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An evaluation of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Exceptional functionality and impressive aesthetics equate to superb value for money
The freshly launched Neckband Pro and Buds by CMF from Nothing are visually appealing, offer a variety of remarkable features, all for an excellent price. What stands out most, however, is their superior active noise cancellation abilities, which is impressive given their price point.
CMF BudsPros: – Affordable price – Excellent audio quality – Powerful bass – Impressive battery duration – Top-notch active noise cancellation
Negatives:- It takes time to adjust to the touch controls- Charging cable not included
Score: 4 out of 5
Cost: 2,499 Ru
Advantages of CMF Neckbands: Affordable pricing, excellent sound quality, 50dB Active Noise Reduction, reliable call clarity, and impressive battery longevity with speedy recharging capabilities.
Downsides: It doesn't include a charging cable and the rotary dial may be somewhat difficult to access at first.
Score: 4.25 out of 5
Cost: Rs 1,799
In the audio products market, Nothing has become prominent with its products like Nothing Ear 1, Nothing Ear 2, and Nothing Ear Stick. Even though they are visually appealing and offer excellent sound quality, they are viewed as overly pricey. In response, CMF, a subsidiary of Nothing that specializes in wearables, is aiming to provide more cost-effective options.
Despite the Buds Pro from CMF by Nothing being decent TWS earbuds, their newest products, the Buds and Neckband Pro, elevate their offerings. CMF uses a unique approach in showcasing their products, emphasizing on color, material, and finish. As such, the latest Buds and Neckband Pro are aesthetically appealing and sure to catch your eye. However, what makes them truly stand out are the features and sound quality they offer at the price set by Nothing.
We examine Nothing's newest sound devices, the CMF Buds and the CMF Neckband Pro, to assess their performance.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Structure, Construction & Comfort
The CMF Buds are available in three unique shades: Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange. In this review, we're testing the lively Orange model that truly appears intriguing and enjoyable.
The square case that houses the CMF buds, with its vibrant orange hue, feels surprisingly light yet luxurious, exuding a high-end vibe, even though it's made of plastic.
The case also comes with a grey wheel where the included lanyard attaches. However, if you prefer not to use the lanyard, the wheel can also function as a handy fidget spinner.
The hinge is also quite robust, guaranteeing long-lasting use, and the bright orange color brings a lively touch. Furthermore, the case integrates certain design features to boost its attractiveness.
The CMF logo, which boasts a glossy surface, is intricately etched on the top cover, providing a distinct contrast against the rest of the case's matte finish.
The CMF Neckband appears quite typical, similar to the numerous other neckbands available. It has the usual bendable neckband made from soft silicone, connected to the earpieces via short cables. However, it distinguishes itself with its control features, or more accurately, its absence. Rather, it offers a small grey wheel for tasks such as raising the volume, accepting calls, and switching between different playlist tracks.
We really liked the combo of matte and shiny plastic on both the earbuds and the neckband. The slight contrast in finishes makes them look quite attractive. The CMF Neckband comes with IP55 protection, while the Buds have a slightly lower protection rating of IP54.
The Buds' integration of touch controls at a budget-friendly price is appreciable, yet the effectiveness of these controls is merely adequate. Similar to numerous other earbuds, they come with basic touch control features like tap to pause and double tap to skip to the next song. Nevertheless, some of these touch commands can be perplexing and difficult to handle. Specifically, altering the volume with the touch controls presented hurdles and was not as user-friendly as expected.
Reviewing the CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Audio Excellence & Efficiency
It was remarkably easy to pair both the CMF Neckband Pro and CMF Buds with an Android device. A few quick taps after lifting the lid were enough for the phone to immediately identify them. Furthermore, the Nothing X application facilitated the remainder of the setup procedure.
The application provides a wide range of functionalities and personalization choices. It caters to both the Pro neckband and Buds, offering a multitude of equalizer settings, control reassignment, noise reduction setup, and an "Ultra Bass" enhancement feature. The app also allows you to adjust the ANC feature.
In terms of audio, the two devices provide comparable sound quality, though minute differences can be detected if one listens attentively.
The Neckband Pro has a heavier bass and stronger sound compared to the CMF Buds, which delivers a more equalized audio output. This largely hinges on the differences in their driver dimensions. The CMF Neckband Pro operates with a 13.6 mm driver, integrated with their unique Ultra Bass Technology 2.0. Conversely, the CMF Buds are equipped with 12.4 mm drivers that feature a Bio-fibre and custom TPU diaphragm.
Consequently, the Neckband Pros deliver a significant amount of bass, causing a real impact when listening to a bass-heavy song, but they can obscure the vocals a tad on the lower side. Despite lacking this powerful bass, the CMF Buds still deliver excellent sound, particularly when dealing with non-bass instruments and vocals. In essence, even though the Buds may seem more bass-focused compared to other TWS earbuds, they maintain a better equilibrium than the Neckband Pros.
In addition, the CMF Buds are equipped with Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 and Dirac Opteo tuning to enhance their sound capacity. This, coupled with the Buds' noise-cancelling features, truly positions them as an attractive option.
When it comes to ANC, both the Neckband Pro and Buds provide excellent sound isolation and reliable active noise cancellation. The Neckband Pro, however, goes a step beyond by offering adjustable ANC levels from high to low and adaptive configurations. It also includes a spatial audio mode for users to try out. The neckband comes with a 50dB hybrid ANC, while the buds only provide up to 42dB.
The unique selling point of both the Neckband Pro and Buds lies in their ability to provide users with a high-quality ANC experience at an affordable price. I've tested earbuds and neckbands that are pricier than what CMF offers and they simply can't compare to these two. Although they had some early problems, Nothing has resolved these with a recent update.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Communication Quality
The CMF Buds consistently provide stellar sound quality while on calls. My experience was that I was able to clearly understand the person on the other end, and they also reported that my voice was clear to them. It's possible that this clear sound quality is due to the four-microphone array that the buds are equipped with. This feature effectively reduces background noise and emphasizes the main voices during conversations.
Likewise, the call quality of the Neckband is outstanding, thanks to its 5-microphone array, exceeding the performance of the Buds in this regard.
The review for CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro focuses on battery life. Each earbud of the Buds is fitted with a 45 mAh battery while the case houses a 460 mAh battery. In my typical daily activities, which includes listening to music, watching content, playing games, and making several phone calls that add up to about 5-6 hours per day, I discovered that the earbuds lasted for about 3-4 days before they required charging. The charging process was also swift; a 10-minute charge offered an additional 6-7 hours of usage with ease.
There are no assertions stating that the CMF Buds provide 35.5 hours of playback when ANC is turned off and roughly 24 hours of playback when ANC is enabled. From my personal usage, I find these numbers to be credible.
Regarding the neckband, it also boasts impressive battery longevity, surpassing even the Buds. Typically, when I use the CMF Neckband Pro with the Active Noise Cancellation feature activated, it gives me around two days of service before requiring a recharge. Without the ANC, I could use it for more than four days under my usual usage habits.
With its 220mAh battery, the Neckband Pro, according to Nothing, can provide 37 hours of playback time with the active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off and 23 hours with the ANC turned on.
Additionally, the neckband is officially compatible with fast charging – simply charge it for 10 minutes, and it will last for 18 hours.
My sole grievance is that, in an effort to reduce expenses, Nothing didn't include a charging cable for any of their fresh audio goods. This unpleasant trend of omitting necessary items from the packaging to meet a specific price target is increasingly common among producers.
If you're in the market for a quality set of earbuds or neckbands with impressive audio, long-lasting battery, decent active noise cancellation, portability, and lightness, both the CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pros are excellent choices.
If you're at ease with either style and your decision will primarily depend on the bass, here's what you should remember. Despite both these sound gadgets being rich in bass, the Neckband Pro has a more intense bass, while the Buds offer a more balanced sound profile.
The decision ultimately comes down to your personal needs and how you plan to use them. The Neckband Pro's style provides greater mobility and practicality, especially for swift hands-free conversations or listening to music, as they are always readily available around your neck. There's no need to rummage through your pockets for a case or stress about misplacing an earbud instantly, making them simpler to use. Plus, the solid 23-hour battery life, even when active noise cancelling is enabled, guarantees longer use without the need for regular charging.
Alternatively, if you're more inclined towards a seamless wireless earbud experience without any trailing cables, the CMF Buds present a contemporary answer. Their battery life of 5.6 hours (or 24 hours when used with the case) is fairly good for wireless earbuds. However, the Neckband Pro still outperforms when it comes to uninterrupted playtime.
With their prices set at Rs 2,499 and Rs 1,999 respectively, both the CMF Buds and Neckband Pro present great value for money due to their elegant aesthetics, robust construction, multitude of functions, and dependable audio performance.
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