Compare Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds vs Sennheiser CX 80U Wired Earbuds

Active noise cancellation drew the strongest agreement: reviewers repeatedly called it excellent, impressive, or among the best in true wireless earbuds.

Android compatibility was consistently weak because reviewers said many features are unavailable or the experience is not worth the price.

Android-style USB-C use was strong in Tom’s Guide testing, where the earbuds worked seamlessly with a Google Pixel phone.

The app/settings experience was excellent on Apple devices but sharply weaker for Android users without access to key controls.

Tom’s Guide noted there is no companion app, but judged that absence as not a major drawback for these wired earbuds.

The H2 chip was credited with better ANC, battery life, stability, and the features that distinguish this generation.

Low-latency spatial audio for Vision Pro was positively described as essential for avoiding delayed audio in that use case.

Bass was usually described as satisfying, fuller, and more powerful than earlier AirPods, with only isolated caveats about tightness or quantity versus other headphones.

Bass was generally described as clean, responsive, punchy, and powerful, though both transcripts noted the deepest sub-bass lacked some weight.

Battery life was adequate to good for most users, improved over older models, but several reviewers still called it average or behind rivals.

Bluetooth reliability was generally strong in lab and long-term testing, though one dropped-product report mentioned occasional connection and balance issues.

Build quality received a low long-term note because the case was reported to scratch easily.

TechRadar explicitly praised the earbuds’ build quality as impressive for the budget category.

Hi-res playback support was weak because the reviews noted no broad high-resolution audio support outside the headset exception.

Tom’s Guide treated the built-in DAC and hi-res playback support as a major selling point for budget wired earbuds.

Button and pinch controls were praised as intuitive and superior to less comfortable tap-based controls.

Control usability was mixed: TechRadar disliked the missing volume buttons, while Tom’s Guide praised the button feel and responsiveness.

Cable quality drew criticism from Tom’s Guide because the wires lack anti-tangle design and bunch up in a pocket.

The case was widely liked for compactness, pocketability, speaker/Find My usefulness, and easier daily handling, despite scratch concerns elsewhere.

Charging was praised for quick top-ups, Apple Watch/MagSafe/wireless options, USB-C convenience, and reduced cable friction.

Codec support was a recurring weakness because reviewers noted AAC/SBC limits and no higher-quality codec support.

Comfort during long use was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly saying they could wear the earbuds for extended sessions.

Comfort was excellent across both reviews, including multi-hour listening with no irritation and full marks for long-period wear.

Design drew mixed-to-positive reactions: reviewers liked the modern look and compact case but criticized white plastic grip, stains, or snag-prone stems.

Design reactions were split: TechRadar loved the classy look, while Tom’s Guide found the lowkey all-black design unflashy.

Fit was generally favorable, especially versus some rivals, but reviews still noted ear-tip fit may vary by ear.

Fit was a major positive, with the right seal improving comfort and Tom’s Guide’s chosen tips staying put securely.

Ear tip size options were praised for improving fit and seal, especially the added extra-small option, though some wanted extra-large tips.

Both reviews valued the supplied eartip options because they helped users find a better fit and seal.

Equalizer customization was a consistent weakness: reviewers repeatedly missed a manual EQ or noted no direct EQ adjustment.

Equalizer customization is limited, but Tom’s Guide did not feel a need to tailor the sound profile during use.

Find My support was heavily praised for case tracking, sounds, precision finding, and helping locate individual buds or the case.

The long-term reviewer who discussed tonal balance found the frequency response consistent and neutral.

The tonal balance was broadly praised as full-range and accurate, but Tom’s Guide still noted the lowest frequencies were less refined.

Included accessories were positively noted where the extra-small ear tips were treated as a needed and applauded inclusion.

Instrument separation was praised in the reviews that discussed it, especially the ability to pull apart different elements in music.

Instrument and vocal separation were praised, with layers avoiding muddiness and words not bleeding together.

The integrated microphone hardware was praised where the beam-forming mic array was evaluated directly.

The integrated mic was usable but not impressive, with decent voice clarity offset by static and limited call quality.

Lossless audio support was mostly a limitation, except for Vision Pro-specific support that one reviewer found useful.

Tom’s Guide praised the earbuds for lossless, low-latency playback support up to 24-bit/96KHz.

Maximum-volume clarity was mostly positive, though one review noted clarity can suffer at high levels while another heard little distortion.

At peak volume, the TechRadar review found the treble stayed controlled instead of becoming harsh or tinny.

Microphone noise reduction was praised for suppressing background noise and keeping voices intelligible.

The mic picked up noticeable background static, suggesting weak noise handling during recording or calls.

Call mic quality ranged from mediocre in one audiophile review to excellent in lab and mainstream reviews, with most evidence positive.

Call mic performance was a weakness in TechRadar’s testing, with acceptable voice clarity but below-best call quality.

Midrange performance earned positive notes for natural vocals, balanced mids, and clear vocal presentation.

Mids and vocals came through clearly, with one review praising robust balance and the other emphasizing intelligible, separated vocals.

Multi-platform use was acceptable in the one Windows mention, where switching to a Windows PC worked without trouble.

Multi-platform compatibility was strong, with Tom’s Guide reporting seamless use across a Pixel phone, MacBooks, and an iPad.

Apple-device switching and connectivity were repeatedly praised, while true non-Apple multipoint remained a limitation.

Passive isolation was strongest when reviewers got a good seal, but one long-term user still wanted more background blocking.

Passive noise isolation was repeatedly praised, with the seal and eartips blocking office chatter and reducing external sounds well.

Portability was praised through the small, pocketable case and sleek form factor.

Pocket portability is undercut by the cable tangling and bunching, which Tom’s Guide found annoying to manage.

Sensors were praised where auto-wear/skin detection returned and improved playback behavior.

Smudge and surface resistance were weak in long-term use, with complaints about scratching, yellowing, and visible grime.

Setup and software simplicity were excellent in Apple’s ecosystem but poor for users outside it, especially Android owners.

Setup simplicity was excellent because the USB-C plug-and-play interface worked without friction.

Reviewers broadly praised the AirPods Pro 2 sound as clear, balanced, rich, and dramatically improved, though a few framed it as merely good rather than truly pro-level.

Reviewers strongly praised the CX 80U’s sound for detail and refinement, while one review framed it as mostly superb because the lowest bass was weaker.

Soundstage depth was mixed: some reviewers found the experience immersive, but others heard limited depth compared with larger headphones.

Reviewers often found the soundstage surprisingly wide and spacious for earbuds, though some treated the effect as limited compared with full-size headphones.

Both reviewers found a convincing sense of space, including defined treble placement and a notably wide soundstage.

Spatial audio was polarizing: several reviewers loved the immersion, while others called it gimmicky or frustrating to personalize.

Stability was strong in lab tests and daily use, with one long-term reviewer only wishing for slightly better grip in certain jaw movements.

Stability was excellent in Tom’s Guide testing, with the earbuds staying in place while stationary and walking.

Sustainability materials were mentioned positively in one review that applauded Apple’s sourced-material choices.

Touch and stem controls were usually praised for convenience and responsiveness, though several reviewers found the volume gesture imperfect or awkward at first.

Transparency mode was one of the most praised features, often described as natural, class-leading, and useful for conversations or awareness.

Treble was consistently characterized as smooth, natural, and free from harshness or sibilance.

Treble was a strength in both reviews, staying vivid and bright without turning harsh, tinny, or shrill.

USB-C was generally welcomed for cable convenience, though one review said it was not enough reason to upgrade from the Lightning version alone.

USB-C was a major advantage in both reviews, improving fit with modern devices and making the earbuds more versatile.

Value was strong for Apple users, especially on sale, though some reviews still emphasized the high price and ecosystem dependence.

Value was a standout strength in both reviews, with strong praise for the sub-$40 sound and overall bang for the buck.

Voice assistant integration was praised in one long-term review for working seamlessly with Apple’s assistant.

Volume output was seen as strong, with one lab noting maintained sound quality at high and low levels and another noting clarity at low volume.

Water and sweat resistance were viewed positively for workouts, sweat, light rain, and added security, but not as full waterproofing.

Water resistance was a limitation because TechRadar wanted at least IPX4-style splash protection and found no waterproofing claim.

Weight comfort was supported by praise for the lightweight design that helped make the earbuds comfortable.

Tom’s Guide tied comfort and stability partly to the very light individual earbud weight.