The OpenRock S2 are second-generation open-ear earbuds that follow the success of the original S model but with a sleeker design and a more compact case. Priced at under $100, they are an affordable alternative to high-end competitors. They are intended for a wide audience, providing a comfortable lightweight build, decent sound, and a new companion app.
Design and comfort
The S2 earbuds are open ear design, which means they are not inserted into the ear canal. This helps avoid the discomfort of having something in your ear all the time (at the cost of having a hook behind your ear, which is not a big deal if you’re used to wearing glasses).
The earbuds are compact and weigh 7 grams each. They consist of a speaker unit, a battery unit behind the ear, and a flexible titanium wire ear hook connecting them. The hook and battery unit have a soft silicone coating, while the speaker unit is hard plastic. This lightweight construction makes them comfortable for hours of use. I didn’t feel any discomfort using them with my glasses on.
OpenRock S2 comes with a pebble-shaped plastic charging case featuring a unique speckled finish that weighs 58g and fits comfortably in your pocket. A USB-C port is located on the side of the case.
One of the downsides of the design of S2 is that, while flexible, the ear hooks are not adjustable (like the OpenRock X model). For some users, this results in the speakers sitting too high and far from the ear canal, which significantly impacts volume and audio quality, especially if there is wind or ambient noise. While the fit is secure enough for running and cycling, the earbud’s position can wobble during movement. (While testing the earbuds, I slipped my sports headband over my ear, which kind of stabilized them and improved the sound, but earned me some weird looks.)
Another minor letdown is the controls. S2 has two physical buttons under the battery units. To press them, you have to push upwards, which can dislodge the earbud from its position, unless you press the other side of the device, which overall makes it a bit frustrating compared to touch buttons.
Features and connectivity
The OpenRock S2 earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 6.0 and have an IPX5 rating for rain and sweat resistance. They support LDAC, AAC, and SBC audio codecs and offer multipoint connection for pairing with two devices simultaneously (however, enabling the high-resolution LDAC codec disables the multipoint feature).
A key upgrade from the original S model is support for the OpenRock mobile app. The app includes a seven-band custom equalizer with three presets, toggles for LDAC and multipoint, a spatial sound mode, and a left-right balance slider. It also provides a max volume limiter and a reminder for prolonged use. Button controls can be customized, but only for the long-press action.
Two notable functions are a camera remote, which allows you to take photos with your phone using the earbud buttons, and the ability to power each earbud on or off individually without the case.
Sound quality
Each earbud contains a 12mm driver and uses OpenRock’s TubeBass technology, which is designed to enhance low-end frequencies. The overall sound profile is warm, with a clear focus on bass. This makes them effective for workout music, as bass guitars and synths remain present.
However, audio performance is highly dependent on the earbud’s positioning. If the earbuds don’t fit snugly in front of your ear canal, the sound can be thin and hollow. When pressed closer to the ear, the audio becomes more dynamic and balanced, with more mid-bass punch and clearer vocals. In general, the warm profile can cause vocals to lack sharpness, and mids can be lost in some tracks. (Note: open earbuds are generally not known for very crisp sound as there will be a lot of interference from ambient noises. Instead, they give you awareness of your surroundings, which I usually prefer when I go for outdoor workouts.)
Battery life and price
The S2 provides up to eight hours of playback on a single charge, with the case extending the total time to 32 hours. A five-minute quick charge delivers one hour of use. These figures put the S2 on par with other similar open earbuds on the market. (Note that using the high-quality LDAC codec can drain the battery faster.)
The OpenRock S2 is priced at $100 on Amazon and OpenRock’s own website. Their affordability makes them a compelling option for those seeking open-ear functionality without a high cost.