Sweden-based Dirac has built a strong reputation in the hi-fi and home theater world for its room correction tech, but that’s just one part of the story. They’ve quietly expanded into automotive and headphone audio over the past few years—bringing the same DSP brainpower to smaller, portable spaces.
Now they’re doubling down on their partnership with London-based Nothing, the design-forward tech brand best known for its transparent gadgets and Gen Z hype machine. Their latest collaboration? The new CMF Buds 2, an affordable pair of wireless earbuds under Nothing’s budget-friendly CMF sub-brand. These are the latest to feature Dirac Opteo, a real-time audio optimization platform that corrects impulse and frequency response to squeeze the best possible performance out of the hardware—regardless of price point.
The goal? Better clarity, deeper bass, and a more natural soundstage—without needing to change a single component inside the earbuds.
The CMF Buds 2 mark the fourth wireless earbud from Nothing’s CMF sub-brand to feature Dirac’s smart audio tech. The growing lineup also includes the CMF Buds, CMF Buds 2a, and CMF Buds Pro 2—all aimed at delivering more refined sound without blowing past budget pricing.
By consistently integrating Dirac’s tuning and processing across the CMF range, Nothing is clearly leaning into software-driven performance gains. The result? More clarity, better balance, and a cleaner, more detailed soundstage—giving listeners a shot at hearing tracks the way the artist (or at least the mastering engineer) intended, without needing audiophile gear to get there.
CMF Buds 2: Budget Earbuds with Big Features and Dirac Optimization
The Nothing CMF Buds 2 pack a surprising amount of tech into a budget-friendly form factor. Inside are 11mm custom dynamic drivers, backed by Dirac Opteo for real-time audio tuning. You also get 48dB hybrid active noise cancellation, spatial audio support, and Ultra Bass Technology 2.0—Nothing’s take on low-end enhancement.
Call quality gets a boost from six-microphone Clear Voice Technology 3.0, while battery life impresses with up to 13.5 hours of playback per charge and a total of up to 55 hours when you include the case. The CMF Buds 2 are also IP55-rated, so they’re ready for light rain, sweat, and the occasional gym bag mishap.
Dirac Opteo: Real-Time Audio Tuning for a More Refined Listening Experience
To push the CMF Buds 2 beyond what budget hardware typically delivers, Dirac has integrated its Opteo technology—an advanced DSP platform that applies real-time corrections to both impulse and frequency response.
This isn’t just EQ tweaking. Opteo uses proprietary algorithms to compensate for the physical limitations of the drivers and housing, helping to unlock deeper bass, cleaner mids, and a more open, natural soundstage. It tailors the audio performance to the specific acoustic profile of the earbuds, giving the CMF Buds 2 a level of clarity and detail that punches far above the price point—without needing to change the hardware.
Dirac Opteo isn’t just another software layer—it’s a full-stack audio optimization system built on the same principles as Dirac’s high-end home theater room correction. For the CMF Buds 2, it removes unwanted resonances and distortion, resulting in a cleaner, more balanced, and natural sound.
The process starts with an accurate simulation of the outer ear, capturing the full frequency range as we actually perceive it. Those measurements are then used to build high-resolution impulse response models—capturing both magnitude and phase—to ensure precision across the spectrum. From there, Dirac’s algorithms create a target response curve that mimics studio-quality sound.
Users can stick with Dirac’s recommended curve or customize the tuning to suit the CMF Buds 2’s specific sonic character. Either way, the end result is consistent, high-fidelity performance across different headphone styles and noise-canceling modes. The final filters are lightweight and optimized to run directly on Bluetooth chipsets or source device DSPs—delivering high performance with low latency and minimal power drain.
Nothing Earbuds Comparison
| CMF Buds 2 | CMF Buds 2a | CMF Buds Pro 2 | CMF Buds | |
| Product Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Price | $49 | $49.00 | $69.00 | $39 |
| Driver | 2 x 11mm Dynamic (one for each ear) | 2 x 12.4mm Dynamic (one for each ear) | 2 x 11mm bass driver 2 x 6mm micro-planar tweeter | 2 x 12.4 mm driver |
| Diaphragm | PMI (Polymethacrylimide) + PU (Polyurethane) | Biofiber + Custom TPU | 11mm bass driver: PU (Polyurethane) + PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) titanium-coated 6mm micro-planar tweeter: PET + titanium-coated PET | Bio-fibre + custom TPU |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codec Support | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC, LDAC | AAC, SBC |
| Advanced Features | Dirac Opteo™Tuning by Nothing and Dirac™ Spatial Audio Effect Ultra Bass Technology Custom EQ | DiracTuning by Nothing and Dirac™ Ultra Bass Technology Custom EQ | Dirac Opteo™Tuning by Nothing and Dirac Spatial Audio Effect Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 Custom EQ Hi Res Audio up to 24 bits/96 kHz(LDAC) | Dirac Opteo™Tuning Nothing and Dirac Ultra Bass Technology 2.0 |
| Additional Features | In-ear detection LED charging status Low lag mode With Nothing Phone, less than 110 ms under Game Mode Find my earbuds | In-ear detection LED charging status Low lag mode With Nothing Phone, less than 110 ms under Game Mode Find my earbuds | In-ear detection LED charging status Low Lag Mode With Nothing Phone, less than 110 ms under Game Mode Find My earbuds Ear tips fit test | In-ear detection LED charging status Low Lag Mode: Nothing X app & Game Mode for Nothing smartphones Find My Earbuds Voice Assistant |
| Touch Controls | Double tap: Skip forward, answer/hang up calls Triple tap; Skip back, reject calls Tap & hold: Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode | Double tap: Skip forward, answer/hang up calls Triple tap; Skip back, reject calls Tap & hold: Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode | Double tap: Skip forward, answer/hang up calls Triple tap; Skip back, reject calls Tap & hold: Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode | Double tap: Skip forward, answer/hang up calls Triple tap: Skip back, reject calls Tap & hold: Switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode |
| Noise Cancellation Features | Environmental Adaptive ANC Transparency Mode | Environmental Adaptive ANC Transparency Mode | Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation Smart ANC algorithm Adaptive ANC Transparency Mode | Transparency Mode |
| Noise Cancellation Specs | Depth: Up to 48 dB Frequency range: 5200 Hz | Depth: Up to 48 dB Frequency range: 5200 Hz: | Depth: up to 50 dB Frequency range: 5000 Hz | Depth: Up to 42 dB Frequency Range 2900 Hz |
| Call Functions | Microphone x 6 Environmental noise-cancelling algorithm for calls Clear Voice Technology 3.0 Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 | Microphone x 6 Environmental noise-cancelling algorithm for calls Clear Voice Technology 3.0 Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 | Microphones x 3 Environmental noise-cancelling algorithm for calls. Clear Voice Technology 2.0 | Microphones x 4 AI Environmental Noise Cancellation Clear Voice Technology |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Connection range 10 m Dual Connection | Bluetooth Connection range 10 m Dual Connection | Bluetooth Connection range 10 m Dual Connection | Bluetooth Connection range 10 m Dual Connection |
| Battery Capacity | Buds: 53 mAh Case: 460 mAh Playback with ANC off: 55 hours with case and 13.5 hours with buds only Playback with ANC on / Transparency Mode:32 hours with case and 7.5 hours with buds only Talk time with ANC off: 35 hours with case and 8.5 hours with buds only Talk time with ANC on / Transparency Mode:30 hours with the case and 7 hours with the buds only | Buds: 43 mAh Case: 460 mAh Playback with ANC off: 35.5 hours with case and 8 hours with buds only Playback with ANC on / Transparency Mode:23 hours with the case and 2.5 hours with the buds only Talk time with ANC off: 18.4 hours with case and 8.5 hours with buds only Talk time with ANC on / Transparency Mode:15.6 hours with the case and 3.5 hours with the buds only | Buds: 60 mAh Case: 460 mAh Playback with ANC off: Up to 43 hours with case and up to 11 hours with buds only Playback with ANC on / Transparency Mode: Up to 26 hours with case and up to 6.5 hours with buds only With LDAC:Playback with ANC off: Up to 25 hours with case and up to 6.5 hours with buds only Talk Time Playback time info not provided. | Buds: 45 mAh Case: 460 mAh Playback with ANC off: 35.5 hours with case and 8 hours with buds only Playback with ANC on / Transparency Mode: 24 hours with case and 5.6 hours with buds only Talk time with ANC off: 24 hours with case and 5.2 hours with buds only Talk time with ANC on / Transparency Mode: 21 hours with case and 4.7 hours with buds only |
| Charging Features | ANC off: 10 min charge for 4 hours with buds only and 7.5 hours with case ANC on: 10 min charge for 2.4 hours with buds only and 4 hours with case Full charge with Type-C wire (charging case and earbuds): 93 mins for a full charge Full charge with charging case: 62 mins for a full charge | ANC off: 10 min charge for 4 hours with buds only and 7.5 hours with case ANC on: 10 min charge for 2.4 hours with buds only and 4 hours with case Full charge with Type-C wire (charging case and earbuds): 93 mins for a full charge Full charge with charging case: 62 mins for a full charge | ANC off: 10 min charge for 3 hours with buds only and 7 hours with case ANC on: 10 min charge for 1.8 hours with buds only and 6 hours with case Full charge with Type-C wire (charging case and earbuds): 70 mins for a full charge Full charge with charging case: 60 mins for a full charge | ANC off: 10 mins for 6.5 hours with case ANC on / Transparency Mode: 10 mins for 4.3 hours with case Wired charging: USB Type-C( no times provided) |
| Compatibility | Android 6.0 and above iOS 13 and above | Android 6.0 and above iOS 13 and above | Android 6.0 and above iOS 13 and above | Android 5.1 and above iOS 13 and above |
| Water & Dust Resistance (IPX Rating) | IP55 buds / IPX2 case | IP54 buds / IPX2 case | IP55 buds | IP54 buds |
| Fast pair | Google Fast Pair Microsoft Swift Pair | Google Fast Pair Microsoft Swift Pair | Google Fast Pair Microsoft Swift Pair | Google Fast Pair Microsoft Swift Pair |
| Nothing X App Features (iOS/Android) | Customize the equalizer and controls Find my earbuds Low lag mode Software updates | Customize the equalizer and controls Find my earbuds Low lag mode Software updates | Customize the equalizer and controls Find my earbuds Low lag mode Software updates | Customize the equalizer and controls Find my earbuds Low lag mode Software updates |
| Dimensions (Each Earbud) | 33.4 x 20.6 x 22.8 mm 1.14 x 0.81 x 0.9 inches | 32.5 x 20.3 x 24.3mm 1.28 x 0.80 x 0.97 inches | 33.1 X 20.2 X 23.8 mm 1.30 x 0.80 x 0.94 inches | 32.6 x 20.4 x 24.4mm 1.28 x 0.80 x 0.96 inches |
| Dimensions (Charging case) | 53.3 x 53.3 x 23 mm 2.1 x 2.1 x 0.91 inches | 54.7 x 54.7 x 23 mm 2.15 x 2.15 x 0.91 inches | 53.4 X 53.4 X 23 mm 2.10 x 2.10 x 0.91 ichnes | 54.7 x 54.7 x 22.9mm 2.15 x 2.15 x 0.90 inches |
| Weight (Earbud) | 4.5 g/0.16 oz | 4.28 g/0.15 oz | 4.9 g/0.17 oz | 4.57 g/0.16 oz |
| Weight (Charging Case) | 41.5 g/1.46 oz | 42.75 g/1.51 oz | 46 g/1.62 oz | 43.7 g/1.54 oz |
| Weight (Earbuds and Charging Case) | 50.5 g/1.72 oz | 51.31 g/1.81 oz | 55.8 g/1.97 oz | 52.84 g/1.86 oz |
| Colors | Dark Grey, Light Green, Orange | Dark Grey, Light Grey, Orange | Dark Grey, Light Grey, Orange, Blue | Dark Grey, Light Grey, Orange |
| In the Box | Earbud × 2 Charging case × 1 Ear tips in sizes S, M, L Safety information and warranty information × 1 User Guide × 1 | Earbud × 2 Charging case × 1 Ear tips in size S, M, L Safety information and warranty information × 1 User Guide × 1 | Earbud x 2 Charging case x 1 Ear tips in sizes S, M, L Safety information and warranty information × 1 User Guide × 1 | Earbud x 2 Charging case x 1 Ear tips in sizes S, M, L Safety information and warranty information × 1 User Guide × 1 |
From Fredric Tapper, Dirac’s Vice President and Head of Business Development: “With the CMF Buds 2, Nothing is delivering premium audio performance that rivals far more expensive alternatives,… Dirac Opteo transforms hardware through patented digital signal optimisation, unlocking high-resolution sound that’s rich, immersive, and true to the source. Our expanding collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making world-class sound more widely accessible.”
From Andrew Freshwater, Head of Smart Product Marketing at Nothing: “At Nothing, we’re driven by a desire to push boundaries in design, technology, and performance,…By integrating Dirac Opteo into the CMF Buds 2, we’re ensuring that users experience crystal clear sound quality in a product that’s as refined as it is accessible. Together with Dirac, we’re raising the standard for what consumers can expect from wireless audio.”
The Bottom Line
With Dirac Opteo baked into the CMF Buds lineup, Nothing isn’t just tossing flashy design at budget buyers—they’re delivering real sonic upgrades where it counts. Unlike room correction tech that often requires extra licenses or hardware, Dirac’s headphone optimization is built-in and ready to go out of the box. That means clearer sound, deeper bass, and a more balanced listening experience—without touching the EQ or spending a dime more.
Pair that with strong core features like hybrid ANC, long battery life, IP55 durability, and spatial audio, and you’ve got a sub-$100 earbud that punches way above its class. For Nothing, this Dirac-powered collaboration could be the differentiator that makes CMF a serious contender in the ultra-competitive budget wireless earbuds market. Especially as we head into summer, this combo of smart tech and accessible pricing makes a lot of sense for anyone looking to upgrade without overspending.
Price & Availability
- Nothing CMF Buds 2 – $49 at Amazon
- Nothing CMF Buds 2a – $49 at Amazon
- Nothing CMF Buds Pro – $69 at Amazon
- Nothing CMF Buds – $39 at Amazon
Related Reading
