Nothing Buds 2 Plus B184
Technics EAH-AZ80
What Buyers Say
Nothing Buds 2 Plus B184
The CMF Buds 2 Plus are widely praised for delivering exceptional value, with many users claiming they rival or surpass far more expensive competitors like AirPods Pro 2 and Bose headphones in audio quality and noise cancellation. The customizable EQ and app experience are standout features, though some note a bass-heavy default tuning and mediocre performance on classical music. Noise cancellation is effective for most ambient sounds but may struggle with loud gym noises, and a few users experienced software quirks like audio cutting out, which were resolved by disabling in-ear detection.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Great sound quality with customizable EQ
- Effective noise cancellation for most environments
- Comfortable fit
- Excellent app experience
Cons
- Bass-heavy default tuning
- Mediocre performance on classical music
- Noise cancellation struggles with loud gym noises
- Some software glitches (audio cutouts)
- Bulky charging case
Technics EAH-AZ80
The Technics EAH-AZ10 earbuds receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, featuring clear separation, wide soundstage, and natural tuning that rivals higher-end models. Users praise the comfortable and secure fit, effective noise cancellation that doesn't muddy the audio, and impressive battery life lasting up to 7 hours. However, a few critical reviews highlight poor touch controls that are unresponsive, and one user experienced a significant volume imbalance after 1.5 years, with the company offering only a 10% discount on a replacement rather than a fix. Overall, these are highly recommended for audiophiles and daily use, but potential buyers should be aware of possible durability and control issues.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality with clear separation
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Effective noise cancellation without audio degradation
- Impressive battery life up to 7 hours
- Great call quality
Cons
- Unresponsive touch controls
- Volume imbalance after extended use
- Poor customer service for defects
- Bulky design for some users
- ANC not sufficient in very loud environments
Scores
Specifications
| Nothing Buds 2 Plus B184 | Technics EAH-AZ80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Weight | 0.05 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | LCP | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 12 mm★ | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 7 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 2.5 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 10-minute charge for 8.5 hours of playback | 15 Minutes for 1.1 Hours |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 61.5 hrs★ | 16 hrs |
| Case Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Wireless Charging | — | ✓★ |
| Capacity | — | 85 mAh★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6 | 8★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Alexa, Siri |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | Nothing X | Technics Audio Connect |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | — |
| Bone Conduction | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Nothing Buds 2 Plus B184
- Strong mic (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong anc (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong sound (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average affordability (30th percentile)
Technics EAH-AZ80
- Strong mic (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong connectivity (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong anc (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Below average affordability (10th percentile)10th %ile
Pricing
Nothing Buds 2 Plus B184 offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 86 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 14 of 37 specs.
