- Comfortable, lightweight
- Harman-tuned preset
- Real, usable leakage reduction
- Built-in recording and strong call performance
- LDAC (or LHDC) support
- Bass limited by the open design
- No wireless charging for the case
- Can shift under extreme movement or when lying on a pillow
Xiaomi’s OpenWear Stereo Pro nails comfort and convenience for anyone who wants to listen while staying aware of their surroundings. The multi-driver tuning and Harman presets lift the sound well above typical open-ear earbuds, and the clever leakage-reduction tech is genuinely useful. It still can’t match sealed in-ear buds for bass or isolation, but if your priority is situational awareness plus good audio, these are one of the best you can buy right now.
I’ve tried a lot of open-ear designs, and most of them fall into two camps: comfy but lifeless, or novel but unusable outside the living room.
The OpenWear Stereo Pro sits somewhere in the middle — it keeps the ‘open’ advantage (you can hear traffic, announcements, conversations) while delivering a level of musicality that surprised me.
Xiaomi didn’t just slim down the old OpenWear; they redesigned the experience: more drivers, Harman tuning, LDAC support and clever tech to reduce how much sound escapes.
In other words, this is open-ear that actually tries to be an everyday pair of earbuds.
Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro Specifications
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Driver Type | Custom 1813 Super Large Dynamic Driver |
| Audio Codec Support | AAC / SBC / LHDC 5.0 (Supports 96kHz Audio Transmission) |
| Certification | Hi-Res Audio Certified |
| Audio Tuning | Tuned by the Harman AudioEFX Team |
| Audio Features | Audio Anti-Leakage System, Full-Dimensional Independent Spatial Audio with Head Tracking |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP54 Rated |
| Controls | Short Press/Touch Twice Controls, On-Ear Detection |
| Connectivity | Multi-Device Audio Streaming within HyperOS |
| AI Intelligent Features | Real-Time Translation and Voice-to-Text Summary |
| Weight | 9.7g (Earbud) / 52.5g (Charging Case) |
| Battery Capacity | Earbuds: 56mAh Each / Charging Case: 788mAh |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C |
| Playback Time | Up to 8.5 Hours (Earbuds) / Up to 45 Hours (with Case) |
What you get in the box
Inside the compact case you’ll find:
- The OpenWear Stereo Pro earbuds (they hang over your ear)
- A USB-C cable and a small instruction leaflet
- A compact magnetic charging case (no wireless charging)
The build feels premium — soft matte finishes and neat detailing — and the case snaps closed solidly. No silicone tips because this isn’t an in-ear design.
Design & comfort — made for long wear
These literally hang over the ear. The internal shape and soft materials mean I could wear them for extended sessions without ear-canal fatigue. The battery pod sits behind the ear and, yes, you feel it — but it’s lightweight and unobtrusive.
I put them on for workouts and desk sessions; they never fell out during running or quick head-turns. If you sleep on your side or do heavy headbanging, they’ll shift — but for daily use and exercise they’re impressively stable.
If you value being aware of your surroundings — runners, cyclists, city commuters — that openness is the whole point. You’ll hear cars, people calling your name, and important environmental cues. That said, because they don’t seal the ear, you’ll never get full isolation — that’s expected.
Audio: better than I expected (but not magic)
This is where Xiaomi’s Pro model tries to close the gap. Inside each bud: multiple drivers plus a tweeter and a dedicated leakage-reduction element. The result:
- Mids and vocals: Clear and forward. Podcasts and voice calls come through very well. Vocals have presence without sounding shouty.
- Highs: Crisp and detailed thanks to the tweeter — cymbals and acoustic plucks have life.
- Bass: Clean but limited. You won’t get the slam of in-ear or over-ear cans — the open path imposes natural limits. It’s punchy enough for jogging playlists, but don’t buy these if thumping sub-bass is your priority.
- Soundstage: Wider than typical earbuds. Switching on the Harman presets and trying LDAC from a compatible phone gave the best results. The Dimensional Audio mode adds a pleasant sense of space for movies and certain tracks.
A quick note on tuning: the stock preset leans a little bright and can feel thin. Switching to the Harman (or alternate presets) substantially improves richness and balance. If you plan to buy these, spend two minutes in the app or Bluetooth panel changing the preset — it matters.
Leakage reduction — actually helpful
Open-ear headphones leak sound by design, but Xiaomi adds an active leakage-reduction element that emits compensating sound.
In normal listening volumes I couldn’t easily hear the music from a seat next to me — a real improvement over cheaper open designs.
Turn the volume up very loud and leakage returns, but for everyday listening in offices or public transit the leakage suppression works as advertised.
Mic, recording & real-world calls
Two features stood out while testing: the call performance and the built-in recording. Call quality is better than I expected for open buds — voices are clear and AI processing helps reduce background noise for the other party.
The independent recording option (each bud can record to its internal storage) is legitimately useful: I used it for quick voice notes and a short interview, and the capture was clean enough to transcribe later.
If you need earbuds for hybrid work or quick voice memos, this is a big plus that most competitors don’t offer.
Battery & connectivity
Xiaomi claims about 8.5 hours per charge for the buds and ~45 hours with the case. In my testing they comfortably lasted a full day of use across jogs and office time without needing daily charging.
The case charges over USB-C (no wireless charging) and supports fast top-ups. Bluetooth is stable, LDAC works smoothly with phones that support it, and multipoint (dual connection) is handy when switching between phone and laptop.
Software & controls
Controls are customizable: triple taps, long press, etc., and these work reliably once you set them. The Xiaomi Earbuds app (or the Bluetooth quick panel on Xiaomi phones) gives EQ presets, dimensional audio, and gesture configuration.
If you use a Xiaomi phone the integration is particularly seamless; on other Android phones or iPhone the app still provides full adjustments.
Who should buy the OpenWear Stereo Pro?
Buy these if:
- You want to listen while staying aware of traffic and surroundings.
- You prioritize comfort for long wear and dislike in-ear tips.
- You appreciate built-in recording and reliable call performance.
- You have a device that supports LDAC or you stream from high-res sources (Tidal, local hi-res).
Skip these if:
- Deep bass, full isolation, or maximum immersion are non-negotiable.
- You frequently need ANC for flights or loud open-plan offices.
- You need wireless charging for the case.
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Nick, the Co-founder of Earbuds Arena, is a seasoned freelance tech journalist with over ten years of experience covering wearables, apps, headphones, and gadgets. When he’s not immersed in the tech world, you’ll likely find him unwinding with video games, going for a run, or enjoying a game of soccer on the field.
