CMF by Nothing is the sub-brand making waves in the global audio market with premium specs at budget-defying prices. The CMF Pro Buds 2 is their flagship earphone, priced between ₱2,999 and ₱4,499 on Shopee PH. It’s a bold proposition: LDAC high-resolution audio, hybrid ANC, a 45-hour battery, and that unmistakable transparent design — all under ₱4,500. Here’s the full picture.
Design: Nothing Does It Differently
The first thing everyone notices about CMF/Nothing products is the design — the transparent case showing the internal components, the clean typography, and the precision-machined feel. The Pro Buds 2 continues this aesthetic with a semi-transparent case that looks genuinely striking when you pull it out in public. Three colorways — Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange — all feel intentional and premium despite the accessible price.
The earbuds themselves are compact in-ear designs with silicone tips in three sizes. The fit is comfortable for most ear sizes, and the seal is critical — a good seal dramatically improves both bass quality and ANC effectiveness.
Sound Quality: LDAC at This Price Is Remarkable
LDAC is Sony’s high-resolution Bluetooth codec that transmits up to 990kbps — three times the data of standard AAC. Most earphones with LDAC cost ₱7,000 or more. At ₱2,999–₱4,499, the CMF Pro Buds 2 brings this technology to a far broader audience.
With LDAC active on an Android phone, the sound quality is genuinely impressive — wide soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and detail retrieval that reveals textures in familiar songs you’ve never noticed before. Bass is controlled and punchy without bleeding into mids. The 11mm dynamic driver handles OPM, pop, jazz, and hip-hop with equal competence. The Nothing X app’s 10-band EQ lets you dial in your preferred signature.
Hybrid ANC: Effective for Daily Use
Hybrid ANC combines feedforward and feedback microphones for more comprehensive noise attenuation. The claimed -45dB is marketing-optimistic, but real-world performance is solid — MRT noise, air conditioning hum, and open-plan office chatter are all meaningfully reduced. It’s not Sony WF-1000XM5 level, but at ₱2,999 it outperforms many earphones at twice the price.
Transparency mode is also well-implemented — when you need to hear your environment, switching to transparency sounds natural and unprocessed, unlike the artificial quality some budget earphones produce.
Battery: 45 Hours Is Class-Leading
The Pro Buds 2 delivers 9.5 hours per earbud with ANC off (7 hours with ANC on), plus 35.5 hours from the case — totalling 45 hours without ANC. This is exceptional battery life for a mid-range TWS. Quick charge (10 minutes = 3 hours of playback) adds practical flexibility for busy Filipinos who forget to charge.
Sulit Ba? (Is It Worth It?)
- ✅ LDAC — hi-res audio quality usually reserved for ₱7,000+ earphones
- ✅ Hybrid ANC — effective noise reduction for commuting
- ✅ 45-hour total battery with quick charge
- ✅ Striking transparent design
- ⚠️ CMF service centres in PH still limited
- ⚠️ ANC doesn’t match premium Sony/Bose
Verdict
The CMF Pro Buds 2 punches well above its price in every metric that matters — sound quality, ANC, battery life, and design. For Filipino music enthusiasts who want the closest thing to audiophile wireless audio under ₱4,500, this is the earphone to buy on Shopee PH.
Rating: 8.3 / 10
