The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the Aurvana Ace 2 is $119.99 and you can buy them directly from Creative.
Creative Aurvana Ace 2
Creative Labs is a renowned company celebrated by PC enthusiasts, which has recently expanded its offerings to meet the demands of audiophiles by launching a range of audio devices and earphones designed with high-fidelity sound and features.
Technical highlights
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 is a pair of True Wireless (TWS) earbuds equipped with xMEMS drivers. Its audio performance is enhanced by the use of Snapdragon Sound and Qualcomm aptX Lossless technology. The earbuds utilize an impressive dual-driver configuration that merges the capabilities of xMEMS technology with a specially tuned 10 mm dynamic driver. The 10 mm driver is effective in reproducing mid-range and bass frequencies, while the xMEMS driver is responsible for the high frequencies.
In collaboration with Qualcomm, the audio codec featuring Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless technology offers high-fidelity audio at 16-bit/44.1 kHz, ensuring a CD-quality listening experience. The earphones are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and support various codecs, including LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX, AAC, and SBC. However, LDAC is not supported; therefore, if your phone does not support aptX Lossless, it will default to a less advanced version of the aptX codec, which is not as superior as LDAC. My phone locked to standard aptX.
SXFI Ready
The Aurvana Ace 2 is designed to be SXFI ready, ensuring it provides peak performance when used in conjunction with the SXFI App. By downloading this application, you can establish a tailored SXFI profile for a customized audio experience on your device. It is important to note that SXFI functionality is limited to files stored locally on your device and does not extend to streaming content from third-party platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, or Netflix.
ANC and microphones
The earphones are equipped with Qualcomm’s Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, which intelligently adjusts noise cancellation levels in real-time. Additionally, an ambient mode is included, enabling some external sounds to be heard, ensuring you remain aware of your surroundings.
With a total of six integrated microphones—three on each side—these earphones utilize Qualcomm cVc (Clear Voice Capture) noise cancellation technology to deliver exceptionally clear voice calls. Furthermore, the system’s algorithm dynamically responds to your environment during calls, continuously adjusting to the changing noise levels around you.
Bluetooth performance and call quality
The Bluetooth connection is reliable, free from audible noise or interference, and operates smoothly at distances exceeding 6-8 meters in a straight line. Users have reported good call quality, with the other party able to hear the voice clearly and loudly. For added convenience during calls or to remain aware of your surroundings, you can utilize just one earbud.
Design and wearing experience
These compact and lightweight earphones utilize a “bean shape with a rod” design, a style prevalent among various brands, with the rod serving as the housing for the wireless antenna. The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 offers exceptional comfort and a featherweight feel, making them easy to forget you’re wearing them. However, the ear-shells feature a swallow shape with a short tip, which may not provide a secure fit for individuals with larger ear cavities. While using double or triple flange ear-tips could potentially resolve this issue, it would prevent the earbuds from fitting into the charging case. Consequently, users are limited to the standard ear-tips, which may lead to the earbuds slipping out during use.
The earbuds are constructed from a semi-transparent black polymer plastic, which is the same material utilized for the charging case. A brass insert located at the rear appears to function as a vent. The plastic features a matte finish that appears to be resistant to scratches. The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 has an IPX5 certification, allowing for outdoor use while ensuring protection against moisture.
The charging case
The charging case is constructed from the same polymer plastic and features an interior insert with a copper finish, the durability of which remains uncertain over time. It is designed to be lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit into a pocket. The lower section includes a USB Type-C charging port, a pairing button, and an LED indicator that shows the battery charging status.
Battery duration
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 has a battery life of 4 to 5 hours at maximum usage, contrary to Creative’s claim of 6 hours, and this duration is without the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature turned on. The accompanying charging case provides an additional three complete charges before it requires recharging itself. A quick 10-minute charge offers an hour of playback, while a full charge takes one hour, and the case is compatible with wireless charging.
Control system
Each earbud is equipped with a touch-sensitive surface that facilitate command activation through tapping. Users can perform double, triple, or long taps to execute a range of functions, such as answering or rejecting calls, playing or pausing music, and activating active noise cancellation (ANC). The user manual outlines the default controls, but full customization is available via the Creative application. It is important to note that the earbuds lack a sensor to automatically pause playback when removed from the ears.
The Creative application
You can download the Creative application, compatible with both Android and iOS devices, to manage and personalize your earphones. The app features a comprehensive parametric equalizer that allows you to tailor the sound to your preferences. You can choose from 14 preset equalizer curves or create your own custom settings. For those who prefer simplicity, traditional bass and treble adjustments are also available. Additionally, the app is crucial for installing firmware updates and is the sole method to activate the low latency mode, which enhances the experience for gaming and watching movies. I tested it with Netflix, and it performed exceptionally well. All modifications made through the app are permanently saved in the earbuds.
The SXFI application
This application, created by Creative, is designed to work seamlessly with a majority of their products. Its standout feature is the Super X-FI Spatial Holography effect, which is exclusively available for playback of local media files. Additionally, the application serves as a convenient media player.
The Active noise cancelation
The active noise cancellation feature is basic, providing users with two primary options: automatic adaptive canceling mode and ambient mode. The effectiveness of the ANC is moderate; it successfully reduces a significant amount of both high and low-frequency noise, although it struggles in excessively loud settings. Nevertheless, it performs adequately without compromising audio quality, which is a notable advantage.
Accessories
The retail package is quite simple, including only a USB Type-C charging cable and three sets of silicone ear tips.
Listening impressions
The Ace 2 has a maximum volume level that is limited for safety purposes; however, it can still produce sound at a sufficiently high level without any noticeable distortion.
The tuning is designed for casual listening, featuring a prominent bass presence, well-balanced mids, and a subtly enhanced treble. The sub-bass extension is satisfactory, providing ample rumble suitable for various popular music genres, while the focus leans towards the mid-bass, resulting in a bass-heavy and enjoyable sound profile.
Although the bass is generally well-controlled, it can occasionally encroach upon the mids and lose clarity or pace during complex mixes. It delivers a rich and full-bodied sound, yet it lacks in layering, appearing somewhat bloomy and less defined. The Ace 2 offers a bass-centric experience that remains enjoyable without becoming overwhelming, and its technical performance is adequate for its intended purpose.
The mid-range offers a well-balanced and prominent sound, characterized by good clarity and definition, even with the slight bass bleed. Both instruments and vocals are rendered with adequate tonal accuracy and clear articulation. Overall, the earphones deliver a warm sound profile, maintaining a satisfactory sense of timbre realism and harmonic diversity.
More listening impressions
The upper frequencies are where the xMEMS kick in and truly excel, effectively maintaining clarity and precision in this range with a rapid transient response and good detail retrieval. The resolution is impressive for the category and the timbre remains quite natural, free from any noticeable metallic harshness or artificial qualities. The treble is slightly bright but not overwhelming, providing a perfect counterbalance to the bass by introducing the necessary energy and sparkle.
The soundstage offers a broad and expansive quality; however, it exhibits an unusual imaging characteristic where higher-pitched instruments are more pronounced and defined compared to their lower-frequency counterparts. This phenomenon likely stems from the superior quality of the xMEMS tweeters, which tend to overshadow the bass drivers.
Overall, these earphones are not that different than similar products like the 1MORE EVO.
In the end
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 is a pair of true wireless earphones designed with a bass-centric tuning, making them ideal for casual listening. The standout feature is the xMEMS drivers, which provide impressive clarity and detail in the treble frequencies, ensuring a balanced sound profile that prevents the bass from overwhelming the overall audio experience.
While they may not be flawless and lack some advanced features, they cover the essential aspects well and are lightweight and comfortable for extended use. Overall, the earphones offer decent performance; they may not be exceptional, but at their price point, they represent a reliable choice with very satisfying sound quality and practical features.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Bass focused but not overcooked tuning
+ Natural and balanced mid-range
+ Excellent treble performance for the category
+ Adaptive ANC with ambient mode
+ User configurable parametric EQ
+ Effective low latency mode
+ Support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless
+ ANC does not degrade audio quality
+ Comfortable and lightweight
+ Compact and lightweight charging case
+ Supports wireless charging
+ Stable Bluetooth connection
+ Made from scratch resistant plastic
+ IPX5 certification
- Short battery duration
- No support for LDAC
- Easy to slip out from larger ears
- Basic ANC with average effectiveness
- The interior of the charging case looks prone to discoloration
- No automatic play/pause
- Only one set of ear-tips
- Average technicalities and resolution
- Some coherency issues
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