When a sub-$100 earbud deal comes with some next-gen driver tech and active noise cancellation, you might want to give it the once-over. The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 true wireless earbuds have been marked down by 41% — from $149.99 to $87.99, which adds up to a $62 discount, give or take — and it is one of the most intriguing value plays in its category.
What Makes This 41 Percent Discount Special
Things start to get interesting when they drive premium-level features into the budget space. At this price, the Aurvana Ace 2 is one of the cheapest midrange-tweener hybrids you see on the market (that are off steroids). If you’re in the market for a new daily driver that offers good sound, consistent ANC, and distinct looks, this is the rare discount that ticks all three boxes.
The news here isn’t just the price — it’s the technology. Creative combines a traditional dynamic driver with an ultra-fast xMEMS silicon micro-speaker, in what it claims will help keep the bass rich and deep while sharpening the detail and treble extension. Being able to get that kind of driver architecture at this price is unusual, and that’s the main reason why this discount matters.
xMEMS and Dynamic Drivers: What You End Up Hearing
xMEMS is not marketing fluff; it’s a solid-state speaker, constructed from silicon and built more like a micro-actuator than an old-school cone. Outreach materials from xMEMS Labs and articles in engineering literature have emphasized platform benefits: low moving mass, rapid transient response, and evenness of manufacturing tolerances. In real-world terms, typically that would mean a snappier musical beat, clearer vocal articulation, and airier high-frequency sound than an all-dynamic design.
Creative’s hybrid approach is to have the dynamic driver do the heavy lifting down low in the frequency range, and then add that precision from the xMEMS element up top. On genres that penalize sloppy timing — modern jazz, acoustic singer-songwriter amalgamations, or densely produced K-pop — the blend has a way of preserving micro-detail without just thinning out the low end. It’s not something that will replace anyone’s top-tier planar or multi-BA in-ear monitor, but it’s a smart and sensible way to improve upon true wireless sound on a mass-market product.
Design, Battery Life, and Everyday Features
The case design is a standout: matte black outside with a warm gold-copper interior that already feels classier than the standard-issue puck. The earbuds themselves are small and lightweight, with a fit that should suit most people’s ears for marathon listening sessions.
Battery life comes in at up to about 6 hours per charge, with an additional three charges’ worth of battery life available from the case. That’s in the ballpark for ANC earbuds — the market average tends to fall around 5 to 7 hours for a single session with noise canceling active, going by testing roll-ups you’ll find in audio labs and review outlets. USB-C charging keeps things simple.
IPX5-rated, the Aurvana Ace 2 is certified to be resistant against low-pressure water jets according to IEC 60529. Translation: sweating and darting through the rain are no problem, though they’re not designed for submersion. Touch controls, wireless communication capabilities, and customizable ANC modes make up a thoughtful feature set for commuting and office wear.
Noise Cancellation and Call Quality Expectations
Active noise cancellation works well here for a steady low-frequency hum (like HVAC, bus engine, or train rumble), but leaders in the class from Bose and Apple have a slight edge with variable, random noise. That being said, the Aurvana Ace 2’s noise canceling does a decent job when you consider it for under $100, and even better is that there’s a transparency mode for those who want to hear announcements but not through an overtly processed sound.
Call quality is decent enough for simple chats and video meetings. Beamforming mics and wind-reduction algorithms generally do a good job of isolating voice in background noise that isn’t too loud. As with nearly all earbuds, gale-force winds and riotous street din will tax your processing for sure, but indoors and while commuting you’ll do just fine.
Audio Formats and Device Support for These Earbuds
Creative’s earbuds also work with modern Bluetooth codecs commonly found on Android and iOS, so pairing is easy. As with all of these highfalutin features (Snapdragon Sound and lossless transmission in this instance), something like LDAC will depend on hardware support in your phone, but the baseline experience is impressive for a myriad of reasons—the resolving power of that hybrid driver being top dog among them.
Who Should Get This Deal on Creative Aurvana Ace 2
If you’re looking for a clear step up in clarity over not-so-plain true earbuds that isn’t going to set you back flagship money, this discount is the sweet spot. The Aurvana Ace 2 is for commuters, hybrid workers, and casual gym-goers who care more about clear treble and tasteful low end as opposed to skull-rattling bass. If you’re an audiophile aiming for the best ANC on the market or a fully lossless pipeline, you’ll probably spend more, but not that much more than $87.99.
Bottom line: A 41% discount on earbuds that feature a hybrid xMEMS system, IPX5 durability, and dependable ANC is the kind of deal that doesn’t come around often. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to upgrade without breaking the bank, now’s your moment.
