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The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 are the latest true wireless earbuds from Creative, building upon the original Aurvana Ace with some key upgrades. These include improved adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC), additional audio codecs, and a new translucent black and copper colour option.
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Creative Aurvana Ace 2 vs Aurvana Ace Specification
| Specification | Creative Aurvana ACE 2 | Creative Aurvana ACE |
| Noise Control | Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Mode | Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Mode |
| Total Battery Life | Up to 24 Hours | Up to 24 Hours |
| Playtime Per Charge | Up to 6 Hours | Up to 6 Hours |
| Total Weight | 46.6g (1.64 oz) | 46.6g (1.64 oz) |
| Dimension (Charging case) | 64.7 x 49.1 x 26.9 mm (2.55 x 1.93 x 1.06 inches) | 64.7 x 49.1 x 26.9 mm (2.55 x 1.93 x 1.06 inches) |
| Driver | xMEMS Solid-state Driver, 10 mm Dynamic Driver | xMEMS Solid-state Driver, 10 mm Dynamic Driver |
| Audio Codec | LC3, AptX Lossless, AptX Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC | LC3, AptX Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC |
| Microphone Setup (Per Earbud) | Triple | Triple |
| Controls | Customizable Touch Control via Creative App | Customizable Touch Control via Creative App |
| Software Super X-Fi/Super X-FI READY | ✓ | ✓ |
| Siri / Google Assistant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Interface | Wireless Charging Enabled and Qi-compatible, USB-C (Charging) | Wireless Charging Enabled and Qi-compatible, USB-C (Charging) |
| App | Creative app | Creative app |
| Color | Translucent Black & Copper | Black & Copper |
The Aurvana Ace 2 share many of the same core specifications as the original Aurvana Ace. Both earbuds feature up to 24 hours total battery life, with 6 hours per charge. They have the same dimensions and weight for the earbuds and charging case. The driver setup combines Creative’s xMEMS solid-state driver with a 10mm dynamic driver.
Key upgrades for the Ace 2 include the addition of the LC3 and aptX Lossless audio codecs, alongside the aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs supported by the original Ace. The Ace 2 also features adaptive hybrid ANC, an improvement over the standard hybrid ANC in the Ace.
Both models include triple microphones per earbud, customisable touch controls via the Creative app, Super X-Fi audio, voice assistant support, IPX5 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, wireless charging, and USB-C wired charging.
xMEMS Solid State Driver vs Conventional Dynamic Drivers
The Aurvana Ace 2 utilises Creative’s xMEMS solid-state driver technology. Compared to conventional dynamic drivers, xMEMS drivers are more compact, allowing for smaller earbud designs. They are also more power efficient, helping to extend battery life.
In terms of audio performance, xMEMS drivers aim to deliver faster transient response for improved clarity and detail. Creative combines the xMEMS driver with a traditional 10mm dynamic driver to cover the full frequency range.
Design & Fit
The Aurvana Ace 2 has a similar design to the original Ace, with an ergonomic shape and angled nozzle for a secure and comfortable fit. Silicone ear tips in multiple sizes are included to accommodate different ear shapes and sizes.
Touch-sensitive surfaces on each earbud allow you to control playback, volume, ANC modes, and voice assistant activation. The touch controls are customisable via the Creative app.
The build quality feels solid, with a matte finish on the earbuds and charging case. The Ace 2 introduces a new translucent black and copper color option, giving a stylish glimpse of the internal components. IPX5 water resistance protects against sweat and light rain.
Creative App
The Creative app, available for iOS and Android, allows you to customise the touch controls, adjust EQ settings, update the firmware, and personalise the Super X-Fi audio profile. The app is well-designed and intuitive to use.
Within the EQ settings, you have a wide range of options, including plenty of presets for easy adjustment of the sound.
Sound Quality
The Aurvana Ace 2 delivers impressive sound quality for true wireless earbuds. The combination of the xMEMS and dynamic drivers produces a balanced and detailed sound signature.
Bass is punchy and well-controlled, with good extension and impact. The midrange is clear and natural, with vocals and instruments reproduced accurately. Treble is crisp and detailed, avoiding harshness or sibilance.
The soundstage is reasonably spacious for in-ear designs, with good instrument separation and positioning. Creative’s Super X-Fi technology recreates a multi-speaker setup inside the earbuds, and while the effect is subtle, it does enhance the sense of space and immersion.
The Ace 2 supports a wide range of Bluetooth codecs, including the new LC3 and aptX Lossless formats. With compatible devices, these codecs enable higher-quality wireless audio transmission for improved fidelity.
Noise Cancellation & Wind Noise
The adaptive hybrid ANC system in the Ace 2 is moderately effective at reducing low-frequency noise like engine rumble or air conditioning hum. It adjusts to your environment, increasing or decreasing the level of noise cancellation as needed.
Wind noise reduction is not good. I found that a moderate amount of wind noise can still overpower the ANC at times.
While the ANC is moderately effective, there are plenty of other earbuds with superior ANC and at a lower price point.
The earbuds also have an ambient mode that allows outside sound to pass through, useful for staying aware of your surroundings or having conversations without removing the earbuds.
Battery Life
The Aurvana Ace 2 is rated for up to 6 hours of playback per charge, with the charging case providing an additional 18 hours, for a total of 24 hours. This is in line with the original Ace and comparable to other true wireless earbuds, but not class leading.
In real-world use, battery life will vary depending on volume level, ANC usage, and codec selection. With ANC on and volume around 60%, the earbuds last for about 5 hours per charge.
The charging case supports both USB-C wired charging and Qi wireless charging, adding convenience and flexibility. A quick 10-minute charge provides up to 1 hour of playback.
Price and Alternative Options
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 has a recommended retail price of £165, positioning it in the mid-to the upper tier of truly wireless earbuds. For the price, it offers a compelling feature set and audio performance.
At the time of writing, the Ace 2 were available with a 20% discount on Amazon UK, making them an even more attractive option. The original Aurvana Ace can also be found at a significantly reduced price, providing excellent value if you don’t need the additional features of the Ace 2.
Alternative earbuds in a similar price range include the Sony WF-1000XM4 (the Sony WF-1000XM5 are quite a bit more expensive), Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and Jabra Elite 85t. These competitors offer comparable or slightly better ANC and sound quality, but the Ace 2 holds their own with a well-rounded package.
Overall
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 are an impressive pair of true wireless earbuds, building upon the strengths of the original Ace with meaningful upgrades. The sound quality is exceptional, and the design is both comfortable and stylish.
While the ANC and sound quality may not quite match the best in class, the Ace 2 delivers strong overall performance and a comprehensive feature set. The inclusion of the latest Bluetooth codecs and the xMEMS driver technology helps set them apart from the competition.
Battery life is solid, the Creative app is well-designed, and the customisable touch controls add flexibility. The translucent black and copper colour option is a nice touch, giving the earbuds a unique visual flair.
Overall, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 is excellent, and Creative deserves praise for introducing such an innovative speaker technology at a relatively affordable price point.
Creative Aurvana Ace 2 Review
Summary
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 are an impressive pair of true wireless earbuds, building upon the strengths of the original Ace with meaningful upgrades. The sound quality is exceptional, and the design is both comfortable and stylish. While the ANC and sound quality may not quite match the best in class, the Ace 2 delivers strong overall performance and a comprehensive feature set. The inclusion of the latest Bluetooth codecs and the xMEMS driver technology helps set them apart from the competition.
Overall
85%-
Overall - 85%85%
Pros
- Superb soud quality thanks to the innovative MEMs drivers
Cons
- ANC is not the best
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
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