These are the new Nothing Ear(a) and from my testing, they performed exceptionally well for their price.
This is Tech Today video: • The NEW Nothing Ear & ...
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ADDITIONAL VIDEO NOTES:
Nothing ear and ear(a) are new naming conventions for Nothing’s earbuds.
Nothing ear is $150 and competes with the most premium buds out there
Nothing ear(a) is $99 and kind of destroys most of the competition
Physical design
Absolutely incredible!
Teenage engineering aesthetic
The fastest a brand has gone from not existing to being iconic
3 colors - white, yellow, black
Compare to airpods case size
CONTROLS
Pinch 🙂
Can customize each feature on each bud individually
The double pinch and hold is a bit tricky
FIT/COMFORT
Comfort is great - almost exactly like the other nothing products. Also a lot like airpods
For me personally, the left bud falls out, much like airpods pro, especially when I move my jaw or do pushups or run
Mono mode = yes
Multipoint connectivity = yes, and more advanced as well. You can control it in the app
Low lag mode
Waterproofing = IP54 buds / IPX2 case (the reg ear is IP55 case)
Battery = 5.5/24.5 or 9.5/42.5 without ANC
10 min = 10 hrs charged/battery
Find my earbuds
Bluetooth 5.3
MIC TEST
SOUND
A subtle way I can usually detect good sound on a pair of earbuds is the natural volume I use. For crap earbuds, I have to turn the volume up to 60% or so because I subconsciously want the details. For these, I usually hang out around 35% volume. That’s awesome
Bass enhance is on by default - I turned it off
These sound really really good for the price
The equalizer is far less advanced than the flagship ear
Dual chamber design gives deeper bass with a smaller driver by allowing more airflow
CODECS = LDAC, AAC
Bass is very clean and smooth, but can definitely rattle your head if you dial it up
Brandon has a great video on the sound
Pretty analytical actually
The upper midrange and lower treble ranges are pretty pronounced
Overall, I prefer the ear over the ear(a) but both are really quite impressive
ANC
Claimed 45dB
My test results
COMPLAINTS:
The sound they make when they first connect still sucks
No wireless charging
WHO SHOULD NOT BUY THESE:
Hardcore audio enthusiasts. You would probably like the nothing ear better
Hardcore athletes. You may want something with wingtips to stay in your ears better - or you could buy aftermarket wing tips for these
WHY BUY THIS?
Amazing appearance. Most other (especially affordable earbuds) are ugly
These sound fantastic for the price
These feel like they were designed by an enthusiast who would probably buy them for themself. Not by a boardroom calculating market gaps.
I have a checklist of what earbuds need. These tick every box except wireless charging
I’ll make another video about the nothing ear because I think that is a bit more competitive than the $99 space here. These are my new default recommendation for anyone looking to buy new buds.