CMF Clip Pro Earbuds Offer Budget-Friendly Open-Ear Audio

The new CMF Clip Pro earbuds have arrived, striking a balance between affordability and performance in the growing market of open-ear audio devices. Priced at $99, these clip-style earbuds are designed for users who prefer not to have earbuds inserted directly into their ear canals, offering a comfortable alternative that still delivers good sound and environmental awareness.

Clip earbuds inherently involve compromises. Their open design provides excellent awareness of surroundings, but it can impact sound quality and bass response. To compensate, users often need to turn up the volume, which can lead to sound leakage. High-end options from brands like Bose, Sony, and Shokz can cost upwards of $200. However, the CMF Clip Pro, a sub-brand of Nothing, aims to make this technology accessible, with an initial sale price of $79, positioning them as a strong contender in the budget segment.

Comfort is a key selling point for the Clip Pro. The flexible band reportedly avoids pressure points around the ear, and the design sits comfortably without causing irritation, even during extended listening sessions. This makes them particularly appealing for individuals who find traditional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable or difficult to fit. The lack of a sealed fit does affect sound consistency, making them less ideal for critical listening, but for everyday music playback and podcasts, they perform admirably.

The audio profile of the CMF Clip Pro includes a default bass boost, which helps to enhance the listening experience without an in-ear seal. Users can further customize the sound through the Nothing X app, which offers a three-band equalizer. However, the app's EQ controls have been noted for their unintuitive operation, where adjusting one slider can affect other frequency bands. Despite this learning curve, the EQ allows for significant personalization.

Enhanced Audio Features and Connectivity

Beyond basic listening, the Clip Pro supports fixed spatial audio for a more immersive soundstage, though its impact on an open-ear design is subtle. The earbuds also offer support for high-resolution audio via LDAC, a feature rarely seen at this price point. While the benefits of LDAC are more pronounced with sealed earbuds, its inclusion here provides a higher fidelity option for audiophiles. For everyday use, such as listening to radio station broadcasts or music playlists, the sound quality is generally satisfying, though ambient noise can sometimes make spoken content harder to discern.

Addressing the challenge of ambient noise, users can increase the volume to overcome distractions. The earbuds are equipped with multiple volume control options. These include adjustments via the connected device, physical buttons located on the earbud capsules, or a novel dial on the charging case. This case dial, which can be assigned various functions, offers playback control and assistant access. However, some users have found the dial's resistance insufficient, leading to accidental adjustments when the case is in a pocket. The CMF Clip Pro offers an option to disable the dial, relying instead on the well-functioning, albeit slightly delayed, earbud buttons or the phone itself.

Call quality on the Clip Pro is reported to be robust, avoiding the issues experienced with other recent Nothing products. While the microphone employs an aggressive noise gate to filter out background sounds, it generally ensures clear communication. For individuals speaking at normal volumes, voices are easily understood. However, softer speech may be slightly clipped or muffled, a common characteristic of microphones attempting to isolate voice from environmental noise. This highlights the overall performance of the earbuds: they function well within the technical limitations of their open-ear design, making them a compelling choice for users prioritizing comfort and accessibility.