Audicus Omni 2 vs Meta Ray-Ban Glasses (Gen 2)

The Audicus Omni 2 is a premium behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid priced at $1,898 that earned an A grade in our lab testing, placing it in the top 6% of the 65 OTC hearing aids we've evaluated. This two-time Expert's Choice Award winner (2023 and 2024) delivers consistently strong performance across multiple listening scenarios. In our testing, the Omni 2 demonstrated particular strength in speech clarity during quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—a strong result that sits 1.38 points above the category average. Music streaming quality also impressed at 3.6/5, exceeding the category average by 1.68 points. Speech understanding in noisy environments scored 2.3/5, which is above the category average of 1.48 but represents mixed performance in absolute terms—meaning challenging noise situations may still prove difficult. The device offers flexible power options with both rechargeable and disposable batteries, and supports streaming from both iPhone and Android devices with hands-free capability. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.5/5, essentially matching the category average, while own-voice comfort scores a solid 3.0/5. The Audicus Omni 2 is best suited for consumers seeking a premium OTC option with strong everyday speech clarity and quality streaming capabilities. Those frequently in very noisy environments should set realistic expectations, though the device still outperforms most OTC competitors in these conditions.

The Meta Ray-Ban Glasses (Gen 2) is a budget-priced amplification product at $375 that earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.8/5 in our lab testing. This hearing glasses device ranks #2 of 8 in the Amplification Product category, placing it in the top 13% of its class. This device excels in areas that complement its lifestyle-focused design. Music streaming performance is strong at 4.3/5, scoring 3.14 points above the category average—a standout result for amplification products. Own-voice comfort is excellent at 4.7/5, measuring 2.06 points above category average, meaning users should experience minimal occlusion or unnatural sound when speaking. However, core speech amplification metrics reveal limitations. Speech in quiet scores 2.7/5, which is 0.62 points above the category average but only mixed in absolute terms. Speech in noise is low at 1.6/5, though still 0.25 points above the category average of 1.37/5. Feedback handling is a notable weakness at 1.9/5, falling 2.38 points below the category average—users may experience more whistling or instability than with other amplification devices. The Meta Ray-Ban Glasses (Gen 2) is best suited for consumers who prioritize music streaming quality and comfortable own-voice perception over maximum speech clarity. Those seeking primary amplification for conversation in challenging listening environments may want to consider alternatives with stronger speech performance.