$150 Earbuds - Are they AUDIOPHILE? (Creative Aurvana Ace 2)
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Monday April 1, 2024
David Mellor
David Mellor is CEO and Course Director of Audio Masterclass. David has designed courses in audio education and training since 1986 and is the publisher and principal writer of Adventures In Audio.
@Thargellor2: Thank you for this review, it helped me a lot with decisions about which earbuds to buy on a reasonable budget.
@redeemer6828: With a lot of positive reviews of these earbuds of youtbers that more of focus on sound, rather than other aspects of earbuds, I've decided to go to audiogear shop and give a try. Aurvana Ace 2 performed good, but then sales person suggested to try first version of it. And It sounds so much better - soundstage was just excellent, details and instrument separation were marginally better than Ace 2. They had less bass that Ace 2, but I've bought Ace 1 anyway because in terms of sound resolution they are plain better. So keep that in mind and try both models if it is an option for you. Also at Ace 2 "adaptive" ANC work so much worse than usual ANC at ace 1. IMPORTANT NOTE: app and sensor controls on earbuds work really crappy on both model. At my Ace 1 for some reason EQ (by default "music" profile and I like "flat" more) and ANC (medium by default and I choose high) settings reset every time I disconnect them.
@germas369: Creative for me at least, have ALWAYS nailed the fit into the ear. Ive owned at least 3 different models from them and theyve always fit very well. never falling out or anything like that. sometimes i even forget that im wearing them.
No other brand has achieved that and i think the fit of the earphones are the most important aspect of the product.
@mareeeeeeeeeeeeeeee: 02:59, never thought about it but you're right that is a bit silly.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @mareeeeeeeeeeeeeeee: I've been using these earbuds every day since I reviewed them. The swivel still annoys me but I mostly have better things to worry about.
@fredashay: I've been binge-watching your videos today...
Personally, I can't stand earbuds. I much prefer headphones. I have a set of Sennheiser HD 280 for knocking around outside walking around. They're circumnaural so they're comfortable for wearing for hours at a time. They're not too expensive, so if they get damaged out and about, it's not a big problem. And the sound quality is good, IMO. When I'm out and about, I plug them into a Sony MP3 player (it also plays FLAC and WAV -- when possible, I buy music in FLAC or WAV format).
@VM9999-x2k: Is an electron microscope good for driving nails? That's what I would call your review.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @VM9999-x2k: Oh dear, your words are so cutting. I am so mortified. I shall curl up and die now. Haha.
@crazyndn49 replies to @VM9999-x2k: It is good for driving nails. Every tool is a hammer. However, every hammer is not a tool.
@Spinner1ist: How does they compare to Huawei freebuds pro 2/3?
@AudioMasterclass replies to @Spinner1ist: Hi, I appreciate your comment but I don't do comparisons. Each item I review, I consider on its own merits.
@brandenongkp: Since I purchased this, I respectfully gave my Airpod Pro to my daughter. This Aurvana simply sounds much better, with good mid and high tones that suit my preferences.
@elwap0: Did you use the app and updated the firmware and use the app .i ordered them pre launch they are by far the best ive heard. You can hear much more details and different instruments.the better question is audiophile sound better than this ..without this technology... xmems I don't think so.. especially to the trained ear..
@artysanmobile: If someone finds a way of carving IEMs out of, say, the tooth of a baby whale and charging $70k for them, they will claim the technology as their own, no matter what they sound like.
@artysanmobile: I am just one of countless professional musicians who love the immediacy and isolation of in-ear monitors. I use mine mostly for production work, something I never could have imagined doing before discovering for myself how perfectly appropriate mine are.
What I need for monitoring in my work as a producer are consistent flatness and wide dynamic response. No speaker/room on earth can touch them for this.
But the real payoff is the complete removal of environmental distortion. I now take my perfect control room with me, in my pocket, everywhere I go, and work at FAR lower SPL, always the exact level I need.
So are they audiophile?? Hell no!! Audiophiles haven’t a clue how excellent IEMs can be. They are my personal protection from the racket of audiophile. When, ever, has an audiophile put on a piece of music at 84dbSPL and shut their annoying trap for the entirety of a piece. I’m wagering NEVER.
@markandisobel: I must say i miss your face and expressions your very addictive to watch but this review you just showed your hands mostly
@MetaModern87: Your video cover art gives me anxiety and I can't figure out why. Unboxing music is an absolute assault on the ears!
@AudioMasterclass replies to @MetaModern87: Result! Result!
@rpvermeulen: I was a bit surprised to learn Creative is still in business, really. Last time I heard of them was when I bought a Soundblaster audio card for mij DOS computer.
@crazyndn49 replies to @rpvermeulen: They still make some of the best cheaper gear out there. Best gaming headset I've ever owned was their Omega v1. It was THX certified and was amazing. Sadly nephews happened to them and by then they had 'upgraded' to v2 which were shit compared to the v1's.
@sigh9032: Apple uses AAC :)
@adotopp1865: Hey brilliant! Ive just seen you're planning to do a video on 'audiophile' . I would like to ask, as someone with all the gear, at what point does someone go from buying a 'system' to being called an 'audiophile'
Also surely it means literally 'lover of sound' not 'lover of gear'
@AudioMasterclass replies to @adotopp1865: Pinning a definition on the word audiophile is going to be tricky. But I intend to have a go.
@adotopp1865: Regarding cycling: Yes you're stupid to listen to anything else apart from what's going on around you. Anyway you should enjoy your ambient sounds like birdsong and police sirens.
@adotopp1865: In order to ascertain if they're audiophile you need to decide what audiophile is exactly.
@digitizeNY: Digging around for info on an old DYAXIS system just now, and guess whose name popped up. A very youthful 30-something (late 20s??) David Mellor. hehe :-)
@AudioMasterclass replies to @digitizeNY: That would be me. If I remember, it was the first system I’d seen that attempted to make on-screen buttons look like real buttons. There’s a long word for that but only my youthful brain could handle so many letters.
@richh650: You my friend, have to be the most unique, very fun, and thought provoking audio reviewer on all of U tube. Another well done review sir!
@garymalone547: Showing my age but Creative had some decent MP3 players many moons ago, and I remember their first cans by the same name, which were well received. Nearly bought a pair on my headphone journey, which began at the budget end and gradually got completely out of hand.
@rabit818: Oeuvre earbuds here today, we’ll see tomorrow.
Nothing from Etymotic, Bayerdynamic,..
@lights80088: No on these and no on headphones except for occasional listening. The issue for me is you loose the interaction from the walls, floor and ceiling of a room. This actually is a more natural way of listening.
@berndtlindstrom830: For the money, they should sound good.
@eDrumsInANutshell: Hi, mate!
I got the JBL 230 ... something ear buds.
They are - of course - not as good as my headphones on the LakePeople amp.
But better than the creepy phone speakers.
I think most of the people do not know any more, how music really sounds like.
They are listening to it through this damn phone speakers.
@EricIolo: I bet Van and Iggy would sound lovely on these David! Well I hope you are keeping well, and catch you with the next review. Nighty night!
@ricktotty2283: If you like them, they’re good enough. Personally, I don’t like earbuds. I have actually never listened to a pair of earbuds that were good enough.
@verdedoodleduck: Fun unboxing. I like that you do a thorough review. I haven't bothered with any earbuds at this point because I'm not a big fan of things in my ear, either - it would take compensation for hearing loss and a reasonable price to get me interested.
@marxman00: You should end with a reboxing....And.. no cheating by reversing the video...
@AudioMasterclass replies to @marxman00: Very amusing. Unboxing is straightforward. When I realise my iPhone hasn't been recording then putting everything back to do it again is much more of a challenge.
@atoptip6193: What is the triangle seen on the stem at 3m21s? That is where the left, "L" should have been.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @atoptip6193: At present I don’t know. I thought it might be the place where you’re supposed to tap but I couldn’t localise any sweet spot.
@earthoid: I'm guessing the answer to this is no: can the rechargable lithium-ion button batteries be replaced by the average user who does not have surgical skills? If not I'm not interested.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @earthoid: I would imagine not, and I'd say that for all of the similar devices I've reviewed recently. Fear not however - by the time the batteries do need replacing, there'll be a whole new wave of technology on the market that you'll want to buy.
@dabanjo: My ears are audiophile. I was born with it, a curse really.
@Gym-t3l replies to @dabanjo: I think Van Gogh was also, but liked the sound of mono more.😊
@obsprisma replies to @dabanjo: @@Gym-t3l 🤣
@Dan_Hazard replies to @dabanjo: 😹😹😹@@Gym-t3l
@PeterYannick: Battery life? I almost bought them but when I saw on the creative website that the battery life is 5 hours I stopped my self. I'm waiting for some third party, real life review.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @PeterYannick: C'mon I'm already working for less than minimum wage. Do I have five hours to earn even less?
@maidsandmuses: Were those the Martians of Sesame Street in your unboxing music? 🤣
@AudioMasterclass replies to @maidsandmuses: I think they might be interplanetarily related.
@werlonfunderbuck4900: I was expecting a qualitative evaluation of how these earbuds sound. After 20 minutes, I guess the verdict is "meh". The rest was just a recitation of product info mixed with personal observations. Is this an OK video? Yeah, sure. Is it bad? I guess not.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @werlonfunderbuck4900: As I said in the video I’m not YouTube’s greatest subjectivist. I wouldn’t criticise those who are but one has to be wary whether they are making it up.
@markandisobel replies to @werlonfunderbuck4900: @@AudioMasterclass i must say i miss your face and expressions your very addictive to watch but this review you just showed your hands mostly
@borlibaer: The frequencies topic is a matter of harmonics I presume. Nevertheless, I wonder if ear plugs can handle that proper.🤔
@mcdk72: Thoose who use wifi or Bluetooth in there ears, have nothing to protect between their ears.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @mcdk72: And those who have something to protect need to consider through what medium the two earbuds communicate with each other.
@mcdk72 replies to @mcdk72: @@AudioMasterclass No.. they are irrelevant.
@Chulu.10: Who are your enemies? 😂
Say the word we'll make a couple of home visits for you.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @Chulu.10: Nah, they’re frenemies really.
@warrensnook: I have no idea what 'Audiophile' means anymore? 🤔🤪😂
@AudioMasterclass replies to @warrensnook: Don’t worry! I’m planning a video on exactly this issue.
@warrensnook replies to @warrensnook: @AudioMasterclass Thank you my man! I will look forward to watching that. If 'Audiophile' means being part of some sort of secret club then I am taking the Groucho Marx approach 👍
@LangleyNA replies to @warrensnook: Consider speaking about "enthusiast/enthusiasm."
I feel enthusiastic about music, about artists, live performance, music culture, visual and music works, and indeed about sound and production and whatnot... but I'm not enthusiastic about audio hardware like speakers or microphones, or room treatment, necessarily. I think that latter bit must be the more iconic "audiophile."@@AudioMasterclass
@eDrumsInANutshell replies to @warrensnook: @@LangleyNA Aha, so was wrong with ... "that implies, that this person likes to hear every nuance in its music"?
I am doing VST drumming, so I use headphones or in ears. So the speaker, room treatment thing doesn't come in to play.
Not in my men's cave.
@ericdere: Apple is always AAC
@sid06: I ride my bike with only a right earbud. All the nearby traffic is on my left, so I don't miss anything important.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @sid06: This would apply to countries that drive on the right of course. It raises the issue though what if the earbud you're using doesn't have the tap controls that you need? This is where the custom buttons page on the app that I glossed over in the video would be useful.
@sid06 replies to @sid06: @@AudioMasterclass I control it on my phone, which is mounted to the stem and is a shorter distance from the brake lever than my ear. I just searched on Amazon for "phone remote control" and found some cheap products with physical buttons, which would be even better if it can be mounted well. But I typically select the playlist I like from start to end before setting off and don't change tracks much.
@harveyellis6758: I was interested in the topic, but had to stop half way video since there was too much prattle about nonsense..
@PhoticSneezeOne replies to @harveyellis6758: all his videos are like that
@AudioMasterclass replies to @harveyellis6758: Thank you. I so appreciate a loyal fan.
@dabanjo replies to @harveyellis6758: First time on YouTube?
@JohnHoranzy replies to @harveyellis6758: I am here for the dry humor.
His real technical videos are top notch.
@joewlodynski3521: Let me get my SMALL Headphones out. The Verum MK!. HA!!!!!HA!!!
@thexfile.: Earbuds fall out of my ears.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @thexfile.: You need to practise your clench exercises.