Creative Aurvana Ace 2 review: The solid-state wireless earbud revolution starts here

Creative does an excellent job with value-focused soundbars and speaker methods, and whereas its wi-fi earbuds do not get fairly as a lot consideration, that is about to alter. The Aurvana Ace 2 are the primary earbuds to function solid-state silicon drivers, they usually goal to ship life-like sound that is higher than simply about each different product on this section.Like Creative’s different earbuds, worth is an enormous a part of what makes the Aurvana Ace 2 stand out. Even although they embody an xMEMS solid-state driver and all of the extras you’ll be able to consider, they’re out there at simply $149 — a relative discount contemplating the variety of options you are getting. I used these earbuds for 10 days, and here is why I believe they’re worthy of consideration.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Price and launch date(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Creative unveiled the Aurvana Ace collection on November 9, and the earbuds at the moment are up for pre-order at Creative’s web site, with gross sales kicking off December 26. Creative has two fashions on sale; the usual Aurvana Ace has hybrid ANC and misses out on the AptX Lossless codec, and it has a extra muted design with out all of the daring accents. The Aurvana Ace is out there for $129, whereas the Aurvana Ace 2 is promoting for $149.I’m not too eager on the naming of those merchandise, because it in some way means that the Ace 2 is the second-generation model of the Aurvana Ace — that isn’t the case. Both earbuds use the identical xMEMS driver, ship the identical caliber of sound, join over Bluetooth 5.3, and have IPX5 water resistance. Other than the variations I outlined above, they’re equivalent.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Design(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)This is not evident from the advertising and marketing supplies, however the Aurvana Ace 2 have a see-through outer shell that appears improbable. The shell of the case can also be see-through, and also you get a very good take a look at the batteries housed inside. Obviously, Nothing is the model that involves thoughts once you consider clear earbuds, and whereas Creative is not as aggressive about advertising and marketing the Ace 2 as such, the design is clearly putting.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)What I significantly like concerning the design is which you can truly see the drivers — which is not attainable on the Ear (2). In reality, the translucent design works within the favor of the earbuds as you simply get slightly look of the innards, and it would not dominate the eye.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The Ace 2 have a copper accent on the again that provides the earbuds just a bit little bit of aptitude. If something, the case is the star of the present right here, because the beneficiant use of copper makes it dazzle. I do not suppose it appears ostentatious, however then once more, I like so as to add RGB lighting to only about the whole lot, so if a minimalist design that is not too showy is what you are after, it’s best to check out the usual Aurvana Ace.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)On that observe, the Aurvana Ace have the identical dimensions because the Ace 2, and the one distinction is that the earbuds and case haven’t got the translucent design. The match, controls, and all the opposite options are the identical. You get IPX5 ingress safety as customary on each the Ace and Ace 2, and that makes the earbuds a sensible choice in the event you’re workout-focused choices.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The remainder of the design of the Ace 2 is customary fare; you get an elongated stalk, the shell rests in your inside ear with out exerting a lot stress, so the earbuds are snug to put on for an prolonged period. They’re additionally extraordinarily mild; every earbud weighs simply 4.7g, and the whole weight together with the case is 46g.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The case is definitely pocketable, and the translucent design actually makes it stand out. It would not have the identical IPX5 score because the earbuds, however that is not an enormous omission. Overall, Creative did a stellar job with the design of the Aurvana Ace and Ace 2, and the earbuds (and the case) instantly seize consideration.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Features and connectivity(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The Aurvana Ace 2 aren’t missing on this space, with Creative outfitting the earbuds with just about all of the options you could possibly ask for. They pair over Bluetooth 5.3, and within the two weeks I examined the earbuds, they’d rock-solid connectivity. I used each earbuds with the Pixel 8 Pro and iQOO 12, and I bought respectable vary with no points round connectivity.You get respectable ANC on the Ace 2, and it was in a position to successfully tune out low-frequency sounds. Like different earbuds, it struggles with high-pitched noises, however in on a regular basis use circumstances involving site visitors and ambient noise, these earbuds do a improbable job. You additionally get plenty of codecs, together with SBC, AAC, AptX, AptX Adaptive, and AptX Lossless, so if you wish to stream high-res music, these are a very good different. Of course, you may additionally want a telephone that has the requisite codec.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)What’s additionally nice is the extent of management you get in customizing the sound. Creative has a parametric EQ, and whilst you can simply use the preset modes, you get the choice to fine-tune the EQ to your liking, and it is nice — different manufacturers ought to take observe (sure, I do know Wavelet exists).That mentioned, there are a couple of drawbacks, notably round gesture controls. You get a big gesture management space over the stalk of every earbud, and whilst you can change what every motion does, I discovered the controls to be very finicky. They would not register more often than not, and the few occasions I used to be in a position to set off an motion, it took some time to register. The solely different function the place they’re missing in is auto play/pause — the music would not routinely pause once you take these buds out of your ear. The function wants a devoted sensor, and Creative hasn’t bothered with it.The Ace 2 handle to final a good period of time between costs, and I bought near the six-hour determine touted by Creative. The case holds one other three costs price of energy, so in whole, you’ll be able to stand up to 24 hours of music playback earlier than having to plug the case in. On that observe, the has wi-fi charging — you’ll be able to see the coil on the Ace 2 — and you may cost the earbuds on the again of a telephone that has reverse wi-fi charging with none points by any means.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Technology(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The greatest speaking level with the Ace 2 is that they use xMEMS solid-state drivers. They even have a conventional dynamic driver, so consider the association this manner: the 10mm dynamic driver does plenty of the heavy lifting — it is tuned for bass and mid-range — and the xMEMS driver fills within the gaps, hitting the frequencies the normal driver is not in a position to resolve.This is not a brand new thought both; plenty of IEMs — together with the likes of the Letshuoer Cadenza 12 — use a hybrid driver configuration the place they mix dynamic drivers with Knowles balanced armature (BA) drivers. Knowles BA drivers are lighter and provide higher constancy than a dynamic driver, in order that they’re the go-to alternative for many audio manufacturers within the IEM section. That mentioned, they nonetheless depend on plenty of shifting components.That’s what makes the xMEMS tech so thrilling. The MEMS driver used within the Aurvana Ace 2 would not have any shifting components, and because of this, it’s tiny — it is a few quarter of the scale of Knowles BA drivers. It has silicon membranes which might be sandwiched between a piezoelectric layer, and {an electrical} sign passing by this layer strikes the silicon membrane up and down, producing sound.This method has plenty of benefits; the smaller dimension of the xMEMS driver means audio makers can add bigger batteries to earbuds, and as there aren’t any shifting components, the design is inherently waterproof with out the necessity for including any coating over the driving force. There are inherent beneficial properties in relation to the manufacturing of those drivers as properly. As they’re made out of silicon, they’re fabricated at a foundry, they usually’re uniformly constant — there is no want for calibration.Now you might have a broad overview of how the tech works, let’s get all the way down to the sound high quality of the Aurvana Ace 2.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Sound high quality(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)I used to be excited to try the Ace 2 due to the xMEMS driver, and to their credit score, the earbuds handle to ship. The sound you get right here is among the many fullest of any product on this section, and it is clear that the solid-state driver has plenty of potential.You get a very good bass with respectable extension, and whereas the Ace 2 aren’t as exaggerated on this space because the Ear (2) or the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, they’ve good rumble and vibrancy. Mids are detailed and have loads of physique, and also you get wonderful instrument separation. But it is the treble the place you may discover the most important distinction from different earbuds; the Ace 2 have an exquisite treble extension that allows you to hear little nuances in a observe, they usually’re significantly well-suited to rock and heavy steel — clearly, I like how these sound.There’s no sibilance to the sound, and on steadiness, I believe Creative did an excellent job with the tuning out of the field. Of course, you’ll be able to all the time tweak the sound by way of the EQ, however even with out altering a single factor, you are assured to love the best way these earbuds sound. The Ace 2 actually come into their very own when listening to high-res music, and whereas there are earbuds that sound higher — the Momentum 3 come to thoughts — you aren’t getting something for $149 that comes shut.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: The competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Solid-state drivers are heading to plenty of wi-fi earbuds over the course of the following 12 months, however proper now, Creative is first out of the field with the Aurvana Ace 2. So if you need to try what the tech has to supply, that is the one recreation on the town. And if you need suggestions on wi-fi earbuds within the $150 section, I just like the design and sound high quality of the Ear (2).The Ear (2) aren’t as refined because the Aurvana Ace 2, they usually do not final as lengthy between costs. But aside from that, they sound good, look fairly distinctive, and have plenty of options.Status Audio’s Between 3 can also be a good different, with the earbuds providing nice sound high quality and a design that appears distinctive.Creative Aurvana Ace 2: Should you purchase?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You want earbuds with unimaginable soundYou want ANCYou need customizable EQYou’re in search of light-weight earbuds which might be snug to put onYou want an excellent worthYou should not purchase this if:You use gesture controls lotsYou want auto play/pauseOverall, the Aurvana Ace 2 are an excellent alternative even with out the xMEMS drivers. They have an excellent design, snug match, sound nice, and ship good ANC with an ambient mode that is straightforward to toggle, and also you get IPX5 ingress safety with all of the high-res codecs you want.Combine all of that with a customizable sound, partaking dynamics, and a very good worth, and the Aurvana Ace 2 have all of the substances to tackle the very best wi-fi earbuds on this section.