Nothing Ear (a) - Insider Review!
Over the last few months, I had the opportunity to put the prototype of the Nothing Ear (a) through its paces. Alongside various other models like the Nothing Ear (1), Ear Stick, Ear 2, and the CMF buds, I’ve also tried out a range of alternatives from brands like Samsung, Google, and Apple over the years with the Nothing Ear (2) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 my current go to buds.
Case
Upon receiving the Ear (a) prototype and unboxing them, I found myself initially taken aback by the case, especially when compared to other Nothing Ear products like the Ear Stick. Personally, it felt like a step backward in terms of design. The white casing and pairing button blended in too seamlessly, making it initially unclear how to connect the buds. However, once connected, it was easy to remember the location of the button. While the hinge feels sturdy, it doesn’t match the premium feel of the Ear (2) hinge. The design of the case gave me the impression that it was tailored to snugly fit into a box, perhaps resembling the shape of a phone box cutout to possibly include Ear (a) in a future phone bundle of sorts. The departure from Nothing’s usual aesthetic left me unenthusiastic about choosing these over the Ear (2) or Ear Stick, regardless of the buds’ sound quality. In many instances looking at these on my desk, I just felt like it was an unfinished product and desperately hoped the case was an initial prototype that wasn’t heading to market, but unfortunately it is indeed the same case.
Comfort
The Ear (a) buds are pretty comfortable. My oldest daughter, who has tried both the Nothing Ear (1) and Ear Stick, preferred the overall fit of the Ear (a). I tend to agree with her assessment in comparison to the Ear Stick; the Ear (a) buds are more comfortable for extended periods. However, personally, I find the comfort and feel of the Ear (1) and Ear (2) more to my liking than the Ear (a) in everyday use.
Sound Quality
I primarily listen to hip hop music, I find myself wanting more pronounced bass from Ear (a). Throughout the last few months of using these though, I’ve certainly noticed a significant enhancement in overall sound quality since the initial unboxing of the prototype, attributed to many subsequent updates. Initially, the sound profile out of the box failed to impress me and I was honestly very confused as to where these would fall in Nothing’s line-up given CMF is suppose to be the more budget friendly brand. However, throughout the updates during my testing, Nothing has fine-tuned the listening experience, culminating in a more commendable level of clarity and coherence in sound reproduction. I think many would be happy using these, especially if you do not prefer bass heavy buds.
Nothing X App
To be completely honest, the Nothing X App stands out as my favorite aspect of any of the Nothing Ear products. Many I know using Nothing Ear products quickly mention purchasing these buds mainly for the app’s features and controls, allowing easy customization to individual preferences or simply for experimentation playing with all of the settings to find the right sound profile.
Battery Performance
Battery is excellent. I had zero issues with battery performance, charging, etc.. Battery is on par with many other buds I’ve used.
Pricing / Conclusion
For $99, I find these to be a fairly decent option in the ever saturated ear bud market. However, I would recommend considering spending the extra $50 to invest in the latest Ear model or Ear (2), if you can still find them available. Alternatively, for even greater value, you could also opt for Nothing’s CMF buds, which have also proven to be great buds offering similar qualities noted above. It’s great to see Nothing catering to a wide range of consumers with options available at all various price points. However, extending the number of choices may confuse consumers also, (not to mention dropping the numbering feels premature for a still relatively new brand). Since the launch of the CMF brand, which again is suppose to be the more budget friendly brand, it really makes me wonder how will Nothing set itself apart long term, if Nothing also continues to focus their hype on budget products like Ear (a), Phone (2a), etc.. Personally I’d prefer Nothing to be the premium brand and CMF continue to be the budget brand, but I can also see some value in offering something in between, if what’s offered in between can set itself apart enough. The Ear (a) does just that. They’re not the worst in the lineup, they’re certainly not the best in the lineup, but for 99$ you’ll get what you pay for and that’s all most consumers ultimately will care about.
Review Summary
Case/Design 3/10
Comfort 8/10
Sound 7/10
Battery 10/10
AVERAGE SCORE 7 out of 10
Thank YOU to the Nothing Team for this awesome opportunity as an Insider, really appreciate it! Thank all of YOU as well for reading my thoughts. Take care!
