Nothing, through its sub-brand CMF, is making another move in the budget audio segment with the announcement of the CMF Buds Neo. These headphones were created with the clear goal of becoming the most affordable entry point to their product ecosystem, prioritizing simplicity and a recognizable design without sacrificing the key features that the average user looks for in their daily life.
Although the brand is usually known for its strong aesthetic campaign and carefully crafted marketing, this time they've opted to keep costs to a minimum. The big question that always arises with these kinds of launches is the same: have they cut corners on essential elements to offer an aggressive price, or have they achieved a well-balanced package for everyday use?
A design that maintains the brand's identity
If there's one thing CMF has mastered since its inception, it's visually distinguishing itself from the monotonous white or black plastic that dominates the lower mid-range market. The Buds Neo are no exception. They maintain the brand's signature geometric design, combining a square case with a two-tone circular dial that offers a striking contrast and a rather appealing tactile finish.
They also include a lanyard hole, a very practical detail for those who prefer to attach the case to their backpack or keys. As for color options, they will be available in white, black, and a rather understated dark blue.
Sound and noise cancellation: specifications on paper
Getting into the technical specifications, the CMF Buds Neo feature a 12.4 mm dynamic driver built with a titanium-coated PET dome and a flexible PEEK + PU surround. The goal behind this combination of materials is to deliver punchy bass without drowning out the mid frequencies and vocals.
Among the notable audio features are:
- Static spatial audio: designed to create a wider soundstage when playing recorded movies or concerts.
- Advanced equalization: access six pre-configured profiles or adjust a custom equalizer through the Nothing X app.
- Bass Enhancement: configurable in two levels (50% and 100%) to give more punch to the bass.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): promises a reduction of up to 35 dB with three manual modes and an adaptive option that adjusts the insulation according to the environment.
- Calls: features four HD microphones (two per earpiece) backed by Clear Voice technology to mitigate ambient noise.
ADVERTISING
Without having tested them thoroughly in real-world environments with a lot of traffic noise or public transport, the 35 dB of noise cancellation should be enough to dampen the usual murmur of an office or a walk down the street, although they will probably fall a step behind their bigger brothers in extremely noisy environments.
Autonomy and daily connectivity
The battery life is perhaps one of the strongest points of these headphones on paper. The brand promises up to 11 hours of continuous playback per charge in the headphones with noise cancellation disabled, reaching a total of 52 hours relying on the charge from the case (which has a 460 mAh battery).
With ANC enabled, battery life drops reasonably to 30 hours of combined use, a figure that remains quite competitive for its price range. They also feature USB-C fast charging, allowing you to get up to 5.5 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging—a lifesaver when you run out of battery right before leaving home.
ADVERTISING
A phased rollout
The commercial launch of these headphones will begin in the Indian market at the end of August with a promotional price of 1,999 rupees (approximately €22, though it remains to be seen how this will translate to the European and Latin American markets). They will be available in both local retailers and specialist stores starting August 26th, with their physical availability having been anticipated a few days earlier at the brand's flagship store in Bangalore.
We'll have to keep an eye on the coming weeks to confirm the exact date of their arrival in our usual stores and see if they manage to maintain that good balance between price, daily performance, and distinctive aesthetics.
Leave a Reply