Rewritten text:
Occurrences
Divisions
Programs
Occurrences
Divisions
Programs
Evaluating CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Excellent functionality + superb aesthetics = outstanding value for money
The fresh Neckband Pro and Buds from CMF by Nothing have an attractive appearance, host a variety of impressive features, and are priced reasonably. However, the highlight is the superior active noise cancellation (ANC) capability, particularly when considering their price.
CMF BudsPros advantages include:- Affordable pricing- Excellent audio quality- Powerful bass- Long-lasting battery- Top-tier active noise cancellation
Disadvantages: – Requires time to adjust to touch controls – Lacks a charging cable
Score: 4 out of 5
Cost: Rs 2,499
CMF Neckbands Advantages:- Reasonable cost- Excellent sound quality- 50dB Active Noise Reduction- Reliable call clarity- Impressive battery duration with rapid charging capabilities
Downsides: There's no included power cord and the rotating knob might be a bit difficult to access at first.
Score: 4.25 out of 5
Cost: 1,799 Rupees
Nothing has gained recognition in the audio product market, particularly with their Nothing Ear 1, Nothing Ear 2, and Nothing Ear Stick. While these products have been lauded for their stylish design and superior sound quality, they've been criticized for their high cost. In response, Nothing introduced CMF, a sub-brand dedicated to providing more budget-friendly wearable options.
The Buds Pro from CMF by Nothing were decent TWS earbuds, but their newest products, the Buds and the Neckband Pro, elevate their game even further. CMF presents their products in a unique way, emphasizing color, material, and finish. As expected, the newly released Buds and Neckband Pro are visually striking enough to catch your eye. But what truly makes them stand out are the features and sound quality they offer, considering the price point set by Nothing.
We examine Nothing's newest sound devices, the CMF Buds and the CMF Neckband Pro, to evaluate their performance.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Structure, Construction, and Comfort. The CMF Buds are available in three unique shades: Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange. In this evaluation, we're testing the lively Orange model, which is genuinely intriguing and enjoyable.
The square case that houses the CMF buds, with its striking orange hue, is incredibly light but still has a high-end vibe. Its high-quality aura is impressive, even though it's made of plastic.
The case also comes with a grey wheel where the provided lanyard can be attached. However, if you choose not to use the lanyard, the wheel can also function as a handy fidget spinner.
The hinge is also quite robust, guaranteeing longevity, and the bold orange color contributes to its liveliness. Furthermore, the case integrates aesthetic features to boost its attractiveness.
The CMF logo, which has a glossy appearance, is intricately etched on the top, forming a beautiful discrepancy with the dull surface of the remaining box.
Regarding the CMF Neckband, its appearance is quite standard, similar to many other neckbands available in the market. It has the usual flexible neckband made of soft silicone, connected to the earpieces by short wires. However, what makes it unique are its control buttons, or rather, their absence. Instead, it has a small grey wheel that can be used to adjust the volume, accept incoming calls, and navigate through different songs in a playlist.
We admired the unique blend of matte and shiny plastic on both the earbuds and neckband. This slight variation in texture greatly enhances their appearance. The CMF Neckband comes with an IP 55 protection rating, while the Buds have a slightly lower protection rating of IP54.
The addition of touch controls to the Buds, considering their budget-friendly price, is quite impressive, although the performance of these controls is just adequate. Similar to other earbuds, they offer typical touch control features like tap for pause and double tap to play the next song. Nevertheless, a few of these touch instructions can be puzzling and difficult to navigate. Specifically, altering the volume with the touch controls proved to be tricky and wasn't as user-friendly as expected.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Audio Excellence & Functionality
Initiating the CMF Neckband Pro and CMF Buds on an Android gadget was extremely straightforward. Just a couple of quick taps after lifting the cover, the smartphone identified them immediately. Additionally, the Nothing X application assisted in completing the rest of the configuration.
The application provides a wide range of functionalities and personalization choices. With both the Pro neckband and Buds, you have access to numerous equalizer settings, control reconfiguration, noise cancelling adjustments, and an "Ultra Bass" enhancement feature. The app also allows you to adjust the ANC feature.
In terms of audio output, both gadgets provide comparable sound quality, though minute variations can be detected if one pays close attention.
The Neckband Pro have a stronger, bass-rich sound compared to the more evenly-toned CMF Buds. This primarily comes down to differences in the size of their drivers. The CMF Neckband Pro uses a 13.6 mm driver, armed with their unique Ultra Bass Technology 2.0. On the other hand, the CMF Buds employ 12.4 mm drivers equipped with Bio-fibre and a custom TPU diaphragm.
Consequently, the Neckband Pros deliver a significant bass impact that can be quite jolting when listening to a bass-heavy song, but they tend to distort the vocal clarity a bit at the lower end. Conversely, the CMF Buds may not provide that strong bass impact, but they still deliver excellent sound, particularly with other instruments and vocals that aren't bass-focused. To put it plainly, although the Buds may seem to emphasize the bass compared to other TWS earbuds, they maintain a better balance than the Neckband Pros.
In addition, the CMF Buds are equipped with Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 and Dirac Opteo tuning for an enhanced audio experience. When you pair this with the Buds' Active Noise Canceling feature, it makes for an enticing option.
When it comes to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), both the Neckband Pro and Buds provide excellent sound isolation and reliable active noise cancellation. Nevertheless, the Neckband Pro goes an extra mile offering adjustable ANC levels from high to low and adaptive settings, plus a spatial audio mode for experimental use. It also delivers 50dB of hybrid ANC while the buds only provide up to 42dB.
The Neckband Pro and Buds stand out because they provide users with a high-quality ANC experience at an affordable price. I have tested earbuds and neckbands that are pricier than the ones provided by CMF, and they simply don't compare to these two. While there were some early problems, Nothing has addressed them with an update.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Call Performance
The CMF Buds offer remarkable sound quality during phone conversations. I discovered that I was able to discern the person on the other end with ease, and they could also hear me without any issues. This exceptional clarity is probably due to the 4-microphone system integrated into the buds, which works proficiently to eliminate background disturbances and focus on the main voices during calls.
Likewise, the Neckband's call quality is outstanding, gaining advantage from a 5-microphone setup, outperforming the Buds in this regard.
The CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro come with impressive battery life. Each Bud has a 45 mAh battery while the case boasts a 460 mAh battery. In my regular day, which involves listening to music, watching videos, playing games, and taking many calls for about 5-6 hours, I found out that the Buds could last for 3-4 days without recharging. Furthermore, recharging them did not take long – a mere 10-minute charge could extend their usage by an additional 6-7 hours.
There are no assertions that the CMF Buds can deliver 35.5 hours of playback when ANC is deactivated and approximately 24 hours with ANC activated. These numbers seem completely credible to me, based on my personal experience.
Regarding the neckband, it also boasts a superior battery life, surpassing even the Buds. Typically, when I operate the CMF Neckband Pro with the ANC feature activated, it tends to run for approximately two days before requiring a recharge. However, with the ANC turned off, I managed to use it for more than four days, based on my usual usage habits.
Nothing asserts that the Neckband Pro, equipped with a 220mAh battery, can deliver 37 hours of playback time when the ANC is disabled and 23 hours when the ANC is enabled.
Additionally, the neckband officially comes with a fast charging feature. Simply charge it for 10 minutes and it will last for 18 hours.
My sole criticism is that, in an attempt to reduce expenses, Nothing failed to include a charging cable with any of their latest audio equipment. This trend of eliminating key components from the package to meet a specific price target is increasingly prevalent among producers, which I find displeasing.
In conclusion, if you're in the market for a decent set of earbuds or neckbands that deliver excellent sound, impressive battery longevity, satisfactory active noise cancellation, and are not heavy or difficult to transport, then both the CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pros are solid choices.
If you're okay with either design and your decision will just be driven by bass preference, here's what you should remember. While both of these sound gadgets offer deep bass, the Neckband Pro delivers a more intense bass experience, while the Buds present a more balanced sound profile.
The decision ultimately relies on your personal preferences and how you plan to use them. The Neckband Pro's design provides greater mobility and comfort, especially when you need to make hands-free calls or listen to music, as they are readily available around your neck. There's no need to rummage through your pockets for a case or stress about misplacing an earbud, adding to their user-friendly nature. What's more, the strong 23-hour battery life, even with active noise cancelling enabled, guarantees long-lasting use without the need for regular charging.
Alternatively, if you're more inclined towards a genuine wireless earbud experience with no trailing cables, the CMF Buds provide a contemporary fix. Their battery life of 5.6 hours, which extends to 24 hours with the case, is fairly good for genuine wireless earbuds, although the Neckband Pro outperforms them in terms of ongoing playback.
The CMF Buds and Neckband Pro, priced at Rs 2,499 and Rs 1,999 respectively, provide excellent worth given their stylish appearances, robust construction, abundant attributes, and dependable sound performance.
Look for us on YouTube
Premier Programs
are available on YouTube
All rights preserved by Firstpost, copyright 2024.
+ There are no comments
Add yours