Genuinely excellent audio quality is hard to come by, especially in earbuds, and taking exceptional ANC over good sound seems to be an expected sacrifice. That’s not the case with the Status Pro X earbuds, and they really give earbuds like the Pixel Buds Pro 2 a run for their money.
If we’re talking about good audio options, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 generally come up in that conversation. They bring a lot to the table, and the inherent cohesive experience for Android users means a pair of earbuds that works well with your phone day in and day out.
But one of the major drawbacks we tend to see with Google’s audio options is the lack of high-quality audio. That isn’t to say it’s bad, but it could be better. Even with adaptive audio, ANC often grabs a hold of that intended sound signature and alters it. The internal Tensor A1 chip does a good job, but a difference can be heard by discerning listeners.
Sound quality and ANC
What we’ve found is that Status Audio’s newest entry, the Pro X, makes a good argument for alternative options, even for Android users.
Just like Google’s flagship option, the Status Pro X offers the expected feature set. We’re talking about basics like touch controls, ANC, wear-detection, and more. You’ll find those features across the board, but what you might not find is what Status calls “hybrid ANC.” It’s similar to Google’s adaptive ANC in that it reacts to intensity and loudness and adjusts accordingly.
Status Audio’s version can achieve up to 52 dB of noise reduction, bringing deafening sounds down to tolerable levels if needed. Beyond that, the Pro X seems not to flinch when ANC is active.
One of the biggest contentions in ANC is how it affects audio quality. In low-end options, ANC drowns out noise, but it also muddies the audio you want to hear. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 do a fine job of ensuring ANC doesn’t destroy your audio, but the Pro X takes it to another level.
While ANC is on, the Pro X earbuds sound just as good as when ANC is completely off. That’s hard to achieve, and not many earbuds can make the same claim. On top of that, baseline audio quality for the Status Pro X is already extremely high.
There are 3 drivers in each earbud, with one 12mm woofer driving the majority of sound, and two Knowles balanced armature drivers providing detailed highs and mids. The amount of depth achieved from that setup, along with LDAC, AAC, and SBC codec support, makes for incredible sound quality. And that doesn’t change when you’re tuning out the world with ANC on.
As for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the slightly smaller driver delivers good sound, but the details are nowhere near as tangible without those extra drivers present.
On the other end, call quality gets similar attention. With Voiceloom and three beam-forming mics, the Pro X utilizes an AI speech enhancement tool that filters voices and rejects sounds that tend to get pushed through to the person receiving the call. It’s very similar to Google’s Clear Calling feature, which is a must for some users who need uninterrupted calling.
Build and comfort
Another thing the Pixel Buds 2 Pro deliver is comfort. After all, they’re designed to be extremely comfortable for all-day wear.
Status made this a big focus on the Pro X, and they hit a high note. They don’t quite sit in the ear as much as the Pixel Buds, but they come in a light enough package that the floating chassis doesn’t weigh enough to be a bother. The design also allows for a secure fit, and the following head-bobbing you’ll subconsciously do when those buried details come out of the woodwork won’t result in a lost earbud.
The buds don’t take on a domed shape, either. They’re a little more stylish in a rectangular design that sits off the ear. The top portion is a matter cream or black colorway, while the ends are finished in a gold-colored plating.
The case matches that look, with a short and wide chassis that takes on the matching colors.
Even with a more refined look, they’re an excellent choice for active lifestyles. Each earbud is rated for IP55 water and dust resistance, so they won’t be a liability during intense workouts.
All of the best features
Beyond the basics, Status Pro X earbuds have some other tricks up their sleeve.
One major feature is compatibility with Google’s Find My Device hub, and an even deeper integration with the Status app. The earbuds can be located through Google’s Find Hub app or through the company’s own app. From there, it can be located by playing its lost tone, leading you right to it.
The earbuds also support Google Fast Pair, so you can switch devices in a matter of seconds.
On top of that, EQ settings and customized controls can be configured in the app. By default, the earbuds use touch controls for volume and track selection, and the physical top buttons for voice assistant and ANC modes. The differentiation is nice, and being able to switch those controls around based on each earbud is wonderful.
Battery life is excellent, too. The Pro X earbuds are rated for 8 hours per charger, per earbud. With the case, it gets extended to 24 hours of total listening time. Wireless charging is an option, too, just like the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
In all, the Status Pro X earbuds bring a lot of the best features we see in OEM options like the Pixel Buds Pro 2. When all of those are put together, they make up a really good pair of eabruds. But what makes them great boils down to performance in its main job – audio.
The Status Pro X produces excellent audio, and it gets as close to audiophile-grade in a small, battery-powered package as you can get. With that, and ANC that doesn’t get in the way of that, the Status Pro X make their mark as an excellent earbud option for Android users.
At $249 on sale ($299 regular), the Status Pro X earbuds live up to their price tag.
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