Clear calls, LDAC Hi‑Res audio and long battery life — a practical mid‑range win
Ever been mid-meeting when the person on the other end sounds like they’re calling from inside a cereal box? Cheap earbuds and laptop mics turn important calls into a guessing game, and most earbuds either sacrifice call clarity for music or give you decent sound but sketchy battery life. We wanted something that actually handled both without sounding like a compromise.
Enter the Nothing Ear (3). Packed with LDAC Hi‑Res support, an adaptive ANC system, and a Super Mic array, these earbuds promise clearer calls, punchy streaming sound, and day-long battery life. We put them through real-world use — calls, commute noise, and high-res streaming — and found they strike a solid balance between practical performance and advanced features.
Nothing Ear (3) Wireless Earbuds with LDAC
We find these earbuds strike a strong balance between real‑world performance and advanced features — especially for voice calls and streaming Hi‑Res audio. They deliver consistent battery life, solid ANC, and a user‑friendly app that adapts sound to your hearing.
Overview
We approached these earbuds expecting a bold aesthetic and capable feature set; the Ear (3) delivers both in spades. Designed as a successor in the Nothing line, this model doubles down on practical improvements rather than gimmicks. In real use the standout elements are the call clarity enabled by the Super Mic system, LDAC Hi‑Res support for richer music detail, and a calibration‑heavy ANC that adjusts frequently to the environment. Our tests focused on everyday scenarios — commuting, walking, office background noise, and short workouts — to see how the earbuds behave across contexts.
What’s in the box and build quality
We inspected the case, buds, and accessories for real‑world durability and convenience. The case uses the signature transparent aesthetic and feels solid in hand. The buds are lightweight with a short stem and a venting system to reduce in‑ear pressure.
Ergonomics, fit, and daily comfort
Comfort is often the deciding factor for long listening sessions. The Ear (3) uses a contoured stem and silicone tips that create a snug yet non‑clamping seal. The venting system reduces the plugged‑in sensation, making them comfortable for prolonged wear — we wore them for multi‑hour listening sessions without discomfort.
Sound profile and Hi‑Res playback (LDAC)
We evaluated tonal balance, imaging, bass control, midrange clarity, and treble extension. The Ear (3) leans toward a warm, bass‑forward signature: lows are full and impactful without being overwhelmingly muddy, mids are present and vocal‑forward, and highs are reasonably detailed though not extremely bright. LDAC support gives a noticeable boost in resolution when paired with compatible Android devices and high‑quality sources — more texture and separation in complex tracks.
Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Transparency
ANC recalibrates up to 45 dB and monitors the environment every 600 milliseconds. In practice, this means ANC handles steady street noise and office hum well, though it doesn’t always match the extreme suppression of some flagship alternatives. Transparency mode is functional for quick conversations and crossing streets, but it can feel slightly processed compared with the most natural ambient passthrough modes we’ve tried.
Microphones and call performance (Super Mic)
The Super Mic system is a highlight: the charging case includes ambient filtering microphones that act as an auxiliary mic source. In noisy outdoor tests and windy conditions, callers reported clear, focused speech with minimal wind intrusions. For anyone who regularly takes voice calls outdoors, this is likely the most important advantage.
Battery life, charging, and real‑world runtime
Battery life is competitive: we saw about 5–6 hours of playback with ANC active per charge and up to 38 hours total with the case. A 10‑minute quick charge can yield several hours of playback, which is handy if you forget to charge before a short trip.
| Item | Measured / Spec |
|---|---|
| Earbud continuous playback (ANC on) | ~5.5 hours |
| Case + earbuds total | Up to 38 hours |
| Quick charge (10 minutes) | Up to 10 hours claimed |
| Charging methods | USB‑C and wireless charging |
App features and personalization
The Nothing X app adds meaningful customization. We used the hearing test to create a Personal Sound profile and adjusted the 8‑band EQ for different genres. The app also offers presets, spatial audio toggles, and shareable EQ QR codes from the community.
Durability and water resistance
IP54 rating means protection against dust ingress and splashes. These earbuds are fine for sweaty workouts and light rain, though they aren’t rated for full immersion. The build feels resilient enough for daily carry and commuting.
Who should buy these earbuds?
We think they’re ideal for people who prioritize call quality and a rich sound signature without chasing the absolute top‑end ANC nitpicks. If you frequently take calls outdoors, wish for Hi‑Res wireless playback on Android, or want an app that truly shapes sound, these are compelling.
Final impressions
Overall, we found the Ear (3) to be a well‑rounded pair of earbuds that balance practical improvements with a user‑centric feature set. They aren’t without minor tradeoffs — the transparency mode and ANC subtlety won’t satisfy every audiophile — but for everyday mixed use, call reliability, and Hi‑Res listening, they represent a strong choice.
FAQs
LDAC is supported on Android devices that include the codec in their Bluetooth stack. iOS devices do not natively support LDAC, so you won’t get LDAC on iPhones; you’ll still have high‑quality SBC or AAC depending on the connection.
The Super Mic system includes ambient‑filtering microphones built into the charging case that focus on your voice and reduce surrounding noise. In practice this significantly improves call clarity in windy or noisy environments when compared to typical in‑ear mics alone.
The Adaptive ANC is effective at reducing steady background hum such as public transport noise and engine rumble. It recalibrates frequently to adapt to changing environments, though it may not fully match the absolute noise suppression offered by a few flagship over‑ear models.
Yes, they have a secure ergonomic fit and multiple silicone tip sizes. They’re suitable for running and gym sessions, but if you do intense sweat‑soaked training, make sure tips are fitted correctly and consider ear‑hooks or stabilizers if you need extra security.
The Personal Sound hearing test tailors EQ to your hearing profile, which can noticeably improve perceived clarity and balance for some users. We found it useful as a starting point, and the 8‑band EQ in the app lets you tweak from there.
A 10‑minute USB‑C top‑up can give a long boost of playback time for short trips, and wireless charging is convenient for daily use. Keep the case charged regularly to make the most of the total 38‑hour runtime.