In an increasingly crowded market of wireless earbuds, the Nothing Ear (a) manages to stand out, not just for its unique design but also for its solid performance across various fronts. Having spent a considerable amount of time with these earbuds, I’ve found plenty to admire and a few minor gripes that might not suit every user. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the Nothing Ear (a) both fascinating and functional.
Technical Specifications
| Drivers | 11mm custom driver |
| Active noise cancellation | Yes |
| Battery life | Buds: 5.5hrs (9.5hrs without ANC) Total with case: 24.5hrs (42.5hrs without ANC) |
| Weight | 4.8g per earbud |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, USB-C |
| Frequency range | Not stated (other than 5000Hz range) |
| Waterproofing | IP54 buds / IPX2 case |
Design
The design of the Nothing Ear (a) is arguably its most distinctive feature. The earpieces closely resemble Nothing’s Ear (2024) model, sporting the signature transparent stems that showcase the internal workings—a bold and refreshing design choice in a market dominated by opaque options.
The build quality is robust, yet the earbuds remain lightweight enough for extended wear without discomfort. This model offers a choice of striking yellow, in addition to the classic black or white colors.
Each pair comes with three sets of eartips that match the earpiece color, ensuring a snug fit that enhances passive noise isolation and provides a deeper bass response compared to the non-sealing Ear (stick).
This design not only contributes to better passive noise isolation but also to more consistent ear-to-ear imaging, making them suitable for light workouts though perhaps not ideal for more intense activities. The transparent case complements the futuristic look of the buds and is compact enough for easy portability. Internally, the earbuds are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers that deliver a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, ensuring a rich and dynamic audio experience.
I also loved little details that just shows us that the brand cares about convenience and user-friendliness. Each earbud is color-coded (red and white) to match the color on their respective places in the case. No need to fumble to know which earbud goes on which side anymore.
Features
Nothing Ear (a) comes packed with a plethora of features that make it a strong contender in its price bracket. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, enabling hi-res audio streaming that enhances the overall sound quality significantly. This addition is particularly notable for audiophiles looking to get the most out of their music without wires.
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Ear (a) has seen substantial improvements, providing a near bubble-of-silence experience. You can choose from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive ANC profiles, with the High setting effectively muting intense background noises such as hairdryers or even an oven extractor fan, as noted in my tests at home. While this feature does impact battery life, reducing it from 9.5 hours to about 5.5 hours with ANC on, the level of noise isolation achieved justifies the trade-off.
Another exciting upcoming feature is the integration of ChatGPT through the Nothing X app, set to roll out gradually. This integration will allow users to interact with ChatGPT directly from their Nothing Ear (a) earbuds when paired with a Nothing Phone, adding significant value and a futuristic edge to the user experience.
The call quality has also improved drastically, with the Clear Voice Technology upgraded to version 3.0. “Did you change your earphones? It sounds clearer than usual” was a question asked by a call recipient – a testament to the strides Nothing has made in this area.
Additional features like in-ear detection, a low lag toggle for gaming, seamless multipoint connectivity to two devices, and a Find My Earbuds feature further enrich the user experience. These earbuds don’t feature spatial audio or personalized hearing tests like some models, but they include a practical and much-improved ear tip fit test and a basic yet effective EQ customization through the app. The app experience, although simplified, remains intuitive and straightforward, providing everything you need without unnecessary complexity.
App Experience
The accompanying app for Nothing Ear (a) is a crucial part of the experience. It’s well-designed, user-friendly, and offers extensive customization options. Users can adjust EQ settings, configure touch controls, and update firmware, all within the app.
This level of customization ensures that users can tailor their listening experience to their preferences.
The app also provides a handy guide for fitting the earbuds correctly, which is a thoughtful addition for getting the most out of the audio quality and ANC features.
Sound Quality
The Nothing Ear (a) earbuds offer a sound quality that is remarkably expansive for in-ear devices, delivering a sonic experience that can be best described as both fun and zealous. With Bluetooth 5.3 and LDAC support, these earbuds handle high-resolution audio very well indeed, offering an expansive soundstage and pinpoint accuracy that truly enhances the listening experience.
LDAC codec files were delivered with exceptional clarity. Streaming tracks from Spotify, I noticed that tracks were rendered with ample texture and space, allowing the synths and bass plucks to stand out in a way that earbuds at this price range typically don’t achieve.
The integration of the earbuds with the app’s EQ settings allows for further refinement; you can dial in more or less of a bass response or tweak the mids and highs to your liking. The balanced EQ mode, coupled with a mid-level bass enhance setting, seemed optimal for most tracks, providing a robust low-frequency response without overpowering other frequencies.
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, the earbuds produce a powerful low-frequency response. The bass thumps at higher volumes and remains compelling at more moderate levels.
Overall, the Nothing Ear (a) doesn’t just meet the basic expectations of sound quality; it exceeds them, making these earbuds a standout choice for those who value detailed and dynamic audio performance.
Battery Life
The Ear (a) earbuds offer about 9.5 hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off, and around 5.5 hours with it on. The charging case extends total battery life to 33 hours without ANC and 19 hours with ANC.
However, actual battery performance can vary based on the volume level at which you listen and the codecs you use. The earbuds can be fully recharged in the case in about 80 minutes.
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Ear (a) is available here at SGD $159.
Verdict
The Nothing Ear (a) earbuds are a compelling offering with their standout design, solid noise cancellation, and excellent sound quality. They strike a good balance between functionality and aesthetics, making them a great choice for those who value both in their audio devices.
For its price point, the Nothing Ear (a) offers a value proposition that’s hard to ignore. They are not just about good looks; they deliver where it matters. While they might not outperform the top-tier models in every aspect, they provide a well-rounded experience that would satisfy most users. If you’re in the market for earbuds that combine style with performance, the Nothing Ear (a) should definitely be on your list.
