Sound Quality: Nothing Ear (2) vs. Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro
The Nothing Ear (2) produces bright, detailed audio with prominent treble through its 11.6mm dual-chamber drivers, creating an analytical sound that reveals fine details but often becomes harsh and fatiguing with sharp upper frequencies that make vocals sound thin and metallic. The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro delivers a more balanced, engaging presentation with its coaxial dual-driver system featuring an 11mm bass driver and 10mm piezoelectric ceramic tweeter, offering rich bass, clear mids, and smooth highs that create a more musical and enjoyable listening experience without the aggressive brightness of the Nothing earbuds.
While the Nothing Ear (2) excels at technical detail retrieval, this comes at the expense of natural timbre and listenability, whereas the Redmi Buds 5 Pro’s advanced driver configuration maintains excellent separation and clarity while delivering the warmth and body that makes music emotionally satisfying. Both support Hi-Res codecs (LHDC vs LDAC), but the Redmi earbuds provide superior ANC performance with up to 52dB reduction compared to the Nothing’s more modest noise cancellation, plus longer battery life and more comfortable extended use.
Verdict: What should you buy?
Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro if you want balanced, musical sound quality, superior 52dB active noise cancellation, longer 38-hour total battery life, advanced dual-driver technology, and comfortable listening without harshness or fatigue. Select the Nothing Ear (2) if you prioritize unique transparent aesthetics, prefer analytical detail-focused audio with prominent treble, and don’t mind the sharp upper frequencies that can make extended listening sessions tiring.
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro offers better overall value with its natural tuning, advanced ANC technology, longer battery life, and dual-driver sophistication that makes it ideal for daily use, travel, and serious music listening. The Nothing Ear (2) primarily appeals to users who value distinctive design and specifically prefer bright analytical sound signatures, though the harsh treble and weaker ANC limit its broader appeal for everyday enjoyment and practical noise isolation needs.