At first look, it looks as if they’ve all of the options of any fashionable buds — potent noise-canceling, wealthy sound, tons of battery, strong drop-tested construct.
However how are they in actuality? Are the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Professional snug, do they sound good? Let’s overview!
- 12.4 mm titanium coated drivers
- Faucet controls
- New BassWave 2 algorithm
- Bass-heavy sound
- Noise cancelation / transparency are OK
- Black shade is a grease-magnet
- Quick charging – no wi-fi
OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Professional specs
| Coloration choices | Black, Jade |
|---|---|
| Audio | 12.4 mm, AAC/SBC |
| Noise cancelation | 3 ranges of ANC, Transparency mode |
| Connectivity | BT 5.4, multipoint (twin gadget), Google Quick Pair |
| Battery life | ANC On: 5.5 hours from buds, +14.5 hours from case ANC Off: 12 hours from buds, +32 hours from case |
| Ingress resistance | IP55 for buds |
Design and Consolation
Oh, whats up there (Picture credit score – PhoneArena)
OnePlus modified the design of the Nord Buds 3 Professional, they used to have flat stems and a flat-sided case. Now, it is an oval-shaped case for simpler pocketing, and the buds themselves are extra “traditional-looking”.
The case is a little bit bit on the cumbersome facet, however we respect the graceful rounded form. Our black unit is an absolute fingerprint magnet and you’ll already see shiny spots when inspecting it nearer. We did clear it up for the design photos. The identical could be noticed on the black buds and their silicone ideas, which present indicators of sweat and grease fairly quickly after you begin utilizing them.
The buds themselves are extraordinarily snug — coming from somebody whose ears do not typically agree with in-ear buds, these match effectively, keep in, and do not trigger fatigue over time. No complaints right here!
Commonplace field innards (Picture credit score – PhoneArena)
We have now three tip sizes within the field, they usually appear to cowl a variety of ear shapes, however we really feel like customers with massive ear canals could not discover a correct match. I sometimes use small or medium ideas, relying on mannequin, however for the Nord Buds 3 Professional, I discovered the massive dimension to be one of the best match for me. There is not any dimension above that, except you go third social gathering.
The case is drop-tested to 1.5 meters, the buds themselves — 1.8 meters. So, OnePlus roughly coated pocket-height and head-height, respectively. We do not actually drop our gadgets, however the case does really feel like it could possibly take a fall. The flap has minimal wiggle left to proper, and opens and closes with a strong-feeling hinge.
Nonetheless, remember the fact that there is not any ingress safety ranking for the case. The buds themselves are IP55 rated — they’re protected towards each mud and water jets, although it is potential that some mud can get into them with out interfering with their operation.
Sound High quality
Did somebody say bass? (Picture credit score – PhoneArena)
From the get-go, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Professional are fairly bass-heavy. In case you set up the HeyMelody app, you will note the default EQ mode known as “balanced”, although we would not say it is that.
However they don’t seem to be a one-trick pony — they do not attempt to drown you in bass and ship no different musical info. In addition they have quantity of mids — boxy sufficient to sound meaty. The musical element is there, and the soundstage is surprisingly vast as effectively.
Then, in direction of the excessive vary, there is a perceivable hump — these are perceived as louder, with the telephone set to “regular” quantity when swapping from a unique pair of buds to those. Barely “shouty” is what audiophiles would name them.
So, the decision is — I am unable to scoff at these for $50. Not even for the $80 MSRP. In reality, I’ve advisable the Nord Buds 2 earlier than, when somebody asks me for “good, low cost earbuds”, and can proceed to take action with the Nord Buds 3 Professional.
In case you love bass, these ought to sound good to you out of the field. You want the app to activate the BassWave operate — which boosts it additional, however we discovered it redundant. Plus, it does not appear to spice up the duper-deep subs, however one thing round 120-200 Hz. We received higher outcomes by boosting the 62 Hz level within the customized EQ, after which pulling BassWave into the negatives to attain a thumping, however not overbearing bass.
Noise Cancelation and Transparency
Did somebody say something? (Picture credit score – PhoneArena)
OnePlus says these can decrease sounds within the frequency vary beneath 4 kHz at as much as -49 dB. And it does really feel that manner. Now, you should set the Noise Cancelation profile to Max, and be sure you permit the earbuds to calibrate to your ear canals (once more, the HeyMelody app). We discovered they’re very efficient at muting rustling, bustling, and noise, scaling down voices, and eradicating buzzing.
Battery life
OnePlus’ numbers state 12 hours from the buds and 44 hours whole with the case. However that is with the ANC set to off. In case you select to make use of it, these numbers fall drastically — 5.5 hours and 20 hours, respectively. That is an enormous drop, nevertheless it is smart, because the ANC is definitely so efficient on these.
There is not any wi-fi charging on the case — that is one of many bells and whistles that need to go after we are speaking funds earbuds (that sound good). Nevertheless it helps quick charging through USB C — 60 minutes to high up the case from 0%, 80 minutes if each the case and buds are at 0%.
In case you solely have 10 minutes to cost — you’ll be able to nonetheless get 11 hours of music listening, OnePlus says, however that is with ANC off.
Conclusion
Not a nasty package deal! (Picture credit score – PhoneArena)
We have been anticipating price-to-quality ratio out of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Professional, and weren’t upset. We have been pleasantly shocked by the brand new design, which is extraordinarily snug, and the very efficient ANC, which normally seems like an afterthought on cheaper buds.
These will not be an audiophile’s dream, however we did not discover them offensive. All devices in our tracks have been correctly represented, the soundstage felt vast, and the harmonies and musical info have been effectively delivered. If we have now to complain, they lack a pleasant pristine sizzle — should you dial the highs up, they simply sound harsh. And there is a thump to them that you could’t dial out, with out making them sound weak.
It appears their signature “character” is prioritizing a punchy really feel and clear vocals. And we won’t scoff at that in any respect — it appears these titanium-coated 12.4 mm drivers aren’t any joke! The HeyMelody app is a should for optimum expertise.