Recently, Nothing Technology launched their two latest wireless earbuds: the Nothing Ear and Ear (a). We had the opportunity to test these earbuds, courtesy of Digital Walker.
If you’re not familiar with Nothing, it’s a British consumer electronics manufacturer based in London. The company was founded by Carl Pei, the co-founder of the Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus. Over the years, Nothing has established a solid reputation in the industry. In addition to earbuds, they also offer smartphones known for their unique features and designs.
I’ve been using both the Nothing Ear and Ear (a) for two months now, whether commuting or staying at home. We’ve also uploaded an unboxing video on our Facebook page. Both earbuds offer high-quality features that audiophiles are sure to love.
Please note that I am not an audio device expert, but I will share my personal insights based on my experience with various types of earphones.
Nothing Ear
My favorite of the two is the Nothing Ear. It has a truly premium feel and an incredibly sleek design. With its 11mm dynamic driver featuring a ceramic diaphragm, finely tuned by Nothing, you can expect excellent sound quality.
Additionally, the earbuds support 24-bit Hi-Res audio with LDAC and LHDC, allowing for a superior audio experience if your phone or device supports these formats. The sound is incredibly clear when listening to lossless music, and the soundstage is impressively wide for wireless earbuds.
These wireless earbuds also offer up to 45dB of Smart Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). I enjoyed using it on the road, especially on noisy jeepneys, and even in such loud environments, the earbuds effectively cancel out noise, allowing me to listen comfortably.
Regarding the fit, one of the aspects I appreciate is how lightweight they are, at just 4.62g per earbud, making them feel almost non-existent when worn. However, while working out, they sometimes feel like they might slip out, especially when I’m using the small ear tips, which otherwise fit comfortably in my ears.
The battery life is quite impressive, thanks to a 46mAh battery in each earbud and a 500mAh battery capacity in the case. Although I haven’t closely monitored the battery life, Nothing claims that the earbuds can provide up to 8.5 hours of playback without ANC, and up to 40.5 hours with the case and ANC turned off.
Another great feature is the 2.5W wireless charging support. While this might be slow, it is rare to find wireless earbuds with this feature. Of course, you can also charge it wired via USB-C.
Nothing Ear (a)
We also received the Nothing Ear (a) and tested it alongside the Nothing Ear. This is more affordable than the Nothing Ear but still delivers a premium listening experience. Honestly, it is already a great buy, especially if you’re not too technical about audio or if your device doesn’t support LHDC.
In terms of audio experience, the Nothing Ear (a) is quite similar to the Nothing Ear, with nearly identical hardware. Although they have different diaphragms, the difference in sound is not very noticeable.
Fortunately, the Nothing Ear (a) supports LDAC, so you can also enjoy lossless music. If you primarily use streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music, the Ear (a) is more than enough.
The Ear (a) also features 45dB Active Noise Cancellation, which I also tested in noisy environments, similar to the Nothing Ear. Despite being more affordable, the noise-canceling performance is on par with the Nothing Ear, which is an excellent feature.
Each earbud weighs 4.8g, offering good comfort and allowing you to wear them for hours without ear fatigue.
In terms of battery life, the Ear (a) also comes with a 46mAh battery per earbud and a 500mAh battery capacity in the case. It can provide up to 9.5 hours per earbud without ANC and up to 42.5 hours with the case and ANC turned off. I’m not sure how it manages to have a longer battery life, but the downside is that it does not support wireless charging.
Software
If you decide to purchase Nothing earbuds, make sure to download the Nothing X app for audio customization and software updates.
This is my first experience with wireless earbuds that sound great straight out of the box without needing to tweak the equalizer. At the same time, if you want to enhance the bass or treble, it has a beginner-friendly and advanced equalizer.
Speaking of equalizers, the Nothing X app also offers a feature called sound personalization, which adjusts the sound profile based on your preferences through a quick test. However, it is only available for the Nothing Ear.
The Nothing X app is also available in both Android and iOS devices, just search it on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Conclusion
Overall, both the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) deliver impressive sound quality, active noise cancellation, and comfort, making them excellent choices for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Whether you’re seeking a premium listening experience or a more budget-friendly option, Nothing offers products that meets diverse needs and preferences. However, if budget isn’t a concern, the Nothing Ear stands out as the go-to choice.
Price and Availability
- Nothing Ear – PHP 8,990 | Shopee link | Lazada link
- Nothing Ear (a) – PHP 6,290 | Shopee link | Lazada link
Both Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) are available at Digital Walker’s official store on Shopee, Lazada, and their official website. You can also visit the nearest Digital Walker physical store to pick one up.
