CMF Earbuds Tested Buds 2 Plus Stands Out as Best Buy

Wireless earbuds have flooded the market, making it tough to pick the right pair. CMF, a sub-brand of Nothing, recently launched three models simultaneously: Buds 2a, Buds 2, and Buds 2 Plus. Although priced within a $20 range, these earbuds differ significantly in features and sound quality.

Specs and Pricing Breakdown

The Buds 2a are the entry-level option, retailing at $49, featuring 42 decibels of noise cancellation, 12.4 mm bio-fiber drivers, and up to 8 hours of battery life without ANC. They come in an eye-catching orange color, which the others lack.

The mid-tier Buds 2 usually cost $59 but are currently discounted to $49, matching the Buds 2a price. They offer 48 decibels of noise cancellation, 11 mm PMI drivers tuned by Dirac Opteo, and longer battery life—7.5 hours with ANC on and 13.5 hours without.

At the top, the Buds 2 Plus cost $69 and provide 50 decibels of adaptive noise cancellation, a 12 mm liquid crystal polymer driver, and up to 14 hours of playback without ANC. They deliver the highest frequency range and sound fidelity among the three.

Real-World Listening Experience

Testing all three earbuds with the same song in controlled environments revealed clear differences. The Buds 2 Plus impressed with robust bass, dynamic range, and solid noise cancellation suitable for noisy commutes. They nearly matched the quality of Nothing’s higher-end Ear (a) earbuds.

The Buds 2, while decent, sounded muddier and less refined compared to the Plus model. Their noise cancellation was similar but lacked the premium sound signature.

The Buds 2a suffered the most in sound quality, producing a tinny, hollow audio experience with weaker noise cancellation. Given they now cost the same as the Buds 2, they offer poor value.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

If you’re choosing between these three, the Buds 2 Plus are clearly worth the $20 premium for superior sound and noise cancellation. The Buds 2 are acceptable but less impressive, and the Buds 2a should be avoided given their price and performance.

A blind test confirmed these impressions, with the Buds 2a’s inferior sound easily distinguishable and the Buds 2 Plus consistently delivering the richest audio profile.

In the crowded market of budget wireless earbuds, CMF’s Buds 2 Plus stand out as the best value for those seeking quality sound without breaking the bank.