The Creative Zen Air series true wireless earbuds caters to the price-conscious value-driven consumers, priced between S$26 – 119. Not to be confused with the Zen Hybrid over-ear headphones series, the first Zen Air was launched in Dec 2022, and that was followed with the Zen Air Dot. This month, they launched two new models just in time for the year-end gifting season. Here, I am going to do a quick comparison between the two latest models.
| Creative Zen Air Plus | Creative Zen Air Pro | |
| Driver | 10mm | 10mm |
| ANC | Hybrid ANC | Hybrid ANC |
| Ambient Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Codec | LC3, AAC, SBC | LC3+, LC3, AAC, SBC |
| Earbuds Playtime | 8 hours | 9 hours |
| Total Playtime with Case | 32 hours | 33 hours |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Mics | 3 mics each earbud | 3 mics each earbud |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Price | S$99 | S$119 |
Zen Air Plus
Like it or not, all the different Creative Zen Air models have different designs, so there is variety and differentiation factors for consumers in deciding which models to get, other than price. The Zen Air Plus has a longer stem, smaller earbud body, than the Zen Air Pro. The specs are largely similar, with just slightly less playtime and a lower water resistance rating. It also lacks the LC3+ which is an LE Audio broadcast codec that I will explain later.
The Zen Air Plus goes into pairing mode automatically when no devices are connected. After pairing, you can use the smartphone app to access features like adjusting EQ, adjusting ANC/Ambient mode levels, customise the touch controls, and update firmware. The earbuds are loaded with a default EQ setting, as seen in the image below. This the “standard” equalizer that Creative wants you to enjoy on the Zen Air Plus. I do not recommend selecting the “Flat” EQ, as it sounded lacking in treble.
Since the “default EQ” is the recommended EQ setting, I will review based on this EQ. The audio has fat bass, muddy midrange, and slightly hazy treble. When the EQ is set to flat, the bass is even fatter while the treble is lacking in clarity at all. If you were to get this earbuds, you should apply your own EQ by boosting the treble and reducing the bass liberally. I think the Zen Air Plus is suited for listeners who like their music to sound fat and heavy, while the treble is not too sharp and sparkling. I would not recommend them for listening to quality music, but maybe they do fine for gaming or social media content.
To connect to LE Audio on the Creative Zen Air Plus, it needs to be paired to another Bluetooth device name, “Zen Air Plus – LEA”. First, disconnect the Bluetooth from the earbuds, then initiate the pairing again. You will see the second device appearing. Audio quality with LE Audio offers slightly improved treble details but does not alter the frequency balance.. As it is a hassle to switch to LE Audio, and the fact that the smartphone app does not work in LE Audio at the moment, I would not use it as a main codec. In addition, LE Audio performance and stability varies with different smartphones. On my Google Pixel 7 Pro, it is a bit more temperamental with the Zen Air Plus LE Audio codec.
Zen Air Pro
The Creative Zen Air Pro behaves differently in some aspects. According to Creative, this is because they use different chipsets for both earbuds. For instance, Zen Air Pro can switch between classic Bluetooth and LE Audio from the Bluetooth settings without the need to re-pair the earbuds. The EQ is disabled by default and there is no “default EQ” preset.
The audio quality is better on the Zen Air Pro. It sounds more refined, better presentation of the midrange, and the treble is not too pushy. Bass is generous but not overpowering. I found that when the EQ is enabled even with flat setting, the DSP kicks in and drives the earbuds better to make the sound more open, treble sounds more forward. It elevates the sound quality of the Zen Air Pro to make the instruments more spatial and layered.
The Zen Air Pro can also adjust ANC and Ambient mode levels. The ANC is good enough to kill the lower frequencies effectively, while the upper frequencies remain unfulfilled. The Ambient mode amplifies the midrange a little more than usual, but reducing the level by one level makes the ambient sound more natural.
The LC3+ codec available on the Zen Air Pro means it can receive unencrypted broadcast audio transmitted from supported devices like the Creative BT-L4. You can set the touch control to switch broadcast mode, and enjoy broadcast streams, just like Zen Hybrid Pro.
Just like the Zen Air Plus, the Zen Air Pro support firmware updates. Since the unboxing, I have already received two firmware notifications, and I believe more will come as Creative shared that there will be some more refinements to improve product performance and stability.
Verdict
I find the Zen Air Pro a better earbuds in terms of features and audio quality, and don’t mind paying additional S$20. The Zen Air Plus is also comfortable to wear and ideal for general audio use, but the audio quality is too heavy on the bass for my liking. The Creative Zen Air series are so affordable while providing important features that most consumers look for, like ANC and Ambient mode adjustments, wireless charging, and a smartphone app that lets user adjust EQ, ANC level, personalised touch controls as well as firmware updates.
