The Nothing Ear (3a) earphones are a subtle yet significant upgrade from their predecessor, offering a blend of style, functionality, and audio quality. However, they don't quite reach the heights of the EarFun Air Pro 4+, which is a strong contender in the affordable earphone market. The Ear (3a) is a solid choice for those seeking a stylish, feature-rich pair of earphones, but it may not be the best value for money. In my opinion, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a more compelling option, especially for those seeking superior noise cancellation and longer battery life.
One thing that immediately stands out is the design. The Ear (3a) buds and case exude style, with a bold use of colors and a stem-style design. However, the case feels cheap and is not very secure, with a small lip that makes it difficult to open and magnets that are too strong, causing the buds to launch out when dropped. The buds themselves are fairly typical, with a bulbous driver housing and an extended stem that sits outside the ear. The touch sensors are responsive and intuitive, allowing for easy control of playback and ambient noise modes.
The audio quality is excellent overall, but leans a little too far into the low end by default. The buds offer a wide frequency response, with a crisp high end and depth that enhances the listening experience. However, the boosted bass can be overbearing in some tracks, and the tight soundstage can make it difficult to discern individual instruments in orchestral music.
The noise cancellation is adequate, effectively lowering the overall sound of the surroundings and canceling out low, droning sounds. However, it doesn't work miracles, and people's voices and higher-pitched sounds still come through. The ambient pass-through mode is quite useful, allowing for clear surroundings while still enjoying the music. The app experience is well designed and easy to use, with a simple interface for controlling settings and EQ presets.
In terms of battery life, the Ear (3a) lasts a little longer and charges a little faster than the outgoing model, but it still falls short of the EarFun Air Pro 4+. The buds are rated for up to 10 hours of playback, plus another 32 hours in the case, but this varies widely depending on the codec and ANC settings. The case is IP54-rated for dust and water, marking an upgrade over the predecessor's IPX2-rated case.
Overall, the Nothing Ear (3a) is a solid choice for those seeking a stylish, feature-rich pair of earphones. However, it may not be the best value for money, and the EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a more compelling option for those seeking superior noise cancellation and longer battery life. Personally, I think the Ear (3a) is a good choice for those who want a stylish, high-quality pair of earphones, but it's not the best value in the market.
