Shokz OpenSwim Pro Review – Perfectly Adapted

Sound –

Without fancy tricks like the OpenRun Pro 2, the OpenSwim Pro sounds far more like a typical bone-conduction headphone. That is to say, it is a lean, mid and high-focused experience with minimal bass, power and weight. They are perfectly functional but leave to be desired when enjoying multimedia or listening to music in quiet environments. Where these excel is listening to music ambiently when focusing on other tasks or during exercise where perfect fidelity isn’t required but audibility is prioritized. These headphones are specialists at delivering clear mids and highs in a broad range of listening conditions and do so better than most sealing in-ears whilst retaining perfect spatial awareness.

In comparison to Shokz’ own lineup, the OpenRun Pro 2 is a clear step up with its air conduction driver permitting a genuinely balanced, full-range sound. The OpenSwim Pro has almost no bass response, there is a little punch and warmth in the upper bass range but a steep roll-off below. This leaves minimal mid-bass richness and fullness making the sound quite thin. To compensate, they have a boosted lower midrange which adds some body back into vocals yet without real bass response, they never sound quite as natural as other form factors. Vocals are clear on a whole and female vocals are quite well rendered. Male vocals, however, lack fundamental and come across as boxy and veiled due to the lower mid-tuning.

It isn’t too off-putting, words are always clearly defined. They would, however, leave audio enthusiasts wanting for pure music reproduction. Treble meanwhile is clear and well defined. It doesn’t have huge extension or presence but a pleasant crispness and texture that retains a sense of detail and clarity to the sound. Like the OpenRun Pro 2 and other IEMs feature bone conduction, I was impressed by the soundstage. The OpenSwim Pro crafts an open and broad soundscape. Imaging isn’t super sharp or layered but there is a clear foreground and background with genuine distance portrayal which does add some dimension and engagement to the listening experience.

This impression is substantially altered when using the included earplugs which effectively invert the frequency response. Blocking the ear canals increases the efficiency of sound transmission to the middle ear. Low frequencies now take precedence over high frequencies resulting in an excessively thick, roomy sound. While bass is still limited and extension is still poor, mid-bass reproduction is notably improved which adds some range, richness and punch to the sound. However, this comes at the expense of even greater lower midrange dominance. Male vocals are brought forward albeit become excessively boxy and veiled. Female vocals and treble become more laid-back resulting in a more muffled, closed-off sound. For lack of better terminology, it sounds as if you are listening underwater – you definitely don’t want to use the standard eQ when swimming or listening with earplugs in place.

Switching to the vocal or swimming eQ – both are identical – does a lot to correct these issues. It hugely tones down that lower mid hump and once again restores balance. It seems too specific and stark a change for it not to be intentional, as the vocal/swim eQ when used in tandem with earplugs creates a far more balanced and pleasurable listening experience. Is this the best way to listen to the OpenSwim Pro? I wouldn’t say so. They excel best with open ears in the standard eQ mode. But when swimming, I’d certainly advise using earplugs combined with the swim eQ or vocal should you have adequate BT range. You get a bit more bass extension and mids are almost as balanced as when worn without earplugs, very serviceable.

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