PhoneSentral Tech in Simplicity
Nothing recently announced two new wireless earbuds for Malaysia, Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a).
Simultaneously, Nothing announced it will enhance its overall user experience with industry-first ChatGPT integrations in its audio and smartphone products.
According to Nothing Malaysia, it has stripped back the product numbers on its audio products to centre the focus around the product and the user experience.
That said, the Nothing Ear is built for audiophiles seeking the best sound quality while Nothing Ear (a) is for those looking for the ultimate daily audio companion.
Nothing Ear highlights
Nothing Ear preserves and evolves Nothing’s iconic transparent earbud design to deliver the company’s best ever audio experience, delivering richer sound without compromising on performance.
In terms of sound, it is engineered with audiophiles in mind with Nothing’s most advanced driver system to date with a custom 11 mm dynamic driver featuring premium materials carefully selected to deliver the most authentic and clear sound, including a ceramic diaphragm for overall richness and crisper highs.
Nothing has also improved the dual chamber design from that of Ear (2) with two additional vents to improve airflow, delivering clearer sound as a result.
Ear supports the LHDC 5.0 and LDAC codec for high-resolution streaming over Bluetooth, resulting in powerfully pure audio. Ear can reach up to 1 Mbps 24 bit/192 kHz with LHDC 5.0 (Low Latency High-Definition Audio Codec) and up to 990 kbps and frequencies up to 24 bit/96 kHz with LDAC.
Nothing’s Advanced Equaliser provides more customisation through a simple graphical interface on the Nothing X app. Users can elevate their listening experience with Q Factor and frequency control, as well as create separate profiles for different genres. When an individual creates a Personal Sound Profile on the Nothing X app, the data recorded is used in real-time to adjust equaliser levels based on the hearing test results.
Ear also features Nothing’s most effective and intelligent noise-cancelling powers. The new Smart ANC algorithm checks for noise leakage between the earbuds and the ear canal and adds more noise cancellation accordingly. Ear also accounts for background distractions with Adaptive ANC, which automatically applies one of 3 noise cancellation levels, high, medium, and low. At 45 dB, Ear offers noise cancellation that is almost two times that of Ear (2). With a bandwidth of up to 5000 Hz, Ear can effectively detect and reduce more challenging sounds.
Powered to go further, Ear’s compact custom driver allows for a larger battery, resulting in battery life that lasts 25% longer than Ear (2) – lasting up to 40.5 hours after a full charge with the charging case or 8.5 hours of non stop playback. For quick power-ups, Ear supports wireless charging at 2.5W. Ten minutes of fast charge provides ten hours of listening time with the case. Ear features Nothing’s most advanced Clear Voice Technology yet with a new talk mic design, which allows for less obstruction when speaking on a call. A new additional airway has been added on the stem so wind has a clearer pathway, which reduces interference by 60% compared to Ear (2).
Aside from that, users can seamlessly switch between devices in real time with Dual Connection. With Low Lag Mode, Ear can reduce audio lag compared to normal use, depending on the connection with the other end device for seamless gaming. Pinch controls are accessible to skip tracks, alternate between noise cancellation modes, and adjust volume.
Nothing Ear (a) highlights
The Nothing Ear (a) is designed in London and features Nothing’s transparent design, but takes a new direction with a fresh bubble design and yellow colour.
Ear (a) yellow is Nothing’s first product in a colour outside of black and white. Not only does yellow perfectly compliment the playfulness of Ear (a)’s design, it is a colour that, by theory, aligns with Nothing’s value of transparency.
The Ear (a) comes with Nothing’s new Smart ANC algorithm, which checks the seal within one’s ear canal for
noise leakage and generates more noise cancellation to block out as much noise as possible.
Adaptive ANC detects distractions in your environment and automatically applies high, medium, or low noise cancellation levels to your surrounding noise.
At 45 dB, Ear (a) offers noise cancellation that is almost two times that of Ear (2). Additionally, with a bandwidth of up to 5000 Hz, Ear (a) can effectively detect and reduce more challenging sounds.
It also features a driver that delivers 2.5x more transient power that takes advantage of Nothing’s game-changing dual chamber design.
The Ear (a) is Hi-Res Audio Certified and can stream high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 24 bit/96 kHz.
It is also compatible with the widely supported LDAC codec* for high-resolution streaming over Bluetooth.
It’s 500 mAh battery in the charging case and 46 mAh battery in each bud allows users to get up to 42.5 hours of music playback after a full charge with the charging case.
Price and availability of Nothing Ear and Ear (a)
Both the Nothing Ear and Ear (a) will be priced at RM 659 and RM 479, respectively in Malaysia, and will be available in limited quantities on www.crossoverconceptstore.com starting from 27 April.
General availability will commence starting on 11 May.
