Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless noise canceling portable ear-insert model provides very good sound and excellent active noise reduction. Its ear plug-like design and electronic noise canceling feature reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The headphones work with or without the noise canceling feature being turned on. You can use the noise-canceling feature without listening to music. The Pixel Buds Pro has a volume control plus an integrated microphone and player function controls. Additional features include that either earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications. Charging/carrying case has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries for an additional 20 hrs. of listening time for a total of 31 hrs. (ANC off) or 13 hrs. of listening time for a total of 20 hrs. (ANC off). Can be recharged via USB cable or with optional Qi-certified wireless charging accessories. Manufacturer claims headphone water resistance (IPX4) and case water resistance of (IPX2). The earphone can be switched between ANC on and ambient sound monitoring modes using the touch control on either earphone (default setting); the Google Pixel Buds app download for Android mobile devices can also be used to switch the earphones between ANC on, ANC off, and ambient sound monitoring and customizing which 2 or 3 of these modes can be switched between with the earphone touch controls. Has touch control music player transport, volume, call connect/disconnect, and digital voice assistant activation controls. Has automatic pause feature - pauses audio when either earphone is taken out of an ear; audio automatically restarts when the earphone is placed back in the ear. Has power on/off, Bluetooth connect/disconnect, and low battery alert and touch control actuation confirmation tones. Has Volume EQ feature - can be set to raise bass and treble frequencies at lower volume levels. Supports Google Assistant digital voice assistant when it is used with Android mobile devices that have those capabilities that, if needed, have the Google Assistant app installed. Google Assistant can be voice activated ("Hey Google" wakeup phrase) or by pressing and holding one of the earphones. 5 minute partial charge will power earphones for up to 1 hrs. of listening time, 15 minute partial charge will power earphones for up to 3 hrs. of listening time. The Google Pixel Buds app download for Android mobile devices can be used with Android smartphones to show the battery level, set Google Assistant digital voice assistant notifications and preferences, perform a earbud fit and seal test to ensure proper fit, enable/disable the automatic Volume EQ function, disable the automatic pause feature, help locate the earphones if they are misplaced, and update the earphone's firmware. Works with all Bluetooth audio devices, but features provided by the Google Pixel Buds app and Google Assistant features are not available unless earphones are used with Android smartphones using Android OS version 6.0 or later. The Pixel Buds Pro comes with 3 pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Booklet.
Sound quality:We found the Pixel Buds Pro delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks and excellent active noise reduction. With the noise canceling mode engaged and set to maximum and the Volume EQ function of the Google Pixel Buds app set to off the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is somewhat grainy, a bit hazy and congested (think sonic traffic jam), and a touch thin and etched (a bit more sharply outlined then it should be). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but is a bit prominent and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying), and a touch smeared. The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears and does a good job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character - warmish bass with neutral midrange and coolish treble. The overall sound can be summarized as a bit bassy, and somewhat grainy. Noise Canceling: Excellent noise reduction across the entire frequency range with the low frequencies reduced the most. Orientation changes the noise reduction characteristic - when the noise is coming from the front more high-frequency noise can be heard. A faint rushing noise can be heard when there is no audio program to drown it out.
Comfort and Fit:As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening might be uncomfortable for some.
Small
Users with small earbowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their earbowl and that they stick out too far and feel like they may lever out of place, but that they will stay in place during casual use and that they are stable during fairly vigorous head movement.
Medium/Large
Users with medium and larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are stable during fairly vigorous head movement.
Incidental contact with the touch controls can cause unintentional volume level changes, playing, and pausing.
