spectacular. I hear a full sound that just wraps my ears in a blanket of sound. It\u2019s punchy, velvety, and high-quality.
\nI\u2019m most impressed by the engineering of these earbuds. They look and feel like they should cost twice as much as they do. Everything from the feeling in the hand to the appearance, to the charging case just tells me that OpenRock gives a damn about the product that people stick on their ears.
\nIf you\u2019re a fan of open-air earbuds, then I highly recommend that you pick them up. They are a top-tier pair of earbuds that check most of the boxes in terms of the sound, hardware, mobile app, and overall experience.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a person who likes to isolate themselves with their music, I would usually say that you might want to skip these; however, I\u2019m going to do the opposite. I recommend that you give them a try. You should try a new approach to listening to music, especially if you like to work out. I think you should experience the feeling of integrating music into the world around you. Sometimes, all it takes to boost your experience is a new perspective.
\nYou can pick up these earbuds at a 15% discount on the OpenRock website (use the code: Android Headlines). You can also get a 20% discount on Amazon if you use the coupon code: G4WQOYWI
\nThe post OpenRock X Open-Ear Air Conduction Sport Earbuds Review: These are my new workout earbuds! appeared first on Android Headlines.
\n![](\"https:\/\/plus.maciejpiasecki.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/OpenRock-X-Review.jpg\")
\nSource: ndroidheadlines.com
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