AfterShokz Titanium vs OpenMove (2022): Should You Go For Comfort Or Audio Quality?

Wireless earbuds may be getting all of the attention these days but another breed of headphones are on the rise. Bone conduction headphones are slowly gaining traction, thanks to their open-ear designs that allow users to experience immersive sound while still being able to hear their surroundings.

If that sounds interesting to you, two models you can check out are the AfterShokz Titanium and the AfterShokz OpenMove. They do, however, have their own pros and cons so it’s important to choose wisely. To help you out, here’s an in-depth AfterShokz comparison that covers design, performance, battery life, and connectivity.

AfterShokz Titanium vs OpenMove Comparison Chart

Design

The AfterShokz Titanium struggle with fit while the AfterShokz OpenMove could be more comfortable.

The AfterShokz Titanium and AfterShokz OpenMove are pretty similar in design at first glance. They both have two earpieces that are positioned perfectly so that they rest right on top of the temporal bones. These earpieces are connected by a thin band that hangs over your ears and goes around the back of your head. While they have these things in common, they feel quite different when worn and have their own design pros and cons.

With the Titanium, you’re going to enjoy how lightweight they are. Clocking in at only 36g, these sports-centric headphones won’t weigh you down while you’re running outside or lifting weights at the gym. However, one thing that you might find annoying about them is the headband. It’s rather loose and so to compensate, you need to wear it higher up on your head which feels quite weird and uncomfortable. Because it’s so loose, expect it to move around during your activities.

As for the OpenMove, their headband has a much better fit than the Titanium’s. This means that they won’t budge even when you’re jumping around. The downside of this model, however, is that their earhooks are quite uncomfortable. Because they’re made from polycarbon, they feel quite rigid against the ears and you’ll probably want to take a break from them after every hour or so.

Audio Performance

While both the AfterShokz Titanium and AfterShokz OpenMove let you hear external sounds, the latter has better audio quality.

The AfterShokz Titanium are able to come through on the promise that you’ll be able to hear everything that’s going on around you. Whether you’re working in a coffee shop or taking a look around a busy market, you’ll always be aware of your surroundings. The drawback of this, however, is that it takes away from the immersive experience of music. To get the most out of the Titanium, they’re best used in places like the office where background noises aren’t too intense so that your music can still shine through. Another thing to note about them is that the vibrations can feel a little crazy against your jawbone, especially when you turn the volume up.

As for the AfterShokz OpenMove, the improvement in sound quality is definitely noticeable with them. There’s more detail and clarity to be enjoyed, plus it’s great that the vibrations feel less overwhelming on the sides of your head. In addition, this model comes with a pair of earplugs for those who would rather block out the noises of the outside world. They’re meant to be used in tandem with the OpenMove’s earplug mode which automatically lowers the volume and the bass. This is important because when you have earplugs on, bone conduction sounds tend to be too intense.

Battery and Connectivity

Both the AfterShokz Titanium and AfterShokz OpenMove have short battery lives.

If you want headphones that will be able to last you the entire day, the AfterShokz Titanium and OpenMove are unfortunately not what you’re looking for. They call it quits after just 6 hours of use which immediately disqualifies them as everyday headphones. Rather, they’re meant for just single tasks that will only take a couple of hours. The OpenMove does, however, have a slight advantage and that’s the fact that they’re charged via USB-C instead of micro-USB. This means that you don’t have to bring multiple chargers for headphones and other devices.

As for connectivity, the Titanium makes use of Bluetooth 4.1 while the OpenMove have Bluetooth 5.0. Both models are easy to set up with your iOS or Android devices and they shouldn’t have any problems maintaining connectivity while they’re in use.

Verdict

Choose the AfterShokz Titanium if you want comfort but go for the AfterShokz OpenMove if you want better audio quality.

Both the AfterShokz Titanium and AfterShokz OpenMove are able to do what bone conduction headphones are meant to do. Thanks to their open-ear designs, they allow external sounds to pass through so that you can always be in tune with your surroundings. So how do you choose between them? It really all boils down to your needs.

If comfort is your priority above all else, you’re better off choosing the AfterShokz Titanium. They don’t feel stiff against your ears like the OpenMove do, plus they’re so lightweight that you’ll barely notice they’re there. But as for those who want better sound quality, you should go for the AfterShokz OpenMove instead. They’re able to deliver a much richer and clearer audio performance which makes it easier to forgive their less than cozy design.

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