It’s time for spherical 2: Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2. Within the final bout between the Nothing ear (1) and authentic AirPods Professional, the competition led to a tie. This time, nevertheless, we are going to get a definitive winner.
Now I do know what you’re considering — this feels like a mismatch on paper. A $149 pair of ear (2) in opposition to the $249 AirPods Professional 2? Certainly we needs to be following the development and dealing with these off in opposition to the AirPods 3.
However, as you’re going to study, that’s merely not a good contest for the usual AirPods. We’ve received to base these bouts on what we predict can be a good combat based mostly on the standard, and the 5-star ear (2) demand greater competitors within the equally-rated second gen AirPods Professional.
So, which pair of earbuds reign supreme? Let’s discover out.
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Specs
| Spec | Nothing ear (2) | AirPods Professional 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value | $149 | $249 |
| Wi-fi charging case | Sure | Sure |
| Processor | Not Acknowledged | H2 |
| Driver dimension | 11.6mm | 11mm |
| Battery Life | 5 hours (ANC on), 22.5 hours (with charging case) | 6 hours (ANC on), 30 hours (with charging case) |
| IPX score | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Dimension and weight (buds) | 1.15 x 0.84 x 0.92 inches, 0.15 ounces | 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches, 0.19 ounces |
| Dimension and weight (charging case) | 2.18 x 2.18 x 0.86 inches, 1.83 ounces | 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches, 1.79 ounces |
| Particular options | Google Quick Pair, Energetic noise cancellation, transparency mode, Quick charging, wi-fi charging case, customizable match, multipoint bluetooth with computerized switching, hello res audio. | Energetic noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, spatial audio, computerized switching, introduced messages with Siri, “Hey Siri” voice-activated help, wi-fi charging case. |
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Value
That is the best level that Nothing will rating within the bout. AirPods Professional 2 (opens in new tab) are $249, whereas the Nothing ear (2) (opens in new tab) are $149. Granted, that’s $50 greater than the preliminary beginning worth of the ear (1) (inflation on the price of components precipitated Nothing to extend the worth final 12 months).
Nonetheless, for what you get, that’s nonetheless a tasty low cost on the far dearer AirPods Professional. For extra massive financial savings, bookmark the finest headphones offers web page, however when speaking particularly about these two, there’s no competitors: Nothing wins.
Winner: Nothing ear (2)
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Design
You already understand how this bit goes. Neither Nothing nor Apple have made any vital design modifications right here. In actual fact, you’d be exhausting pressed to inform the distinction at sure angles.
AirPods Professional 2 preserve that very same small stem design (1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches) with refined curves and a shiny white housing that everybody is aware of and loves from the primary technology. Particulars just like the mic grille on the entrance and the aluminum accent on the underside of every stem stay intact.
From a look, the MagSafe charging case (1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches) seems to be as if it didn’t obtain any upgrades. Look nearer. You’ll see a built-in lanyard loop and speaker unit that sends out a tone to point charging standing, low battery, pairing, or to assist find the case when misplaced.
Nothing, alternatively, retains its clear aesthetic alive and properly. Similar to the ear (1), you get an nearly voyeuristic glimpse of the round magnets and silicon throughout the stem of those buds by way of the clear plastic — adhering to that “kind follows perform” design story you get from all of Nothing’s gear.
The case remains to be a flatter sq. with the dimple on prime for peak fidget spinner-esque actions, however the firm has made it a bit of smaller (2.18 x 2.18 x 0.86 inches). And whereas that’s nonetheless greater than the AirPods Professional 2’s case, the buds are smaller (1.15 x 0.84 x 0.92 inches).
Personally, I really like the see-through stylings of the ear (2), however when asking the group, it’s clear this look goes to be divisive. They stroll a fantastic line between wanting distinctive, and showing cheesy. The mutually agreeable choice is all the time going to be the AirPods Professional on this scenario.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional: Consolation and match
Whereas the AirPods Professional 2’s curvature seems to be like it might be extra snug in your concha, the fact is the Nothing ear (2) simply have a greater (and lighter) slot in your ears.
Certain, that weight distinction is tiny (ear (2) are 0.04 ounces lighter at 0.15 ounces), however that makes a giant distinction in forming a safe seal with no single trace of downward strain in your ear.
Neither of them precipitated any fatigue over lengthy listening periods, so you don’t have anything to fret about no matter which choice you select. However for the tweaks made to the burden and match right here, when in comparison with AirPods Professional 2 providing you with extra of the identical, Nothing snuck forward on this class.
Winner: Nothing ear (2)
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Controls
AirPods Professional 2 and Nothing ear (2) sport pinch-based, customizable contact controls, and computerized ear detection. However there’s one key distinction right here: quantity management.
Don’t get me mistaken, each pairs of buds are responsive and dependable. However AirPods mean you can swipe up and down on the sensor space to regulate the amount, whereas you’ll be able to’t on the Nothing ear (2) — primarily eradicating one key aspect of true hands-free utilization.
To Nothing’s credit score, although, in-ear detection latency has been diminished drastically to match Apple’s capabilities. However for that further degree of management, AirPods Professional 2 take this spherical.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Audio
Each Nothing and Apple carry spectacular upgrades to the sound high quality, so this was all the time going to be a fierce combat. However when the mud settled, whatever the enhancements to definition and low tones that come within the AirPods Professional 2, the Nothing ear (2) pips it to the put up.
To take a seat on the fence for a second, both of those earbuds offers you a fantastic listening expertise for music and podcasts alike. The spatial audio on AirPods Professional 2 is spectacular, and the soundstage is barely fuller with element when in comparison with the primary technology.
Lows have a deep heat to them, which doesn’t encroach on the mids and highs by way of these 11-millimeter drivers. However to nitpick, in Apple’s exhausting work in balancing every part and sustaining every tone inside a listenable realm with out hitting anything, a few of the liveliness is pulled out of the composition.
For instance, the cacophonic rebellion part in “A Day within the Life” by The Beatles is totally detailed however the oomph of the decrease orchestral devices is simply not there. Evaluate that to the Nothing ear (2), nevertheless, and you discover that bassy punch that the AirPods Professional 2 lacks when confronted with a frightening problem like this.
It’s straightforward for this part to sound like a bunch of devices falling down stairs on a $149 pair of earbuds. However the ear (2) brings a complete lot extra aptitude with a wider soundstage that provides every particular person part its personal house to totally specific. The 11.6mm drivers are tuned by Nothing this time, quite than Teenage Engineering, and whereas I used to be nervous at first (being a fan of TE’s expression of sound), Nothing has taken a dramatic step up in sound high quality.
Plus, with the addition of hi-res wi-fi audio help, audiophiles are going to have a greater expertise with Nothing.
Winner: Nothing ear (2)
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: App and particular options
Apple provides you an identical normal set of software program options for the AirPods Professional 2 past the seamless integration with iOS units — battery life indicators, transparency mode, Hey Siri help, EQ settings, and an ear tip match take a look at.
However the U1 chipset permits for a extra refined Discover My earbuds function with Precision Discovering, which is a godsend should you lose these between the sofa cushions.
Nothing ear (2) profit from a wider function set this time round, courtesy of the Nothing X app. These embrace customized ANC, an analogous ear match take a look at and a customized EQ. Past that, you’ve received Google quick pairing, contact management customization and multipoint bluetooth.
This time spherical, for the options every of them supply (and people they lack), it is a far nearer spherical than final time. If you’d like extra granular management over the EQ and ANC settings, Nothing is the best way to go. However you’ll be able to’t ignore the extra user-friendly options Apple brings to the desk.
Winner: Draw
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Battery life
Battery life has improved throughout each the AirPods Professional 2 and Nothing ear (2) in comparison with their predecessors. Apple has upped the juice to 6 hours with ANC turned on, with the case extending that to round 30 hours.
And whereas the ear (2) are higher than the ear (1), at 5 hours listening time with ANC on and as much as 22.5 hours with the case, the longevity doesn’t maintain a candle to what the AirPods are able to.
Certain, they each help wi-fi charging for comfort (with Nothing supporting wired quick charging too), however the winner is obvious for this spherical.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
Nothing ear (2) vs AirPods Professional 2: Name high quality
Whichever pair you decide, name high quality is incredible. AirPods Professional 2 take one other step ahead from the primary technology with a fantastic readability and AI-powered environmental noise cancellation that is ready to isolate your voice and emphasize it amongst any surprising background noise.
Nonetheless, Nothing outclasses the AirPods Professional in name high quality. The ear (2)’s six well-placed microphones picked up my voice even beneath tough situations, whereas offering a extra pure tone and heat to the tenor qualities of my tone.
Even with the traditional working water take a look at, no impression of me sounding like I had plunged underwater got here by way of to my mates or household. Plus, name high quality in your finish is loud and clear, so that you could be assured within the hands-free expertise of utilizing these.
They’re each superior for name high quality. AirPods Professional are all the time held up because the gold normal, however Nothing continues to edge forward with a bit of higher voice definition and higher noise isolation when situations get windy.
Winner: Nothing ear (2)
General winner: Nothing ear (2)
Final 12 months, I dominated it a tie between the Nothing ear (1) and the unique AirPods Professional, and pleaded for Apple to introduce a second technology pair of its top-tier earbuds. Now, although the AirPods Professional 2 are nice, it’s the Nothing ear (2) that breaks the tie and goes on to land the ultimate knockout blow and win the face-off.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Nothing ear (2) | AirPods Professional 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (5) | 5 | 3 |
| Design (15) | 10 | 12 |
| Controls (10) | 8 | 10 |
| Energetic Noise Cancellation (20) | 18 | 17 |
| Audio (15) | 14 | 12 |
| App and particular options (15) | 12 | 12 |
| Battery Life (10) | 7 | 7 |
| Name high quality (10) | 9 | 8 |
| Whole rating (100) | 83 | 81 |
That’s to not say Apple didn’t get some good photographs in — the AirPods Professional 2 come out on prime in design, controls, and battery life. And naturally, that is purely subjective alone use of the earbuds. If you happen to’re an iPhone person and you purchase Cupertino’s earbuds, you’ll love them.
However with regards to nearly every part else, from a deeper, extra detailed sound high quality and stronger noise cancellation, to improved personalization options and name high quality, Nothing ear (2) present a greater expertise at $100 much less. The selection is apparent.
