CMF Buds Pro 2 Review

The CMF Buds Pro 2 from Nothing brings a significant upgrade in design, functionality, and audio performance. Following the CMF Phone 1, the CMF Buds Pro 2 aim to deliver a premium listening experience at an accessible price point. This review covers the features, design, audio quality, and user experience of these innovative earbuds.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

Upon opening the package, the first thing that catches the eye is the vibrant orange color of the CMF Buds Pro 2. Along with the earbuds, the box includes additional ear tips, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, and the case with a unique rotary dial. Despite USB-C being the standard for most modern devices, the inclusion of a USB-A cable ensures compatibility with a wider range of charging sources, including older laptops and PCs.

Design and Ergonomics

The design philosophy of the CMF Buds Pro 2 remains consistent with the brand’s aesthetic, featuring a bright, eye-catching color and a distinctive fidget spinner-like rotary dial. This dial, however, is not just for show—it serves a functional purpose, allowing users to control volume, change tracks, and play or pause music without needing to touch the earbuds or the connected device.

The earbuds themselves have been redesigned for a better ergonomic fit. They come with multiple sizes of ear tips to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for a variety of ear shapes and sizes. The buds are lightweight at 4.6 grams each, and the case, which weighs 46 grams, adds to the portability without being cumbersome.

Advanced Features and Customization

One of the standout features of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is the dual drivers—an 11 mm driver and a 6 mm driver—crafted with titanium. These high-quality drivers deliver clear, powerful sound with a good balance across lows, mids, and highs. The inclusion of Ultra Bass mode allows users to enhance the bass according to their preference, up to level five, providing a customizable listening experience.

The earbuds also boast hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) with three microphones per bud, achieving up to 50 dB of noise reduction. While initial tests show that high-pitched and deep sounds can still pass through, the ANC effectively reduces a wide range of ambient noise, making it suitable for use in various environments.

Enhanced Connectivity and Compatibility

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, the CMF Buds Pro 2 offer fast and reliable pairing with devices that support Bluetooth 5.1 or higher. They are compatible with both Android and Apple devices, and the Nothing X app is available on iOS for further customization and firmware updates. While LDAC support is available for high-quality audio streaming on Android, this feature is not supported on iOS, which might be a limitation for Apple users.

Superior Sound Quality

The sound quality of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is impressive, particularly for their price range. The default audio profile is already excellent, but users can adjust the sound through the built-in equalizer in the Nothing X app. The Dirac optimized EQ mode enhances the listening experience by balancing the bass, mids, and highs effectively. Although the mids could be more pronounced, the overall audio quality is commendable.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is another strong suit of the CMF Buds Pro 2. Each earbud has a 60 mAh battery, while the case holds a 460 mAh battery. This setup provides up to 43 hours of total playback time with ANC off and approximately 23 hours with ANC on. The earbuds themselves offer about 11 hours of playback on a single charge without ANC. The case charges via USB-C, and users can opt for a USB-A to USB-C cable or a standard USB-C to USB-C cable.

User Experience and Practicality

The CMF Buds Pro 2 are designed for ease of use and practicality. The rotary dial on the case functions as a remote control for music playback, allowing users to adjust volume, change tracks, and play or pause music with simple gestures. This feature is particularly useful when the phone is not easily accessible.

Additionally, the earbuds support spatial audio, delivering an immersive listening experience without the need for software updates. The adaptive noise cancellation feature intelligently adjusts the ANC level based on the environment, enhancing comfort and usability in various settings.

Conclusion

The CMF Buds Pro 2 are a notable addition to the market, offering a blend of innovative design, advanced features, and high-quality audio at a competitive price. With their ergonomic fit, customizable sound profiles, effective noise cancellation, and impressive battery life, these earbuds cater to users seeking a premium listening experience without breaking the bank. Priced at Rs 4,299, the CMF Buds Pro 2 stand out as a unique and valuable option for tech enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.