Nothing Buds 2
KZ AM16
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
KZ AM16
The KZ IEMs are widely praised for their impressive sound quality, with clear highs, rich mids, and deep bass that many find perfect for music and gaming. Users appreciate the lower listening volume needed, which reduces ear fatigue, and the comfortable fit with multiple ear tip sizes. However, one unit arrived with internal damage and unbalanced sound, and the stock rubber tips could be better. Overall, these are seen as a great value upgrade from previous models, especially when paired with a DAC.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality
- Clear highs and rich mids
- Deep satisfying bass
- Lower listening volume reduces ear fatigue
- Comfortable fit with multiple ear tip sizes
Cons
- One unit arrived with internal damage
- Unbalanced sound on defective unit
- Stock rubber tips could be better
- Heavy for running
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | KZ AM16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | — |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | 0.07 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | balanced armature |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 2 | 8★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | KZ AM16 in Ear Monitor Headphones 16BA Drivers HiFi IEM Earphones High Clarity Gaming Earbuds Clarity in All Frequency Stereo Sound Comfortable Headphones for Musicians (Deep Base, Nomic) |
| 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★ | — |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | — |
| Case Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| 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
KZ AM16
- Strong sound (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong comfort (72nd percentile)
- Below average connectivity (28th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
- Below average social proof (35th percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 offers 4.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 31 specs.
