CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 Plus B184
Sony WF-1000XM5
What Buyers Say
CMF BY 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
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds receive mixed feedback. Many users praise the excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them great for travel and workouts. However, a significant number of complaints focus on Bluetooth connectivity issues, poor ANC compared to previous models, and fit problems that cause discomfort or earbuds falling out. Battery life and case charging also draw criticism, with some users experiencing defects. Overall, while the audio performance is often lauded, reliability and fit concerns prevent a higher rating.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable app
Cons
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Poor ANC compared to previous models
- Fit problems causing discomfort
- Earbuds fall out easily
- Case battery drains quickly
Scores
Specifications
| CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 Plus B184 | Sony WF-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | — | XS, S, M, L |
| Weight | 0.05 kg | 0.01 kg★ |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | LCP | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 12 mm★ | 8.399999618530273 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 102 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | LDAC | AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Dolby Atmos |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | — | USB Type C |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 8 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 2 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 10-minute charge for 8.5 hours of playback | 3 Minutes for 1 Hour |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 61.5 hrs★ | 24 hrs |
| Case Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Wireless Charging | — | ✓★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6 | 6 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | ChatGPT | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | Nothing X | Sony Headphone Connect App |
| Volume Limiting | — | ✗ |
| Gaming Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bone Conduction | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 Plus B184
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong sound (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong anc (90th percentile)90th %ile
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong mic (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (12th percentile)12th %ile
Pricing
CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2 Plus B184 offers 2.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 13 of 40 specs.
