Before Nothing ventured into the world of smartphones, the brand was known for its unique looking earbuds. Launched in 2021, the (Review) standout feature of the Nothing Ear (1) was its semi-transparent design that gave the user a peek inside the case. Now after almost two years the company has come up with its sequel and this time the focus is on improving the audio experience. As the recently announced Nothing Year (2) costs a little over Rs 9,999, In this review let’s find out if nothing is an upgrade over the Ear(2) and if they are worth your consideration.
create and design
- Visually the Ears (2) are almost identical to the previous iteration of the earbuds. In fact, when I received the buds I thought I had been sent Cannes (1) by mistake. However, don’t fix what ain’t broke, that’s the policy adopted by Nothing and I’m all for it. The earbuds still retain that tinge of uniqueness that sets them apart from the sea of ’TWS’ on the market. Even the case is a work of art, with a mix of similar-looking designs along with easy placement of the Buds inside. Nevertheless, its plastic build and transparent look make it susceptible to scratches which are prominently visible.
- There’s a USB Type-C port on the back that facilitates charging and a physical button on the side that can be used for pairing purposes. The case is a bit bulkier than I would have liked, which made it difficult to fit inside my pocket. As for the hinge, the lid opens up to 90 degrees and holds firmly at that angle while also closing with a satisfying click.
- Coming back to the buds, each weighs 4.5 grams individually and comes with a pre-installed silicone tip that fits nicely in my ear. Of course, there are three other sizes for greater inclusivity. Interaction with the ear (2) is nearly identical to the previous iteration, with the capacitive touch controls present in the stem of the bud. However, controlling volume by swiping up or down on the earbuds has been removed in favor of a long press on either stem.
- Apart from this, the earbuds are also color coded with a white dot on the top left and a red dot on the right. In terms of durability, the ear(2) are IP54 certified for water and dust resistance while the case has a higher IP55 rating. The earbuds use the latest Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity purposes.
features
- Talking about the features, Ear (2) can be easily paired with both Android and iOS devices. As a matter of fact, Android phones with Google Fast Pair, running version 6.0 and up, get an instant notification as soon as the case is opened. The Nothing X app also exists for both platforms, although currently, it is in beta testing mode exclusively for Ear(2) functionality. As far as the interface goes, the fonts and ease of use don’t have a distinctive feel to them.
- The home screen has the battery percentage on both earbuds, below which you can see the equalizer, controls, and noise control settings. There are four EQ presets to choose from or you can use a custom set based on your preferences. The ear(2) can work on two devices at the same time, and hand-off between the two is seamless when audio is switched. Plus, you can change the EQ setting in one device’s app and it will show up even when music is playing on the other. Individual pinches on the stem enable various functionalities like play/pause, answer/drop calls, enable ANC/transparency mode, etc. Of course, they can be changed in the control settings.
- There are also other features of note such as in-ear detection that will play and pause music when the earbud is inserted and taken out, respectively. You can disable this feature in the Settings menu of the app if you wish. There’s also a personalized ANC setup available that can fine-tune the noise-canceling capability of the in-ears (2) to your liking. On top of that, there’s also a personalized sound profile that you can create to maximize your listening experience.
Sound Quality and ANC
- In terms of sound quality, the Nothing Ears (2) use 11.6mm dynamic drivers that are slightly larger than your typical TWS. This enables a greater circulation of air inside the chamber to generate a deep bass that resonates as the primary sound signature when using the earbuds.
- During my time with TWS, I found that they were designed to replicate a sound that didn’t overly boost or attenuate any particular frequency range. The Ear 2 deliver crisp and clear audio that’s well balanced, while the bass is punchy without being overwhelming, and the mid and high frequencies are well defined. In terms of codecs, the device has support for SBC, AAC and LHDC 5.0 codecs with certification for Hi-Res Audio.
- like when listening to vocal heavy songs Adele’s easy on me The central part shone especially brightly. pink floyd’s shine on you crazy demon, especially with the band Pulse (Live) In concert, I greatly appreciated the spacious soundstage and instrument separation of the earbuds. Hip-hop and electronic music enthusiasts may notice how well the bass is boosted without disturbing the high frequencies. Overall, the sound quality of the Nothing Ears (2) is good and justifiable for its price tag.
- However, I will say that the noise-canceling capability felt a little paltry in comparison. Even with the ANC turned on at its maximum level, I could still differentiate ambient noise leaking in from outside. Plus, the noise cancellation could barely drown out the sound of a fan whirring above my head. Hear-through mode is above average and artificially boosts the sounds around me. I think this is an area where improvement can be made. In terms of call quality, both the buds have three mics for a smooth calling experience.
battery life
- Lastly, there is the battery life which I found to be more or less in line with the current TWS offerings in the market. The case houses a 485mAh battery while each bud individually holds 33mAh. I received the Ears (2) with a full charge and listened for about three to four hours a day with the ANC on. The Buds easily stayed with me for most of the week, with the search for a charger only being initiated on the sixth day. Additionally, the case can be charged wirelessly at 2.5W using any Qi-compatible charger.
Decision
While their ANC capabilities leave a little to be desired, the Nothing Ears (2) improves on the basic recipe and delivers bang-for-the-buck sound quality. Visually, the earbuds make an impact and stand out almost immediately, as is the case. They are also excellent in terms of comfort. The Nothing X app is convenient and also offers a good amount of functionality. Overall, the The combination of hardware and software from Nothing, along with the massive drivers, helps deliver an immersive audio experience.
Editor’s rating: 4/5
Pros:
- unique look
- immersive audio experience
- decent battery backup
- touch controls work well
Shortcoming:
- ANC can be improved
- Case Can Scratch Easily
