TOZO OpenReal Vs OpenBuds Comparison Review

Wireless open-air earphones are still quite new to me, and TOZO has the honors of successfully introducing me to them. The OpenReal and the OpenBuds are two very different products, but simialr functions. They also have similar prices too, both being very affordable. Which one is the best though?

What You Get

• TOZO Openreal or OpenBuds Wireless Earbuds
• Charging Cable
• Quick Guide & User Manual

Look & Feel

The OpenReal and OpenBuds have wildly different structures. With the OpenReal, you have more of a neckband headphone, while the OpenBuds are true wireless. They are both worn on-ear, and never cause any discomfort. With the OpenBuds specifically it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. The neckband on the OpenReal is not adjustable which I think hurts it a bit.

Design & Functionality

Both the OpenReal and OpenBuds have large dynamic drivers for wireless earphones. The OpenReal has a 16.2mm dynamic unit, while the OpenBuds have a 14.2mm dynamic unit. What’s great about TOZO’s acoustic technology is that although these are open-air earphones, there is minimal leakage, so they isolate like in-ears. They both have responsive touch controls and companion apps with EQ, although the OpenBuds only offers a series of presets for its EQ.

For Bluetooth, both earphones offer version 5.3. They both have fast pairing and great stability, but offer only standard CODECs. Battery life on the OpenBuds are far superior to the OpenReal with 42 hours of playtime compared to the Openreal’s 16 hours.

Soundstage

When I first heard the OpenReal I hadn’t listened to open-air wireless earbuds before. They really impressed me with how much they performed like open-back headphones, with their exceptional separation and layering. Their spatial imaging puts individual performances under a microscope, making everything super easy to localize. The OpenBuds have a similar level of depth and they definitely have the scope, but comparing the two, the OpenBuds seem a bit more closed in. There’s more solidity in the middle section, so you won’t feel the roominess that exists with the OpenReal. You still get immersive spaciousness from the OpenBuds, especially for a true wireless design though.

Low End

The OpenBuds take this spot pretty decisively, with its better solidity and fullness. With the OpenReal, there isn’t a lot of bass gain to speak of, even if the frequencies show up any once in a while. There’s just way more power with the OpenBuds, even when it has its own problems with still not having enough punch or lift from the sub-bass. It’s still more gripping than the OpenReal by a longshot.

Mids

In the mids, the OpenBuds appear more clogged up compared to the OpenReal. The OpenReal has more room expressed between instruments, and a lot more edge. However, the OpenBuds have a more accentuated low-mid section that offers more warmth. The thing they both have in common though is vocal clarity. Both products have exceptional vocal texture, putting up a commanding response that acts as the most livley section of the sound signature.

Highs

Neither the OpenReal or OpenBuds offer any exciting treble detail, but they’re both pretty smooth. The OpenBuds has a bit more spark to its tone compared to the OpenReal, but the OpenReal has more air.

Summary

Overall, the OpenReal and OpenBuds are good entry-level open-air products. They’re also just good places to start if open-air earphones interest you in any way. TOZO established themselves as a popular entry-level brand already, and with these earphones they’ve showed more versatility and consistency with their sound quality and design. I think the OpenReal is slightly more impressive with just how elegant it is, but the OpenBuds bring the bass, which might win more people over.

The TOZO OpenReal and OpenBuds are available on Amazon.