Audicus Omni 2 vs Sony CRE-C20

The Audicus Omni 2 is a premium-priced behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid available for $1,898. With a SoundScore of 4.6/5 and an A grade, it ranks #5 among 65 OTC hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 6% of its category. In our lab testing, the Omni 2 demonstrates strong speech clarity in quiet environments, scoring 4.2/5—well above the category average by 1.38 points. Speech in noise performance is more modest at 2.3/5, which is above the category average by 0.79 points but mixed in absolute terms. This pattern suggests the device handles everyday conversations well while challenging listening situations may still present difficulty. Music streaming is a particular strength, scoring 3.6/5 and exceeding the category average by a substantial 1.68 points. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.5/5, virtually matching the category average. Own-voice comfort scores a solid 3.0/5, which is 0.49 points above average for OTC devices. The Omni 2 offers both rechargeable and disposable battery options, along with streaming compatibility for iPhone and Android devices with hands-free capability. It has earned Expert's Choice Awards for both 2023 and 2024. Consumers seeking alternatives in this price range may also consider the similarly-priced Lucid Tala, while the lower-priced Lexie B3 offers competitive performance for those with tighter budgets.

The Sony CRE-C20 is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid with an invisible-in-ear design, available for $999. In our lab testing, it earned a B grade with a SoundScore of 3.5/5, ranking #37 of 65 OTC hearing aids tested. This device shows a notable split in performance. Speech clarity is a clear strength—speech in quiet scores 4.1/5, which is 1.33 points above the category average, and speech in noise scores 2.7/5, sitting 1.24 points above average despite being only mixed in absolute terms. These results suggest the CRE-C20 prioritizes conversational intelligibility in its tuning approach. However, the device has significant limitations. Music streaming scored 0.0/5, falling 1.92 points below the category average—a notable weakness for users who want to stream audio. Feedback handling is solid at 3.9/5, though it sits 0.64 points below the category average of 4.54/5. Own voice comfort is mixed at 2.9/5, slightly above the category average. The CRE-C20 responds well to adjustment, with the normalized score improving from 3.3/5 at initial fit to 4.2/5 when tuned—a 0.9-point gain. Buyers focused primarily on speech understanding in conversations may find value here, but those wanting music streaming or seeking the strongest overall OTC performance should note that several competitors in this price range, including the Sony CRE-E10 at 4.66/5, scored higher in our testing.