Introduction to CMF’s New Budget Wireless Earbuds

In conjunction with the highly impressive budget Phone 2 Pro, Nothing’s CMF sub-brand has also unveiled a trio of affordable wireless earbuds. These earbuds, which include the CMF Buds 2a, CMF Buds 2, and CMF Buds 2 Plus, all feature active noise cancellation and start at an incredibly low price of $49.

Key Differences Between the Models

The three new earbuds differ in several key aspects. Firstly, their battery life varies when active noise cancellation is turned off: the Buds 2a last up to 8 hours, the Buds 2 up to 13.5 hours, and the Buds 2 Plus up to 14 hours. However, notably, CMF hasn’t provided the battery life for these earbuds when ANC is turned on, which is crucial information for potential buyers. Gizmodo has reached out to CMF for these specifications and will update the article upon receiving a response.

Another significant difference lies in call quality. The Buds 2a come equipped with four HD microphones and an older voice processing technology, which may result in less clear call quality compared to the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus. These higher-end models boast six HD microphones and utilize a more advanced voice algorithm, potentially reducing wind noise more effectively.

Lastly, the sound quality, including spatial audio support and active noise cancellation, distinguishes these models. The Buds 2a lack 3D music support, a feature available in the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus. The quality of active noise cancellation also varies, ranging from good in the Buds 2a to better in the Buds 2 and best in the Buds 2 Plus.

Hands-On Experience with the Buds 2 Plus

Given the limited time spent with the $69 Buds 2 Plus, it’s clear that these are budget earbuds. From the plastic case to the earbuds themselves, the design screams entry-level. CMF seems to have stripped down Nothing’s $149 transparent Ear wireless earbuds to create these budget models. Even the customizable “smart dial” from last year’s Buds Pro 2 has been replaced with a non-functional dial on the Buds 2 Plus, although it still rotates and includes a lanyard loop.

The buds feature touch-sensitive controls at the top of their stems, allowing for various actions like activating voice chatbots, controlling audio playback, or adjusting noise cancellation via the Nothing X app. This app is relatively easy to use for audio customization.

Comfort and Sound Quality

In terms of comfort, the Buds 2 Plus fit well, at least for the reviewer, staying in place for up to four hours of continuous listening with ANC turned on. Their lightweight design contributes to this comfort.

For $69 wireless earbuds, the Buds 2 Plus sound decent. They handle bass-heavy tracks with minimal distortion and render pop tunes adequately. However, the active noise cancellation is where these earbuds show their budget nature, failing to block out loud noises as effectively as pricier models. On a subway commute, they struggled to suppress the sound of the train’s wheels screeching, a task that more expensive earbuds like Nothing’s Ear (2) and Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 handle with ease.

Conclusion

Generally, budget audio products deliver what you pay for. The Buds 2 Plus sound good enough for their price, but the real question is how they compare to the $59 Buds 2 and $49 Buds 2a. With only a $10 or $20 difference between these models, understanding their comparative sound quality is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision.


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