Are the AirPods Pro 3 better than Nothing? - Nothing Ear (3)

Quick Overview

The Nothing Ear (3) earbuds launch at $180, positioning them as cheaper alternatives to AirPods Pro 3, but they feature significantly overcooked bass out of the box and inferior noise cancellation, while offering superior custom EQ tuning capabilities and a unique, potentially useful 'talk button' microphone feature built into the case.

Key Points: The Nothing Ear (3) launch price is $180, making them cheaper than AirPods Pro (which are implied to be more expensive), though this is an increase from previous Nothing earbud generations that started at $100. Out of the box, the Nothing Ear (3) exhibit severely overcooked bass, measuring "way way way out here" compared to the preferred bass band, which the reviewer found comical. When comparing EQ graphs, the AirPods Pro 3 and Nothing Ear (3) are similarly V-shaped, but the AirPods sound warmer due to elevated lower mids, whereas the Nothings have depressed lower mids and sound colder. The customizability of the Nothing Ear (3) app is a major advantage, allowing users to import lab-tuned EQ profiles, such as the one made by DMS, which dramatically improved the sound profile by balancing the V-shape. Noise cancellation on the Nothing Ear (3) is described as "normal," with the reviewer expecting the AirPods Pro 3 to be on "the next level" that others will take years to catch up to. A unique feature is the 'talk button' on the case, a dual microphone array allowing for walkie-talkie style communication that provides crystal clear voice calls, which could be a deciding factor between competing products. Battery life is cited as 5.5 hours listening with ANC on for the buds, totaling 38 hours, though the case offers less total playback (22 hours with ANC on) compared to the previous generation.

Context: The video reviews the new Nothing Ear (3) earbuds, positioning them against the anticipated AirPods Pro 3, as viewers seek cheaper alternatives that might offer better sound quality despite potential trade-offs. The review covers the physical design, which features a redesigned case with an aluminum band and transparent elements, along with an initial sound test that immediately revealed significant bass tuning issues that required software correction.