Shokz OpenSwim Pro Review: The best bone conduction headphones?

[@jackiewhite8651]

These headphones are a serious game changer for swimming. Getting the music downloaded into the MP3 versions and saving from Spotify was the only “painful” part - not hard once I watched a few KZbin videos on how to do it… just time consuming. But used them today for first time and worth every damn penny and the time to download music. The sound was unbelievable in the water and it made my hour swim go by so quick. I am a former college swimmer and I don’t know how we survived without these!! ❤ I have the open swim pro

[@NickChahal]

Hi what was the best youtube video for this because i am having the same nightmare as it wont load MP3 tunes?

[@jackiewhite8651]

I don’t remember which one (I watched several) but also watched some on downloading from Spotify. I have a paid for Spotify account so not sure if that matters. But basically I had to use a website that was like Spotify downloader and you had to download each song to this downloader and then move it to a folder that just opened up when I plugged the headphones in to computer. Definitely have to do all this on a computer and having 2 screens made it much easier as well. Once I knew the steps it went fairly smooth.

[@krystian4725]

@@jackiewhite8651there is a website where you just paste the Spotify link to your playlist you create and it just downloads mp3 files for you game changer so easy

[@trekkie1701e]

Same, just got back in the pool almost 10 years after my last laps in college. Listing to podcasts makes the yards melt by. Can't believe we spent years just staring at the black line with just our thoughts, black line psychosis is real lol.

[@mikesilas23]

@@NickChahal I have an old version of Itunes on an old mac and I download podcasts from Podrunner. After they are downloaded, you can drag them directly into the swimpro. easy. I don't listen to individual tracks so I can't comment on the rest. but I will say that even out of the water, I love these as my new ear buds.

[@ballisticblue]

As said, don't recommend any openswims inside the sauna. Took mine after laps and the adhesive / glue holding one of the ear pieces "melted" and the piece dangled exposing the wiring. Shokz were nice enough to replace it under warranty. And when are they going to make an opencomm/swim combo? How am I supposed to have Zoom meets while butterflying frantically on the tyne? /s

[@fh404]

It's kind of crazy that mp3 mode drains the battery so much more than BT given the extra power required for the BT radio, apparently they chose the most inefficient mp3 decoder possible. Wondering if using other codecs (AAC, FLAC or even WAV) makes a difference in battery usage.

[@nitrologly]

Swimming is great but its the shower that I'm more excited for...😅

[@alieneffect1134]

Man, they're great. I have them and just tried them out. They are so much louder than the other shokz offerings, it's amazing.

[@Север-Юг-щ6э]

​@@alieneffect1134Bluetooth works on them all the time or you can turn it off? This is not very useful health.

[@Север-Юг-щ6э]

​@@alieneffect1134Bluetooth works on them all the time or you can turn it off? This is not very useful health

[@phantom498]

@@alieneffect1134I’ve never tried bone conduction headphones. I’ve heard bass is lacking on them. Do you guys know if there is any meaningful difference in bass performance between bone conduction headphones?

[@Obsidian1985]

@@alieneffect1134 Louder than the openrun pro?

[@Labrador7]

Thanks for the review. I was interested in the OpenSwim Pro as I have two pairs of Shokz OpenRun and love them. The OpenSwim Pro were tempting but I really don't get the lack of playlist support: what's the point of having 32GB of storage and being able to skip to the next file only by pushing a button?

[@ajborrero74]

Thanks. While in the swimming pool can you receive notification or ringer when there is an upcoming call or even the possibility to answer?

[@patsyohara5870]

I live in Scotland so am often forced to run in torrential rain and have had problems even with expensive, top of the range in-ear earphones. Would the openrun sound hold up in heavy rain and winds or would the openswim/pro be a better option?

[@DogCatworshipper]

My 5 year old cheaper model Aeropex ran an hour in a rain storm just fine and sounded good. The runner however was sick for a week.

[@krystian4725]

The open run are splash proof so don’t worry really

[@Labrador7]

If you don't plan to swim, get the OpenRun: they can be found for almost half the price and they are IP67. I have used them in rain storms, snow storms, I even shower in them sometimes and they never had a problem. You can't swim with them though.

[@OWS777]

Is the sound quality the same as on openrun pro while running? are there any differences?

[@bluDii]

Honestly, it feels like these (openswim pros) really need something in your ears (plugs) to sound full. They don't vibrate as much as openrun which means at least 2 things: there's barely any bass but at least they don't tickle your ears. Both (openrun and openswim pro) should be ok for heavy rain / sweating, but I played it safe and got the openswims. After 3 hours of testing, they're a bit of a letdown. My head is also huge so they're quite tight and the conductors kind of place in my earholes rather than in front of the ear. So if you have a huge head, I wouldn't really recommend openswim. But these fit my purpose, which is heavy work in hot and loud environments, which means I can use openswims with or without earplugs. Without earplugs the sound (and especially bass) is pretty thin. They were definitely tuned for swimming with earplugs (that are included in the package). Turning up the volume mainly makes the mid frequencies louder, not the bass. But maybe it's better for smaller heads. Still, great for rock / audiobooks, the sound accentuates midrange and speech.

[@OWS777]

@@bluDii Are you describing your experience with the old openswim model or the current openswim pro from 2024?

[@jackiewhite8651]

I have now used these like 5x to swim for an hour. THEY ARE AMAZING. These are the new openpro model. Sounds is amazing - even better when under water. ZERO issues.

[@sifoulkes]

Can you use the normal mode in the water paired with a Fenix watch with sound loaded ? I am not sure I can be bothered messing with MP3. I am a dreadful slow swimmer so its breast stroke and nice and easy ? Cheers

[@YY-bp2rq]

BT disconnects when submerged in water. But when I do freestyle, it stays connected to my phone even if I’m at the other end of the 25m pool. It disconnects when I do backstroke, so it must receive signal at the back of the headset??

[@sifoulkes]

@@YY-bp2rq I just put my watch on the band of my goggles 😁

[@PaigeEscapes]

Is it possible to transfer music directly from an external hard drive that is connected to my Mac TO the shokz without installing the music directly on my Mac? I store my music on an external drive. And what? I need an adapter to plug into my MacBook???

[@t0m714]

Great review guys. How does the size and weight compare to the Openrun Pro? Because the design is so similar it’s very hard to tell unless both pairs are compared directly. Is there much sound leakage when swimming (I.e in lanes in a pool)? And do they work as well if you also wear ear plugs when swimming?

[@chickennugget11470]

Curious about the size specs too

[@hollyfoster3575]

I've had mine for a week now, and the sound is even better under water. I swim laps for 45min-1 hr daily and they are truly amazing. Very comfortable and secure, will never be without them again. Downloaded a couple hours of tunes and have only used 3% storage so far.

[@hollyfoster3575]

Work perfectly with ear plugs

[@jackiewhite8651]

@@hollyfoster3575 totally agree! I don't use the ear plugs & they are amazing.

[@zoltanboros3000]

Hello! Nice review, this player has a shuffle mode on playing mp3 and if can manage also folders? Thanks!

[@jackiewhite8651]

yes to shuffle. Unsure about folders

[@krystian4725]

No folders sadly

[@briangmail9712]

A 20 minute review and I don't see anyone in the actual water swimming with them?

[@MariuszZalewski]

@@hollyfoster3575 what style do you swim and is it possible to use bluetooth during swimming? I know water is blocking bluetooth connection, but maybe it's caching/buffering some part of music/stream when headphones are over the water...

[@crypticshadows]

@@MariuszZalewskii’ve heard if you have an apple watch and attach it to googles it works but i don’t have an apple watch sadly lol

[@JustAFatGuyInTX]

Did they ever fix that obnoxiously loud beep with the multifunction button? My Openruns are great otherwise but when pausing/playing music I get that horridly loud beep when using it.

[@jackiewhite8651]

Never heard a beep yet. Only noise I have heard it when it connects.

[@Kenny6782]

What about the microphone for.calls ? I need that info!!! Is better that the new pro run ?

[@jorislal]

They have no mic which is a deal breaker for me.

[@keizersoze907]

what is the microphone quality specifically when cycling, can you carry conversation?

[@joseeduardobarrera9735]

Yes, I have them. I probed them more or less 35 km/h

[@cbgbphombagharkorhardti-il2843]

There’s No mini version of this openswim pro?

[@Chuch10Torres]

Does anyone know if these would be better than the Mojawa Run Plus?

[@hollyfoster3575]

Yes. Sound and comfort are better with Shokz.

[@rajkumarkt7586]

Did not work this item. What I do sir❓

[@soapyvanshoey]

So how loud are they? I want to wear them for music in the hot tub and long in door rowing sessions. And i have some cheaper waterproof bone conduction headphones and the volume when rowing is none existent.

[@jackiewhite8651]

VERY loud. They are amazing. I don't even have them on the loudest setting & they are LOUD. The only bad thing about this product is how painful it is to load music to MP3 so you can use the MP3/swim mode. Once you figure that out they are AMAZING.

[@mikesilas23]

Is it possible to transfer music podcasts onto this player?

[@capt.spacefrog298]

Yeah I download podcasts in AntennaPod and move it to the internal storage using a computer.

[@mikesilas23]

@@capt.spacefrog298 i've never heard of AntennaPod. Easy to use?

[@kristapsziemelis]

Sauna?! That is great to know!!

[@tom0nott]

Mic test?

[@javonnchhubol2523]

does it connect to a garmin watch

[@Conza]

Bluetooth. Figure that out?

[@nihiltube]

It sucks they don't provide a mobile app to store media from the phone directly, e.g. podcasts etc. Who owns mp3s nowadays?

[@hollyfoster3575]

I had some sitting on my computer. Took a couple minutes to downlload and they're awesome.

[@TwoWheelsAdventures]

Love MAC users complaining about lack of specific cable... - get yourself a standarised device with standard ports and you won't have this issue :D

[@RobynRunsFree]

Usb-c is a standard. Shokz and a number of budget gadget makers continue to use old-style usb-A and often micro-USB when plug connections are on portable devices. Eventually (and increasingly so) more and more devices will standardize on usb-c! Most modern small laptops also don’t include the A ports but an adapter is a pretty easy and standard fix so no reason to ding Shokz for it. It just is what comes with newer devices with only usb-c!

[@TwoWheelsAdventures]

Shit, I thought he was about some lightning bolts type tech ;) As USB-C is a standard USB-A is still in use, IMHO there's more people with USB-A ports and no USB-C in their devices... As I really like USB-C ports/cables I see how manufacturers prefer to ensure that the cable is the one most accessible, I am sure they have made their research into this. USB-A to USB-C adapter isn't an expensive or inconvenient thing for these who do not have rhe old type off port ;)

[@RobynRunsFree]

I suspect it might be cost, too. Usb-c was made the standard in Europe for devices so I think we’ll see it continue to be more and more prevalent over time. But for now, using usb-a and newer laptops and Macs means adapters and dongles… but it isn’t that huge of a deal, really, IMO!

[@Maxi_Me]

Is it also salt water proof? Not clear... Do one need earplugs for better sound in the water?

[@enochraine5534]

It is. It sounds great. I use them without plugs.

[@kiawne02]

​@@enochraine5534 do you consider open swim has a better or similar sound quality as the open run pro?

[@NickChahal]

It does not download just any MP3 tunes but only music you own itunes etc- they dont tell you that in these videos

[@jackiewhite8651]

See my comment above… I don’t own any of my music - but do have a paid for Spotify account and it works. Not sure if works with a free Spotify account.

[@haleyblue7989]

mine only lasted a year before the gum failed

[@Север-Юг-щ6э]

Bluetooth works on them all the time or you can turn it off? This is not very useful health.

[@bejko_bejko]

I have the same question/concern. After over a month I have managed to chat with Shokz representative and she assured me that the BT doesn't work/emit when the phone's BT is turned off and the headphones are disconnected and in MP3 mode. Here's a excerpt from our convo: Shokz rep.: Like any other bluetooth headphones, once you disconnect or disable the bluetooth in your phone, the bluetooth won’t work. Me: "the BT won’t work" means the headphones won't emit searching for device to connect to? BT is completely off? Shokz rep.: yes I'm still hesitant though. I've asked their support via e-mail and I'm waiting for them to get back to me.

[@bejko_bejko]

Shokz got back to me. "In MP3 mode, Bluetooth is still connectable and cannot be completely turned off. If you connect Bluetooth first and then switch to MP3 mode, Bluetooth is equivalent to running in the background and is actually still working." I guess I'm opting for the regular Openswim, they don't have BT at all.

[@halimahmad1022]

Not sure how or if it will work with a swimming cap on.

[@takeokikuchi7093]

I just saw your comment randomly and tried it today for the first time. I put it under my swim cap, and it worked really well! The sound is even better in the water. I have the OpenRun, but I'll give it to my friend because this one has almost all the functions I want, except for noise cancellation. However, I have another earphone for that. So, it's perfect!

[@jackiewhite8651]

I use with swim cap… I don’t put it under - no way as it’s too big/much in the back to go under a cap… it is just sitting on ear area and the back side is behind and below the cap. No problems

[@mattwhitney7801]

If they are anything like the other head phones shokz make. They will stop working for no reason just after warranty runs out

[@victorrevilla7229]

Really guys..., this is a swimming product, how it works doing that????

[@jackiewhite8651]

Works amazing! I wrote a comment above.

[@SonOfAGun-MAS]

@@jackiewhite8651 Do the headphones stay attached during fast freestyle swimming?

[@jackiewhite8651]

@@SonOfAGun-MAS I have not had a single issue with them moving - they are seriously the most amazing product I have used

[@SonOfAGun-MAS]

@@jackiewhite8651 Thank you!

[@logohigh1]

Difficult to believe the sound could be a lot better( louder) than my Sony swimming headphones , from 10 years ago

[@takeokikuchi7093]

I bought the Sony a few months ago, and it broke. I didn’t like it-not just because it stopped working, (I followed all the cleaning process) but also because it felt very complicated to use and the earbuds were uncomfortable. Honestly, I didn’t think the sound quality was any better than the OpenSwim Pro, which I just bought yesterday and tried it today. The OpenSwim Pro is really good. The guidebook is simple, and the buttons are easy to control.

[@emreon3160]

Old model much better sound quality, 9th gen, and better battery. Old open run had 9th gen more bass. Only thing new is 3 eq settings, 2 grams less mass, and bluetooth 5.4. This model is for swimmers, not as good as open pro from 2022, sad they messed up.

[@edmundyeo134]

luckily I still had my Openrun pro around .. going to buy this just for swimming.. thks for the update

[@gordonmccracken1209]

They need more storage especially if it cam playback FLAC files. I will have to downgrade my FLAC/convert files to MP3.

[@Seanonyoutube]

Very cool. But music while swimming is a weird concept to me.

[@David2on]

Meh…