Shokz announces OpenFit earplugs without bone conduction

Shokz, an audio manufacturer best known for bone conduction equipment, has announced ‘wireless earbuds’. The OpenFit work like wireless earbuds, but with a new technology to deliver targeted audio into the ear canal.

Shokz, which was previously called AfterShokz, says the OpenFit does not block the ears and users can therefore continue to hear their surroundings. The OpenFit earbuds do not use bone conduction, but DirectPitch. This is a technology in which the earbuds use reverse sound waves to get more audio to the ear and send less audio in other directions. This would result in less sound leakage, which should promote the privacy of users.

The 8.3 gram earbuds have a battery life of up to 7 hours on their own and with the included case this can increase to 28 hours. The housing has an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. The earplugs are immediately available for purchase for 199 euros.