AfterShokz OpenComm wireless headset review: Bone conduction with DSP boom mic optimized for remote work Review
The AfterShokz Trekz Air headset, see our evaluation, is my top headset for running since it makes it possible for my ears to stay unobstructed for basic safety uses although providing terrific sounding songs playback for many hours. That headset is extremely comfy and has served me nicely for a couple of many years.
Specified the transfer to distant get the job done owing to the world-wide pandemic and a concentrate on distant conversation, AfterShokz’s latest OpenComm wi-fi headset is great for very clear conversation at your property, in the workplace, and on the street. It also utilizes bone conduction engineering with a sounds-canceling boom microphone intended to give very clear voice conversation for meetings, meeting calls, subject get the job done, and a lot more.
Also: Trekz Air wi-fi bone conduction headphones: Run safer hearing your atmosphere
I tested the AfterShokz OpenComm headset with a Microsoft Surface area Professional six, Apple Apple iphone twelve Professional Max, OnePlus nine Professional, and Google Pixel Slate. The headset performed nicely with every single system with the Surface area Professional six remaining the worst owing to Bluetooth connectivity challenges. Since the headset worked flawlessly on the other products, I am going to chalk that up to Microsoft and its Bluetooth guidance since that is just not surprising provided my experiences with other Bluetooth products.
Technical specs
- Microphone: DSP sounds-canceling boom mic with two mics
- H2o resistance: IP55 rating
- Battery lifestyle: Up to 16 hours of chat time or up to eight hours of songs listening. Rapid cost delivers up to two hours of use with 5 minutes of charging.
- Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth five. and NFC for straightforward pairing
- Headset fat: 33 grams
Hardware
The retail package deal features the OpenComm headset, USB-A to magnetic induction charging end, and a silicone carrying case. The charger connects simply many thanks in component to the powerful magnets that assist align and preserve the charger linked.
The wraparound headset has a titanium frame and is coated in delicate-contact silicone product with a matte end. It appears to be like terrific and is extremely comfy for all-day have on. The battery and inside elements are principally housed in the two rectangular sections that are discovered adjacent to the curved region that goes about your ears.
The charging cable connects to the back again of the rectangular segment on the right aspect of the headset. On the underside of the right aspect are two orange buttons, + and -, for quantity manage. At the pretty end of the right aspect where by the bone conduction piece is connected is a further button for multi-operate actions. On the gray headset I tested, this button is also orange color.
On the still left aspect rectangular segment, we see the common NFC icon that designates where by you tap to pair with an Android cellphone. There are no buttons or controls on the still left aspect.
Out at the end of the still left aspect is the DSP boom mic that rotates via about 270 degrees so you can have it back again against the headset as it wraps at the rear of your neck or all the way down and in entrance in close proximity to your mouth. Rotating the headset does not mute your call or improve any of the performance of the headset. Microphone openings are discovered at the pretty end of the boom and on the outdoors of the boom about half an inch up from the end.
Also: AfterShokz Xtrainerz swimming headphones: Motivating you to preserve heading in the pool
A rigid, zippered carrying case is delivered for the headset. On the right aspect of the case is a fashioned segment for you to insert the headset for risk-free storage and carry. A delicate internet pocket is discovered on the still left aspect so that you can carry the USB charging cable. The case has a specialist glimpse and a rigid layout to preserve your headset shielded.
Button performance
Following charging up the headset, simply just press and hold the quantity up (+) button until eventually you see the LED flash blue and pink. Pair up your system and you are completely ready to go. The headset can be paired with two products at the identical time so you can change involving your personal computer and cellphone, for example.
The quantity buttons are applied to flip the headset on and off, pair the headset, mute/unmute calls, check out battery status, and naturally manage the quantity of the headset.
There are many features of the multi-operate button discovered at the end of the right headset. Single, double, triple, and press and hold actions are applied for play/pause, following/previous track, response/end calls, activate voice assistant, and a lot more. I advise you read through the handbook for all features and then via making use of all of the features button controls will come to be second nature.
Everyday utilization experiences and summary
Following making use of the Trekz Air headset for a couple of many years, I am a genuine believer in the bone conduction engineering for headsets when you want to preserve your ears open to your atmosphere. The $159.95 OpenComm wi-fi headset is a terrific solution for these who want to preserve their ears open although owning an exceptional voice working experience also.
While the OpenComm has a superior dust/water resistant rating, I did not use these for the duration of exercise or in inclement weather conditions for this evaluation. Even so, these would be good for subject staff who make calls and want their ears open for basic safety in shipyards, warehouses, or other parts where by there is a ton of other action getting area.
I was pretty intrigued in the multipoint link facet since the headset is so comfy that you can have on it all day without the need of eradicating it and I wished to hook up to equally my personal computer and my cell cellphone. It is not intuitive to set this up without the need of instruction so I remarkably advise you read through via these in-depth guidance to take benefit of this feature.
Callers stated I sounded good on the headset and contributors sounded just good on my end also. The all-day battery lifestyle, intense convenience, and open-ear engineering make this a most loved headset of mine. I’m not astonished by people today coming up at the rear of me although on a Teams call and the headset appears to be like specialist although on a video call also.
