Like all worthy upgrades should entail, the actual driver has been revised and it is now made up of a custom 11.6mm diaphragm with new materials for its suspension and even a new, dual chamber design for the enclosure. This has allowed it to sound fuller, go deeper into the lower octave and reach higher into the top-end, all hallmarks of an audiophile-friendly design. Daft Punk’s latest remastered version of RAM proves that the Ear (2) is indeed a big step up over its predecessor and can compete with the best that Oppo and OnePlus have to offer at similar price points, both of which have been our favourites in this price segment.
A big part of the upgrade program has been the ability to customize both the sound and ANC profiles more precisely to the listeners ears. As with all things AI these days, in the Ear (2), it helps to shape the frequency curve to compensate (boost or cut) for any hearing loss or ill-fitting ear tips. Although you get a total of three different sizes to best suit your sound receptors, if you practice Yoda-ism, the accompanying Nothing X app can run an ear-fit test and take necessary steps.
Controls on the stalk work well, though the presence of haptic feedback would’ve made the experience even more assured. Low-latency mode, dual-connection and fast pairing with Android devices are fast becoming the norm for most new TWS models and the Ear (2) obliges too. Every control you manipulate manifests itself snappily and the app experience is really slick. This includes the customisable EQ, which is simply a three-way slider that lets you dial in just the amount of bass, mids and treble you prefer on your office commute playlist.