For a while, my favorite headphones have been the Denon PerL Pros. The sound they produce is rich and vibrant, with just the right amount of bass and treble and a perfect blend of midrange.
But their time at the top of the headphone rankings appears to be coming to an end: yes, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 now occupy that spot. These new earbuds use xMEMS Labs driver technology to deliver sound clarity I’ve never heard in a pair of earbuds.
The takeaways for the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 headphones
- The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 headphones cost €180.
- These wireless headphones are a game-changer and sound better than any model we’ve tested before.
- The only downside is that it took me a while to connect them to my Pixel 8 Pro. (Turns out the earbuds need to be taken out of their case before pairing).
The driver of these speakers is based on MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology which incorporates moving and non-moving electronic components to produce sound. For these Aurvana Ace 2 headphones, the moving part of the system is a tiny silicon membrane that produces sound when an electrical signal passes through it.
Illustration of MEMS technology.
The advantage of MEMS technology is that these speakers can produce a higher frequency response range, moving from one frequency zone to another at exponential speed. In addition, these speakers are much more durable than traditional speakers. This means they can produce higher highs and lower lows, do it faster and last longer.
Additionally, the MEMS speakers are IP58 rated, which means they are resistant to dust and water splashing.
Each Creative Aurvana Ace 2 intra also integrates, alongside the MEMS driver, a traditional dynamic driver (with membrane actuated by an electromagnetic coil). This driver reproduces deeper sounds.
So, did these headphones live up to their promises in the test? Yes of course. Seriously, I was totally ready to call MEMS drivers a gimmick and say “Nice try.” In the end, I was convinced, and the Aurvana Ace 2 headphones impressed me in a way I never thought possible for a 180 euro pair.
The characteristics of Creative Aurvana Ace 2
- Frequency response: 5-40,000 Hz
- Operating frequency: 2402-2480 MHz
- Noise control: Adaptive hybrid ANC, ambient mode
- Total battery life: up to 24 hours, with a playback time of 6 hours on a full charge.
- Weight : 46.6g
- Driver: xMEMS solid state driver, 10mm dynamic driver
- Audio codecs: LC3, AptX Lossless, AptX Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC
- Microphone : 3 omnidirectional with a sensitivity at 1 kHz of – 38 dBV/Pa.
- Control : customizable touchscreen (via the Creative app)
- Siri/Google Assistant Support: Yes
- Water resistance: IPX5
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Connectivity : Bluetooth 5.3
One of the most important features is the frequency response. You won’t find many headphones that can go down to 5 Hz or go up to 40,000 Hz. That’s impressive!
My experience with the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 headphones
I didn’t expect to be blown away by a pair of $180 headphones. But I was. The first piece of music I listened to was the soundtrack to the movie Godzilla -1, and I had never heard anything sound this good through a pair of headphones. These in-ears sound more like over-ear headphones than tiny earbuds. No matter what genre of music I played with these Creative Aurvana Ace 2s, they were capable of reproducing beautiful and impactful symphonic sounds without missing a beat.
One piece of music that was particularly impressive to listen to was the live version of Zeppelin’s Kashmir at the 2007 concert at the O2 Arena. Listening to it, I had the impression of attending the concert. Even the Denon PerL Pros weren’t able to produce sounds this precise and nimble with a space wide enough to make it feel like the center of the concert.
These headphones will resonate in your head in unimaginable ways. And the depth of bass they can achieve is about as impressive as I’ve ever heard from such small devices.
These headphones deliver the smoothness of audiophile-quality living room speakers and deliver it directly to your ears for an unprecedented experience.
ZDNET Buying Tips for Creative Aurvana Ace 2 Earbuds
Maybe I feel like I’m doing too much…but I’m not. When it comes to sound, I am very demanding. The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 headphones have redefined the bar for me, and I can’t imagine any other device can take the crown from them.
If you’re looking for truly special sound in a tiny package, you can’t go wrong with the Creative Aurvana Ace 2.
Source: “ZDNet.com”