A Nostalgic Touch with Modern Functionality
CMF Buds Pro 2 Review: Years ago, while sneaking into a vintage store on Oxford Street in London, I couldn’t resist buying an iPod Classic. It was the U2 edition with a red click wheel and the band’s signatures engraved on the stainless steel back. That physical wheel made navigating songs on a small screen without a touch interface incredibly satisfying. Fast forward to today, and Nothing has captured a similar retro charm with the rotary dial on the case of its latest CMF Buds Pro 2. This dial isn’t just a throwback; it brings practical, intuitive control to the modern wireless earbud experience.
Rotary Dial: Fun and Functional
Most earbuds these days come with touch-sensitive controls, which, while functional, can be a bit uncomfortable. Often, you end up pushing the earbud deeper into your ear while trying to use the touch zone. The CMF Buds Pro 2 offer a novel solution with the addition of a rotary dial on the corner of the case.
Customizable and Intuitive Controls
The circular knob is the buds’ most notable feature. It’s a key part of how you control your music and navigate through the user interface. The physical dial is sturdy, smooth, and makes a satisfying sound as you turn it. It reminded me of the old-school Philips boomboxes with their physical volume dials. The rotary dial on the buds’ case is an odd but brilliant input method that sets these TWS apart from everything else on the market.
The dial is fully customizable through the Nothing X app. There are five ways to customize it, including rotating the dial to adjust the volume or using a single press to activate the Voice Assistant. The dial itself is very responsive and works well for the most part. However, when the case is in your pocket, you’ll still need to manage playback through your phone or the touch-sensitive volume controls on the stems.
Sleek and Practical Case Design
The case of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is a plastic square with rounded corners and a matte finish that doesn’t attract fingerprints. It isn’t slippery like the AirPods case, and its compact size means it easily fits into pockets, whether jeans or shorts. The earbuds sit fully exposed when the lid is open, held in place by magnets. You simply lift them away from the magnets to use them, and putting them back is even easier — bring them close, and the magnets snap them into place. The charging case has an indicator light for things like pairing status.
Comfortable Fit for All-Day Wear
Finding earbuds that fit comfortably has always been a challenge for me. Many designs have been so uncomfortable that I had to return them. Thankfully, the CMF Buds Pro 2 fit snugly and comfortably in my ears. They stay securely in place during normal activities, even brisk walking. This is a significant improvement over many budget earbuds, which often feel insecure or uncomfortable.
Seamless Pairing Experience
Pairing the Buds Pro 2 with the CMF Phone 1 was instant, thanks to the fast-pair Bluetooth 5.3. You can also pair these earbuds with an iPhone using the Nothing X app, available on iOS and Android. This app lets you configure controls on the earbuds, tweak the equalizer settings, and manage noise control. The touchpad on the top of the stem allows you to pause, play, fast-forward, and repeat songs, although it could be a bit more sensitive.
Impressive Sound Quality
While I’m not an audiophile, I can confidently say that the sound quality of these earbuds is impressive for the price. The audio is clear, natural, and balanced, though not overly bass-heavy. The built-in equalizer allows you to adjust the sound to your preference, making songs like Adele’s “Hello” feel more impactful.
Active Noise Cancellation
The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the CMF Buds Pro 2 is decent but not exceptional. In noisy environments, such as walking alongside busy roads or commuting, the ANC’s impact is noticeable but not groundbreaking. However, the call quality is excellent, with no complaints from people on the other end of the line.
Reliable Battery Life
The battery life of the Buds Pro 2 is solid. On a single charge, they provide six hours of playback without ANC and an additional 25 hours with the case. The inclusion of three sizes of ear tips ensures a good fit for most users. The auto-pause feature, which activates when you remove an earbud, works well and is a handy addition.
Final Thoughts
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are interesting wireless earbuds, primarily because of the physical dial. This feature simplifies music management and adds a nostalgic touch to a modern tech product. Overall, the Buds Pro 2 are promising, especially at a price of Rs 4,299. They cater to an audience that appreciates quirky and experimental tech products, and that demographic will likely love these earbuds.
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