Almost Too Good To Be True - NEW Nothing Ear(a)

151,334
42
Published 2024-04-18
These are the new Nothing Ear(a) and from my testing, they performed exceptionally well for their price. Latest price (affiliate) mikeobrienmedia.com/NothingEarA

This is Tech Today video:    • The NEW Nothing Ear & Nothing Ear (a)...  

Follow me on social media! (it's always just @mikeobrienn)
Instagram: instagram.com/mikeobrienn
Twitter: twitter.com/mikeobrienn
TikTok: tiktok.com/@mikeobrienn
About me: mikeobrienmedia.com/

Please comment below with any questions you might have. Thank you all for watching! I appreciate you!


Disclaimer: This video is purely based on my experiences, research, and opinions. You and only you are responsible for your actions. I made this channel to advise viewers and I truly hope to help you all out. I love making these videos and connecting with my viewers!
One or more of the products shown in this video may have been sent to me at no cost. This does not influence my opinions; I always cover both pros and cons.
This channel is monetized via YouTube ads as well as some affiliate links. If a purchase is made after clicking the link, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to the buyer. Thank you all for watching!

ADDITIONAL VIDEO NOTES:
Nothing ear and ear(a) are new naming conventions for Nothing’s earbuds.
Nothing ear is $150 and competes with the most premium buds out there
Nothing ear(a) is $99 and kind of destroys most of the competition


Physical design
Absolutely incredible!
Teenage engineering aesthetic
The fastest a brand has gone from not existing to being iconic
3 colors - white, yellow, black
Compare to airpods case size

CONTROLS
Pinch 🙂
Can customize each feature on each bud individually
The double pinch and hold is a bit tricky

FIT/COMFORT
Comfort is great - almost exactly like the other nothing products. Also a lot like airpods
For me personally, the left bud falls out, much like airpods pro, especially when I move my jaw or do pushups or run

Mono mode = yes
Multipoint connectivity = yes, and more advanced as well. You can control it in the app
Low lag mode
Waterproofing = IP54 buds / IPX2 case (the reg ear is IP55 case)
Battery = 5.5/24.5 or 9.5/42.5 without ANC
10 min = 10 hrs charged/battery
Find my earbuds
Bluetooth 5.3

MIC TEST

SOUND
A subtle way I can usually detect good sound on a pair of earbuds is the natural volume I use. For crap earbuds, I have to turn the volume up to 60% or so because I subconsciously want the details. For these, I usually hang out around 35% volume. That’s awesome

Bass enhance is on by default - I turned it off
These sound really really good for the price
The equalizer is far less advanced than the flagship ear
Dual chamber design gives deeper bass with a smaller driver by allowing more airflow
CODECS = LDAC, AAC
Bass is very clean and smooth, but can definitely rattle your head if you dial it up
Brandon has a great video on the sound
Pretty analytical actually
The upper midrange and lower treble ranges are pretty pronounced
Overall, I prefer the ear over the ear(a) but both are really quite impressive

ANC
Claimed 45dB
My test results

COMPLAINTS:
The sound they make when they first connect still sucks
No wireless charging

WHO SHOULD NOT BUY THESE:
Hardcore audio enthusiasts. You would probably like the nothing ear better
Hardcore athletes. You may want something with wingtips to stay in your ears better - or you could buy aftermarket wing tips for these

WHY BUY THIS?
Amazing appearance. Most other (especially affordable earbuds) are ugly
These sound fantastic for the price
These feel like they were designed by an enthusiast who would probably buy them for themself. Not by a boardroom calculating market gaps.
I have a checklist of what earbuds need. These tick every box except wireless charging


I’ll make another video about the nothing ear because I think that is a bit more competitive than the $99 space here. These are my new default recommendation for anyone looking to buy new buds

All Comments (21)
  • @irondennis1
    I never understand why EVERY reviewer consider lack of wireless charging as a con... do people even use it?
  • @afmo500
    "you're not going to dunk these in water". Hoho, watch me put these through the washing machine in a week!
  • @kindofanmol
    I'm so excited for where this company is heading. Godspeed Nothing!
  • @extra4542
    I turn off ANC all the time when there isn’t much environmental noise for longer battery life. Def a stat I think worth noting for consumers
  • @mindlessk.784
    You said with anc off it last 9.5 hours with single charge, did you test it your self or just forwarding what the company says?
  • @taylornicty1170
    The shape of the (a) case is better than the more expensive Nothing (ear) case in my opinion
  • I think you make great videos, but I have bought two products based on your recommendations recently and I have had to return both. The latest Sony tws buds and the Galaxy Fit 3. I am not sure how but you missed big flaws in both those products. The Sony's had horrible transparency mode that sounded very unnatural. The Fit 3 has major bugs in the syncing with the phone app. Keep working hard and making these excellent videos. I just wanted to point these misses out so you can keep improving. :)
  • @PlaySA
    You know what I'd like? Multipoint connectivity that allows you to play two different audio sources at the SAME TIME. So I could listen to podcasts with some nice ambient behind it, or some other fun combo. Dark ambient plus a police scanner stream is kind of amazing.
  • @shido705
    I would get a pair of ear(a) just for the amazing yellow color. In a world of trying to blend in (looking at the Apple ecosystem fans), stand out 💛💛
  • Great review mate! These seem very interesting. Could you compare these with the Soundcore liberty 4 NCS and the P40is? I found the p40is be better for their lower price than the liberty 4 NCs in general.
  • @tokelahti
    Low lag mode is how low? What codec? Works with apple products?
  • @antonyp6617
    How do they compare to the ear 2? The ear 2 are at the same price right now thanks to discounts, so I wonder which ones would be the best deal.
  • @None17555
    SoundCore would be a cool comparison. We almost always get Anker for the kids because of their tendency to lose stuff. However, the plastic build quality is a noticeable problem for people who are rough on their stuff.
  • @GreenPizza577
    These earbuds make me think of the retro headphones used with the first Sony Walkman just earbuds now.