[Review] New Nothing Ear (2) true wireless earbuds with iconic transparent design

The Nothing Ear (2) true wireless earbuds are the latest release from the London-based consumer tech brand, Nothing:

They have been designed to offer a highly personal listening experience, with a range of features that cater to the needs of individual users. The earbuds are an upgrade on the previous model, Ear (1), and have been engineered from the ground up to provide exceptional sound quality, active noise cancellation, and intuitive controls.

Audio Performance

One of the standout features of the Ear (2) earbuds is the Hi-Res Audio certification and LHDC 5.0 technology.

This combination ensures that the earbuds deliver a truly authentic sound experience, with frequencies up to 24 bit/192 kHz at speeds of up to 1 Mbps. The earbuds feature an 11.6 mm custom driver that delivers deep, powerful bass and crystal-clear highs. The unique dual-chamber design also enhances the overall sound quality by creating smoother airflow.

Personal Sound Profile

Another notable feature of the Ear (2) earbuds is the Personal Sound Profile, which allows users to create their own hearing ID through a hearing test completed in the Nothing X app.

The earbuds then adjust the equaliser levels in real-time to match the user’s hearing for optimal sound quality. The earbuds also feature Dual Connection, which enables users to connect to two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between playing music or receiving calls.

Clear Voice, Active Noise Cancellation

The Ear (2) earbuds also feature Nothing’s most advanced Clear Voice Technology yet, with three high-definition microphones on each earbud and an AI noise reduction algorithm that can filter out over 20 million sound samples. This technology eliminates background noise and enhances the user’s voice during calls in real-time.

The earbuds also offer personalised Active Noise Cancellation that adapts to the unique shape of a user’s ear canal, achieving up to 40 dB of noise reduction.

Playback Performance

In terms of performance, the Ear (2) earbuds offer up to 36 hours of music playback after a full charge of the charging case (with ANC turned off). They also support fast charging, which can deliver up to 8 hours on a 10-minute charge. The earbuds are built to withstand everyday needs, with an IP54 water-resistance rating for the earbuds and an IP55 rating for the charging case.

The earbuds have been designed to offer a comfortable and precise user experience, with press controls to avoid any accidental touches and discomfort of tapping into the ear canal. The controls can be customised for individual needs in the Nothing X app, which is a one-stop-shop for everything Ear (2).

Verdict?

Overall, the Nothing Ear (2) earbuds are an impressive addition to the true wireless earbud market. The price point is reasonable too for the performance and aesthetic, at under $200.

They offer a range of advanced features that cater to the needs of individual users, including Hi-Res Audio certification, Personal Sound Profile, Dual Connection, Clear Voice Technology, and Personalized Active Noise Cancellation.

The earbuds are also built to last, with a range of performance and durability features that make them a worthwhile investment for anyone in the market for high-quality wireless earbuds.

Pricing and Availability

Ear (2) will be priced at $199 in Singapore and is now available from Limited Edt stores, starting from 23 March at 12am, with free tryouts experience available at select Challenger stores at Bugis Junction, Vivo City, and Causeway Point.

From 8 April, Ear (2) will go on general sale across all stores of Nothing’s partners in Singapore both online and offline, including flagship e-commerce stores on Lazada and Shopee.