It has been two years since we reviewed the unique Pixel Buds Professional, which implies it has been that lengthy since Google gave us something of their “Professional” audio line to toy with. They haven’t even had a brand new pair of budget-friendly Pixel Buds A-series throughout that point both, so we’ve been ready on Google to point out us the place they’ll take in-ear audio and in the event that they’ve improved on any of the strategies we made throughout that overview.
Now in mid-2024, Google has introduced the Pixel Buds Professional 2 as part of their huge Made by Google occasion from August, the place additionally they gave us the Pixel 9 collection and the Pixel Watch 3. Whereas the Pixel 9 collection is really unbelievable and was the spotlight of that present, I’ve actually been wanting ahead to those Pixel Buds Professional 2. In any case these years of reviewing tech merchandise, earbuds aren’t one thing we glance into as ceaselessly as telephones, so right here we get to method a brand new gadget in refreshing methods that may additionally make us uncomfortable at instances.
Google despatched us a pair of Pixel Buds Professional 2 to overview and we’ve had them in our ears for about 8 days. Let’s go forward and discuss this second try at a “Professional” earbud. That is our Pixel Buds Professional 2 overview.
What are the Pixel Buds Professional 2?
The Pixel Buds Professional 2 are Google’s new high-end earbuds with a brand new form that’s 27% smaller than the unique Pixel Buds Professional, the primary to function a Tensor A1 audio chip, 11mm drivers with a brand new high-frequency chamber, just a little wing stabilizer that’s connected, Bluetooth 5.4, lively noise cancellation that Google is looking Silent Seal 2.0, and a case that has wi-fi and wired charging.
Google claims battery life at 8 hours with ANC turned on and 12 hours with it off. Toss the buds in a case and people numbers bounce to a complete of 30 hours or 48 hours, respectively. You’ll additionally discover 3 microphones, IR proximity sensors for in-ear detection, motion-detecting accelerometers, wind-blocking mesh covers, an lively in-ear stress reduction system, and contact pads on every bud for controlling playback, switching modes, firing up the assistant, that form of factor.
Google is claiming ANC in these Buds Professional 2 that may cancel twice as a lot noise, a wider vary of noises, and better frequencies. The brand new A1 audio chip processes audio 90 instances sooner than the pace of sound, so your earbuds ought to have the ability to rapidly adapt to your environment and conditions, the match needs to be simpler to safe with a twist, and you’ve got Discover My Gadget help must you lose them.
Look, these Pixel Buds Professional 2 have the entire specs, together with IP54 water and dirt resistance, in order that’s why Google needs you to pay $229 for them. They aren’t low cost, that’s for positive, however they do land $20 cheaper than Apple’s AirPods Professional and a full $50 cheaper than Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 3 Professional.
Are the Pixel Buds Professional 2 any good?
Like I did in our latest OnePlus Buds Professional 3 overview, I’ll begin to reply that by specializing in how the Pixel Buds Professional 2 match within the ear. In any case, it is a huge redesign from the earlier mannequin, so there may be fairly a bit to speak about right here.
As I famous above, Google is claiming that these are 27% smaller than the unique Pixel Buds Professional. Within the image beneath, I believe you’ll see simply how small they are surely in comparison with these. It’s fairly unbelievable, particularly whenever you (once more) run by means of that listing of all that’s included within the Pixel Buds Professional 2.
When within the ear, you definitely discover the dimensions distinction. In my Pixel Buds Professional overview, I discussed how they match completely in my ears out of the field, however that they have been massive and gave me some ear fatigue when sporting them for longer periods. With these new Pixel Buds Professional 2, I’ve skilled none of that. These are mild, actually could be adjusted on the fly with this new twisty-wing function, and I’ve had no points when sporting them for greater than an hour or two at a time. These are the kind of buds that you simply depart in and find yourself forgetting they’re there as a few hours go by.
Google says they’ve created some magical in-ear stress reduction this time round too and so they actually have. Flipping these Pixel Buds Professional 2 from ANC on to transparency mode lets your ears totally breathe. There’s instantaneous reduction from a easy long-press on one of many Buds’ contact pads that’s so satisfying, particularly if you happen to let your ears go arduous on an extended ANC sitting. I’ve actually by no means skilled this sensation on this degree and it solely provides to the general improved comfortability.
Sizing of ear suggestions is essential: I’ll level out that Google consists of medium (M) ear suggestions out of the field, with XS/S/L sizes there if you happen to want them. I used the M suggestions out of the field for quite a few days, however bumped into a problem whereas understanding (working on a treadmill) the place the correct bud was making this popping or crackling or suctioning noise. I then switched to the L tricks to see if it was a seal downside from too small of suggestions, however that didn’t assist and might need made it worse. I ended up dropping the entire manner all the way down to S and it mounted the problem. So if you happen to purchase a pair of those and listen to one thing like I’ve described, attempt dropping down a measurement.
So yeah, the match right here on the Pixel Buds Professional 2 is sort of good. After I discovered the right ear suggestions for my ears, these have been fantastic within the ear for longer desk periods or when my growing old physique is able to transfer and sweat a bit. I’ve at all times been a fan of Google’s in-ear bud designs and that doesn’t change right here. These are up there by way of consolation with the Pixel Buds A-series, which I nonetheless adore.
Pixel Buds app: One of many different areas I complained about in my Pixel Buds Professional overview was within the absence of an EQ within the Pixel Buds app and any actual customizable audio options. Google has since mounted that and the Pixel Buds Professional 2 have entry to a number of presets (ex: Default, Heavy Bass, Gentle Bass, Balanced, Vocal Enhance, and Readability) in addition to a customized equalizer with sliders for higher treble, treble, mid, bass, and low bass. It’s fairly slick how one can choose one of many presets, see the place Google units ranges, after which go on to customise from there to get the sound simply as your ears desire.
You can too steadiness audio from right-to-left bud, get bizarre with Spatial Audio, and run an eartip seal examine to verify your buds are correctly squeezed into every ear. When working this take a look at, the app really advisable I alter measurement suggestions in my left ear to optimize sound, so I’m sporting M in my left and S in my proper. They sound nice this manner, so I’m working with it.
Battery life: It is a powerful space for me to really take a look at as a result of I’m simply not the kind of individual to put on earbuds for hours and hours on finish. My periods usually final round an hour or perhaps a bit longer after which they return of their useful little case to cost again to 100%. In my two most up-to-date hour-long exercise and desk periods with ANC both lively or in Transparency mode, I dropped 5% in every bud. As I’ve been engaged on this overview, I’ve had the Buds Professional 2 in for 2 hours with ANC lively and we’re all the way down to 84% and 87%. That appears stable and primarily hits what Google is suggesting, which is between 8 and 12 hours.
Contact controls: For a few years, Google’s contact pads on the Pixel Buds have been my absolute favourite strategy to management true wi-fi earbuds. The swipes back-and-forth to regulate quantity, the faucets or holds to regulate playback or ANC toggles, at all times simply labored. With the Pixel Buds Professional 2, I nonetheless suppose this expertise is sort of good, however I’ve bought to confess that I’m beginning to desire the stems with squeeze and swipe controls that the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 and AirPods Professional have. I’ve simply used some of these earbuds so ceaselessly that I like to have the ability to bodily seize a stem with a purpose to management them over swiping a pad.
I’ve the Pixel Buds Professional 2 setup with customary controls, so which means swipe ahead to extend quantity, swipe backwards to decrease it, faucet to play/pause, double-tap to skip tracks, and so forth. My long-press for every bud is about to toggle between ANC and Transparency, though you’ll be able to customise that. In the event you’d moderately have one earbud have the ability to toggle these modes and the opposite to fireplace up Gemini or Google Assistant, you are able to do that too.
Once more, I nonetheless suppose the touchpads work simply high quality right here, however I’ve bought to re-learn methods to use them and never swipe and whiff or unintentionally faucet once I meant to swipe, and many others. I’m curious to listen to what you could desire.
ANC 2.0: The ANC right here with Silent Seal 2.0 is spectacular as nicely. I at present have some work occurring in my kitchen and these have completely been a lifesaver since touchdown on my desk final week. I’ve additionally had my spouse (fortunately) take a look at between ANC lively and Transparency as she carried on conversations with me. These buds positive can block a voice or a hammer or sander or drywall skilled, whether or not it’s 3 ft or 15 ft away. I’ve a few journeys on the horizon too and may’t wait to dam out the world with these as a result of I do know they’ll.
The Sound: There may be what I can solely describe as an unbelievable richness to the sound that the Pixel Buds Professional 2 produce. You understand how Google’s telephone cameras at all times crank distinction and shadows whereas including a shade punch as a result of that’s what so a lot of our eyes love to have a look at? Take that concept and apply it straight to those earbuds. The Pixel Buds Professional 2 produce precisely what your ears need, with daring bass, perfection in vocals, and this head and room-filling expertise that few buds can deliver you.
Your boy has been right into a heavy dose of the chillest beats currently, largely to deliver down life’s present excessive ranges of tension. Each track I play is so clear, so deep and generally emotional, that it’s as if these Pixel Buds Professional 2 have been made for what I would like on this 2024 second.
I’ve been taking in lots of Gotts Road Park, like “Inform My Why,” and my lord, I simply get misplaced. That background crackle on LEISURE’s “Cash” makes all of it really feel actual simply because the vocals path into the gap and your head bobs with tempo of the bass. You possibly can’t escape the late-night, throwback studio vibe as Durand Jones pulls you into “Is It Any Marvel?” however do with a swap to Royel Otis “Heat Nights.” Oh you need bass? Slide that “Low bass” bar to the correct and let Labrinth and Billie Eilish go off in “By no means Felt So Alone” – these buds can deal with it.
The sound from the Pixel Buds Professional 2 is addicting and I maintain discovering causes to place them again in my ears. To not take a swipe on the OnePlus Buds Professional 3, as a result of they’re $50-$80 cheaper relying on the week, however I stored discovering weak spot on a vocal degree, and that’s not the case in any respect with Google’s new buds. Few settings wanted to be touched to get these acting on an elite degree.
Do you have to purchase the Pixel Buds Professional 2?
It is a fairly simple pair of true wi-fi buds to suggest. The value is steep at $229, however as I stated earlier, it’s decrease than “Professional” bud opponents whereas nonetheless providing the specs and options you must get with a price ticket of this degree.
Battery life has been stable and features up with what Google suggests, the brand new match and design are so pleasant to the ear, and this sound expertise is pretty much as good as I’ve present in any buds lately. I’ve zero complaints to share with you as a result of that is the whole audio bundle.
Go deal with your ears.
Pixel Buds Professional Deal Hyperlinks: Amazon | Finest Purchase | Google Retailer
