Overall Score 6.6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sennheiser CX 500BT | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 12g | 10.6g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | ✗ | 11mm | |
lowest frequency | 5Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 21000Hz | 20000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 94dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 24hours | |
charge time | ✗ | 1hours | |
battery power | ✗ | 49.7mAh | |
has wireless charging | ✗ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✗ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.3 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
highest mic frequency | 10000Hz | ✗ | |
lowest mic frequency | 100Hz | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | ✗ | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
warranty period | 2Years | ✗ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings refer to the rating of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value means protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.
Compared to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), Sennheiser CX 500BT have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a weight of 10.6g . We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT, at 12g
weigh more than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by of 1.4g
For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires connecting any part of the device together, Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires linking the two earbuds together.
Sennheiser CX 500BT also is true wireless since it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have sweat resistance
Sennheiser CX 500BT's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use during long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) then producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 hence "diluting" the noise.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background noise.
Sennheiser CX 500BT too have Active Noise Cancellation which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour travels. Each work with different noise cancellation modes, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that enhances your relaxation time.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stay well in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces your environment noise while preventing the device music from leaking out .
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that they reduce ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, therefor producing better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the earbuds, the unit size dictates the loudness of the device.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, this implies that
Sennheiser CX 500BT can produce a juicier bass than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20000Hz, high-frequency response shows how well a particular audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's highest frequency is at 21000Hz, this means that
Sennheiser CX 500BT produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
SPL, is the level of pressure of sound, in decibels, dB, Sennheiser CX 500BT's measurement is 94dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's battery life is
more than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 2 hours
. Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less playing time. The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.
This is given by the manufacturer, and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 24 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging the case itself.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours,
less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 8 hours
It requires 1 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery power is 49.7mAh, battery power, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you just put down on a compatible charging pad.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging state of your device and case.
Sennheiser CX 500BT too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sennheiser CX 500BT has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
older than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sennheiser CX 500BT have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have 6 microphones.
Sennheiser CX 500BT microphones are 4,
less than that of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) by 2
. More microphones result in better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce noise from the desired sound.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT too use a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy environments.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's highest mic frequency is 10000Hz, high frequencies are best for recording treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its upper limiting frequency.
Sennheiser CX 500BT's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are better for recording bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even when wearing them
The Sennheiser CX 500BT support ambient sound mode as well, helpful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .
Sennheiser CX 500BT too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life.
When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.
Sennheiser CX 500BT also have the find earbuds feature. Use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your earbuds to help you find them.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to fully charge the earbuds.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT also support the mute function. It means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.
The Sennheiser CX 500BT too have a control panel on them.
Sennheiser CX 500BT have a warranty period of 2 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection.
Sennheiser CX 500BT too have voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or placing them in your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Sennheiser CX 500BT also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.