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Nothing Ear (2) Review: An Exercise in Iterative Refinement

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PROS:


  • Unique, distinctive design

  • Personalized sound profiles

  • Well-balanced performance for price

  • Clear sustainability strategy

CONS:


  • Noticeable wind noise despite ANC
  • Available only in white

  • Visually identical to Ear (1)

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Nothing Ear (1) represents a clear step forward in quality while retaining the first-gen earbuds' winning points.

The removal of headphone jacks from smartphones initiated by Apple caused a surge in the number of wireless earbuds in the market. That, of course, also gave birth to the need for good earbuds designs, though many, unsurprisingly, were content to just copy the leading brands. It isn’t always about looking different, though, since a unique design might also end up being unusable or don’t deliver an adequate level of performance. Form and function should always go hand in hand in the first place, and that seems to be the goal of the second-gen Nothing Ear (2) TWS earbuds, keeping what worked and refining what needed improvement. Given the reputation of the first-ever Nothing product, we just had to take it for a spin to check if its successor sounds as clear as it looks.

Designer: Nothing

Aesthetics

With so many TWS buds looking like AirPods knockoffs, it’s not surprising that some manufacturers have tried moving away from that design with mixed results. Some have gotten rid of stems completely, while others have added wings. Nothing’s strategy wasn’t to go overboard by changing the shape of the buds and instead gave it a distinct character with a transparent stem that truly set it apart from the crowd.

The Nothing Ear (2) retains this character and, in fact, looks eerily similar to the Ear (1). You could almost call this the Ear (1.5) or Ear (1) II because of how little it has changed, at least on the outside. Internally, however, this new pair definitely steps up the game enough to be called a successor. This theme of not changing what isn’t broken is pretty much the essence of the Ear (2), and it’s not exactly a bad thing.

There are some visual differences, of course, though you’ll find them mostly on the charging case. The rounded box’s edges are squarer now, and the white panel on the bottom is slightly raised to act as a protective bumper. The case is made of a new material that’s supposed to make it more resistant to scratches, though ours showed slight marks very early into the game. What hasn’t changed is the dimple on the top cover that still lets you twirl the case around between your fingers like a fidget toy.

In terms of looks, you’d be forgiven if you mistook the Ear (2) for the Ear (1). Those who expected something more sensational from Nothing’s first product might walk away disappointed yet again. It’s not a complete loss, though, because using the same design helps reinforce the Nothing Ear’s image as a fun and enjoyable product, now made even better, at least on paper. One knock against it, however, is that Nothing doesn’t have plans on making the Ear (2) available in any other color, at least for now. That could very well change in the future, just like how the black Ear (1) eventually came to be.

Ergonomics

Since there isn’t much of a difference from the first Nothing earbuds, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Ear (2) is just as comfortable. In fact, the buds’ more compact design makes it a wee bit lighter at 4.5g, but that doesn’t reduce its ergonomic performance in any way. It has a secure fit and won’t suddenly fall off your ear while you’re moving around or even just talking, which we can’t say the same for other buds we’ve tested.

One thing that takes that comfort and fit to the next level is the new Ear Tip Fit Test. It goes beyond just letting you pick tips that you’re comfortable with but also makes sure that they form a proper seal in your ears for the best audio. This test is the first part of Nothing’s new Personal Sound Profile feature that truly makes the buds yours, putting you in the driver’s seat of your listening experience and enjoyment.

Another invisible change that Nothing made for the comfort of its customers is the way you control the buds. It has done away with taps and slides, which are often error-prone and are easily triggered by accident. With the Ear (2), you press or squeeze the stem for more intentional control, and each of the actions can be customized through the Nothing X mobile app.

Performance

If the Ear (2) looks a lot like the Ear (1) on the outside, the hardware and software upgrades inside make all the difference in the next-gen product. It is, unfortunately, also the reason why these new features can’t be made available to the first Nothing Ear, because that older pair doesn’t have the necessary hardware to support those nifty treats. Then again, that’s also the reason why you’d want to buy a new Ear (2) in the first place.

In addition to a more powerful chipset and more stable Bluetooth connection, the Ear (2) now features a custom 11.6mm driver that’s paired with a new diaphragm. That diaphragm combines a softer polyurethane (PU) material to let lower frequencies come through and a more rigid graphene for more sensitivity to higher frequencies. These new parts are enclosed in a similarly new dual-chamber design that expands the sound space and increases airflow.

What all these mean in practice is that the Nothing Ear (2) delivers an impressive audio quality that is clear and full, regardless of the range. You get mighty bass and crisp vocals from every tune or podcast that you play through it. But not everyone hears the exact same way, and this is where the Ear (2) really shines. It introduces the Personal Sound Profile test powered by Mimi, the same hearing test app certified for medical hearing devices, to a personalized equalizer setting formed around what you can hear and can’t hear. The test is a simple series of questions that try to determine your hearing range, and the settings are all automatically done based on the results. Of course, you can still choose your own settings if you prefer, but the generated equalizer will be great for users that don’t have much audio expertise.

The Ear (2) now also offers three levels of Active Noise Cancellation or ANC, letting you decide just how much of the outside world you want to let in. You can even let the buds decide the best level for you with Adaptive Mode, taking into account the amount of distracting noise around you. While it does work in general, we still heard some wind gusts while riding our bike, something we didn’t experience on another pair of buds.

Nothing did retain some of the “fan-favorite” features from the Ear (1), most notably, a low-latency mode for playing games and the ability to detect whether you’re wearing the buds or not. For the Ear (2), Nothing adds the ability to connect to two Bluetooth sources simultaneously, allowing the buds to switch between calls from your phone and music from your laptop as needed. The charging case still supports both USB-C wired as well as wireless charging, and you can even charge it on top of the Nothing Phone (1) if you have one.

Sustainability

Finally, we get to review a consumer electronics product that does have a word or two to say about the environment. Given how wireless earbuds are littering the market, there’s some comfort in knowing that there are companies acting responsibly to make sure they don’t litter the planet as well. Make no mistake, the Ear (2) is still mostly made from non-sustainable materials like plastic, but Nothing deserves some kudos for not only taking steps to minimize its carbon footprint but also making it clear what those steps are.

The circuit boards for the Ear (2), for example, are made from 100% recycled materials. It would be great if the plastics were also made similarly, but that could happen after Nothing has checked off all the other important boxes for its buds. The company does claim that it uses renewable electricity in manufacturing this product and that its lifetime carbon footprint is only 3.1kg of carbon dioxide equivalent. And, of course, there’s the plastic wrap-free packaging, which should be the standard for mobile devices and accessories by now.

Value

People seem to go through earbuds at a worryingly rapid rate, so they’re always on the lookout for great deals and prices. There is also a very wide range of prices for these products, and some are not always worth their weight in gold, while others turn out to be unexpected treasures. At $149, the Nothing Ear (2) will clearly be compared with the likes of higher-end TWS earbuds that sit a little below the luxury line. The good news is that you get what you pay for and maybe even more.

For that price tag, the Ear (2) delivers the quality you’d expect but also wraps it in a personalized experience tailored to your unique hearing profile. It’s not absolutely perfect, and some audiophiles might prefer buds coming from more established brands, but those usually cost twice as much. You also don’t get a head-turning design with those, and the Ear (2) definitely stands out in that respect.

Verdict

There was some degree of disappointment over the Ear (1) due to the hype it generated before its launch, but its reception and review definitely satisfied naysayers. There’s always room for improvement, of course, and that is what the Ear (2) is bringing to the table. Going beyond just delivering impressive audio quality, it gives people more control over their listening experience, from personal sound profiles to customizable controls. All in a design that is distinctive, popular, and striking.

The decision to buy a new pair might be more difficult for those who already own the Ear (1) and are happy with it. Then again, the Ear (2) is replacing its predecessor, so this is pretty much the only way forward anyway. In terms of design, the second-gen buds isn’t a sensational and revolutionary new product, but its careful and calculated approach to iterative improvement makes the Nothing Ear (2) deserve a place on your shopping list.

The Nothing Ear (2) launches on nothing.tech starting March 22nd and will be available in the Nothing Store in Soho as well as Kith stores worldwide on March 23rd. Open sales begin on March 28th from online and in-person partner stores globally, including Stock X in the US.

Aki Ukita contributed to this review.

The post Nothing Ear (2) Review: An Exercise in Iterative Refinement first appeared on Yanko Design.

Huawei Watch Buds leak suggests it will come with built-in wireless earbuds

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Thanks to the retirement of headphone jacks on more recent phones, wireless earbuds have started becoming a staple of modern mobile life. But while they offer the convenience of freedom from tangling cables, their diminutive sizes make them easy to lose. More importantly, the need for a charging case to keep them in means an additional object that you need to carry with you all the time and also potentially lose in the process. There have been some attempts to solve this problem, often by tracking the location of the buds or the case and warning the owner if they stray too far. Huawei, however, seems to have designed a rather crafty solution that removes the need for a charging case and, coincidentally, gives its own smartwatch another reason to exist.

Designer: Huawei (via Huawei Central)

It wasn’t until recently that smartwatches became a more common consumer electronics device, in no small part thanks to Apple creating a niche for it. Not everyone, however, might be in need of an advanced fitness tracker and mobile health diagnostic device, but there will always be a few that will need TWS earbuds to go along with their smartphones. Huawei’s solution is simply to merge the two so that you get both for the price of one or probably the equivalent price of one and a half.

Huawei recently teased its next wearable called “Huawei Watch Buds,” which is a rather odd name that sounds like a mashup of two devices. Apparently, that’s really the case, and a batch of leaked photos and a video shows a smartwatch with a pair of wireless earbuds hidden inside. Conversely, it could also be a pair of buds that come with a charging case that happens to be a smartwatch as well. Either way, the design is both ingenious but also odd, and it trades in some problems for others.

Given the fact that it has to store earbuds inside, the smartwatch’s body is unsurprisingly quite thick. This comes at a time when most non-sports smartwatches are trying to go on a diet to make them more presentable and more appealing to buyers. The earbuds themselves are also quite small by necessity, and they come as small capsule-like devices that might instill worries of getting stuck inside your ear.

As for the watch itself, it isn’t that remarkable, especially with the large bezels around the display. Huawei will have to include a larger-than-usual battery inside to offset the needs of the earbuds, further adding to the watch’s size and weight. It remains to be seen how effective this solution will be, but one has to give Huawei some credit for thinking outside the box and designing something so interesting that you might actually want to buy it to try it for yourself.

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The best wireless earbuds for 2024

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It’s pretty easy to find a solid pair of wireless earbuds today. New wireless Bluetooth earbuds are arriving at a constant pace nowadays, and most of them from big players like Sony, Bose, Beats and others will serve people well. While all that variety is good for your wallet, that also means deciding which pair of earbuds is best for you can be tricky. You’ve got to consider things like active noise cancellation (ANC), waterproof ratings, sound quality, design and more. We at Engadget are constantly testing and reviewing new Bluetooth earbuds at all price ranges to provide the best buying advice and refine our favorites. This buying guide breaks down our current top picks, and lays out everything you need to know before choosing the best wireless earbuds for your needs.

What to look for in wireless earbuds

When it comes to shopping for earbuds, the first thing to consider is design or wear style. Do you prefer a semi-open fit like AirPods or do you want something that completely closes off your ears? If you’re shopping for earbuds with active noise cancellation, you'll want the latter, but a case can be made for the former if you want to wear them all day or frequent places where you need to be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The overall shape of earbuds can determine whether you get a comfortable fit, so can the size and weight, so you’ll want to consider all that before deciding. And remember: audio companies aren’t perfect, so despite lots of research, the earbud shape they decided on may not fit you well. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for something that’s more comfortable.

As wireless earbuds have become the norm, they’re now more reliable for basic things like consistent Bluetooth connectivity. Companies are still in a race to pack as much as they can into increasingly smaller designs. This typically means a longer list of features on the more premium sets of earbuds with basic functionality on the cheapest models. Carefully consider what you can’t live without when selecting your next earbuds, and make sure key items like automatic pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll also want to investigate the volume controls as you’ll often have to sacrifice access to something else to make that adjustment via on-board taps or swipes.

When it comes to battery life, the average set of earbuds lasts about five hours on a single charge. You can find sets that last longer, but this is likely enough to get you through a work day if you’re docking the buds during lunch or the occasional meeting. You’ll want to check on how many extra charges are available via the case and if it supports wireless charging.

Companies will also make lofty claims about call quality on wireless earbuds. Despite lots of promises, the reality is most earbuds still leave you sounding like you’re on speakerphone. There are some sets that deliver, but don’t get your hopes up unless reviews confirm the claims.

Sound can be subjective, so we recommend trying before you buy if at all possible. We understand this isn’t easy at a time when we’re doing most of our shopping online. But trying on a set of earbuds and listening to them for a few minutes can save you from an expensive case of buyer's remorse. If a store doesn’t allow a quick demo, most retailers have return policies that will let you take earbuds back you don’t like. Of course, you have to be willing to temporarily part with funds in order to do this.

We also recommend paying attention to things like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Reality Audio and other immersive formats. Not all earbuds support them, so you’ll want to make sure a perspective pair does if that sort of thing excites you.

How we test wireless Bluetooth earbuds

The primary way we test earbuds is to wear them as much as possible. We prefer to do this over a one- to two-week period, but sometimes embargoes don’t allow it. During this time, we listen to a mix of music and podcasts, while also using the earbuds to take both voice and video calls. Since battery life for earbuds is typically less than a full day, we drain the battery with looping music and the volume set at a comfortable level (usually around 75 percent).

To judge audio quality, we listen to a range of genres, noting any differences in the sound profile across the styles. We also test at both low and high volumes to check for consistency in the tuning. To assess call quality, we’ll record audio samples with the earbuds’ microphones as well as have third parties call us.

When it comes to features, we do a thorough review of companion apps, testing each feature as we work through the software. Any holdovers from previous models are double checked for improvements or regression. If the earbuds we’re testing are an updated version of a previous model, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest competition for each new set of earbuds that we review.

Best wireless earbuds

Other wireless Bluetooth earbuds we tested

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Bose created something very unique for this set of earbuds that allows you to stay in-tune with the world while listening to audio content. The clip-on design is very comfortable, but sound quality suffers due to the open-type fit, especially when it comes to bass and spatial audio.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7

These stick buds have a compact design that’s comfortable to wear and the warm sound profile is great at times. However, overall audio performance is inconsistent and there’s no automatic pausing.

Master & Dynamic MW09

Retooled audio, better ambient sound mode and reliable multipoint Bluetooth are the best things the MW09 has to offer. They’re expensive though, and you can find better ANC performance elsewhere.

Beats Studio Buds +

Updates to sound, ANC and battery life top the spec sheet here, and the new clear color option has some throwback energy I love. But there are some basic features missing, and Beats doesn’t come close to Apple’s natural audio quality in transparency mode.

JBL Tour Pro 2

These earbuds are feature-packed, including a touchscreen “smart case.” They aren’t the most consistent in terms of overall performance though, and I’m not convinced that case provides a lot of utility just yet.

FAQs

What is considered good battery life for true wireless earbuds?

Most wireless earbuds will last five hours on a single charge, at the least. You can find some pairs that have even better battery life, lasting between six and eight hours before they need more juice. All of the best wireless earbuds come with a charging case, which will provide additional hours of battery life — but you'll have to return each bud to the case in order to charge them up.

Is sound quality better on headphones or earbuds?

Comparing sound quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. There are a lot of variables to consider and the differences in components make a direct comparison difficult. Personally, I prefer the audio quality from over-ear headphones, but I can tell you the sound from earbuds like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 is also outstanding.

Which wireless earbuds have the longest battery life?

With new models coming out all the time, tracking the hours of battery life for each this can be difficult to keep tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds we’ve reviewed are Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS5TW. The company states they last 15 hours, but the app was still showing 40 percent at that mark during our tests. The only downside is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and both technology and features have improved since. In terms of current models, Master & Dynamic’s MW08 offers 12 hours of use on a charge with ANC off (10 with ANC on) and JBL has multiple options with 10-hour batteries.

What wireless earbuds are waterproof?

There are plenty of options these days when it comes to increased water resistance. To determine the level of protection, you’ll want to look for an IP (ingress protection) rating. The first number indicates intrusion protection from things like dust. The second number is the level of moisture protection and you’ll want to make sure that figure is 7 or higher. At this water-resistance rating, earbuds can withstand full immersion for up to 30 minutes in depths up to one meter (3.28 feet). If either of the IP numbers is an X, that means it doesn’t have any special protection. For example, a pair of wireless earbuds that are IPX7 wouldn’t be built to avoid dust intrusion, but they would be ok if you dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds stay in ears the best?

A secure fit can vary wildly from person to person. All of our ears are different, so audio companies are designing their products to fit the most people they can with a single shape. This is why AirPods will easily fall out for some but stay put for others. Design touches like wing tips or fins typically come on fitness models and those elements can help keep things in place. You’ll likely just have to try earbuds on, and if they don’t fit well return them.

What wireless earbuds work with PS5?

PlayStation 5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio without an adapter or dongle. Even Sony’s own gaming headsets come with a transmitter that connects to the console. There are universal options that allow you to use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. Once you have one, plug it into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-wireless-earbuds-120058222.html?src=rss

Self-disinfecting Audio Technica earbuds promise hygiene + premium sound

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Audio Technica has just dropped a pair of wireless ANC earbuds that claim to be self-cleaning, just like what LG Tone Free earbuds lineup does. Of course, coming from the Japanese audio pro, I can bet the audio is going to be crystal clear, given their emphasis on audio dynamics.

The flagship audio brand is challenging the likes of Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort or AirPods Pro with their premium active noise canceling buds. The undeniable USP of the new ATH-TWX9 earbuds is their ability to disinfect the buds when charging in the case within 70 seconds flat courtesy of UV sterilization. The audio accessories are effective against 99% E. coli and bacteriophage viruses, and 90% potent against Staphylococcus aureus.

Designer: Audio Technica

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the brand, and they’ve already caught our attention with a transparent turntable and a nostalgic recreation of the classic Sound Burger turntable. To keep the momentum going, these value-for-money earbuds add a niche functionality that’ll add enough merit to lure audiophiles into ditching their wired earbuds.

The IPX4-rated ATH-TWX9 earbuds are loaded with beam-forcing microphones with hybrid noise-canceling technology for adaptable ANC that the user can customize to his/her liking. I value this feature the most since ANC can sometimes be too strong when not needed. The high-end features continue with the multi-device pairing over Bluetooth v5.2, Sony 360 Reality Audio and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive audio.

Audio Technica promises a “robust and immersive soundstage” powered by 5.8mm high-resolution drivers which should interest hardcore audiophiles. The rated battery life on the ATH-TWX9 earbuds is 18.5 hours with the charging case and six hours on standalone with ANC enabled. Gamers will also be kept honest, since the earbuds have hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, and low-latency support for gaming.

The buds will be available in a Japanese Black color with Dark Bronze accents for $299. The package also includes 12 different-sized and styled silicone tips for the best ergonomic comfort.

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Sony-inspired ANC earbuds have Cyberpunkish vibe owing to play of color and tech

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Speaking of wireless earbuds, we are literally spoilt for choices with so many options to choose from out there in the market. While Sony rules the roost in premium Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) wireless earbuds with the WF-1000XM4; there is scope for exploiting the buds’ design and improving the experience.

That’s where this cheesy concept steps in. The brainchild of product designer Marc Senar, this conceptual audio accessory is targeted at the tech-savvy crowd wanting to show off their TWS earbuds in style.

Designer: Marc Senar

The USP is a cool display on the charging case and on the stem of one of the earbuds, while the other bud stem features a volume control knob. The displays provide the listener an idea of the charge levels during the juicing up session in the case or when they are being used. Alongside this, the charging case also displays the track being played, the play seek bar, start/stop button, and track toggle buttons.

Earbuds from most audio-enthusiastic manufacturers generally feature a simple design language and a rudimentary color scheme. Senar, a designer with roots at Decathlon, sees the accessory as a canvas to play with colors and celestial accents. However, to me, the overall color theme of this Sony Earbuds Concept carries a Cyberpunkish vibe: neon blue for the information displays, orange for the tips, and matte black for the body to instill the fact.

The charging case carrying that black hue and neon blue typeface ticking across the screen on it would appear absolutely dope especially when the lights go out and you’re deep in a trance. However, that’s the most I can divulge for the moment. Presumably, the designer intends to fit the buds with the same dynamic drivers, superior ANC technology, and ergonomic comfy fit synonymous with the Sony brand, and if it does; Senar can have my money!

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Nothing’s downgraded earbuds minus ANC is a typical Apple copycat move

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Nothing arrived on the scene with its first highly anticipated product the Nothing Ear (1) and followed up the next year by debuting its first-ever smartphone, the Nothing Phone (1). Whether Carl Pie’s company lived up to the build-up is subjective, still, both these gadgets have die-hard lovers as well as biased haters.

Now Nothing is back with a follow-up pair of wireless earbuds dubbed Ear (stick) that seem like a stripped-down version rather than an upgrade to the inaugural TWS earbuds. Something similar to what the Apple AirPods are to the premium AirPods Pro.

Designer: Nothing

Click Here to Buy Now!

The target market for these audio accessories clearly seems to be the crowd who prefer comfort to sound isolation. That’s because Nothing Ear (stick) earbuds ditch the silicone ear tips for half in-ear design and sadly also trench the active noise cancellation feature. All this for a stripped-down price tag of $99 as an alternate version for ones on a budget. We also have to consider the Ear 1 earbuds came at an intal price tag of $99 but recently the price was hiked by 50 percent as Carl cited “an increase in costs” to be the primary reason. Either way, now both these Nothing earbuds feel like a pinching choice in hindsight.

Moving on, there are a few pluses to the Ear (stick) earbuds in the form of a 12.6-millimeter custom driver compared to the 11-millimeter drivers in the Ear (1). That’ll excite music listeners who prefer audio quality more than anything else. There are three mics on each earbud to compensate for the noise bleed (remember it doesn’t have sealing ear tips) by measuring bass frequencies and then employing automatic equalization. A feature Nothing calls Bass Lock. The mics will also negate the windy noises during calls for a seamless listening experience. This should make the earbuds good enough for listening in less noisy environments but a bit short while air traveling, on public transit, or on a crowded street.

Another advantage comes in the form of a redesigned antenna in the stems to help minimize blocked signals. The charging case on these ones looks more like a cylindrical stick with a twisting mechanism to access the buds. This should make the earbuds less prone to tossing out in case of accidental drops when compared to the predecessor. Other modifications on the IP54 earbuds include physical press controls instead of touch controls.

Thankfully, the Ear (stick) has a claimed seven hours of battery life with additional 22 hours in the charging case. A quick dash of two hours of battery life can be achieved with a 10-minute charge. Phone (1) owners can access the earbuds in a jiffy via the quick settings toggle and other Android owners can download the Nothing X app to get access to all the available features with the Ear (stick).

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Sony LinkBuds S in Earth Blue is designed to help keep the Earth green

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TWS or Truly Wireless Stereo earbuds have now become almost a necessity for anyone that has a smartphone these days, thanks to the retirement of the headphone jack. While it does reduce the number of cables produced for typical wired earphones, especially for phones that don’t ship with a pair, it also means that there are more electronics being made each year. These products normally make use of plenty of plastic, even in small devices like earbuds and their charging cases. The somewhat good news is that manufacturers are becoming more aware of their effects and responsibilities when it comes to the environment, which is why Sony is launching a new option for its latest TWS earbuds that tries to help reduce the damage, even in small doses.

Designer: Sony

Compared to earphones whose cables regularly get tangled up, wireless earbuds are more convenient to use and carry around. Their diminutive sizes, however, also make them too easy to lose as well. And when one piece goes missing, it’s pretty inconvenient to use the buds, even if it’s possible to only use a single one for one ear. Unless you’ve heavily invested in a rather pricey pair, chances are you’ll just end up buying a new one and simply discarding the incomplete set. That’s great for users and companies but not so much for the planet.

Sony seems to have the right idea by introducing the new Earth Blue color option for its LinkBuds S TWS earbuds. Rather than just a different splash of paint, the buds are Sony’s eco-friendly option for more conscientious music lovers. While the headphones themselves do still have your typical electronic components, parts of it are made with recycled materials from automobile parts. To some extent, that helps reduce the number of new parts that have to be made and the raw materials that have to be consumed for each and every pair.

The more interesting aspect of these more sustainable earbuds is their charging case. The case and some parts of the buds themselves are made from recycled water bottle materials, which also happens to give them a unique marble pattern. It’s a design that could remind one of seas and oceans, which is probably the effect that Sony is aiming for. Along those lines, the company is also committing to support ocean conservation activities through donations to NGOs.

While Sony does deserve some praise for its attempt to make a sustainable product more accessible and more attractive, it sadly comes a bit short of making a bigger commitment in that regard. The Earth Blue option, after all, is just one out of four colorways, and limiting the recycled materials to just one color means that it won’t appeal to those who don’t like Blue. It would definitely be better if these materials were made available on all LinkBuds S models, but, as it stands, that’s as far as Sony is willing to go for now.

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Top 10 earbuds to consider as alternatives if you’re still not convinced by the AirPods Pro 2

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I love a good pair of earbuds! In fact, I really can’t function without my personal earbuds. Once my earbuds are in, the rest of the world is out. I deep dive into the world of my favorite tunes, away from real-world problems, happy in my own little audio bubble. Hence, owning a pair of innovative and perfect earbuds is an absolute necessity for me, and I’m sure that’s the case for most music lovers out there as well. Quite a few of us are Team AirPods all the way. And Apple recently launched the AirPods Pro! And although they are a good bet, it’s better to explore all your options, before you purchase them. Let’s remember that great earbuds go beyond Apple as well. And this nifty list includes all of them. This collection of exciting designs has a pair of earbuds for everyone. From Bose’s new Quiet Comfort Earbuds II to wireless earbuds that have a sci-fi-inspired case – these earbuds provide unique design solutions and are a must-have for audiophiles.

1. The BD-1

Meet the BD-1, a conceptual pair of TWS earbuds modeled on the company’s OP-1 synthesizer. The OP-1 synth became a pop culture design icon when it was used in Swedish House Mafia’s first music video, One. It sported a form factor that was sleek yet fun, retro yet new, and predominantly clean-looking without being boring. The BD-1 follows similar design cues by being relatively boxy, and white, and using colorful ear tips that match the colors used on the OP-1 synth. The best part? The earbuds case comes with a tiny AMOLED display that mimics the one found on the OP-1, displaying visualizations that react to the music you’re listening to!

2. The Gravastar Sirius P5 buds

The Gravastar Sirius P5 buds have charging cases whose industrial designs are clearly inspired by the futuristic genre. If that weren’t already clear from their looks, the names like Defense Armor, Defense Mecha, and Defense Crystal definitely make it explicit. Made from either zinc alloy or a “LEGO-like material prized for strength and rigidity,” each of these cases has a distinct character that would appeal to fans of certain subsets of the sci-fi genre. Defense Armor, for example, will be at home in the hands of a Cyberpunk 2077 fan, while Defense Mecha might have its DNA rooted in Gundam or Macross.

3. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4

Realizing that earbuds are the first choice of athletes who desire music benefits during workouts or while walking/running; Anker has exploded into the market with Soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds, a desirable pair of budget wireless earbuds touting a built-in heart rate monitor. The pleasing Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 delivers effective audio output via dual dynamic drivers in each earpiece. Offered in stem form factor, the Liberty 4 comes in a black finish with translucent ear tips revealing gold accents on the inside.

4. The Logitech G Fits

In a way the Logitech G Fits are similar to the Ultimate Ears’ (a brand that Logitech owns) UE Fits earbuds that boast the Lightform feature making the custom molded fit possible. Their feature list for gamers and power users makes the G series earbuds a better option. The pill-shaped earbuds when inserted for the first time in the ear canals will prompt the user to push a button so that the gel tips harden with flashing LEDs, taking up the ear’s canal shape in a 60-seconds setup. This totally seals the cavity without causing long-term wearing discomfort and blocks all the noises. Now, how cool is that?

5. The Bored Buds

The Bored Buds is a concept for a pair of earbuds that are not just intuitively designed but are also multi-functional. Basically, they’re earbuds that are also part of a Bluetooth speaker. So when you’re not listening to music using the audio accessories, they are nestled in the speakers through the protective case and serve as the control buttons. The speaker itself does not have any interface or display so the earbuds will serve as your on/off, pause/play, and volume up/down buttons.

6. The Nothing Ear (Stick)

Revealed as an accessory at Chet Lo’s SS23 fashion show on the runway, the Ear (Stick) seems to be a new case design for the Ear (1) buds. Unlike the old case that’s square-shaped, this one is styled to be the same shape and size as a lipstick (or if you’re looking for a less glamorous term, a nebulizer). It’s unfair to assume or speculate that the earbuds with the Ear (Stick) are simply the older earbuds. As far as we know, the design hasn’t changed, although Nothing did indicate that maybe this new SKU will get some sort of revamping in the form of a spec upgrade.

7. The QuietComfort Earbuds II

Bose wants to take Apple head-on with its new Quite Comfort Earbuds II. If choosing the same day for the launch of the latest true wireless earbuds wasn’t a bold move enough, the claim of them being the “world’s best noise cancellation” is notice-worthy. According to Bose, the earbuds are now one-third the size of their predecessors and have better ergonomic comfort and fit. They like to call it Fit Kit. The QuietComfort Earbuds II come with the CustomTune sound calibration that we saw in the SoundControl hearing aids. While wearing the buds, acoustic properties of the ear canal are analyzed – thereafter the CustomTune delivers audio and active noise cancelation based on the data. This takes less than a second, right from the time earbuds are fitted inside the ear.

8. The D-TWS Earbuds

The geometrically designed chunky earbuds case of the D-TWS earbuds has an on-screen visualization to display information such as audio playback time, switch audio, artist information, and album art for a more inclusive listening experience. A scenario that immediately comes to mind is being engulfed in work tasks on a PC, and listening to music. Sure, you don’t want to keep the music application open on your PC or phone all the time. That’s where this pair of TWS earbuds come in. The earbuds case (designer denotes as BOX) shows the remaining battery levels, current audio playback, and more options on the touch display.

9. The Urbanista Phoenix

Don’t you hate it when you pop your AirPods into your ears only to get a notification that you forgot to charge them? Well, the Urbanista Phoenix seems to have an unusually sensible fix. Equipped with a Powerfoyle solar panel on the charging case, the Phoenix just keeps charging your TWS Earbuds whenever it has access to sunlight or any bright light. This isn’t the first time that Urbanista’s incorporated solar panels into its audio solution, though. Just last year, the company announced the Los Angeles, a pair of wireless headphones with a solar panel built into the headband. The Phoenix builds on that rather clever idea by introducing solar panels onto the charging case instead (because the TWS earbuds themselves are too small to put solar panels on).

10. The Free BYRD

While on the higher side, price-wise, Free BYRD is designed for audiophiles who want their tech to be a great blend between compact yet capable. The Free BYRD’s earpieces sport 10mm audio drivers that deliver crisp, balanced sound to your ear, and also dual mics with Qualcomm cVc™ for crystal clear audio. For the price, you also get ANC along with Transparency mode, so you can either cancel environmental noise for clear listening or have audio from the real world play right back in your ear so you’re aware of your surroundings.

The post Top 10 earbuds to consider as alternatives if you’re still not convinced by the AirPods Pro 2 first appeared on Yanko Design.

These futuristic TWS earbuds have the most impressive feature that no other earbud has…

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Its Cyberpunk-ish appeal aside, the CYBERBLADE TWS Earbuds from Angry Miao are pretty impressive as audio devices overall… but one feature stands out as perhaps the most brilliant brainwave ever. The earbuds sit in a case that itself is a control device for your audio. Rather than just being a boring plastic cover that charges your buds, CYBERBLADE’s charging case is shaped like a large volume knob, and it functions as one too. With a rotary dial for a lid (that you can also press like a button), the CYBERBLADE uplifts the TWS experience altogether, showing that great ideas and great execution can really propel a seemingly mundane product forward.

Designer: Angry Miao Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $328 ($29 off). Hurry, for a limited time only!

Established in 2019, Angry Miao developed a reputation for making some incredibly cutting-edge mechanical keyboards including one of the most impressive ergonomic split keyboards we’ve ever seen. With the CYBERBLADE, the company shows that it has an abundance of great ideas for innovative products. The CYBERBLADE is a pair of TWS Earbuds designed for daily life and gaming, with a unique triple SoC design that reduces latency and provides impeccable audio clarity. It also helps that the earbuds and the case look positively dope, with an eye-catching metallic finish and geometric design that falls well within the Cyberpunk theme that everyone’s a fan of nowadays (gamers especially).

Envisioned as a Desktop TWS audio solution, the CYBERBLADE offers impressively ultra-low latency (36ms) in its tiny package in ASE (Active Sound Enhancement) mode. The wireless earphones sit within their tabletop case, which also doubles as a volume control interface mode switching. The earphones themselves look absolutely bleeding-edge, with a design that Angry Miao claims was inspired by Focus, from Horizon Zero Dawn. They’re triangular shaped, with a single LED strip cutting across the center, giving the earbuds a distinct aesthetic that you can appreciate in the light as well as in the dark. Multiple silicone and memory foam ear tip options ensure a snug fit for a wide range of users,  and the RGB lighting on the earbuds as well as the charging case/dock are both customizable, making the CYBERBLADE heaven-sent for gaming enthusiasts!

The CYBERBLADE is one of the first and only earbuds to come with three separate SoCs – one for each earbud and one in the case. Together, they handle audio delivery, giving the CYBERBLADE its staggeringly low 36ms latency that makes it perfect for gaming and even occasional music production (with 3 booster modes designed for various scenarios). It helps that the CYBERBLADE also has its own independent DSP (digital signal processor) and runs on Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless, stutter-less connection. The earbuds come with Hybrid ANC and AI-enabled ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) too, giving you up to 35Db of noise attenuation to drown out sounds around you for immersive gaming/listening. There’s even a transparency mode for when you want to listen to the world around you, powered by an array of 6 microphones inside the earbuds that work in tandem.

Now that we’ve got the TWS earbuds out of the way, let’s focus on what’s easily CYBERBLADE’s pièce de résistance, the case and dock. Designed to sit on your tabletop like an audio control interface, the CYBERBLADE’s charging case/dock also doubles up as a massive tactile volume control knob with a programmable click feature. This is perhaps a major deviation from how TWS earbud cases are designed because most cases don’t have any functionality beyond charging. Given that it sits on your desk instead of perpetually in your pocket, Angry Miao made the rather clever decision to turn the dock/case into something that’s much more capable on its own. The case, a cylindrical puck, rests within an angled dock that lets you connect your CYBERBLADE to a power source or device via USB-C. A massive knurled knob on the case rotates 360° to give you precise audio control, and the knob can be pressed too, working as its own independent interface for audio control.

The CYBERBLADE was calibrated for a variety of use cases beyond just desktop gaming. Sure, it works rather spectacularly with the desktop, but things don’t quite stop there. The TWS Earbuds also support a whole slew of other devices including the Switch, Steam Deck, iPad, Smart TV, and can even directly connect to your PS4 and PS5 via USB to become their main audio output. Even beyond gaming, the CYBERBLADE works rather well for movie playback (with Angry Miao’s proprietary spatial audio feature) and music playback, thanks to studio-level EQ settings, DRC, and AGC algorithms, and audio-fine tuning by music industry veterans. A hip-hop fan? There’s also an upcoming Hip-Hop Booster mode developed in collaboration with Hip-Hop Artist Rich Brian that will be available soon through a future OTA update.

The earbuds start at $299 (discounted for early bird backers) and ship with the charging case, dock, USB-C cable, and multiple memory foam and liquid silicone ear-tips for customizable comfort. There’s even a bundled app for toggling features, customizing RGB lighting, selecting your own EQ, and checking battery levels. The CYBERBLADE offers up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC and RGB lighting enabled in Bluetooth mode… extendable up to 24 hours when combined with the charging case.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $328 ($29 off). Raised over $170,000.

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These wireless earbuds have sci-fi-inspired cases you will want to collect

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TWS, or Truly Wireless Stereo, earbuds have become more common these days now that almost all smartphones no longer have headphone jacks. Since the earbuds themselves are what you’d see and use most of the time, it’s only natural that they also get the most attention when it comes to design and features. Recently, however, there has been a shift of attention from the buds to their charging cases, from the cobblestone-inspired OPPO Enco X2 to the JBL Tour PRO 2 case with an embedded touch screen. The earbuds, after all, are meant to be discreet and almost invisible, while the cases are what people will often see. If that’s the case (no pun intended), then these new TWS buds are definitely worth showing off, especially if you’re a huge sci-fi or cyberpunk fan.

Designer: Gravastar

Gravastar has made a name for itself by producing accessories and gadgets whose designs cater to a very specific demographic. Its conception is quite timely, considering the rise in interest in sci-fi content in recent years. Even cyberpunk, which has been around for decades, is experiencing a bit of a renaissance thanks to a few films and games. Having sci-fi-themed accessories and products can be a lucrative business these days, especially when those products themselves are doing well in the market.

Everyone these days seems to have a pair of wireless earbuds, and there is almost an overabundance of them, especially when you take clones and knockoffs into account. The design of the buds themselves doesn’t tend to vary that much, and they’re often seen simply as tools at this early stage in their market life. Their cases are even more so taken for granted as simply a means to an end, but it’s only a matter of time before they take the spotlight. For fans of all things sci-fi, that time is already now.

The Gravastar Sirius P5 buds have charging cases whose industrial designs are clearly inspired by the futuristic genre. If that weren’t already clear from their looks, the names like Defense Armor, Defense Mecha, and Defense Crystal definitely make it explicit. Made from either zinc alloy or a “LEGO-like material prized for strength and rigidity,” each of these cases has a distinct character that would appeal to fans of certain subsets of the sci-fi genre. Defense Armor, for example, will be at home in the hands of a Cyberpunk 2077 fan, while Defense Mecha might have its DNA rooted in Gundam or Macross.

Tastes can differ, of course, and even the same people might change their tastes from time to time. What makes the Sirius P5 extra special is that you can actually swap the outer shells, provided you’ve purchased all three designs, of course. That’s because the actual charging component can be removed and inserted into different cases, allowing you to change your mind from time to time. There are also four RGB lights that can let you take personalization to the next level.

In terms of features, the earbuds sound (again, no pun intended) pretty basic, with support for Bluetooth 5.2, “environment” noise cancellation, and an IPX4 waterproof rating. The buds themselves can last for eight hours, while the charging case provides an additional 32 hours of use. All these make for a decent audio experience that probably won’t woo audiophiles, but its case will definitely be something you’d be proud to actually wear around your neck.

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