OpenRock X Review: A Solid Choice for Open-Ear Earbuds

The OpenRock X earbuds are a new entry from OneOdio, aiming to deliver an enjoyable open-ear listening experience that’s comfortable for all-day wear and workouts. With a few key improvements over previous models, these earbuds are positioned as a strong competitor in the open-ear market.

Pros and Cons of the OpenRock X

Pros:

• Bright, enjoyable, open-ear sound
• Comfortable to wear for long periods
• Strong battery life

Cons:

• Charging case is not very pocket-friendly
• Not the most discreet-looking open-ear earbuds

Key Features

• Bluetooth support: Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point connectivity
• Battery life: 12 hours per charge, 48 hours total with the case
• Water resistance: IPX5 rating against sweat, water, and dust

Introduction

The OpenRock X is the latest attempt from OneOdio to prove it can create a great pair of open-ear earbuds. Previous models, such as the OpenRock Pro and OpenRock S, were underwhelming in terms of sound quality. However, the OpenRock X promises improvements, including theatre-like sound, enhanced bass, and improved clarity. Let’s see how they stack up against the competition.

Availability

The OpenRock X is priced at £169, positioning them in the mid-range of open-ear earbuds. They are slightly cheaper than the Shokz OpenFit (£179) and match the price of the Beyerdynamic Verio 200 (£169). They are more expensive than the Anker Soundcore Aerofit Pro (£149.99) and the Shokz OpenFit Air (£119.99), but cheaper than the premium Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (£299).

Design

The OpenRock X comes in several colors, including black, gold, white, and red. The earbuds feature a plastic build with titanium earhooks and silicone padding for comfort. Weighing 12g, they are not the lightest earbuds, but they are comfortable enough for long listening sessions. The IPX5 rating makes them resistant to sweat and water, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.

Controls and Case

Each earbud features a physical button for controlling playback and volume, which is a welcome improvement over the touch controls of previous models. The case is sturdy but a bit bulky, making it less pocket-friendly. However, it does offer protection and charges the earbuds via USB-C.

Features

The OpenRock X offers 48 hours of total battery life, with 12 hours per charge. A quick charge feature provides an additional hour of listening with just a 5-minute charge. The companion app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to customize EQ settings, check battery status, and locate misplaced earbuds. The app also includes a spatial sound mode and sound balance options for a more personalized listening experience.

Sound Quality

The OpenRock X uses air conduction technology with 14.2mm drivers to deliver sound. Compared to previous OpenRock models, the X offers a significant improvement in sound quality. The earbuds provide good power and volume, even in noisy environments, though they may not match the finesse of more expensive models like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

The companion app offers several EQ presets, including Rock, Relax, and Boom modes. The Rock mode enhances bass without overwhelming the mids, while the Relax mode is ideal for softer tracks. The Boom mode, however, is less impressive, as the bass tends to bleed into other frequencies.

Battery Life

In real-world testing, the OpenRock X offers around 10 hours of battery life per charge, slightly below the advertised 12 hours. However, this is still competitive with other open-ear earbuds in this price range.

Should You Buy the OpenRock X?

If you’re looking for comfortable open-ear earbuds with enjoyable sound and strong battery life, the OpenRock X is a solid choice. While the charging case is a bit bulky, the earbuds themselves are comfortable and offer a good balance of sound quality and features for the price. However, if you prioritize a more compact design or slightly better sound quality, the Shokz OpenFit Air may be a better option.

Final Thoughts

The OpenRock X is a significant improvement over previous models and offers a well-rounded package for those seeking open-ear earbuds. While they may not be the absolute best in their category, they are worth considering if you’re in the market for all-day wear earbuds that deliver good sound and comfort.

FAQs

How much battery time do the OpenRock X offer?
The OpenRock X offers up to 12 hours on a single charge, with a total of 48 hours when using the charging case.

Are the OpenRock X earbuds waterproof?
The OpenRock X has an IPX5 rating, meaning they are resistant to sweat and splashes, but not fully waterproof.

Where to Buy

You can find the OpenRock X earbuds on Amazon here.