NuraTrue Buds: Nura's First Fully Wireless Earbuds
The Maturing Earbud Market and Nura's Unique Approach
Currently, I am evaluating several recently released earbuds, and a notable trend is emerging: most are remarkably good. While variations in quality exist, the earbud category has rapidly matured and become incredibly widespread in a short period.
Almost all hardware manufacturers have entered this market, often with multiple offerings. Excellent earbuds are available for over $200, and reasonably good options can be found for under $100. A wide range of quality exists within this price spectrum, but features are largely consistent, mirroring the homogenization seen with smartphones previously.
Nothing's Ear (1) and Nura's Core Identity
Differentiation as a Key Strategy
Distinguishing products was a central theme during the launch of Nothing’s Ear (1). This focus on differentiation is also fundamental to Nura’s brand identity from its inception. However, while Nothing envisions its earbuds as part of a larger ecosystem, Nura remains dedicated solely to headphone development.
This dedication stems from Nura’s core strength: its unique audio technology, which has been central to the company’s efforts since the early prototype stages of the original Nuraphones, even with their bulky, exposed circuitry.
Introducing the NuraTrue Earbuds
The $200 NuraTrue earbuds represent the company’s third headphone offering, following the over-ear Nuraphones and the tethered Nuraloop. The designation “true” signifies a fully wireless design, moving away from the neckband style of the previous Nuraloop model.
Launching earbuds with a wired connection seemed unusual at the $199 price point, especially considering Apple’s AirPods were released four years prior (the year Nura was founded). Nura addressed practical technical challenges with a magnetic connector, allowing the earbuds to function as wired headphones – a feature appreciated for travel.
The Technology Behind Nura's Sound
Nura's Unique Listening Experience
When questioned about transitioning to a fully wireless design, Nura co-founder Dragan Petrovic explained that their approach wasn’t simply assembling existing components. The company delivers a distinctive listening experience through onboard technology that transmits sound into the ear and analyzes the returning reflections.
According to Nura, this system creates a personalized sonic profile based on the analysis of these reflections, adjusting settings accordingly. This process feels remarkably innovative, particularly when comparing the default and customized sound settings.
From Nuraphones to NuraTrue: A Progression
The original Nuraphones quickly gained recognition as a highly recommended headphone, a significant achievement for a young hardware startup. Since then, anticipation has grown for Nura’s entry into the fully wireless market, and the NuraTrue buds largely deliver on that promise.
The excellent sound quality is largely preserved – a considerable accomplishment. These headphones reveal subtle details often missed in similarly priced products, offering a more balanced audio experience. However, the quality of the source material will still influence the perceived nuances.
Trade-offs and Considerations
The Impact of Size
A reduction in size inevitably results in some compromises. The Nuraphones’ powerful bass response, achieved through the ear cups, is partially replicated by the immersion slider within the accompanying app. However, the immersive effect of the over-ear cups cannot be fully duplicated.
Different form factors inherently involve trade-offs; otherwise, only one headphone style would exist. The NuraTrue earbuds are surprisingly lightweight, weighing 7.4 grams each, and offer excellent comfort. Like other Nura products, the headphones assess the ear seal during initial setup, and the NuraTrue generally provided the best seal of the three models.
Comfort and Fit
For individuals prone to ear discomfort from earbuds, the NuraTrue have proven comfortable for extended wear. The weight distribution and unique twisting design ensure a secure fit, preventing them from falling out during exercise.
Noise Cancellation and Battery Life
The active noise cancellation is adequate, though not class-leading. A minor inconvenience is the need to use the app to toggle ANC and the immersion feature on and off. This reliance on the app, along with the importance of sound profiles, means the earbuds are more closely tied to the app than many competitors. [Update: Nura confirms that ANC can be controlled via app gestures.]
Battery life is rated at six hours on the earbuds and 24 hours with the charging case. Charging the case from zero to full takes approximately 2.5 hours, which shouldn’t be problematic for most users. The case features four battery indicator lights, a convenient addition.
Connectivity and Future Improvements
Bluetooth Performance
A surprising issue is the Bluetooth connectivity. While many recently tested headphones have exhibited stable connections, the NuraTrue occasionally experiences dropouts. Although the NuraTrue uses Bluetooth 5.0 (the same version as the AirPods Pro), the connection isn’t as reliable as some other recent models.
The built-in microphone also requires improvement, as it introduces distortion during calls. These issues, while not critical, should be addressed in future iterations.
Overall Assessment
Despite these minor drawbacks, the NuraTrue earbuds are well-rounded, comfortable, and offer a distinctive sound experience thanks to the company’s unique sound profiling technology. For many users, they render the Nuraloop largely obsolete, although Nura intends to maintain the Nuraloop due to its extended battery life and analog audio jack compatibility.
Ultimately, it’s encouraging to see a legitimate hardware startup continue to challenge established brands with innovative technology. I had anticipated Nura being acquired by a larger company, but I am pleased they have chosen to remain independent.
