We’ve tried more than a couple earbuds here at The Tech Revolutionist, and we’ve come across many products that promise exceptional audio experiences but often fall short. The CMF Buds Pro 2 by Nothing stands out in a crowded market with its advanced features and elegant design. Here’s our comprehensive review based on our hands-on experience, highlighting what you’ll love about these earbuds.
First, About CMF by Nothing
Before diving into the details of the Buds Pro 2, it’s essential to understand the brand behind these impressive earbuds. CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing, a London-based consumer technology company dedicated to making great design accessible to more people. You know that we’re fans of Nothing – having reviewed most of their products.
CMF (read: Colour, Material and finish) blends uncompromised user experience with cutting-edge technology, focusing on core product functionalities. This commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every aspect of the Buds Pro 2, ensuring they are not just another pair of earbuds, but a well-rounded and refined audio solution.
Now, the review:
In the Box
When you unbox the CMF Buds Pro 2, you’ll find everything you need to get started right away.
- Earbuds x 2: The main stars of the show, featuring advanced audio technology and sleek design.
- Charging Case x 1: Equipped with the customisable Smart Dial and providing extended battery life for the earbuds.
- Ear Tips in Size S, M, L: Multiple sizes ensure a perfect fit for every ear, enhancing comfort and sound isolation.
- USB-A to Type-C Cable x 1: For fast and efficient charging of the case and earbuds.
- Safety Information and Warranty Information & User Guide x 1: Comprehensive guides to help you get the most out of your Buds Pro 2 and ensure long-term satisfaction.
What You’ll Love: Sleek and Functional Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the Buds Pro 2 is their sleek and compact design. They are pocket-friendly and fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The minimalist aesthetic is visually appealing, and the attention to detail is evident in every aspect of their construction.
The Buds Pro 2 is available in Orange, Blue, Light Grey, Dark Grey. The review unit we were sent is the blue one.
Customisable Smart Dial
One feature you’ll love is the industry’s first customisable Smart Dial on the charging case. This innovative addition allows you to adjust volume, manage playback, control noise cancellation, activate the Voice Assistant, switch to Low Lag Mode, or mute your microphone during calls.
The Smart Dial clicks with each turn, making it really satisfying to play around with. I found myself picking it up in the middle of a conversation with a friend just to fidget with it.
It can be further customised through the Nothing X app, providing a level of personalisation that enhances the user experience. This feature is especially useful during workouts or commutes when quick and easy control is essential.
Ergonomic Fit
The Buds Pro 2 also excel in terms of comfort. The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes, ensuring a snug fit for every ear shape. The ergonomic design means they sit securely in your ears without causing discomfort, even during extended listening sessions.
This makes them perfect for everything from daily commutes to intense workout sessions. Wearing the Buds Pro 2 while jogging on a walking pad was an excellent test of their stability and sound quality. Despite the constant movement, the earbuds stayed securely in place, thanks to the ergonomic design and multiple ear tip sizes.
What You’ll Love: Impressive Sound Performance
Dual-Driver Acoustics
Overall, the Buds Pro 2 deliver an impressive sound performance, thanks to their dual-driver acoustics. The 11 mm driver, coated with titanium, provides deep and powerful bass, while the 6 mm tweeter with a planar diaphragm ensures crisp and clear treble. This combination captures every detail with remarkable clarity and precision, making every listening session a joy. Whether you’re a bass lover or a fan of intricate melodies, these earbuds will not disappoint.
Hi-Res Audio and LDAC Technology
You’ll appreciate the Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and LDAC technology. With a transmission rate of up to 990 kbps/24 bits/96 kHz, the sound quality is exceptional. Whether you’re listening to your favorite tracks or streaming a podcast, the audio remains clear and immersive. This feature ensures that you get the most out of your high-quality audio files, providing a listening experience that rivals wired headphones.
Spatial Audio Effect
Developed using the HRTF head function model, the Spatial Audio Effect feature generates a cinema-quality 3D spatial sound. It makes you feel like the sound is coming from all directions (all…around…you), creating a truly immersive audio experience that enhances both music and movies.
This feature is a game-changer for those who love to get lost in their audio, providing a surround sound experience that is typically reserved for high-end home theater systems.
High-Definition Sound Powered by Dirac™
Dirac Opteo™ revolutionises sound performance by addressing acoustical limitations, ensuring you hear music as the artist intended. It makes the sound staging more accurate, the details richer, the bass deeper, and the voice clarity extra crisp. This technology transforms the listening experience, making it more natural and lifelike.
Ultra Bass Technology 2.0
The Buds Pro 2 intelligently identify bass elements in your music and dynamically enhance low frequencies in real time. So you can feel every beat with greater intensity and precision. Delivers deep, rich bass without compromising the crispness of mid and high tones. Toggle on in the Nothing X app with five levels of bass intensity to choose from. This feature is perfect for those who love bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop, adding an extra punch to your music.
What You’ll Love: Effective Active Noise Cancellation
Hybrid ANC
The Buds Pro 2’s Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation is nothing short of impressive. Capable of reducing noise by up to 50 dB across a wide frequency range, it efficiently silences ambient sounds, from bustling conversations to the hum of public transport. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining focus in noisy environments, such as offices or cafes. The Hybrid ANC also effectively blocked out the noise of the treadmill, so you can focus on your pace and rhythm.
Buds Pro 2 automatically detect and compensate for any noise leakage between the earbud and your ear canal, ensuring optimal noise cancellation every time you wear them with ANC switched on. Seamlessly switch to Adaptive Mode in the Nothing X app to use the environmental adaptive ANC, which works by automatically adjusting the ANC level based on the ambient noise in your surroundings.
Adaptive ANC and Crystal-Clear Calls
The Adaptive ANC adjusts based on your surroundings, ensuring optimal noise cancellation at all times. Additionally, the six high-definition microphones and Clear Voice Technology 2.0 make sure that calls are crystal clear, effectively isolating your voice from background noise. This is a boon for professionals who need to take calls on the go, ensuring that your voice is heard loud and clear even in noisy environments.
What You’ll Love: Solid Battery Life
The battery life of the Buds Pro 2 is solid, offering up to 43 hours of playback with the case and up to 11 hours with the earbuds alone (ANC off). Fast charging provides an additional 3 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, making them perfect for users on the go. This ensures that your earbuds are always ready when you need them, with minimal downtime.
What You’ll Love: Ample Connectivity and Compatibility
You’ll appreciate the support for Bluetooth 5.3 and the 10-meter connection range. The Buds Pro 2 are compatible with both Android (5.1 and above) and iOS (13 and above) devices, ensuring wide usability. Dual connection capability allows you to stay connected to two devices at the same time, making it easy to switch between your phone and laptop.
What You’ll Love: Built to Last
When you first hold the Buds Pro 2, you can feel their robust build quality. The materials used are clearly of high grade, and they feel substantial without being heavy.
Durability tests, including a 1-meter drop test repeated 100 times and charging port tests with 5,000 plug and unplug cycles, show that these earbuds are built to withstand everyday wear and tear. Additionally, the IP55 water resistance rating means they can handle sweat and splashes, making them suitable for workouts. The rigorous testing ensures that the Buds Pro 2 can keep up with your active lifestyle, providing peace of mind that they will last.
What You’ll Love: Smart Features and App Integration
The Nothing X app integration adds another layer of functionality to the Buds Pro 2. You can customise the Smart Dial, touch functions, and equaliser settings to suit your preferences. The app also features an ear tips fit test, in-ear detection, LED charging status, and a Find My Earbuds function. Gaming Mode automatically turns on Low Lag Mode when paired with Nothing Phones, reducing latency to less than 120 ms for a seamless gaming experience.
Pricing and Availability
The CMF Buds Pro 2 is available at S$99.
You can get them on CMF’s official Lazada, Shopee, or at Challenger!
Verdict
The CMF Buds Pro 2 by Nothing are an impressive addition to the market, offering a perfect blend of style, functionality, and superior sound quality. Their advanced features and durable design make them a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to elevate their audio experience.
After spending considerable time with the CMF Buds Pro 2, it’s clear that they offer a remarkable combination of sound quality, innovative features, and sleek design. The customisable Smart Dial, dual-driver acoustics, and advanced noise cancellation set them apart in a crowded market.
For anyone looking for a premium pair of earbuds that deliver on both performance and style, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are an excellent choice. They cater to both casual listeners and audiophiles, providing a versatile and enjoyable audio experience. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, these earbuds are sure to enhance your listening experience.
