Nothing Buds 2
KZ AS10
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 AS10
The KZ AS10 is widely praised for its balanced, warm sound signature with detailed highs and punchy bass, offering excellent value for money. Users highlight its comfortable fit, good isolation, and build quality, though some report inconsistencies between units, particularly with bass response and treble harshness. It is recommended for both casual listening and professional in-ear monitoring, but potential buyers should be aware of possible quality control issues.
Pros
- Balanced and warm sound signature
- Excellent value for money
- Comfortable fit for long listening
- Good isolation and low sound leak
- Detailed highs and punchy bass
Cons
- Inconsistent quality between units
- Bass may be lacking in some pairs
- Treble can be harsh on some units
- Slightly large for small ears
- May require burn-in for optimal sound
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | KZ AS10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | — |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | balanced armature |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 2 | 5★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 14 Ω |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | KZ AS10 IEM Headphone, 5 Balanced Armature Driver KZ Earbuds Wired Earphone, Stereo HiFi in Ear Monitor Headphone Musician Headset Earphone with Detachable 2 Pin Cable(No Microphone, 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★ | — |
| 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 (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
KZ AS10
- Strong social proof (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average mic (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average connectivity (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average comfort (28th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 offers 2.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 18 of 31 specs.
