Revolutionizing Sound: A Deep Dive into the Enhanced Features of the Nothing Ear 2

Although its name has inspired many jokes and wordplays, Nothing has made a noteworthy impact as a tech company in its relatively brief history. Its measured strategy for product development deserves praise, starting with the solid Nothing Ear 1 true wireless earbuds in 2021. With several new releases, including their inaugural smartphone, the company has now introduced its first second-generation product, the Nothing Ear 2, which brings several significant enhancements compared to its original.

Available for Rs. 9,999 in India, the Nothing Ear 2 offers noteworthy upgrades over the Ear 1, such as compatibility with the LHDC Bluetooth codec and an enhanced app experience. Competing with strong rivals like OnePlus and Jabra, does the Nothing Ear 2 stand out as the top true wireless earbuds priced under Rs. 10,000? Let’s delve into this review to find out.

Design and Features of the Nothing Ear 2

The bold and distinctive design of the Nothing Ear 1 made a strong impression in 2021, and the Ear 2 retains this appeal even if it no longer feels groundbreaking. At first glance, the new model appears almost identical to its predecessor, the principal distinguishing feature being the ‘NOTHING ear (2)’ branding on each earpiece stem. I believe that sticking to this design was a prudent decision, as it continues to attract attention.

Currently, the Nothing Ear 2 is available in just one color – clear and white. In contrast with the Nothing Ear Stick, the Ear 2 provides a true in-canal fit, aiding in passive noise isolation, which is essential for effective active noise cancellation.

A notable change concerns the user controls; the previous tap gestures have been replaced with a force-touch mechanism akin to that of the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and OnePlus Buds Pro 2. I have reiterated this point – this system is significantly more precise and effective than basic touch controls.

These controls can also be personalized via the companion app, allowing users to manage playback and volume, activate the voice assistant, and toggle between ANC and transparency modes. The earpieces feature in-ear detection that automatically plays and pauses music upon wearing or removing them, though this function was inconsistent during my testing; I preferred to control playback manually.

The Nothing Ear 2 features a more compact and convenient charging case, which doesn’t significantly affect battery life.

 

Aside from that, the Nothing Ear 2 earpieces boast an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, while the charging case has an improved IP55 rating – both capable of withstanding minor splashes and dirt exposure. Each earpiece is equipped with three microphones that collaborate for ANC and voice functions. The Nothing Ear 2 sales package includes a USB Type-C to Type-C charging cable and three pairs of silicone ear tips in varying sizes.

The Nothing Ear 2 charging case is noticeably smaller than that of its predecessor, with a reduced battery capacity of 485mAh. However, Nothing claims that optimizations and enhanced battery longevity in the earpieces compensate for this, providing comparable overall battery life. I will share more details on battery life later in this review; nonetheless, this case is significantly more portable. It also supports Qi wireless charging (up to 2.5W), and you have the option of charging it via a standard USB Type-C cable.

Specifications and App for Nothing Ear 2

The Nothing Ear 2 retains the 11.6mm dynamic drivers seen in the original, but there are substantial advancements in Bluetooth connectivity with the new model. The Ear 2 incorporates Bluetooth 5.3, supporting the SBC, AAC, and LHDC Bluetooth codecs. Conveniently, it also includes features like Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and multipoint connectivity for two audio sources simultaneously.

LHDC is a 24-bit advanced codec that allows the headset to receive a greater volume of audio data from compatible devices, thereby enhancing sound quality. However, this codec is currently only available on select Android devices, and I was only able to use it with the Nothing Phone 1 (Review).

Despite attempts to use the LHDC codec with a OnePlus 9 Pro (which is compatible), it did not function properly, and I found myself limited to the AAC codec, even after activating it in the app and the phone’s developer settings. If you connect the Nothing Ear 2 to an iPhone, you will only have access to the AAC codec anyway. This clearly influenced sound quality, which I will discuss in greater detail later in this review.

The Nothing X app allows you to customize gesture controls, select equalizer presets, and more.

 

From customization to settings and various modifications, the Nothing X app (available for iOS and Android) is instrumental in maximizing the experience with the Nothing Ear 2 earbuds. If you pair this headset with the Nothing Phone 1, most core app functionalities, such as checking battery status, toggling ANC, adjusting equalizer settings, and configuring gesture controls, can be executed within the phone’s interface. Interestingly, certain features like activating multipoint connectivity can only be accessed through the Nothing X app.

The app’s interface is well-crafted and includes numerous valuable features, such as setting equalizer presets, adjusting ANC intensity, and creating individualized profiles for sound and ANC separately. Although there’s an array of options to explore, it’s worthwhile as it helps tailor the earbuds to your preferences.

Performance and Battery Life of the Nothing Ear 2

The benefits of an ecosystem are increasingly relevant, and many brands are following in Apple’s and Samsung’s footsteps in fashioning their products to work harmoniously together. Nothing’s philosophies align closely with those of OnePlus for clear reasons (as Nothing’s founder, Carl Pei, co-founded OnePlus), and this approach is evident in the seamless operation of the Nothing Ear 2 when used with the Nothing Phone 1. In fact, you’ll achieve the optimal experience and full feature set when these two devices work in concert.

Nevertheless, besides minor exceptions, you will enjoy a fulfilling experience even when pairing the Nothing Ear 2 with other smartphones. Among these exceptions is the LHDC codec, which I could only utilize with the Nothing Phone 1. Sound quality improves noticeably with this codec, and while LHDC technically supports other devices, establishing a connection might pose compatibility challenges with different versions.

The in-canal style of the Nothing Ear 2 effectively promotes noise isolation for proper ANC functionality.

 

When utilizing the Nothing Phone 1 as the source and streaming high-resolution tracks from Apple Music, the overall experience was quite impressive, especially considering this is a Rs. 10,000 true wireless headset. Although my initial impressions of the sound were less favorable, I’ve found the default equalizer setting to enhance bass response, while switching to the Balanced setting (the headphone’s natural sonic profile) greatly improved audio fidelity.

While listening to Lavender (Star One Remix) by Frenchfire, the Nothing Ear 2 maintained pace with the rapid, progressive opening of this dance song, accommodating its swift transitions and sudden bass drops with surprising fluidity. Its high-frequency electronic components sounded clear and crisp, providing the track with a compelling sense of direction and an appealing soundstage.

The low, infectious beat remained distinctly articulated, showcasing the intricate details well. That same track sounded nearly as impressive with the Nothing Ear 2 connected to another smartphone using the AAC codec, maintaining a well-balanced sonic character. However, the clarity and extension were notably more pronounced when using the LHDC codec.

I had ANC engaged for much of my review, yet there were times I questioned whether it was active. The soundstage and imaging on tracks like E Samba by Junior Jack felt remarkably spacious, almost leading me to believe the transparency mode was inadvertently activated on the Nothing Ear 2.

Raising the volume enhanced the overall listening experience, and I noted that surpassing the 90% threshold yielded the best sound in terms of clarity and impact. However, maintaining such high volumes became exhausting quickly, so I had to dial it back to a more manageable level. Fortunately, the enjoyable sound quality remained intact even at 50% volume.

The active noise cancellation on the Nothing Ear 2 is adequate for a headset within the sub-Rs. 10,000 range but far from outstanding. In both indoor and outdoor settings, sound attenuation was modest, with many ambient noises, such as ceiling fans and air conditioner hums, still being perceptible. This was compounded by a somewhat pronounced pressure sensation with the ANC, which some may misinterpret as effective noise cancellation when it is, in fact, the opposite.

The Nothing Ear 2 offers enhanced audio quality compared to its predecessor, but ideally requires a Nothing Phone 1 for optimal performance.

 

Nonetheless, the Nothing Ear 2 does provide sufficient noise reduction to allow listeners to enjoy their audio content even at moderate levels, and its broad soundstage may distract from the somewhat uncomfortable vacuum effect. The transparency mode functioned adequately, but the added amplification can become wearisome after extended use, leading you to want to remove the earbuds.

Battery life on the Nothing Ear 2 is akin to that of the Nothing Ear 1. The earpieces managed approximately four hours on a full charge with ANC active, and the charging case provides a little over four additional charges, yielding roughly 22 hours of cumulative runtime per charge cycle. Considering the reduced size of the charging case, this is a solid overall figure, and you can significantly extend this by turning off ANC.

Conclusion

The Nothing Ear 1 garnered attention for what it delivered at its launch price of Rs. 5,999, although the company later raised it to a bit above Rs. 7,000. By comparison, the Nothing Ear 2 doesn’t present a shockingly low price point, nor does it need to; it’s a quality pair of true wireless earbuds that feels well-suited to its price of Rs. 9,999.

It faces slightly pricier contenders such as the Oppo Enco X2 and OnePlus Buds Pro 2, yet it holds its ground regarding sound quality and overall performance. The main caveat is its requirement for a Nothing Phone for optimal functionality, particularly to utilize the LHDC Bluetooth codec. Regardless, it presents a visually appealing option that performs satisfactorily with other devices, making it a compelling choice for those with a Rs. 10,000 budget.

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