Restore high fidelity playback on Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen

Overview

The Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen earbuds are praised for their transparent design and solid sound quality. Many owners notice that high‑fidelity playback can fade after a firmware update, a change in Bluetooth codec, or simply because the device falls back to a lower‑quality stream. This guide walks you through every step required to restore true high‑fidelity audio on your Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen. By the end, you will understand the role of codecs, Bluetooth settings, source material, and the Nothing app, and you will have a reliable setup that delivers the best possible listening experience.

What “high‑fidelity” means for wireless earbuds

High‑fidelity (hi‑fi) playback refers to audio that preserves the original detail, dynamic range, and frequency response of the source file. With Bluetooth earbuds, hi‑fi is largely dependent on three factors:

• Codec selection – AAC, SBC, LDAC, aptX, and the newer LC3 are the main codecs that determine how much data is transmitted.
• Source quality – Lossless formats such as FLAC, ALAC, or high‑bit‑rate AAC provide more detail than typical streaming‑quality MP3s.
• Device configuration – Both the transmitting device (phone, tablet, PC) and the receiving earbuds must be set to use the desired codec.

If any of these elements default to a lower‑quality setting, you will hear a noticeable drop in clarity, instrument separation, and overall richness.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, gather the following:

• A smartphone or tablet running Android 12 or later, or iOS 15 or later.
• The latest version of the Nothing Music or Nothing App installed from Google Play or the App Store.
• A reliable Wi‑Fi or cellular connection for firmware updates.
• Access to high‑resolution audio files or a streaming service that offers lossless quality (e.g., Tidal HiFi, Amazon Music HD, Qobuz, Apple Music Lossless).
• Optional: a Windows 10/11 PC with Bluetooth 5.2 support for advanced codec testing.

Verify firmware version

Out‑of‑date firmware is one of the most common reasons why earbuds revert to SBC or a reduced bitrate. Follow these steps to ensure you are on the latest release:

1. Open the Nothing App on your phone.
2. Navigate to Device Settings → Earbuds → About.
3. Check the Firmware version listed. Compare it to the version announced on Nothing’s official website or community forums.
4. If a newer version is available, tap Check for updates and allow the download and installation. Keep the earbuds in the charging case and maintain a stable Wi‑Fi connection during the process.

After the update completes, the earbuds will restart automatically. This step alone often restores the ability to use the high‑resolution codec.

Choose the optimal Bluetooth codec

Android devices

Most Android phones expose codec options in the hidden developer menu. Here’s how to enable and select the best codec for Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen:

1. Open Settings → About phone.
2. Tap Build number repeatedly until a message confirms that developer options are enabled.
3. Return to the main Settings screen and open System → Developer options.
4. Scroll to Bluetooth audio codec and tap to view the list. The available options may include SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX‑HD, LDAC, and LC3 (if supported by your phone’s hardware).
5. Select LDAC or aptX‑HD for the highest bitrate. If your device reports LC3, choose it, as it is the next‑generation low‑complexity codec designed for hi‑fi audio over Bluetooth.
6. Below the codec selector, you will find Bluetooth audio sample rate and bits per sample. Set the sample rate to 48 kHz and bits per sample to 16 bit (or 24 bit if supported). This matches the earbuds’ capability.

iOS devices

Apple restricts codec selection to AAC for most Bluetooth connections. However, the Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen can still deliver hi‑fi quality if the source is lossless and the streaming app supports it. Ensure the following:

• Use Apple Music with Lossless enabled in Settings → Music → Audio Quality.
• Keep the iPhone’s Bluetooth firmware up to date via regular iOS updates.

Windows PCs

If you prefer a PC as the source, you can use the Bluetooth Settings panel:

1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
2. Click More Bluetooth options under Related settings.
3. In the Audio tab, click Properties for the connected earbuds.
4. Choose LDAC or aptX‑HD from the Supported codecs dropdown, if available.

Ensure source material is high‑resolution

Even with the optimal codec, low‑bitrate audio will not sound hi‑fi. Verify that your music files or streams meet the following criteria:

If you are using a local library:

• Store FLAC or ALAC files directly on your device.
• Avoid converting lossless files to lossy formats before playback.

If you are streaming:

• Subscribe to the hi‑fi tier of the service.
• In the app’s settings, set Streaming quality to Lossless or Hi‑Fi.

Configure the Nothing App for audio optimization

The Nothing App offers several controls that directly affect audio playback:

1. Launch the app and select Earbuds from the home screen.
2. Tap Audio Settings.
3. Turn Adaptive Sound off. While adaptive sound adjusts volume based on ambient noise, it can also apply subtle equalisation that masks hi‑fi detail.
4. Enable Transparency Mode only when needed. Prolonged use of transparency can lower the effective bitrate as the earbuds blend external sound with the Bluetooth stream.
5. Set Equaliser to Flat or create a custom profile that does not over‑boost any frequency band. Excessive boosting can cause clipping, especially with high‑resolution audio.
6. Scroll down to Battery Optimisation. Disable any options that limit performance in the name of battery life, as these may reduce Bluetooth transmission power.

After adjusting these settings, place the earbuds back into your ears and play a test track.

Test the audio path with a diagnostic track

A reliable way to confirm that hi‑fi playback is active is to use a known diagnostic track, such as the Daft Pop “Audiophile Test” or a 24‑bit/96 kHz piano recording. Follow these steps:

1. Download the test file in FLAC format at 24‑bit/96 kHz from a reputable site.
2. Transfer the file to your phone’s internal storage or a cloud‑linked folder accessible by your music player.
3. Open a player that respects the file’s native resolution (e.g., Poweramp, Neutron Music, Apple Music for lossless files).
4. Start playback and observe the following indicators:
   • The Nothing App should display a Hi‑Fi badge or a codec indicator (e.g., “LDAC”). If you see “SBC” or “AAC”, revisit the codec selection steps.
   • The audio should sound clear, with distinct instrument placement and no audible compression artifacts.
5. If the track sounds compressed, repeat the codec configuration steps and double‑check that the Bluetooth settings have not reverted after a device reboot.

Resetting the earbuds to factory defaults

Sometimes hidden settings or corrupted Bluetooth caches prevent the earbuds from using the best codec. Performing a factory reset can clear these issues:

1. Place both earbuds in the charging case and keep the lid open.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (the small tactile button near the charging pins) for 10 seconds until the status LEDs flash white and then amber.
3. Release the button. The earbuds will power off briefly and then reboot, returning to factory defaults.
4. Open the Nothing App and go through the initial pairing process again.
5. Re‑apply the codec and audio settings described earlier.

A factory reset should be a last resort, as it clears any custom touch‑control mappings and saved preferences.

Advanced troubleshooting with a Bluetooth analyzer

For users comfortable with technical tools, a Bluetooth packet analyzer can confirm the exact bitrate being transmitted. Popular options include nRF Connect (Android) and BlueFruit (iOS). The process is as follows:

1. Install nRF Connect from the Play Store.
2. Open the app and start a Scanner session.
3. Locate your Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen in the device list (it will appear as “Nothing Ear‑1 Gen2”).
4. Tap the device and select Connect.
5. Navigate to Services → Audio Sink → Codec Configuration.
6. Observe the Codec ID, Sample Rate, Bits per Sample, and Bitrate fields. An LDAC connection should display a bitrate of 990 kbps, 660 kbps, or 330 kbps depending on signal strength, while aptX‑HD shows 576 kbps.

If the analyzer reports a lower bitrate than expected, repeat the codec selection steps while keeping the earbuds close to the phone to avoid automatic bitrate reduction due to interference.

Managing interference and maintaining high‑bitrate connections

Even with the correct codec, external interference can force the earbuds to drop to a lower bitrate. Here are practical measures to keep the connection stable:

• Keep the source device within 2 meters of the earbuds.
• Avoid obstacles such as metal cases, thick fabric, or large electronic devices between the phone and earbuds.
• Turn off Wi‑Fi on the source device if it shares the same 2.4 GHz band and you experience drops. Switching Wi‑Fi to the 5 GHz band reduces overlapping channel interference.
• On Android, enable Bluetooth scanning in Location settings to allow the OS to select the clearest frequency.
• If you use a Bluetooth transmitter (e.g., a DAC with a Bluetooth output), make sure it supports the same high‑resolution codec and that its firmware is up to date.

Using an external DAC or Bluetooth transmitter for ultimate fidelity

Some audiophiles prefer to bypass the phone’s internal Bluetooth stack entirely. A dedicated Bluetooth transmitter with LDAC or aptX‑HD support can provide a cleaner signal path:

1. Choose a transmitter that advertises LDAC or aptX‑HD and supports 24‑bit audio (models from Audioengine, iBasso, or FiiO are popular).
2. Connect the transmitter to a high‑quality DAC or directly to a computer’s audio output.
3. Pair the Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen with the transmitter, following the same codec selection steps in the transmitter’s companion app if available.
4. Play lossless audio from your source. Because the transmitter handles encoding, the phone’s Bluetooth stack no longer limits the bitrate.

While this setup introduces an extra component, it guarantees that the earbuds receive the maximum possible data rate.

Maintaining sound quality over time

After restoring hi‑fi playback, keep the experience consistent with a few maintenance habits:

• Clean the earbud drivers regularly using a soft, dry brush. Accumulated earwax can dull high frequencies.
• Update firmware at least once every six months. Nothing frequently releases stability patches that refine codec handling.
• Monitor battery health. When the battery level drops below 15 %, the earbuds may reduce transmission power, which can affect bitrate stability.
• Re‑apply audio settings after major OS updates, as Android and iOS sometimes reset Bluetooth codec defaults.

Summary checklist

Check each row after you finish the corresponding step. When all boxes are ticked, your Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen should be delivering the full high‑fidelity experience they were designed for.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the codec revert to SBC after a reboot?
SBC is the fallback codec used when the source device cannot confirm that both ends support a higher‑quality codec. This can happen if Bluetooth permissions were reset or if the device’s Bluetooth cache was cleared. Re‑select the codec in the developer options and restart the earbuds.

Can I use the earbuds with a Bluetooth‑only TV?
Most TVs only support SBC or AAC. To achieve hi‑fi playback, connect a Bluetooth transmitter that supports LDAC or aptX‑HD to the TV’s audio output. Verify the transmitter’s codec before pairing.

Is there any downside to forcing LDAC at 990 kbps?
Higher bitrate improves detail but consumes more battery and is more susceptible to interference. If you notice dropouts in a crowded environment, consider switching to LDAC 660 kbps or aptX‑HD for a more stable connection.

Do I need to enable “High‑Performance Audio” on Android?
Some manufacturers hide a performance mode that prevents the OS from throttling Bluetooth power. If your phone offers such a setting, enable it for the best possible link quality.

Final thoughts

Restoring high‑fidelity playback on the Nothing Ear (1) 2nd Gen is a combination of keeping software current, selecting the proper Bluetooth codec, feeding the earbuds with genuinely high‑resolution audio, and managing the wireless environment. By following the systematic approach outlined in this guide, you eliminate the most common pitfalls and unlock the earbuds’ full sonic potential. Enjoy the clarity, depth, and spatial imaging that come with true hi‑fi wireless listening.