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Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Excellent functionality + attractive design = splendid value for money
The latest Neckband Pro and Buds by CMF from Nothing are eye-catching, offer impressive specifications, and all these are available at a reasonable price. However, the most outstanding attribute is their active noise cancellation feature, particularly when you think about their price.
CMF BudsPros:- Affordable price- Excellent audio quality- Powerful bass- Impressive battery duration- Top-notch active noise cancellation
Disadvantages: – Familiarization with touch controls is required – Absence of a
Score: 4 out of 5
Cost: 2,499 Ru
CMF Neckbands Advantages: – Reasonable cost – Excellent sound output – 50dB Active Noise Reduction – Reliable call clarity – Impressive battery longevity and quick charge capability
Disadvantages: There is no cable for charging included, and the rotating dial may be slightly difficult to access at first.
Score: 4.25 out of 5
Cost: 1,799 Rupees
Nothing is renowned for its audio equipment, specifically products like the Nothing Ear 1, Nothing Ear 2, and Nothing Ear Stick. Although these items are both aesthetically pleasing and deliver exceptional audio quality, they are generally considered to be pricey. To address this, Nothing has introduced CMF, a brand dedicated to wearables that aims to provide more cost-effective options.
The Buds Pro by CMF from Nothing were quite reliable as TWS earbuds, but their new products, the Buds and the Neckband Pro, raise the bar. CMF has a unique approach to showcasing their products by concentrating on color, material, and finish. As a result, the newly introduced Buds and Neckband Pro have the visual appeal to captivate you. Nevertheless, the most attractive aspect of them is the functionality and sound quality they offer, considering the price Nothing is charging for them.
We examine Nothing's most recent audio merchandise, the CMF Buds and the CMF Neckband Pro, to assess their performance.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Appearance, Construction & Comfort
The CMF Buds come in three unique shades: Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange. In this review, we're testing the lively Orange version which is genuinely intriguing and lively.
The square box housing the CMF buds, which is a striking shade of orange, feels quite light but also gives a high-end impression. This luxurious vibe is surprising considering it is made of plastic.
The case also comes with a grey wheel where the provided lanyard is attached. However, if you choose not to use the lanyard, the wheel can also serve as a handy fidget spinner.
The hinge is also quite robust, guaranteeing longevity, and the bright orange color adds a lively touch. Moreover, the case includes design features that boost its attractiveness.
The CMF emblem, featuring a glossy finish, is beautifully etched on the cover, providing a stunning contrast to the case's otherwise dull texture.
The CMF Neckband appears quite basic, similar to a multitude of other neckbands available in the market. It includes a commonly seen bendable neckband made from soft silicone, with little wires connecting to the earpieces. However, what makes it unique are the control buttons, or rather its absence. Instead, it offers a small grey wheel that can be used to adjust the volume, accept incoming calls, and switch between different songs on a playlist.
We really appreciated the combination of matte and shiny plastic in both the earbuds and neckband. The slight variation in texture greatly enhances their aesthetic appeal. The CMF Neckband comes with an IP 55 protection, while the Buds have a slightly lower protection rating of IP54.
Although it's admirable that the Buds have incorporated touch controls into their reasonably priced product, the effectiveness of these controls is just adequate. Similar to numerous other earbuds, they provide typical touch control features like tap to pause and double tap for the next track. However, some of these touch commands might be tricky and inconvenient to utilize. Specifically, altering the volume through touch controls proved to be challenging and lacked intuitiveness.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Audio Excellence & Functionality
Configuring the CMF Neckband Pro and the CMF Buds to work with an Android device was extremely straightforward. As soon as the lid was opened and a few taps made, the phone immediately identified them. Additionally, the Nothing X app facilitated the remaining steps of the setup.
The application provides a wide range of functionalities and customization possibilities. Both the Pro neckband and Buds come with numerous equalizer settings, control remapping, noise cancellation adjustments, and a mode for enhancing "Ultra Bass". The app also allows you to activate the ANC feature.
In terms of audio output, the two devices offer nearly identical sound quality, though minor disparities can be detected if listened to attentively.
The Neckband Pro produces a stronger, more bass-focused sound compared to the more evenly balanced audio from the CMF Buds. This is largely attributed to the differences in driver sizes. The CMF Neckband Pro incorporates a 13.6 mm driver equipped with their proprietary Ultra Bass Technology 2.0, whereas the CMF Buds employs 12.4 mm drivers, which include Bio-fibre and a customized TPU diaphragm.
Consequently, the Neckband Pros provide a significant level of bass that can genuinely add excitement while listening to a bass-heavy song, although they can slightly distort the low-end vocals. On the other hand, the CMF Buds, despite not having as much bass impact, still deliver a quality sound, particularly when playing non-bass instruments and vocals. To put it simply, even though the Buds have more bass than 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 enhanced sound quality. Coupled with the Buds' ANC features, this makes them a very attractive option.
When it comes to ANC, the Neckband Pro and Buds both provide excellent sound isolation and reliable active noise cancellation. But the Neckband Pro goes a bit beyond by offering adjustable ANC levels from high to low and adaptable settings. It also has a spatial audio mode for added versatility. The neckband delivers 50dB of hybrid ANC, while the buds only give you up to 42dB.
The Neckband Pro and Buds stand out due to their high-quality active noise cancellation feature, which is impressive considering their affordable price. I have tested other earbuds and neckbands that are pricier than those offered by CMF but they simply don't compare. There were a few initial problems, however, Nothing resolved these with a software update.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Phone Call Performance
The CMF Buds truly shine when it comes to the quality of phone calls. I noticed that the person on the other end of the call could be heard distinctly, and they could hear my voice clearly too. This clarity can probably be credited to the four-microphone array that the buds employ, which does a great job of reducing background noise and focusing on the main voices during phone calls.
Likewise, the exceptional call quality of the Neckband is worth noting, thanks to its 5-microphone system, which outperforms the Buds in this particular area.
Review of CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro: Power EfficiencyEach earbud of the Buds model is powered by a 45 mAh battery, and the carrying case has a 460 mAh battery. During an average day of consuming music, visual media, gaming, and making numerous calls, I use them 5-6 hours. I discovered that I could use the earbuds for 3-4 days without having to charge them. When charging was required, it was not time-consuming at all – a brief 10-minute charge was enough to power them for an additional 6-7 hours effortlessly.
There are no assertions stating that the CMF Buds can provide 35.5 hours of use without Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and roughly 24 hours with ANC activated. From my own usage, I can confidently say these numbers are accurate.
Regarding the neckband, it also possesses impressive battery longevity, surpassing even the Buds. Typically, when I use the CMF Neckband Pro with the Active Noise Cancellation feature enabled, it endures approximately two days before requiring recharging. When I turn off the ANC, with my usual usage habits, it stretches to more than four days.
Nothing states that the Neckband Pro, which has a battery capacity of 220mAh, can deliver 37 hours of playtime when ANC is disabled and 23 hours of playtime when ANC is enabled.
Additionally, the neckband officially provides fast charging – 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 either of their latest sound items. It appears to be an increasing trend among producers to omit specific necessary items from the package in order to meet a particular price target, which I find displeasing.
Final Thoughts on CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pro Review: If you're in the market for high-quality earbuds or neckbands with impressive sound, extensive battery duration, satisfactory active noise cancellation, lightness, and portability, both the CMF Buds and CMF Neckband Pros make excellent choices.
If you're fine with either style and your decision is hinging on bass quality, here's what you should consider. Even though both these sound devices pack a punch in the bass department, the Neckband Pro has a more pronounced bass, while the Buds offer a more balanced sound.
Your ultimate choice will be based on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the device. The Neckband Pro's design provides more flexibility and comfort, especially for making hands-free calls or listening to music, since they are always conveniently located around your neck. You won't need to fumble for a case in your pocket or stress about misplacing an earbud, making them easier to use. Furthermore, the impressive 23-hour battery life, even with active noise cancellation enabled, means you can use them for a long time without needing to recharge often.
Alternatively, if you're more inclined towards a genuine wireless earbud experience with no hanging wires, the CMF Buds provide a contemporary answer. Their battery life of 5.6 hours, which extends to 24 hours with the case, is quite respectable for authentic wireless earbuds, but the Neckband Pro still outperforms when it comes to uninterrupted playback.
The CMF Buds and Neckband Pro, priced at Rs 2,499 and Rs 1,999 respectively, provide outstanding worth due to their modern aesthetics, robust construction, abundant attributes, and consistent audio quality.
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