Affordable CMF Earbuds Evaluation: Nothing Buds 2 Plus – the Budget Option Worth Considering in the Market
Got some pricey wireless earbuds in my pocket? Yep, that'd be the CMF Buds 2 family - the Buds 2a, the Buds 2, and the top-tier Buds 2 Plus. Three pairs, all from the same company, and all released at the same time. Sounds bonkers, right? But hey, let's dive in and figure out which pair you should spin those tunes with.
CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Plus
If you're looking for the most bang for your buck in this trio, look no further than the Buds 2 Plus. They've got the goods, and I'm not just talking about the affordable price tag.
Pros
- Booming bass
- Wide dynamic range
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No orange color option
- Occasionally similar sound to Buds 2
So, ready to find out which pair of Buds 2 is worth the investment? Strap in, because I've tried them all, and I'm about to tell you exactly what you need to know. But first, let's get a handle on these earbuds and what sets them apart.
First up, we've got the budget-priced Buds 2a, which come in an appealing orange hue - a color mysteriously absent from the Buds 2 Plus. The Buds 2a have 42 decibels of noise cancellation, a 12.4 mm Bio-fiber driver, and 5 hours of battery life with ANC on and 8 hours with ANC off. They set you back a reasonable $49.
Next, we meet the middle child, the Buds 2. The slightly enhanced specs and price tag (typically $59, but currently $49 - woo-hoo for savings!) come with one catch: the Buds 2's bass isn't quite as robust as the other two pairs. That said, they do offer 48 decibels of noise cancellation, 11mm PMI drivers enhanced by Dirac Opteo's tuning, and 7.5 hours of battery life with ANC on and 13.5 hours with ANC off.
Finally, we reach the Buds 2 Plus, the top-tier option in this earbud elves' nest. Sporting 50 decibels of adaptive noise cancellation (with a 5400Hz frequency range compared to the Buds 2's 5200Hz range), a 12 mm liquid crystal polymer driver, and 7.5 hours of ANC playback out of the case and 14 hours of non-ANC playback, these buds ultimately earn that premium label (although you'll pay $69 for the privilege).
So, what do these earbuds sound like in the real world? Let's dig in.
I've been rockin' and rollin' with these CMF Buds for the past couple weeks, wondering just what sort of sonic wonders awaited me. The budget buds have their moments, but then there's the Ear (a) from the same company, which is a damn near perfect pair of wireless earbuds for the price. With such wild variations, I came to these buds with an open mind, and boy, was I ever surprised.
As a test, I blasted My Bloody Valentine's "Only Shallow" on each pair, back-to-back-to-back, and under the same conditions - a not-too-noisy corner of the Gizmodo office. Here's how they stacked up.
Starting with the Buds 2 Plus, these puppies sound fantastic. They've got a solid dynamic range, and while the noise cancellation may not beat the best in the business, it's more than adequate for your average subway commute. I'd say they're almost as nice as the Nothing Ear (a), which is probably my favorite pair of Nothing wireless earbuds for the price and design. All in all, I'm a big fan of the CMF Buds 2 Plus, though I'd still take the Ear (a) as my daily driver for the aesthetics and ceramic drivers.
Next, I popped in the Buds 2. They deliver a pleasant listening experience, with decent bass simulation and solid ANC. However, they do muddy up a bit compared to the Buds 2 Plus. ANC performance was about the same as the Buds 2 Plus, which is nice, but if you're after the highest fidelity, the 2 Plus takes the crown in this battle.
Then there's the lil' Buds 2a. These cheapies are where the sound quality takes a serious dive. The dynamic range is lackluster, and the noise cancellation is less than stellar compared to the rest. I'd say you get what you pay for, but these earbuds now set you back the same price as the Buds 2, and man, the midrange pair shines in comparison.
To sum it up: the Buds 2 Plus justify their premium price and stand out as the best of the bunch. If you can afford the extra $20 over the Buds 2 and Buds 2a, then I say you should gamble on the Buds 2 Plus. The ANC performance is similar, but the audio quality is where they truly shine. They're even $10 cheaper than the Nothing Ear (a) and $50 cheaper than the Ear, making them a solid choice for those looking to serve up some tunes on a budget.
See Buds 2a at Amazon
See Buds 2 at Amazon
See Buds 2 Plus at Amazon
[5] Enrichment Data: Among the CMF Buds 2 wireless earbud models, the Buds 2 Plus offer the best sound quality and justify their premium price with several key features and performance aspects:
- Audio Quality: The Buds 2 Plus are equipped with larger 12mm drivers and support the high-resolution LDAC codec, which delivers richer, more detailed audio with a balanced frequency response. The bass is present but not overwhelming, mids are clear, and highs are crisp, making them suitable for a wide range of music genres.
- Personalized Sound: A standout feature of the Buds 2 Plus is the integration of Audiodo’s Personal Sound technology. Using the Nothing X app, users can take a hearing test to create a personalized sound profile tailored to their hearing preferences, enhancing audio nuances and delivering a more customized listening experience.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The Buds 2 Plus feature adaptive ANC with six microphones, providing good noise cancellation especially in low-frequency ranges, which is decent for the price. The passive noise isolation is also enhanced by a good eartip fit.
- Additional Audio Features: The Buds 2 Plus offer Ultra Bass settings adjustable from levels 1 to 5, allowing users to tailor bass intensity. They also support Spatial Audio and dual device connection, though some users find Spatial Audio less immersive and somewhat artificial.
- Battery and Connectivity: The battery life is impressive, offering up to 14 hours on a single charge without ANC and a total of 61.5 hours with the charging case. With ANC on, usage is around 7.5 hours per charge. The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4 with stable connectivity and support dual-device pairing, with LDAC codec available for Android devices, contributing further to sound quality.
- The CMF Buds 2 Plus, despite being the most expensive option, are worth the investment due to their exceptional audio quality, personalized sound feature, and impressive battery life.
- For those interested in a budget-friendly option, the Buds 2a might be a suitable choice, but keep in mind that their sound quality is not on par with the Buds 2 or Buds 2 Plus.
- If you're looking for wireless earbuds with decent bass, wide dynamic range, and a budget-friendly price, the Gizmodo reviews for the CMF Buds 2 suggest that the Buds 2 might be the ideal gadget for you among the trio.
