Nothing Audio is the official segment of their audio products which currently consists of Nothing Ear (1), Ear (stick), Ear (2), Ear and Ear(a). The latest Ear and Ear (a) were launched this year with both marketed as melodious flagship quality TWS at an affordable price.
DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS
Nothing Ear Nothing Ear (a)
Audio Driver
11mm Dynamic Ceramic
Tuned by Nothing
LDAC, LHDC 5.0 Audio Driver
11mm Dynamic
Tuned by Nothing
LDAC
Battery
Earphones – 46mAh
Charger Pod – 500mAh
Up to 8.5/40.5 hours
Charge 10 minutes, use 10 hours Battery
Earphones – 46mAh
Charger Pod – 500mAh
Up to 9.5/42.5 hours
Charge 10 minutes, use 10 hours
Microphone
3x Microphone Clear Voice Technology
Microphone Smart ANC Algorithm
3x Microphone Clear Voice Technology
Smart ANC algorithm
Bluetooth 5.3
Google Fast Pair
Microsoft Swift Pair Bluetooth 5.3
Google Fast Pair
Microsoft Swift Pair
Protection
IP54/IP55 Protection
IP54/IPX2
Application
Nothing X, Android & iOS
Advanced Equalizer
Find My Earbuds Application
Nothing X, Android & iOS
Dual-Tethering Dual-Tethering
Priced at RM659
Priced at RM479
Nothing Ear is a very misleading name as it is actually an Ear (3). Not only is it confusing, the design is also disappointing because three generations are still the same with very little change. Ears now look neater and I also still like the transparent theme used.
Nothing Ear uses 11 mm dynamic type audio driver made of ceramic. It also uses 3x Clear Voice Technology microphones for clearer audio and smarter active noise cancellation support. Ear also supports LDAC and LHDC 5.0 codecs, equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, IP55/IP54 protection, can use a more professional equalizer and has a built-in algorithm for more powerful bass.
Nothing Ear (a) is the successor to Nothing Ear (stick), which is no longer a semi-in-ear audio product. The design is also more attractive because it uses a charging pod similar to a medicine container and is also more compact. It is also the first Nothing (non-CMF) product to have a yellow color option other than monochrome.
The audio driver is also the 11mm dynamic type but not ceramic. There is no LHDC 5.0 support because it is limited to LDAC, only IP54/IPX2 protection and also has its own bass algorithm. It has no more professional features because it targets ordinary users and for a simpler and simpler use.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
NOTHING EAR
TWS flagship Nothing since Ear (2) is my favorite because it brings better quality audio. Even this time, Nothing really challenges other flagship TWS in the market because the price is more than 50% cheaper to provide an equivalent listening experience. The bass on the Ear is able to thump hard and fast, making my body want to tap my feet to the rhythm of the song.
Vocals are also melodious regardless of male or female singers. Each song also has a high pitch level that is not too loud for a more comfortable music into the ears. A little strange with Nothing Ear is, only with the active noise cancellation mode and the enhanced bass mode activated on the first adjustment only makes the audio stand out. Otherwise, users must use the Advanced Equalizer to set their own audio profile.
During weeks of use, Nothing Ear has not caused me any problems at all. Every phone call I received was clear and my voice was heard loudly by the caller. Watching a video or playing a game also gives immersive audio that is so immersive that I forget to be lulled by the beautiful music. The active noise cancellation mode is also one of the best I've tested, as it ranks between the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Jabra Elite 10.
NOTHING EAR (A)
I give credit to Nothing for managing to bring the audio profile more or less the same from Ear to Ear (a). This makes the cheaper TWS buyers feel less alienated because there is not much left behind. Ear (a) is also capable of playing music with bass that shakes the listener's head. Also matched is the same melodious singer's voice regardless of gender.
The treble on Ear (a) is good but not high enough that it is necessary to select only certain music tracks for the best listening experience. Even so, the audio produced is still enjoyable and I'm even surprised that TWS under RM500 has such quality. The disadvantage of Ear (a) is the active noise cancellation which is not very satisfactory and does not allow the user to control the equalizer more deeply.
Nothing Ear (a) is a necessary upgrade if you are still using Ear (1). In fact it is also much better than Ear (stick) but still weaker than Ear (2). With the price of Ear (2) now being under RM500 as well, the advantage of Ear (a) is only in its overall size which is small and easy to store to take anywhere.
USE, CONTROL AND APPLICATION
Both Ear and Ear (a) also look the same, so each one is comfortable in the ear and there is no need to worry about it falling off easily or the ear getting sore from using TWS for a long time. Control of each earphone is also easy by simply squeezing the stem. It has no haptic effect but every time it is squeezed there is a sound confirming each squeeze.
The Nothing X app is also still one of my favorites for audio products. I used the Nothing Phone (2) and the Phone (2a) to test these two new Ears. Interestingly, all the Nothing Ears I have ever connected are still stored in the account. The application is also very simple and easy to use. Nothing X is also clever in hiding features that are not supported on Ear (a) instead of displaying everything that is supported on Ear.
This application is very helpful for users like setting different compression controls, creating your own audio profile, setting a basic or professional equalizer and much more. This Nothing X app is what I want other audio product manufacturers to take inspiration from. One change I would like is, allow access to apps when no Ear is tethered. That all.
CHATGPT GIMMICK?
Of course I didn't forget the generative AI features built into Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a). Nothing integrates ChatGPT on each Ear for quick access to this OpenAI chatbot with voice control. In my tests, English worked smoothly while Malay did not. This feature is also limited to Nothing Phone (2) and Phone (2a) devices only for now.
BATTERY
Nothing Ear still supports wireless charging so there is no problem charging it on the back of the Phone (2). For Nothing Ear (a) it is limited to USB-C charging only. Charging time is 10 minutes for 10 hours of use. Durability depends on use because with active noise cancellation, the Ear can be used for up to 4 hours with 18 hours on the charging pod while without active noise cancellation it reaches 8.5/40.5 hours.
For Ear (a) it is more durable because it lasts up to 9.5/42.5 hours without active noise cancellation while if it is active it lasts the same as Ear. Throughout my usage, this Nothing battery life claim is true as I have had no problems with it.
IN THE BOX
Here's what's included in the box;
1x Ear or Ear (a)
1x Extra ear buds of various sizes
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable in white
1x User manual
CONCLUSION
Since using Nothing Ear, I no longer use OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and Ear (2). It really is a worthy replacement with high audio quality, interesting features/functions and a cheaper price than competitors. The design may feel a little boring if you have used Ear before. For Ear (a), suitable for those who want good audio and a compact design who don't care about other additional features. Priced at RM659 and RM479 each, these new Nothing Audio products really challenge competitors who sell at higher prices. If you are stuck and don't know which TWS to buy, Nothing is a smart choice.
PROS AND ADVANTAGES
ANC on a solid Nothing Ear.
Melodious and balanced audio quality for both new Ears.
Nothing X is very user friendly.
ChatGPT is not just a gimmick, it really works well.
The battery lasts a long time.
CONS AND DISADVANTAGES
ANC on Nothing Ear (a) is not good enough.
Nothing X does not support a professional equalizer for Ear (a).
Plastic construction material that is easy to scratch.
Only Ear (a) carries the new design, Outboard Ear with the old design.
ChatGPT is limited to Nothing phones only.