We Tried The Aurvana Ace 2 Wireless xMEMS-Powered Earbuds. Here's Our Honest Review
Simply one of the best earphones of today.
By Syazwan Bahri - 19 Jan 2024, 07:06 AM
Cover image via Calvin Khor/SAYSAudio company Creative's latest product may just reshape our music experience
Singaporean audio experts, Creative, have recently introduced the Aurvana Ace 2 noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds. Standing out as one of the first earbuds with xMEMS solid-state drivers, it promises more accurate audio reproduction, a feature we've experienced firsthand.
The latest xMEMS drivers showcase solid-state semiconductor MEMS speakers, where MEMS stands for Micro-Electromechanical System. These speakers combine both moving and non-moving electronics, alongside with mechanical components to generate sound. In the case of the Aurvana Ace 2 earbuds, the moving element includes a miniature silicon membrane that produces sound when an electrical signal is applied to it.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
The Aurvana Ace 2 is an engineering marvel
The earbuds are powered by a premium two-driver system, integrating xMEMS technology with 10mm dynamic drivers for precision and a wide sound spectrum. The crystal-clear sound is enhanced by the Snapdragon Sound's aptX Lossless tech at 16-bit or 44.1kHz.
The earbuds are equipped with Qualcomm cVc (Clear Voice Capture) noise cancellation technology, with six built-in microphones for clear voice pickup. Qualcomm also powers the adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC). They are also rated with an IP5X water-resistant and dust-resistant rating.
In addition to the earbuds, the charging case has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. It supports wireless charging, offering up to six hours of charge, extending the total playtime to an impressive 24 hours. It's also equipped with Bluetooth LE Audio and Bluetooth 5.3 technology.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
Here's what's included in the box:
The black box, accentuated by golden fonts, radiates a premium feel. Upon opening the box, you will be greeted with the product itself, wrapped in a silky, anti-ESD bag. The box also contains a USB Type-C charging cable and three pairs of silicone eartips.
Check out our video of the unboxing below:
The Aurvana Ace 2 looks absolutely stunning
The transparent housing, with its copper-coloured interior flanking the two earbuds, exudes an expensive and premium vibe.
The case has a button underneath, positioned next to the charging port, which is used to connect to devices.
Currently, black is the only colour option available. Despite the plastic construction, it has proven to be durable during our everyday testing.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
We loaded up Spotify and gave it a shot
The earbuds deliver a sharp, vibrant sound that is well-balanced. The bass is full, rich, and thumpy, while the highs and mids are crisp and clear. Listening to full-ranged music, such as Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, highlights the strength of the Aurvana Ace 2. However, it isn't inherently bass-heavy, although you can potentially tune the equaliser to your liking using the Creative app.
We appreciate the customisable equaliser and extensive codec support, but the active noise cancellation and microphone quality appear to be only moderately satisfactory. Nevertheless, once the music is playing, you're likely not to hear much from your surroundings. This could be attributed to the stem design that comfortably sits in your ear canals, as opposed to earbuds that may block them.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
However, one thing that blew us away was the clear soundstage. The term soundstage, also known as speaker image, refers to an imagined three-dimensional space created through the high-fidelity reproduction of sound in a stereo speaker system. Essentially, the soundstage allows listeners to perceive the spatial placement of instruments when experiencing a particular piece of music.
Listening to Ludwig Göransson's Can You Hear The Music fully immersed us and it felt like we were in the middle of UCLA's Royce Hall, clad in smart tuxedos, appreciating high society music.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
The earbuds house capacitive touch panels on the side for music control
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
The default settings include a double-tap on the left earpiece to cycle through ANC on, off, and Ambient Aware (transparency) modes. Meanwhile, the same double-tap gesture on the right earpiece controls playback. Performing a triple-tap on the left earbud activates your device's voice assistant, while on the right earbud, it skips to the next track. Additionally, a long press while music is playing adjusts the volume.
All these controls are adjustable in the Creative app, so don't worry if the default settings don't jive with your style.
Image via Calvin Khor/SAYS
Here's how much the Aurvana Ace 2 costs:
Despite boasting cutting-edge driver and connectivity technology, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag of around RM700. You can check them out at the official online store.
This positions the earbuds at about half the cost of most high-end wireless earbuds, making them a noteworthy value. Keep in mind that certain flagship earbuds, while pricier, may offer additional features such as integrated spatial audio, enhanced durability, and more comprehensive companion apps.
If you're like us and prioritise excellent performance and sound quality over these extra features, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 is a compelling choice.
