I’ve by no means obtained on with the Google Pixel Buds Professional 2. I just like the design, the sound is sweet, and the battery life is stable, but it surely’s the match which has at all times bothered me.
I made a decision to do one thing about it, and in doing so, I’ve dramatically improved them.
Why I might select the Pixel Buds Professional 2 over the 2a repeatedly
Typically there’s worth in worth, however not this time
What’s the issue?
Simply the tip
The issue with the Pixel Buds Professional 2 has at all times been the match of the ideas. For some purpose, whatever the dimension I selected, they have been both too tight or too unfastened.
The medium suggestions are often precisely proper on each different pair of in-ear true wi-fi earbuds I personal. But, with the Pixel Buds Professional 2 the medium has an annoying means of working its means out of my ears except I keep inventory nonetheless, like a statue, on a regular basis.
They’re both too small, or the fabric used will not be grippy sufficient. The big variations work their means out as a result of they’re too large.
It means I’m always twiddling with them, and the noise cancellation doesn’t work in addition to it ought to. I find yourself not sporting them as a result of they’re so irritating.
Time to vary the ideas
However that’s not straightforward
The answer to that is to purchase an alternate set of earbud suggestions, which is the best option to probably alleviate the problem. Sadly, it’s not as straightforward because it sounds.
There’s a pair of Comply foam suggestions obtainable for the Pixel Buds Professional 2, however in my expertise, I by no means get on very nicely with foam suggestions. They’ll get a bit sweaty, and may be fairly stable which leads to ear fatigue throughout lengthy listening intervals.
I like silicone ear suggestions, so it was time to search for a appropriate set to interchange the usual Google ones. Nevertheless, discovering ones listed as true options for the Pixel Buds Professional 2 is more durable than it must be, and it’s probably because of the form of the Buds Professional 2’s nozzle.
Nozzle issues
Oval not spherical
The nozzle, which is the part over which you place the silicone or foam tip, is oval on the Pixel Buds Professional 2, and never spherical just like the overwhelming majority of different earbuds. It means generic ear suggestions could not match.
A search on-line revealed different folks have had the identical drawback, and two names often got here up when folks talked about successes: the SpinFit Omni and Azla SednaEarfit Max. Each can be found from Amazon.
There was by no means a unanimous choice about match or suitability, so I ordered each. Curiously, the Azla earbuds may be bought in packs of a number of sizes, however the SpinFit solely are available one dimension. I selected medium for each, as a result of that’s my secure area.
Attempting them out
Fitment issues
I attempted the SpinFit Omni ear suggestions first. They’ve a novel design the place the inside part is sort of stable, so it wants a whole lot of wrangling to get it over the Pixel Buds Professional 2’s nozzle.
The silicone could be very skinny and sticky, virtually like a dry contact lens, and it’s a must to watch out to not rip it whereas forcing it on.
It’s price it although. The sticky SpinFit suggestions maintain the Pixel Buds Professional 2 securely in my ears, regardless of whether or not I’m exercising, transferring round, or transferring my face when consuming.
They’re very safe, and really feel comfortable and comfy in my ear.
The Azla SednaEarfit Max are a lot simpler to placed on the Pixel Buds Professional 2, because the inside part isn’t as stable because the SpinFit’s. The silicone isn’t as sticky, and is extra like a conventional ear tip you get in different in-ear earbuds.
When fitted, they aren’t fairly as safe because the SpinFit’s both. Nevertheless, I haven’t seen any change in efficiency.
That stated, they really feel extra sturdy, I like using medical grade silicone, and so they have a wax guard inside, which is lacking from the SpinFit Omnis.
It’s additionally price mentioning that the Pixel Buds Professional 2 nonetheless fortunately match and cost contained in the case when outfitted with the Azla SednaFit Max (the MS/M/ML choices) and the medium SpinFit Omnis, as you’ll be able to see within the pictures above.
Each are higher than commonplace
A worthwhile funding
Whereas it’s exhausting to resolve which one is best, each are a giant enchancment over the ear suggestions that include the Pixel Buds Professional 2.
Pressured to choose, I’d probably select the SpinFit Omni, purely due to the tremendous sticky materials, however I’ve been pleased with each.
Now I’ve been in a position to make use of them extra, what’s the sound like many months after they have been launched?
I principally use an Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max for music and podcasts, and this isn’t the best pairing.
The issues principally come up with reconnecting to the cellphone if it’s a must to take away them out of your ears. I’ve additionally needed to manually pressure the preliminary connection a couple of instances too.
Use them with the Pixel 10 Professional XL, and issues are a lot better, together with the flexibility to tune the sound and activate completely different capabilities, making the Pixel Buds Professional 2 higher for Android units. Does that make them a must-buy?
How do they sound?
Time to seize a deal
I just like the compact dimensions, and now I’ve obtained the match proper, I’ve worn them comfortably.
Nevertheless, I don’t suppose the energetic noise cancellation is as efficient because the Apple AirPods 2 Professional or the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Professional. It’s way more delicate, dulling the background sound fairly than working exhausting to take away it.
This subtlety is repeated within the audio efficiency, which at its baseline doesn’t pump the bass or emphasize the vocals, holding the sound linear. It can lead to a fairly flat, impassive expertise.
The Pixel Buds Professional 2 profit from experimenting with an EQ or different listening modes, fairly than leaving them commonplace.
Feeling the necessity to purchase completely different ear suggestions for a brand new pair of wi-fi earbuds dulls the joy of choosing up the Pixel Buds Professional 2, however there are a number of first rate offers round which can assist offset this requirement.
At $180 from Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Google, the Pixel Buds Professional 2 characterize good worth, even while you then should spend one other $10 to $20 on higher ear suggestions.
For those who haven’t already obtained them, it’s time to purchase. Alternatively, check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Professional, the place I’ve by no means had any issues with the match.
8.5/10
- Battery Life
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8 hours with ANC (30 hours with case)
- Noise Cancellation
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Sure, energetic
- Bluetooth
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Bluetooth 5.4
The Google Pixel Buds Professional 2 options an enhanced design, new audio drivers, and new AI options.