CMF Buds 2 Plus vs. Buds 2: Which Budget Earbuds Are Better?

Explore the differences between CMF Buds 2 Plus and Buds 2, two affordable earbuds that deliver quality sound and features.

Introduction to CMF Earbuds

CMF, a subsidiary of Nothing, has recently unveiled its latest earbuds — the CMF Buds 2 Plus, which is a slightly upgraded version of the original CMF Buds 2. Building on the solid foundation laid by last year's CMF Buds 2 Pro, the new pair of audio accessories offers surprisingly good sound quality at a budget-friendly price, making these earbuds an excellent choice for audio enthusiasts on a budget.

But what sets the Buds 2 Plus apart from the standard Buds 2, and should you consider the newer, more premium CMF Buds 2 Plus? There are several key differences between the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus, so let’s dive in, fire up our favorite Spotify playlist, and test each pair.

Design and Color Options

CMF has opted for a consistent and visually appealing design for both pairs of earbuds, using a sturdy square-shaped charging case made from pleasant-to-the-touch plastic with a sandblasted finish. Notably, the hinges are made from stainless steel, providing a robust structure that allows the case to close with a satisfying "snap."

Unlike the CMF Buds Pro 2, which featured a rotating disk that allowed for volume control and other functionalities, the Buds 2 and Buds 2 Plus have only aesthetic disc elements that serve no interactive purpose. They are simply there for looks and to attach a lanyard for convenience.

The earbuds themselves have a standard design without overly extravagant features. While we appreciate the transparent cyberpunk design of the Nothing brand, CMF has chosen a softer style, which is perfectly fine.

The earbuds fit snugly in the ears and are lightweight, making them almost unnoticeable after prolonged use. CMF provides two additional pairs of silicone ear tips for a customizable fit for various ear canal sizes.

As is common with many modern earbuds, these feature touch zones that allow for audio playback control, call management, and switching between noise-cancellation modes with simple taps.

Both models have an IP55 water resistance rating, meaning they can handle accidental water exposure but should not be used while swimming or engaging in other water sports.

In terms of colors, there are distinct options. The standard Buds 2 are available in dark gray, light green, and orange, while the CMF Buds 2 Plus come in blue or light gray.

Sound Quality Concerns

I interrupt our scheduled program to discuss a peculiar trait I've noticed across all CMF earbuds — and it seems I'm not alone based on a quick Google search.

Upon first use, the volume is unusually low. Initially, I thought I was going crazy or misusing the earbuds, as even cranking the phone volume to the max yields a sound that is still significantly lower than other earbuds.

It turns out that the earbuds have an internal volume setting that is somewhat hidden and not immediately apparent. By default, the volume for most CMF earbuds seems to be set at around 60–70%, meaning even at maximum phone volume, the earbuds may seem inadequate.

To resolve this, assign a key combination to increase the volume on either of the earbuds, such as a double-tap, repeat this process a few times, and now the earbuds will utilize 100% of their potential volume. You can then use your phone’s internal volume setting to adjust appropriately. Afterward, feel free to unassign the volume key combination and assign a more useful function.

OnePlus phone users report being able to circumvent this issue by enabling device volume synchronization in their Bluetooth settings, so check this if you’re using a OnePlus device.

Comparing Audio Quality

CMF Buds 2

The standard Buds 2 feature 11mm PMI dynamic drivers with powerful N52 magnets. These earbuds deliver remarkably good sound quality. The highs are crisp and detailed, while the mids are decent, although a warmer sound profile wouldn't hurt. The bass is rich and powerful, particularly when you activate the "Ultra Bass" feature in the Nothing X app. Bass lovers will likely be thrilled by these earbuds.

Tracks like "All The Way" by BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman sound fantastic on the Buds 2, delivering clean vocals alongside deep, punchy bass.

The CMF Buds 2 are equipped with Dirac Opteo technology, which eliminates random sound resonances or unwanted distortions through advanced adjustments based on measurements. This feature is available in the equalizer selector, and it genuinely enhances the sound quality significantly compared to all other presets.

However, there is no lossless support, as it only supports AAC and SBC codecs.

CMF Buds 2 Plus

On the other hand, the CMF Buds 2 Plus utilize slightly larger 12mm LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer-based) dynamic drivers and N52 magnets, providing similar sound quality. Technically, based solely on specifications, the sound quality should be a notch better, but as with everything related to sound, you might not notice the difference.

The CMF Buds 2 Plus sound just as good as the Buds 2, with clear highs, rich mids, and ample bass (if desired). "Take Me Back To Eden" by Sleep Token showcases the best of progressive metal while enriching the vocals in a manner that creates a pleasant listening experience.

Unfortunately, the lack of Dirac Opteo is a downside. This feature notably improves sound quality and has resulted in me reaching for the standard Buds 2 more often.

The main distinction here is that the CMF Buds 2 Plus support lossless audio, enabling the use of the Sony LDAC codec if your device supports it. Activating this feature might impact battery life, but you won't notice a difference in audio quality if you're on a free Spotify plan or listening through the YouTube app.

Additionally, the CMF Buds 2 Plus can conduct an ear sound test to assess your sensitivity to different frequencies and thus adapt the sound to your needs. This feature is not available on the CMF Buds 2.

Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode

Both CMF earbuds support active noise cancellation (ANC), but the Buds 2 Plus are better equipped in this area. They feature more effective noise cancellation at 50 dB, which operates over a broader frequency range of 5400 Hz. In contrast, the noise cancellation in the CMF Buds 2 is slightly weaker, at 48 dB within a narrower range of 5200 Hz. It's unlikely that you'll notice this difference.

Both models also come with an intelligent adaptive ANC mode that automatically adjusts the strength of the noise cancellation based on ambient sounds. This feature works effectively, enhancing ANC when loud, rumbling noises are detected or softening it when you're alone in a quiet room.

Software Features

To get the most out of your CMF Buds, you'll want to use the Nothing X app, which allows you to control noise cancellation, define the function of each key combination, enable or disable various features, and adjust equalizer settings. The app is straightforward and comes with a detailed guide and FAQ section for each of the earbuds.

One cool hidden feature still in beta testing is the CMF AI-generated "news podcast," which uses the voice of Tim Holbro, CFO of Nothing. You can mix different news categories to create your personalized news podcast. This is a very handy and cool feature that we hope will soon leave beta testing. It's one of the coolest AI features we've seen this year!

Battery Life and Charging Capabilities

When it comes to battery life, both CMF Buds models deserve praise. They last a long time and charge very quickly, minimizing downtime during your audio experiences.

Each pair of CMF Buds 2 has a 53 mAh battery in the earbuds and a 460 mAh battery in the case, which is similar for the CMF Buds 2 Plus but with slightly improved battery performance, which could be a significant reason to opt for the newer earbuds.

Although neither pair supports wireless charging, both do offer fast charging. For instance, a 10-minute charge of the CMF Buds 2 Plus case provides up to eight and a half hours of music playback, while the CMF Buds 2 offer seven and a half hours.

Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either option.

At a price of around $64, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are a slightly improved version of the Buds, now supporting lossless audio and offering longer battery life. They sound fantastic, but like everything related to audio, any difference may go unnoticed.

Priced at approximately $53, the standard CMF Buds 2 are an excellent value proposition. They are not only budget-friendly but also deliver great sound! In fact, after using both pairs for a couple of hours, I can honestly say I used the standard earbuds more than the newer Plus model, likely due to the magical Dirac Opteo setting that enhances everything to sound so delightful.

If lossless audio quality isn't a concern and you simply need a pair of affordable yet remarkable earbuds, make sure to add the CMF Buds 2 to your shopping list.

FAQs

• How do I pair my CMF Buds with my device?
• Can I use the CMF Buds for phone calls?
• What is the charging time for CMF Buds?
• Are the CMF Buds water-resistant?
• Do the CMF Buds support voice assistants?

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