Over the past couple of years there’s been a virtual explosion in the popularity of earbuds. From being a little understood gadget initially reserved for committed audiophiles, it seems as though everyone but everyone has an interest in these practical and stylish in ear headphones.
It’s been argued that this sudden bloom in popularity is due, in no small way, to the fact that, because of how fast technology has advanced, earbuds are becoming smaller, more comfortable, and more functional than ever before. I still have hazy memories of 1986 when Bose Corporation unveiled the first commercially available noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort. We thought it was nothing short of witchcraft. Earbuds that could block out external noise in order to provide a more immersive audio experience. Flash forward to 2023 and noise cancelling technology has become l’ordre du jour (order of the day).
It’s also worth noting that many earbuds are now wireless, allowing for greater freedom of movement and eliminating the need for cables. And it’s an inescapable fact that our preferences as consumers has evolved a lot over the years. Many people, and I count myself among them, simply prefer earbuds over traditional headphones because they’re so portable and convenient. Ideal for busy bodies constantly on the go with smart phones in their pockets.
So, with so many manufacturers vying for their slice of the earbud market, how can one brand raise its profile and stand apart from its competitors? How can one brand help us separate the signal from the noise? It seems that NuraTrue may have found the answer.
The NuraTrue Pro Earbuds are a premium-quality wireless earbud solution that are designed for audiophiles who want the highest level of sound quality and customization options. NuraTrue Pro comes equipped with an impressive range of advanced features that will instantly whet the pallet of music enthusiasts who demand a lot from their audio devices. Not convinced? Just take a look at these specs:
Driver Configuration: Hybrid Dual Dynamic and Balanced Armature Drivers
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Active Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC with Social Mode
Battery Life: Up to 9 hours with ANC on and up to 18 hours with ANC off. With the charging case, battery life can be extended up to 24 hours with ANC on and up to 48 hours with ANC off.
Water Resistance: IPX4 rating (splash resistant)
~Business Game Changer Special Promotion~
Charging: USB-C charging for both the earbuds and charging case
Touch Controls: Customizable touch controls for music, calls, and voice assistant
Personalization: Nura personalized sound technology that measures your hearing and creates a personalized sound profile for you
Voice Assistant: Compatible with Google Assistant and Siri
Microphone: 6 microphones (3 per earbud) for clear voice calling and voice assistant commands
For anyone reading this review, the most notable feature of the NuraTrue Pro (and a feature I loved the most) has to be the CD-quality lossless audio over Bluetooth.
So what, in practical terms, does CD=quality lossless audio actually mean? Here’s what you need to know: Due to the limitation on the amount of data that can be carried over Bluetooth and the audio compression method (codec) traditionally employed, wireless headphones usually have lower quality compared to tethered ones.
All devices support sub-band coding (SBC), the standard Bluetooth audio codec, which provides audio quality up to 16-bit 48Khz at bitrates of 328 kbps.
Still with me? For most average users, this is ok but not great.
The problem is that all of the codecs used are lossy, which means that, in order to transport data over the air more effectively, the compression format discards information. So, effectively, what you’re hearing over Bluetooth will be different to what you might hear using a tethered device.
That’s where the NuraTrue Pro is a game changer. Its CD-quality lossless audio over Bluetooth via Qualcomm aptX Lossless, delivers an earbud audio experience unlike anything before. Honestly, the first time I listened to The Wu Tang Clan’s Reunited on the NuraTrue Earbuds, I swear it felt like I was standing next to the woman playing that incredible violin solo. Combine the CD-quality lossless audio with the NuraTrue Pro’s ability to adapt to the unique sound profile of each individual listener and you have an incredible product that guarantees that nothing – not even Bluetooth – comes between you and your music.
If you’re curious about how the unique sound profile works, the wizards at NuraTrue have managed this with their proprietary Ear ID technology, which measures the user’s hearing and tailors the audio output to their individual hearing profile. This ensures that the audio is optimized for each listener, providing a hugely satisfying and uniquely immersive audio experience. Excellent.
I also loved the NuraTrue Pro’s robust hybrid active noise cancellation, which did a great job of blocking out external noise, so that I could concentrate on my music.
If you look under the (virtual) hood, you’ll find that the NuraTrue Pro uses both feedforward and feedback microphones to cancel out external noise. This means that you can enjoy your music or take phone calls without being distracted by background noise. Additionally, the NuraTrue Pro offers a social mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without having to take off the earbuds.
During my ten day test run of the NuraTrue Pro I found the noise cancellation especially useful when traveling or in noisy environments (such as a busy offce).
While in the office I found the NuraTrue Pro a breeze to use with its touch controls that allowed me to control my music, take phone calls, and access my voice assistant with a simple tap or swipe. Smooth. In case you’re wondering the NuraTrue Pro is also compatible with Google Assistant and Siri, making it easy to access your favorite virtual assistant.
To be honest, the NuraTrue Pro has a lot of great points that really help sell the immersive sound experience.
Here’s a quick recap on the ones that struck a responsive chord with me:
CD-quality lossless audio (this has to be number one)
Proprietary Ear ID technology for personalized sound profiles. Essential if you’re ‘sharing buds with your bud.’ (Groan -Editor)
Hybrid active noise cancellation for improved audio performance in noisy environments
Long battery life with up to 6 hours of use (with ANC on) and up to 8 hours (with ANC off)
Additional 20 hours of battery life with the charging case
I could go on and on….
However during my test run, I did have a couple of minor niggles with the NuraTrue Pro. And, in the interest of balance, I think it’s worth pointing them out.
The first – and probably the biggest elephant in the room – has to be the high price point. At a hefty $329, the NuraTrue Pro are at the high end of the earbud market and may be out of the range of many ‘average’ users. But I guess there is a method to this madness. I would imagine that, by pricing itself at over $300, NuraTrue are making a bold statement which says these are earbuds tailored to users who value their audio experience. Seen in that light, the NuraTrue Pro’s price tag begins to make sense.
Price aside, the NuraTrue Pro is a game changer in the crowded wireless earbud market. With personalized sound, superior audio quality, advanced noise cancellation, long battery life, and ease of use, the NuraTrue Pro sets a new standard for wireless audio. Whether you’re a music lover, a frequent traveler, or just looking for a convenient and high-quality audio solution, the NuraTrue Pro is definitely worth considering. It’s a game changer. And we like that. Go buy.
9 out of 10
