Nothing Buds 2
Sennheiser IE 600
What Buyers Say
Nothing Buds 2
The CMF Buds 2 are widely praised for delivering excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit at an affordable price. Users highlight the rich bass, clear vocals, and solid ANC performance that rivals more expensive models. While some note the bass can be slightly overpowering and the touch controls have limited customization, the overall value is considered outstanding. The long battery life, USB-C charging, and premium build further cement these as a top budget choice.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with rich bass
- Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Long battery life with USB-C charging
- Premium build and design
Cons
- Bass can be slightly overpowering
- Limited touch control customization
- Case lacks functional dial
- Case is somewhat bulky
- No Google Fast Pair support
Sennheiser IE 600
The Sennheiser IE 600 delivers exceptional sound quality with detailed, lively audio and strong bass, but many users report significant issues with the stock ear tips and cable. While the sound is praised as top-tier and endgame for many, the out-of-box experience is marred by poor accessories and a notable risk of defects, with one user experiencing a left channel failure within two weeks. Customer service for defects has been described as frustrating, requiring extra shipping costs and lacking clear instructions.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Detailed and lively audio
- Powerful bass without sacrificing clarity
- Excellent instrument separation
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
Cons
- Poor stock ear tips
- Stiff and low-quality cable
- Risk of defects (e.g., left channel failure)
- Frustrating customer service for defects
- Extra cost for aftermarket ear tips
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Sennheiser IE 600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | ear-hook |
| Ear Tips | — | Small, Medium, Large |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | 7 mm |
| Drivers | 2★ | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 4 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 47 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 18 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 118 dB★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | Sennheiser IE 600 In-Ear Audiophile Headphones - TrueResponse Transducers for Equisitely Neutral Sound, Includes balanced cable, Gray, Black |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | hybrid | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 13.5 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 0.16599999368190765 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 7.5 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | proprietary |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | — |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | proprietary |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Nothing X | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | — |
Pros & Cons
Nothing Buds 2
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong battery (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Sennheiser IE 600
- Below average connectivity (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average comfort (29th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (33rd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 17 of 34 specs.