I’ve been a fan of Nothing since they first came onto the scene with their unique transparent tech aesthetic. So, when they announced the Nothing Ear (2), I was pretty excited to see what they’d improved on from the original Ear (1). And let me tell you, while it might not seem like a huge leap forward at first glance, the subtle refinements they’ve made really add up to a significantly better listening experience.
**Looks Can Be Deceiving**
Right off the bat, the Ear (2) looks almost identical to its predecessor. Same transparent case, same earbud design—you could easily mistake them for twins. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. The Ear (1) was already a stylish piece of tech, and Nothing wisely chose not to mess with a winning formula. It’s still a conversation starter, especially that transparent case showing off the earbuds and circuitry inside. I’ve always found it kind of mesmerizing to look at.
The familiar design also means the fit is just as comfortable as I remember. The buds nestled snugly in my ears, creating a good seal for the noise cancellation without feeling too tight or intrusive. I wore them for hours during my commute and work, and never experienced any discomfort.
**Subtle But Significant Sound Improvements**
Now, here’s where the real upgrades come into play—the sound. While the 11mm drivers might seem the same on paper, Nothing switched to using ceramic material this time around. Combine that with a new bass-enhancing algorithm, and the difference is noticeable. The Ear (2) delivers a much richer, fuller sound, especially in the low-end frequencies. The bass is punchy and present, but it never feels overwhelming or muddy.
I’m a big fan of jazz and classic rock, and the Ear (2) really brought out the nuances in the bass lines and drums. The overall clarity of the sound is also impressive. Vocals are crisp and detailed, and the high frequencies never get harsh or sibilant. It all adds up to a really enjoyable and immersive listening experience, no matter what genre I’m in the mood for.
**LDAC Support, Finally!**
The one thing I felt was missing from the original Ear (1) was LDAC support. Thankfully, Nothing listened, and the Ear (2) now supports this high-quality Bluetooth codec. It makes a world of difference when streaming high-resolution audio from services like Tidal or Qobuz. The music sounds more detailed and nuanced, with a wider soundstage. It’s the kind of feature that audiophiles will really appreciate.
**Even Better Noise Cancellation**
The active noise cancellation (ANC) was already pretty decent on the Ear (1), but Nothing managed to make it even better with the Ear (2). They increased the noise reduction frequency range up to 5000Hz and tweaked the algorithm. The result is an even more effective ANC that does a fantastic job of blocking out distractions. I tested it out on my noisy commute, and it was like the outside world just melted away. I could focus on my music without any distractions.
**Battery Life for Days**
Another area where Nothing made a welcome improvement is battery life. The Ear (2) boasts an impressive 8.5 hours of playtime on a single charge, which is a significant jump from the 6.3 hours offered by its predecessor. And with the charging case, you can extend that to a whopping 40.5 hours. That’s enough juice to get you through several days of use without having to worry about plugging in. I actually used the Ear (2) for two full days, averaging about 6 hours of listening per day, and still had battery to spare.
**ChatGPT Integration: More Hype Than Substance (For Now)**
The big new feature Nothing hyped up with the Ear (2) was ChatGPT integration. In theory, it sounds amazing—being able to get information from ChatGPT just by using voice commands through your earbuds. But the reality is a bit more complicated, especially for someone like me in Hong Kong. Setting up ChatGPT requires a foreign Play Store account, a foreign credit card, and even a VPN, which is a lot of hoops to jump through. I haven’t been able to test this feature out myself because of these limitations.
It’s a cool idea, but the implementation is clunky at best, and downright inaccessible for some users. Hopefully, Nothing can streamline the process and make it more widely available in the future. For now, I’d consider it more of a novelty than a must-have feature.
**Final Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade**
In the end, the Nothing Ear (2) might not seem like a revolutionary upgrade on the surface, but the devil is in the details. The improved sound quality, LDAC support, enhanced noise cancellation, and extended battery life all add up to a significantly better user experience. While the ChatGPT integration is still a work in progress, the Ear (2) remains an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stylish and well-performing pair of true wireless earbuds at a reasonable price. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for an upgrade from the original Ear (1) or anyone searching for a solid all-around earbud experience.