OVERALL

SPECS

VS AVERAGE

REVIEWS

ALTERNATIVES

Creative Aurvana Live 2 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£60
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Creative Aurvana Live 2 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Good

4.8

Poor

6.5

Good

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.1
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
4.3
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
3.4
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
4.3
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

Verdict

The Creative Aurvana Live! 2 is a closed-back, over-ear headphone featuring 40mm Neodymium drivers with composite bio-cellulose diaphragms designed for a wide frequency response of 10Hz to 30kHz. Key characteristics include a lightweight 255g design, high sensitivity of 105dB/mW, and a 32-ohm impedance that makes it easy to drive from mobile devices. Its main pros are the exceptional long-term comfort provided by protein faux leather memory foam pads, a warm and impactful bass-oriented sound signature, and a detachable flat tangle-free cable with an inline microphone and volume slider. However, common cons include a somewhat fragile plastic construction prone to hinge failure, a non-standard 2.5mm to 3.5mm proprietary cable connection, and a sound profile that some users find slightly recessed in the upper mid-range or 'boomy' in the low end.

Technical Specifications of Creative Aurvana Live 2

Overall score

5.1

Show more

Hide

Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

4.9

Show more

Hide

Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

Show more

Calls & Controls

4.9

Show more

Hide

Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?

Show more

Connectivity

6.2

Show more

Hide

Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Show more

Features

4.1

Show more

Hide

Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

Show more

Battery

1.0

Show more

Hide

Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

Show more

Design

6.6

Show more

Hide

Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Creative

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

Show more

Creative Aurvana Live 2 vs the average headphone

Why is Creative Aurvana Live 2 better than the average headphone?

Show more

Hide

Direct 3.5 mm plug
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
In-line controls
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
10,000 Hz higher treble extension
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.30000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
Quick mic mute
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
What it is: Ability to mute microphone during calls
When it matters: When you need to silence the mic quickly during meetings or multiplayer games.
Importance: LOW
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
8 mm more spacious earcup width
Creative Aurvana Live 2 offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (51 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
What it is: Internal width of the earcup cavity
When it matters: When earcup fit affects comfort and pressure around your ears.
Importance: MEDIUM
Creative Aurvana Live 2 offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (51 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.51 mm vs 43 mm
0.8 lower clamp force
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.3.5 vs 4.3
8 mm more spacious earcup width
Creative Aurvana Live 2 offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (51 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
0.8 lower clamp force
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3.5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
10,000 Hz higher treble extension
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
13x higher input power handling
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher max input power than the average headphone (1,300 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
20 dB higher max SPL
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Quick mic mute
Creative Aurvana Live 2 includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.

Calls & Controls

Why is Creative Aurvana Live 2 worse than the average headphone?

Show more

Hide

17% higher weight
Creative Aurvana Live 2 is heavier than the average headphone (255 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
9 mm tighter earcup height
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (51 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
7.7 % higher distortion
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (8 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
4 years older release date
Creative Aurvana Live 2 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,013 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
December 2013
7.7 % higher distortion
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (8 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (8 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.8 % vs 0.3 %
17% higher weight
Creative Aurvana Live 2 is heavier than the average headphone (255 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Creative Aurvana Live 2 is heavier than the average headphone (255 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.255 g vs 218 g
9 mm tighter earcup height
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (51 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
What it is: Internal height of the earcup cavity
When it matters: When larger ears need enough space inside the earcups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has tighter earcup height than the average headphone (51 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.51 mm vs 60 mm
23.6% lower user score
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.47 vs 8.000).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Creative Aurvana Live 2 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.47 vs 8.000).6.47 vs 8
4 years older release date
Creative Aurvana Live 2 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,013 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
December 2013
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Creative Aurvana Live 2 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,013 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2013 vs 2017

Graphic comparison of Creative Aurvana Live 2 and

Attribute category

Attribute

No results found

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Creative Aurvana Live 2?

Punchy and impactful bass performance that is satisfying without being overwhelming
Exceptional wearing comfort for long sessions due to soft ear pads and a lightweight design
Great soundstage and instrument separation for a closed-back headphone
Rich and natural-sounding mid-range, making it suitable for vocals and a variety of music genres
Detachable, tangle-resistant flat cable with an integrated microphone and remote
Easy to drive even with low-power mobile devices like smartphones

What customers dislike about Creative Aurvana Live 2?

Mixed reviews on build quality; some users reported flimsy plastic parts and breakage at the hinges
Proprietary 2.5mm jack on the headphone end limits third-party cable replacement options
Below-average passive noise isolation for a closed-back design, which may not be ideal for loud environments
Non-breathable pleather ear pads can cause ears to get warm and sweaty during extended use
V-shaped sound signature may feel too 'colored' or 'fun' for users seeking strict audiophile neutrality
Inline volume control can negatively impact sound purity if adjusted below 75%

Expert reviews

diyah.boards.net

14/12/2013

Creative Aurvana Live 2 - DIY Audio Heaven

in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons insideSearching The DIY Audio Heaven review highlights the Creative Aurvana Live! 2Go to product viewer dialog for this item. as a comfortable, highly detailed headphone featuring a dynamic, warm sound with a massive soundstage and powerful, fast bass. Powered by Foster drivers, these headphones offer clear vocals and...Read more

life2go.net

16/02/2019

Creative Aurvana Live!2 - Affordable Hi-Fi? - life2go.net

The Creative Aurvana Live!2 (CAL2) is evaluated as a highly affordable, budget-friendly hi-fi headphone option, priced at 69€ on Amazon Germany at the time of the review. Its defining technical feature is the implementation of 40mm neodymium drivers featuring ultra-thin bio-cellulose diaphragms, which successfully deliver a relatively neutral audio presentation with punchier bass...Read more

head-fi.org

05/11/2013

Creative Aurvana Live! 2 Headset with 40mm Drivers and In-line Mic

The Creative Aurvana Live! 2 headset, featuring 40mm bio-cellulose drivers, is lauded for its comfortable, lightweight design and practical detachable cable with a microphone and volume control. Key drawbacks include the pleather ear pads, which quickly become sweaty and uncomfortable during extended use. Sonically, the headset delivers a massive, club-like bass performance that is...Read more

mmorpg.com

08/10/2017

Creative Aurvana Live!2 Headphones Review - Gaming Goes Hi-Fi

The Creative Aurvana Live! 2 ($99) is lauded as an exceptional crossover headset providing audiophile-grade performance, featuring a 10Hz to 30kHz range for superior, detailed audio in both gaming and music applications. Its key strengths include a warm, balanced sound profile with impactful bass, as well as a versatile detachable cable design. However, the headset lacks the...Read more

headmania.org

09/02/2014

Creative Aurvana Live 2 - Review - HeadMania

The Creative Aurvana Live 2 (CAL2) improves upon its predecessor, the CAL1, by introducing a distinct look, larger earcups for enhanced comfort and noise isolation, and convenient portability features like turnable earcups and a detachable cable. It upgrades the headphone drivers with new 40mm Neodymium bio-cellulose diaphragms, a biotechnology-processed natural fiber engineered to...Read more

pcmag.com

13/01/2015

Creative Aurvana Live!2 Review - PCMag

The Creative Aurvana Live! 2 ($129.99) are lightweight, comfortable, no-frills over-ear headphones featuring soft padding and a flat-folding design suitable for travel. They offer a clean audio profile with strong midrange response and a detachable, flat, linguini-style cable. PCMag UKPerformance highlights include a subtle, rich bass that avoids the muddy sound found in many...Read more

theheadphonelist.com

19/02/2014

Creative Aurvana Live! 2 Review - The Headphone List

The Creative Aurvana Live! 2 (CAL! 2) is an over-the-ear, flat-folding portable headphone priced around $115 that features a consumer-friendly, warm, and lush sound signature. On the positive side, it stands out for its exceptional wearing comfort, combining very low weight, deep cups, and spacious memory foam pads to create a fatigue-free fit. It features an improved aesthetic and...Read more

newgadgets.de

21/06/2026

Review: Creative Aurvana Live!2 Over-Ear Headphones

Design and Build Quality The Creative Aurvana Live!2 is an over-ear headphone model available in black and red color variants, with the red version featuring a striking "Christmas bauble red" finish on the ear cups. The design combines circular ear cups with modern, triangular metal-alloy brackets, a faux-leather padded headband, and soft faux-leather ear cushions. While the build...Read more

areadvd.de

14. März 2014

REVIEW: Creative Aurvana Live!2 Headset – Great sound at a fair price?

The Creative Aurvana Live!2 is an exceptionally well-crafted, lightweight closed-back headset that delivers premium, dynamic audio at a very fair €129.99 MSRP. It is equipped with advanced 40mm bio-cellulose drivers that pump out a powerful, punchy bass response without muddying or overshadowing the clear midrange and treble frequencies. Structurally, it features a high-quality...Read more

gamereactor.no

20/11/2013

Review: Creative Aurvana Live!2 (Italian Edition)", "Test: Creative Aurvana Live!2 (Italian Edition)

The Creative Aurvana Live!2 is a visually stylish, classy, and comfortable over-ear headset that offers a distinct aesthetic upgrade over its predecessor. Priced around 1000 NOK, the reviewer notes that it delivers a heavy bass response, which may appeal to mainstream music fans but slightly sacrifices the overall clarity and neutrality desired by audiophiles. The build quality...Read more

stereo-head.it

07/03/2014

Creative Aurvana Live!2: The Portable Evolution of Aurvana Live! – Review

The Creative Aurvana Live!2 (CAL!2) headphones offer a significant upgrade in build quality, materials, and aesthetics compared to their predecessor while retaining the same Foster-developed drivers. These closed-back, circumaural headphones are highly portable, comfortable due to generous padding on the headband and earpads, and easy to drive using smartphones or MP3 players thanks...Read more

hardware.info

08/09/2019

Listening without fuss: nine headphones under 75 euros tested (mentioning CAL! 2)

The Creative Aurvana Live! is a long-standing contender in the budget audio market, featuring a design based on a Foster reference blueprint shared with higher-end "Fostex" models. Priced around €60, its build quality relies heavily on glossy black plastic and a shiny silver rim that are prone to picking up fingerprint smudges easily. The thin headband and ear pads are covered in...Read more

tweakers.net

10/06/2026

Creative Aurvana Live! 2 Black review by terabyte

The Creative Aurvana Live!2 Zwart offers an exceptional, bass-heavy sound profile with outstanding depth, providing a highly dynamic listening experience. While the audio quality is excellent, the build quality is criticized as poor, with a high risk of the plastic frame breaking over time. Additionally, the included cable is noted for poor durability, often developing connectivity...Read more

Video reviews

Best alternatives

Sony WH 1000XM4

Headphones

JBL Tour One M3

Headphones

Sony WH 1000XM6

Headphones

Headphones

Headphones

Sony WH ULT900N

Headphones

Nothing Headphone 1

Headphones

Sony WH 1000XM5

Headphones

Headphones

Huawei Freebuds Studio

Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum

Headphones

JBL Tour One M2

Headphones

Compare Creative Aurvana Live 2 with

Compare