Nothing Ear (2) review

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.

Sonically, there is more heft to the sound and as with most other ANC TWS, it sounds best with ANC on. The Ear (2) gets an Adaptive mode too that will analyze the incoming ambient sound via its three mics and choose what it feels is the most balanced ANC setting, but I personally preferred it on the max setting for the cleanest possible background. Nothing claims a whopping 40dB of attenuation, which is questionable since it is more effective at cutting out high-frequency noises, much more than lower registers and as a result, you are never really isolated from the surroundings as much as the competition.

But again, for its price category, it does a great job of treading the fine line that divides great sound and great noise cancellation. The two aren’t exactly happy to coexist and is always a huge engineering challenge.

Battery life has seen a small bump as well, with two hours more on the overall case charge and an hour more on the buds alone. Reverse charging and Qi-charging are both supported and the Nothing phone community should be excited about this, lighting up their devices in a way that is intrinsic to the Nothing design ethos.

Well timed, well-priced and well-judged sonically, the Nothing Ear (2) are a great pair of TWS ANC that will hold a huge appeal to existing Nothing owners and naysayers. They prove that the brand is keen on substance as much as it is on style and though they compete in a shark tank of great options, their aesthetic holds a huge advantage that transcends gender preferences. Nothing won.