Nothing Ear (2) Review

Battery Life

The battery life of the Nothing Ear (2) is perhaps its only shortcoming. With Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) activated, the in-ears provide approximately 3.5 hours of hi-res music playback. While this duration may suffice for everyday use, it may prove inadequate for those who spend long hours outdoors, necessitating frequent recharges. The case can fully charge the Ear (2) for about 3 to 4 times.

In my current setup, I alternate between the Ear (2) and the AirPods Pro 2 as my daily drivers, both of which offer around 3.5 hours of use with ANC. When one pair runs out of charge, I switch to the other, and vice versa. Given the compact form factor of the units, this battery life is understandable. However, I believe the charging case should be capable of recharging the TWS a few more times.

Interestingly, I observed no significant difference in usage time between the LHDC and AAC codecs. On the positive side, both the IEMs and the charging case recharge very quickly. Additionally, the charging case supports wireless charging, which is a convenient feature. Despite the somewhat limited battery life, the fast charging and wireless charging capabilities somewhat mitigate this drawback.

Nothing Ear (2) – Sound & Performance

Test Conditions: Qobuz Studio App + Android 13 Phone, LHDC codec enabled, buds set to Hi-Res ON within the Nothing X App. Earbuds FW: 1.0.1.88 – Also tested with Apple iPhone 14PMX with Qobuz App (AAC)

The Nothing Ear (2) features a dynamic, clean, and fun sound signature. The IEMs showcase a balanced signature with an emphasis on bass and treble, reminiscent of the Harman curve TWSs but with superior technical capability.

The bass is dynamic, fast, and impactful, making the listening experience particularly enjoyable for bass-dominant genres. The texture of the bass is impressive for this price bracket, and the PRaT of the 11.6mm custom driver is surprisingly quite good. The in-ears offer plenty of bass that enhances the dynamism and rumble/oomph sensation without bleeding into any other region. 

The midrange is clean and neutral, with a slight dip around the lower mids. This dip enhances the spaciousness and airiness of the presentation, allowing instruments to play without the feeling of compression or congestion. The midrange tonality is good, with instruments having an adequate amount of note weight. The guitars sound clean, and the vocals are articulate and clear. The upper mids are energetic, vivid, and have good expansion. Hi-hats and cymbals sound crisp, without any sharpness. Using wider stem tips with harder material improves upper-mid resolution even further.

The treble reaches the top octave without any shrillness, feeling expansive and clean. The treble resolution is impressive for the price, and it feels energetic, just like the upper midrange, without any unwanted peaks. The Ear (2) is a great all-rounder, with its fairly balanced presentation and fun signature, it plays well with many genres, including metal and rock tracks with multiple instruments on stage. The Ear (2) handles congestion well, thanks to its impressive PRaT and wide staging. Its imaging is also impressive with great positioning of instruments on stage. The width of the stage is great, the depth is also impressive but less so than the width. They both are impressive for a TWS though, and quite ahead compared to the rivals in the same price bracket. The Ear (2)’s instruments separation is quite good, allowing for easy pinpointing of individual instruments, even in complex passages. Achieving this level of performance in this price bracket is no small feat, so hats off to the engineers at Nothing who are responsible for this impressive tuning.

Comparison

vs. FiiO FW5 ($149)

The FiiO FW5 is a TWS IEM that offers an engaging sound signature, thanks to its independent AK4332 DAC and a 3-driver hybrid configuration. It has a slightly warmer than neutral sound, with a low-end elevation. The 10mm dynamic driver produces a clean and impactful bass response, which is controlled and doesn’t overpower the mids. The bass isn’t the fastest in terms of PRaT. The midrange is slightly warm and features a good instrument body. The upper midrange is prominent and easy to follow, with cymbals and hi-hats sounding definitive, clean, and clear, without sounding harsh. The treble is crisp and detailed, enhancing the perceived spaciousness and adding airiness to the overall presentation. 

The FW5 performs well in terms of soundstage and imaging, with a surprisingly good stage width and impressive instrument separation. The FW5 is a good all-rounder, with its balanced warm signature catering to a wide range of musical genres.

Comparing the FiiO FW5 to the Nothing Ear (2), The Ear (2) has a balanced signature with an emphasis on bass and treble, while the FW5 has a slightly warmer-than-neutral sound with a slightly more prominent low-end elevation. The bass in the Ear (2) is dynamic, fast, and impactful, while the FW5’s bass is clean and impactful but not as fast in terms of PRaT. The midrange in the Ear (2) is clean and neutral, with a slight dip around the lower mids, while the FW5’s midrange is slightly warm without the dip that’s apparent in the Ear (2). The upper mids of the Ear (2) feel more energetic and more vivid compared to the FW5. Both of the IEMs have similar treble quantity but Ear (2)’s impressive PRaT results in a better attack and bite in the treble, offering more resolute highs. In terms of soundstage and imaging, both IEMs perform well but Ear (2) feels more spacious and airy in comparison. 

Overall, both in-ears offer a high-quality audio experience, with the Ear (2) having a slightly more balanced and fun signature, and the FW5 offering a slightly warmer and more engaging sound. I find Ear (2) slightly superior, especially technical capability-wise. If we look beyond the sound quality, the Ear (2) surpasses the FW5 in terms of comfort, fit, and design, making it a more appealing choice overall.

vs. 1More EVO ($169 USD)

1More’s EVO is 1More’s flagship TWS, featuring a 2-driver hybrid configuration with 1 dynamic driver and 1 balanced armature driver. It is also one of the first TWS earbuds that feature ANC and LDAC in the same package.

In terms of sound quality, the Ear (2) stands out with its spacious and airy soundstage. It is wider and feels more spacious than the EVO, although the depth is comparable between the two. The Ear (2) exhibits superior PRaT, and its treble, especially with LHDC, sounds more natural, offering better resolution and more accurate timbre. The Ear (2) presents a slightly more coherent and tonally balanced signature compared to the more V-shaped EVO.

The EVO’s ANC is impressive, and with better passive isolation, it slightly outperforms the Ear (2). Both IEMs deliver reasonable performance for their price point in terms of sound. However, they diverge significantly in design. In terms of build quality, the EVO offers a sleek matte design with an attractive shell, albeit with a shorter nozzle that can make tip rolling a bit more challenging. The Ear (2) is more compact and much smaller than the EVO, making it a more portable option between the two. The design is subjective, but the smaller shape and form of the Ear (2) results in superior comfort and fit, compared to the EVO.

Last Words

The Nothing Ear (2) stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of the London-based tech company, Nothing. With a unique transparent design and advanced features, these TWS IEMs offer a seamless blend of aesthetics and functionality.

Weighing just 4.5 grams each, the Ear (2) is equipped with an 11.6mm custom graphene + polyurethane diaphragm full-range dynamic driver. This, coupled with the LHDC codec, enables the delivery of 24bit Hi-Res Wireless Audio with compatible Android devices. The sound quality is impressive, characterized by a dynamic, clean, and fun sound signature. The bass is impactful, the midrange is clean and neutral, and the treble reaches the top octave without any shrillness. The in-ears handle congestion well, offering impressive imaging and instrument separation even with complex tracks.

The Ear (2) also delivers a good Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) performance and an exceptional Transparency Mode. While there is room for improvement in the treatment of higher-pitched sounds, the IEMs are a significant step forward for Nothing.

However, the battery life of the Ear (2) is a slight drawback. With ANC activated, the in-ears provide approximately 3.5 hours of hi-res music playback. While this duration may suffice for everyday use, it may prove inadequate for those who spend long hours outdoors.

In conclusion, the Nothing Ear (2) is a remarkable product that offers excellent sound quality, advanced features, and a unique design. Despite its minor shortcomings, the Ear (2) stands as a strong contender in the TWS market, offering a high-quality audio experience at a competitive price point.

The Nothing Ear (2) deserves a spot on our Recommended Buy List!

Pros

+ Balanced sound signature

+ Good detail and dynamism

+ Good all-rounder

+ Unique design

+ Excellent comfort

+ Pinch controls

+ Transparency mode performance

Cons

– Mediocre passive isolation

– Battery case scratches easily

– Battery life could be better

Page 1: Nothing Company, Ear (2), Packaging & Accessories, Design, Build & Fit

Page 2: Connection Stability, Nothing X App, Active Noise Canceling (ANC) & Transparency, Call Quality

Page 3: Battery Life, Sound & Performance, Comparison, Last Words