The Nothing Ear 2: A Comprehensive Review
Nothing, a relatively new audio company, launched their first-ever earbuds, the Ear (1) at Rs. 5,999 back in 2021. While the price of these budget earbuds has now increased to Rs. 7,000, they are still considered affordable compared to their latest offering, the Ear (2). Priced at Rs. 9,999, the Ear (2) is said to be a more premium and refined version of its predecessor. In this blog post, we will be comparing the two products and discussing their features, design, and sound quality.
Ear 2 Design and Build Quality
While the Ear (2) looks almost identical to the Ear (1), the biggest change is in the case's design, which is more compact now. The top of the case has a smaller dimple, a smaller hinge that now has a metal build, and the magnets seem to be stronger. The white plastic on the case is now plain, and the bottom has a white base protruding to protect against scratches. The earbuds themselves also look almost identical, but they now have the Ear (2) branding, and the mic's position has changed. The Ear (2) earbuds and the case are very slightly lighter than the previous generation, but the difference is barely noticeable. These earbuds are super comfortable and fit in the ear perfectly, making them ideal for long hours of use.
The Ear (1) had an IPX4 rating, which made it splash-resistant, while the Ear (2) has an IP54 rating, which makes it dust-resistant and splash-resistant. This is a nice change, along with the pinch controls on the earbuds, which replaced the touch controls on the Ear (1). The Ear (2) has four sensors that allow a single pinch to play or pause music, a double pinch to change tracks, and a pinch and hold to increase or decrease the volume. These controls work perfectly fine, but it's unclear why Nothing changed the touch controls from the Ear (1), which were perfectly fine.
Features of Nothing Ear 2
The Ear (2) has dual connection, which is a useful feature that allows you to pair your phone and PC. Suppose you're watching a video on your PC and get a call on your phone. In that case, you can accept it from the earbuds and start talking. Once you end the call, the earbuds will shift to the PC automatically. The Ear (2) also has low latency, which makes it perfect for gaming, and its find my buds feature works perfectly fine.
Ear 2 Sound Quality
While the Ear (1) had no complaints about its sound quality, the Ear (2) delivers an even more refined and lively sound. The drivers remain the same, but the new dual chamber design provides clearer sound and an improved diaphragm. The Ear (2) is high-res audio certified with support for the LHDC 5.0 codec. The sound signature is more refined, and the sound clarity is better, and the bass is better too. The maximum volume is higher, but it results in a bit more sound leakage. However, there's no distortion at maximum volume. The Nothing X app is well-designed, and users can choose from different sound signatures in the equalizer settings. In the app, you can also create a personal sound profile for the Ear (2), which is fantastic as it requires an ear tip test to make sure the ear tips are well-sealed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Nothing Ear 2 is a premium upgrade to the Ear 1, with better sound quality, improved pinch controls, and dual connection. The Ear 2 is comfortable, fits well, and has excellent sound quality with various equalizer settings. The personal sound profile feature in the Nothing X app makes the Ear 2 stand out from other earbuds in the market. If you're looking for premium earbuds with great sound quality, the Nothing Ear 2 is definitely worth considering.