Nothing Buds 2
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
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
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is a high-performance IEM praised for its natural and balanced sound, exceptional soundstage, and imaging that rivals much more expensive headphones. Users highlight its detailed midrange and controlled bass, making it excellent for gaming and critical listening. Some find the fit finicky due to the lack of venting, and it benefits from a dedicated DAC/amp to unlock its full potential. But overall, it's seen as a standout value in the audiophile IEM space.
Pros
- Natural and balanced sound signature
- Exceptional soundstage and imaging
- Detailed and clear mids
- Controlled and accurate bass
- Excellent for gaming and critical listening
Cons
- Comfort issues due to no venting
- Requires external DAC/amp for best performance
- Stock tips can cause poor seal or suction
- Bass may be too light for bass-heads
- Potential treble not for treble-heads
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 | Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.04 kg★ | 0.23 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | balanced armature |
| Driver Size | 11 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 2 | 8★ |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 5 kHz | 10 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite Performance Custom 8BA in-Ear Monitor IEM with Detachable 4-core 7N Oxygen-Free Copper OFC Cable, Handcrafts Faceplate for Audiophile Studio Musician (Clear) |
| 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 | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 55 hrs★ | — |
| Case Charging | USB-C | 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
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
- Strong user sentiment (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong sound (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Below average connectivity (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average comfort (28th percentile)
- Below average anc (31st percentile)
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 offers 17.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 14 of 34 specs.
