TOZO OpenEgo Earphones Review
It's tricky to know what to label the TOZO OpenEgos—are they open-ear headphones or earphones? They're a fundamentally different approach to delivering sound, bypassing the usual method of sending sound waves into the ear and instead transmitting them through air conduction. This design is supposed to keep your ear canals open, offering a more natural, unobstructed listening experience. . .
Design
The TOZO OpenEgo earphones come with a largish square charging case that’s both functional and stylish. It cleverly helps you identify the left and right side earphones, making them easier to grab and go. On the front of the case is an LED display showing the current charge level of itself and also each earphone when in the case, which is very handy when you're out and about. Its compact form factor slips easily into a pocket or bag, and it charges via USB-C. Battery life exceeds 24hrs with the charging case, and the earphones held their charge very well after a week of not being used; the charging case didn’t drop a percentage point.
The earphones themselves are available in either black or white, matching the case’s stylings. They’re as discreet as wearing a pair of sunglasses, with the only noticeable part being the lightweight arched cable resting behind each ear. Even after hours of wear, the OpenEgos don’t feel uncomfortable or cause the dreaded ear fatigue. They simply fade into the background as you move, however energetically, through your day.
Controls
The companion TOZO app allows you to adjust the EQ levels with a set of predefined genres, manage firmware updates, and remap the touch controls for both the left and right earphones. We have mixed feelings about the touch controls. Single taps, which we assigned to play/pause music, work well. However, double and triple taps, which we assigned to skip tracks or activate Siri, are much less reliable. On the other hand, long pressing either side for volume adjustment consistently works, though it’s a bit slow in changing the volume level.
Performance
Because the drivers sit just outside the ear canal, the sound from the TOZO OpenEgos feels more open, almost like listening to over-ear headphones but with the lightweight convenience of earbuds. It takes a moment to adjust to the air conduction method of sound delivery, but the result is a more natural, spacious sound with a pleasant stereo effect that goes louder than you'd ever need. A significant advantage of this type of audio delivery is that it allows you to stay aware of your surroundings—perfect for outdoor activities like running or cycling. One noticeable downside, however, is how wind affects the listening experience. When it's breezy, the air movement can interfere with the sound, causing a less immersive and slightly choppy experience.
The bass is surprisingly strong for an open-ear design and one of the highlights of the OpenEgo’s performance. Delivering a punch you'd expect from traditional in-ear or over-ear headphones when we play ‘Hot to Go!’ by Chappell Roan, with noteworthy acoustics. This makes them really nice for activity-focused use, where musical motivation is often underpinned by the lower bass frequencies. Its mid range is tidy and seems to be tuned to really curve itself with the bass, and most of the time this sounds great across an eclectic mix of music.
In the high ranges there can be a noticeable amount of sibilance from the OpenEgos. ‘Emails I Can’t Send’ by Sabrina Carpenter is a great example of this, which is exacerbated when increasing the volume. In her vocals you can really hear the 's',' 'sh', and 't' sounds become exaggerated or harsh. Nevertheless the highs can still impress and generally perform on a level to be complimentary, rather than punitive. Just like with ‘Candyland’ by Stela Cole or the bass racing ‘SUNNYD’ by Emei & Whethan, which features contrasting vocals in the high range that spark freely away from the deeper musical undertones; and it all sounds great.
Verdict
What makes the TOZO OpenEgo earphones truly stand out is how they let your local environment's sounds coexist with your music, creating a symphony of detail rather than isolating you completely. They’re an enticing choice for anyone looking for a blend of discreet and secure comfort with organic situational awareness for active use, such as running or cycling, and satisfyingly loud sound performance. Biggest disappointment in the design are the controls, which work for single taps to play/pause music, but multi-tap gestures just cannot be relied on.
