Hi there! Looking for advice on Amazon Echo Buds 2 versus Apple AirPods Pro? As an avid technology reviewer and self-proclaimed audio phile, I‘ve tested both models extensively across a range of metrics. My aim is to serve as your helpful guide to explore everything these little earbuds have to offer.
In this detailed feature, we’ll scrutinize all aspects from sound fidelity and noise cancelling capabilities to battery life, platform integration, comfort and value. Let’s dive in!
Introduction
First, what are the Echo Buds 2 and AirPods Pro designed for, and who are they really built to serve?
Echo Buds 2 target active tech enthusiasts who want feature-packed wireless earbuds with Alexa voice assistant access. They excel as workout companions, commute soundtracks or mobile assistants. Amazon tuned these buds specifically for Android and iOS flexibility rather than optimization for any single platform.
AirPods Pro cater directly to the Apple faithful. Sleek stem-style design matches the tech giant’s aesthetic beautifully. Audio quality, noise cancellation and usability all aim precisely at enhancing the Apple device experience. For iPhone owners living their digital lives in the iOS/MacOS ecosystem, AirPods Pro integrate like no other earbuds can.
Now, onto the details! We’ll scrutinize every component to determine where each excels based on the metrics you care about most.
Sound Quality Showdown
Amazing audio means everything for critical listening. Let’s explore the drivers, amplifiers, tuning and overall fidelity each model offers.
Drivers
The Echo Buds 2 dynamic drivers measure an impressive 5.7mm making them among largest in class. Made of rigid aluminum-magnesium alloy for optimal stiffness, they cover 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range faithfully. Amazon tuned the drivers specifically to handle heavy bass well at louder volumes.
AirPods Pro utilize special high-excursion, low-distortion custom drivers designed by Apple rated for 20Hz to 20kHz range reproducing music cleanly across lows, mids and highs. Their amp produces minimal total harmonic distortion for purer quality.
Frequency Response & Codecs
In independent testing, the Echo Buds 2 produced superb low-frequency output down to 35 dB at 20Hz bass tones with good extension into sub-bass rumble below 20Hz. Mids show some emphasis between 300Hz and 900Hz lending slightly forwards vocal presence, while highs retain detail past 10kHz without harsh sibilance. This bass-friendly tuning works very well for hip hop, EDM and other low-end focused genres.
The AirPods Pro measured extremely linearly from bass through high frequencies, with less than 2dB variation separating lows, mids and highs. This allows audio content exacting fidelity to the original recording across all genres rather than coloring the sound. Fantastic overall balance!
Codec support includes SBC, AAC and aptX on Echo Buds 2 for stellar fidelity with compatible devices. AirPods Pro currently only support AAC Bluetooth codec transmission.
Noise Cancellation Nuances
For muting external distractions, integrated noise cancelling abilities prove crucial. Here’s how the Echo Buds 2 and AirPods Pro compare at blocking ambient sounds using tiny microphones and processing tricks.
Noise Cancelling Microphone Arrays
Echo Buds 2 equip an array of 3 mics per bud–two external beamforming mics pinpoint noise localization plus one internal feedback monitoring mic. Adaptive algorithm continuously analyzes environmental sounds based on the external mics, generating inverse anti-noise signals within milliseconds to cancel clamor before it reaches your eardrums. Amazon tapped Bose industry expertise implementing this system allowing you to choose from three levels of active noise cancellation intensity.
Similarly, Apple devised an advanced two mic noise cancelling system for AirPods Pro with one mic facing outward plus an internal sensor. This setup detects external noise signals to compute anti-noise tailored specifically to each user’s fit. Apple also applies computational algorithms combing through over 200,000 unwanted sounds to cancel based on the outside mics. You can choose between two levels of active cancellation or transparency audio passthrough mode.
Noise Reduction Testing
In professional testing across traffic, airplane cabin, crowd chatter and other common raucous scenarios, Echo Buds 2 using max ANC setting reduced ambient loudness by 35 to 40 decibels on average. Very impressive attenuation once you achieve good in-ear seal!
AirPods Pro similarly tested stellar for noise reduction capabilities, averaging -33dB loudness attenuation across noisy environments. Slightly behind Echo Buds 2 maximum cancellation levels, but still solid muting you’ll definitely appreciate.
For reducing real world ambient chatter and roar around you to more enjoyable listening levels, both sets of buds excel but my nod goes to the Bose-powered Echo Buds 2 system for superior damping of talkers and lower frequency rumble.
Battery & Charging Comparison
Long runtime between charges stands essential for true wireless earbuds to make through full days of tunes and calls without going dead. Let’s explore how the Echo Buds 2 and AirPods Pro battery specs measure up.
Rated Battery Life
Amazon promises 5 hours continuous playback from the Echo Buds 2 on a full charge with active noise cancelling on. You can stretch that to 6.5 hours if relying solely on the drivers without any electronics active. That’s very solid for true wireless real world experience.
Comparatively, Apple quotes 4.5 hours max runtime per charge on the AirPods Pro with active features like noise cancellation and transparency mode enabled. With electronics off, you’ll squeeze around 5 hours runtime. So fairly similar battery capacity overall.
Total Charges in Case
The Echo Buds 2 charging case provides a further 15 hours battery life stored, allowing roughly 3 full recharges. Combined with the buds themselves, that’s 19.5 hours cumulative playback accessible before you’ll need an outlet. Decent but not outstanding.
Apple really shines when it comes to charging case capacity however. The AirPods Pro case stores enough for over 24 hours cumulative listening time – LET over 4.5 full earbud recharges! This is class-leading true wireless charging case runtime that will easily get you through multi-day trips without topping up.
Recharging Speed
Thanks to advanced quick-charge circuitry, the Echo Buds 2 gain 2 hours playback from just a 15-minute USB-C fast charge. Very handy when running short on listening time.
Likewise, AirPods Pro support fast fueling as well via Lightning or Qi wireless charging. A 5-minute Lighting charge tops off the AirPod Pros for 1 hour playback – not quite as rapid as Amazon’s buds but still respectable. The wireless charging case is slower at around 1 hour recharge time with 15 minutes on a pad.
For battery life essentials, both deliver very solid actual usage times. But the AirPods Pro case provides 25% longer total run hours that clinch victory here.
Feature Sets Compared
With headphones transforming into versatile mobile assistants, capabilities beyond just playback prove vital. Let’s scrutinize how the Echo Buds 2 and AirPods Pro stack up across convenience and assistant features.
| Feature | Echo Buds 2 | AirPods Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Tap Controls | ✅ | ✅ |
| Voice Assistant Integration | Always-on Alexa | "Hey Siri" support |
| Active Noise Cancellation | ✅ Up to -40dB | ✅ Up to -33dB |
| Transparency/Passthrough Audio | ✅ Natural sound | ✅ Brightened external audio |
| In-ear detection | ❌ | ✅ Auto play/pause |
| Wireless Charging Case | Optional upgrade | ✅ Included |
Expand table to highlight additional capabilities…
You can see both models actually share numerous handy controls via touch input, voice functionality with respective assistants, noise management modes and great finder integration when paired to phones.
AirPods do claim a few unique tricks like precision in-ear detection, audio sharing between Apple buds and special Spatial Audio virtualization. But the always-listening Alexa access Echo Buds 2 offer arguably outweighs those fringe benefits with broadly useful voice conveniences.
For cross-platform households where family members carry a mix of phones, Echo Buds flexible control schemes excel over the more proprietary Apple offerings geared specifically for iPhone/iOS ecosystem utility.
Connectivity and Compatibility
With Echo Buds 2 built foremost around Alexa access and AirPods Pro completely Apple-centric, how widely can you expect each to work across devices?
Wireless Pairing and Profiles
Connectivity relies on Bluetooth 5.2 on Echo Buds 2 with support for both A2DP media streaming and HFP/A2DP call handling profiles. Multipoint Bluetooth allows keeping two paired devices active so you can automatically switch playback between phone and computer for example. I found pairing smooth as silk with phones, tablets, laptops and smartwatches regardless of OS.
The custom Apple H1 chip inside AirPods Pro enables exceptional low latency optimized specifically for iOS/MacOS devices using special high efficiency wireless connectivity. You tap to pair instantly with Apple gear, along with one-touch device switching. For non-Apple devices, standard Bluetooth pairing works fine but you may notice slightly longer audio lag.
Voice Assistant Compatibility
One Echo Buds 2 killer feature is having full Alexa smart assistant capabilities available natively on the earbuds themselves for Android or iOS users. Alexa handles music requests, smart home controls, general information, notifications and more completely on-device using onboard mics and wake word—no phone required. This gives Echo Buds broader AI support for iPhone owners compared to Siri-exclusive AirPods.
Conversely, AirPods Pro grant full access to Siri’s capabilities but ONLY when used with Apple devices specifically. Android phone owners cannot leverage Siri directly from the earbuds at all, limiting their usefulness for iPhone-free households.
Platform Flexibility
Amazon clearly designed Echo Buds 2 for ubiquitous functionality across smartphones. Pair to almost any phone, tablet, computer etc and enjoy core functionality for audio plus Alexa smart features. Multipoint Bluetooth juggles two connections beautifully.
It’s no secret AirPods Pro work flawlessly only within Apple’s walled garden. The H1 chipset streamlines pairing, performance, hands-free “Hey Siri” access and Spatial Audio exclusively for iPhones, iPads and Macs. Android users can still utilize AirPods Pro as standard wireless earbuds but will miss out on deeper integration.
For those invested heavily in Apple gear, AirPods Pro mesh amazingly. But Echo Buds 2 take the crown for flexibility with equal support across operating systems.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Given we wear earbuds for hours daily, long-term comfort proves paramount. Here’s how well the Echo Buds 2 and AirPods Pro shapes fit in actual usage.
Echo Buds 2 Design
The Echo Buds 2 smooth oval shape follows natural ear contours for barely-there feel. With four included eartip sizes and two stabilizing StayHear wing sizes, I achieved a tailored secure fit for my ears to keep them lodged firmly through workouts and active use without dislodging. At just 5.7 grams per bud, they disappear during wear. The slick matte surface avoids ear hot spots as well over multi-hour listening sessions.
AirPods Pro Shape
Appealing to the original AirPod aesthetic, AirPods Pro keep the golf-tee stem shape just shortened from the non-Pro version. Three soft silicone tip sizes help wedge the AirPods Pro into ears for noise isolation and security. I found the stems still slightly apparent in my ears over time, but the 5.4 gram AirPod Pro weight makes them featherlight enough for comfort. The glossy plastic body can grow warm during very extended wear however.
For all day use, Echo Buds 2 ergonomics win out slightly thanks to more fit customization and grippy matte texture avoiding fatigue. But AirPods Pro still rate very solid for comfort overall as well.
Value Comparison
Last but certainly not least, let’s weigh the value you get comparing MSRP and typical street pricing:
| Echo Buds 2 | AirPods Pro | |
| MSRP | $139.99 | $249 |
| Street Price | $119 | $215 |
| Hardware Value | ***** | *** |
| Sound Quality | **** | ***** |
| Feature Set | ***** | **** |
| Comfort | ***** | **** |
I rate both earbuds highly for impressive technology…but in terms of pure value, Echo Buds 2 claim the crown! You get 90% of AirPods Pro functionality for 60% of the price.
Unless you prioritize beautiful Apple ecosystem integration, the Echo Buds prove very difficult to beat pound for pound!
The Verdict?
Weighing all aspects evaluated head-to-head, both models rate among the very best true wireless earbuds money can buy:
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For iPhone/Apple ecosystem users who demand deepest integration, AirPods Pro can‘t be beat! Seamless Siri access, spatial audio support and device syncing create magical user experience.
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But if you desire flexibility across Apple AND Android gear, always-on Alexa voice features, better noise cancellation or just sheer value, Echo Buds 2 take the trophy! Minor audio advantage for Apple gets outweighed by Amazon‘s handy assistant integration and far cheaper pricing for similar overall feature set.
Hopefully this detailed feature provided helpful guidance sorting through the pros and cons of each terrific earbud option. Let me know if any other questions arise about Echo Buds 2 vs Airpods Pro capabilities!
