One of the greatest perks of being at the heart of the tech industry is having the opportunity to try out nearly every audio accessory and wearable that arrives at the Azmotech office. This makes my ears the perfect testbed for evaluating the quality of these products. Although I reviewed the Nothing Ear (1) last month, I didn’t have a chance to delve into the top-tier Nothing Ear (2). To change that, I decided to switch from my personal OnePlus Buds Z2 to the Nothing Ear (2) for a week. Here are my honest thoughts.
Familiar Design, Incredible Fit
At first glance, if you’re familiar with the Nothing Ear (1), you won’t notice any difference in terms of design. The transparent case, the design of the earbud, and the crater on the case are all very similar. However, it’s when you actually wear the earbuds that you realize there’s much more to them.
To start, the latest Nothing Ear (2) have an incredibly impressive fit—better even than the Sony WF-1000XM5s. Even wearing them for hours didn’t discomfort me ever. In fact, at one point, I fell asleep listening to music and woke up with both earbuds still in my ears, as if nothing had happened. The box also includes two extra pairs of ear tips in sizes L and S, which is standard.
Personalized Audio Experience for the Win!
Moving on to the audio quality of the earbuds, transitioning from OnePlus earbuds, which are known for their loudness, made the Nothing Ear (2) initially seem quieter. Typically, I don’t exceed 60% on the volume slider, but with these, I had to turn it up to the maximum. However, when I asked a coworker to try them, he found the Nothing Ear (2) to be sufficiently loud.
After a few hours, I comfortably adjusted to the new audio levels. Additionally, the range of customization options available through the Nothing X app was impressive. The Advanced EQ was particularly noteworthy, providing control over every minute frequency, going beyond just Mid, Bass, and Treble adjustments found on the Ear (1).
Moreover, the earbuds support Hi-Res audio with both LDAC and LHDAC. I tested challenging tracks like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “Paper Trail,” and “Blinding Lights” to evaluate the quality, and the earbuds sounded fantastic.
The audio output was rich, with well-separated mids, highs, and lows that didn’t overpower each other. Even at maximum volume, there was no crackling, which is always a positive.
That’s not all—the Nothing Ear (2) also allows you to share your custom EQ settings with others via QR codes. By scanning the QR code, they can import your settings into their Nothing X app. A very thoughtful feature from Nothing.
I found the default sound design to be a bit flat, so you might find yourself tweaking it quite a bit. However, once you find the perfect tuning, the difference is remarkable. In fact, I would go as far as to say that, after tuning, the audio quality is comparable to the Sony WF-1000XM5.
I know that’s a bold claim, especially considering Sony’s reputation and the fact that the WF-1000XM5s are twice the price. However, the ANC and Transparency modes on Sony’s earbuds are unmatched. In comparison, the Nothing Ear (2)’s ANC mode is commendable but the Transparency Mode could use some improvement, as it doesn’t isolate individual sounds as well, resulting in a bit of a mix.
Additionally, there’s a home screen widget for the Nothing X app that allows you to switch between ANC and Transparency modes and check the battery percentage of the earbuds. It’s a very convenient feature.
You can also create a Personal Sound Profile to further enhance your experience. However, since I mostly used LDAC or LHDAC, I rarely utilized this feature, as you have to choose between them.
The battery life is also impressive. After gaming for about 2 hours, the earbuds only dropped to 65% from 100%, providing around 6 hours of continuous usage, which is more than sufficient. With the charging case, you can easily get around 40 hours of backup, which is outstanding.
The microphone quality is also very clear, and I never received any complaints about clarity, whether I was on calls or playing a match of CoD Mobile with friends.
Nothing Is Perfect Though
While the Nothing Ear (2) has many positives, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the around 120ms latency is not ideal for gaming, even in Low Lag Mode. For gaming, it’s advisable to use a wired connection.
Additionally, it lacks features like Spatial Audio or Zen Mode found on competitors like the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Spatial Audio can significantly enhance the audio experience, especially on devices without additional audio services like Dolby Atmos.
The transparent case, while aesthetically pleasing, is prone to highlighting minor scratches, which can make it look cloudy and unappealing over time. This is a common issue, as observed with my coworker’s Nothing Ear (2)s.
The new ChatGPT integration, while promising, is mediocre in its current state. The feature often doesn’t work, causing more frustration than convenience. Furthermore, it is limited to Nothing devices, so unless you have one, you won’t be able to utilize this feature. Despite trying it with a Nothing Phone 2a, I found it to be ineffective.
Takeaway!
After using the earbuds for about a week, I intend to keep them for as long as possible. The premium mid-range category of ANC earbuds currently lacks many options. Those available are either outdated or lack sufficient audio control.
Even if other options offer good control, they often fall short in ANC or Transparency modes. Nothing has consistently improved its earbuds over the years, with the Nothing Ear (2) representing a notable advancement over the Ear (1) in terms of audio quality, despite the latter’s poor microphone setup. The latest Ears address this issue, making them even more appealing choices.
Furthermore, the Nothing X app is incredibly user-friendly and responsive compared to other dedicated hearables-supporting apps.
For instance, setting up the Sony Music Center app can be a lengthy and frustrating process, often taking up to an hour if the servers are cooperating.
If you’re specifically looking for gaming earbuds, the Nothing Ear (2) may not be the best choice. In that case, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, with its 94ms latency, would be a better option. However, for those seeking a fantastic audio experience without breaking the bank, the Nothing Ear (2) is an excellent recommendation.
Overall, I would rate these earbuds an 8 out of 10, considering their price tag of Rs 11,999 (Buy on Flipkart).
0 Comments