Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Review

Recently I started using the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max. I haven’t regularly used earbuds before. With earbuds, I often worry: “will they fall out while running?” But I was excited to try these because I’ve heard nothing but great things. With the positive feedback, they do come at a cost and are one of the more expensive headphones or earbuds out there.

What makes Nuheara IQbuds2 Max different?

Wireless ear bugs have grown in popularity over the last few years. There have been problems along the way, including falling out and lack of sound quality. There haven’t been many models that have stood out as being “the greatest.” Most people gravitate towards the Apple Earbuds since they are made by Apple.

The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max are unique because they incorporate hearing aid technology. They allow you to listen to the world around you and listen to your favorite music or podcast. You can also adjust them to filter out as much outside sound as you want. It ranges from hearing your surroundings to soundproof. That technology comes at a price. $399.00 for headphones is a scary price!

A few questions I’ve gotten about Nuheara IQbuds2 Max:

Do Nuheara IQbuds2 Max fall out while running? No.

Can you hear the outside world while using the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max? Yes.

Do you have to use noise cancellation? No.

How good is the sound quality of the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max? The best of any headphones I’ve used.

What comes with Nuheara IQbuds2 Max?

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max earbuds
Sharing case
Cloth carry bag
Micro USB charging cable
Six sets of earbuds
Guide

I was confused at first when they didn’t have ear tips but not adding the ear tips forces someone to find the best fit for them immediately. With most headphones, I usually stick with the default, so not having a default meant I looked for the right one. Thanks, Nuheara, for making me not lazy (this time around).

The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Design:

The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is a basic matte earbud. I don’t think they are aesthetically the best thing I’ve seen in my life.

Size: They are bigger than many competitors, including the Amazon Echo Bugs and Apple Ear Buds. In fact, the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is the biggest but they are the most solid-built earbuds I’ve tried. They aren’t heavy or cumbersome, and I’ve worn them for hours without feeling like they are “too much bulky.” Plus, IQbuds2 Max claims they are sweatproof and rain resistant, which, as we know, is important for running. One thing to note is they aren’t made to go swimming so don’t jump in the water. I personally don’t think I’ll use them in heavy rain just to be safe.

Charging Case: The charging case of the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is large. I appreciate it because I’m less likely to lose them. The earbuds fit right into the charging case with no issue. To keep them in place, they use a magnetic click and as well as a light to share they are charging. Getting them out might be slightly more problematic but not uncomfortable. The case fits into your pocket or bag with no issues.

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Controls:

It can’t really be understated how big the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max are. If you have small ears, you might find them too big. I have average-sized ears and haven’t had an issue with them fitting, but the size is worth mentioning.

The plus of the size of the IQbuds2 Max is they make contact with the entire concha. This means their fit is probably the most secure I’ve tried. They are likely to fall out while running, but keep in mind they weren’t “designed for running.” Neither was the original apple headphones, but we still use them.

Controls:

Each Nuheara IQbuds2 Max earbuds has a single-, double-, and long-touch command. The commands can be customized with the IQBuds app for iOS or Android. You’ll need to touch directly in the center of the headphone, which can take some time to get used to.

There are a few limitations, including:

Right earbud is the only one that can control hearing modes
A single touch on the right headphone can only be used for ANC on/off, Turn ANC off and pause music, or do nothing
Left earbud has more options, including volume, play/pause, track skip forward/back, and voice assistant access.

They are also equipped with sensors to automatically pause and resume your music when you remove the left earbud.

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Bluetooth:

The range of Bluetooth from your phone to the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is roughly 50 feet.

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Sound Quality:

Right off the bat, the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max have the best sound quality of any headphone I’ve ever tried, period. They were designed as hearing assistive devices. You’ll get the best sound quality when ANC is fully engaged, but even when using one of the many “world on” modes, the IQbuds2 Max delivers high-quality sound. Wow, I really didn’t even know headphones can be that good. I am so impressed. Maybe I’ve never had a “super nice headphone” but these are the best sound quality of anything I’ve tried.

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Noice Cancellation:

The ability to have noise cancellation is what sets Nuheara IQbuds2 Max apart from the rest. They give you more control over what you hear from the outside world. They don’t have too though and you are able to have complete noise cancellation or they will allow you to hear your surroundings. This makes them more useful because you can use them on an airplane without hearing others or walking down the street and hearing your surroundings.

BUT How Do They Do This?

The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max EarID:

When you first connect your IQbuds2 Max to the IQBuds app, you’ll be asked to take a hearing test. Many hearing tests try to find what you have trouble hearing and modify their headphones this way. The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is the opposite and finds what you can hear and modifies the headphones that way.

The test itself only takes 5-10 minutes. It gives you a series of tones at different frequencies and loudness for each ear. Then it gives you a map that shows where your hearing lacks sensitivity.

Once your test is done, you can turn on the EarID and see how it affects your listening experience.

The Locations Setting:

This was most important to me. If I want to use them outside, I want to hear cars and have situational awareness. I don’t want a noise cancellation headphones because that is unsafe. Using the street setting, I can hear cars and stay safe while not sacrificing sound quality. They have options including home, office, restaurant, driving, street, workout, and plane. Plus, you can select 4 as your favorites. Personally, I just use street and home.

Sound Enhancements:

Volume
The volume allows you to boose the microphone amplification. The more you turn the volume up, you’ll also hear less ambient hiss.

SINC (Speech in Noise Control)
The SINC enhancement lets you decide to prioritize either ambient or speech sounds, but you can also use a combination. Using the workout or street location allows you to hear more ambient sounds.

World EQ
I hadn’t heard of this until trying the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max. The World EQ allows you to filter out specific frequencies. If you’re on an airplane, you can filter the low jet engine noise. I haven’t flown commercially since starting using these, but I am looking forward to that!

Focus
The focus is great for conversations in loud environments such as a busy coffee shop. It’s easy, and it’s either on or off. When it’s off, all sounds are equal. When it’s on, the sounds directly near you get the priority.

The takeaway from all of this is the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max are the best headphones I’ve tried for both sound quality and noise cancellation.

Running with the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max:

I intended to use these for running. My biggest worry with is that they would cancel all surrounding noise, and I wouldn’t be able to hear runners, other cars, or anything else (lol, like whatever desert animal I’ll run into).

If that were the case, I wouldn’t use the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max outdoors at all. Safety is always the number one factor. The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max can cancel all outside noise, but they can let outside noise in.

The Major Perk For Running:

If you want to adjust the settings to hear the outside world, you can. Many people love Aftershokz because they go over your ear and you can hear outside noise. The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max can adjust to filter the same amount of ambient noise or even more, but what you hear’s sound quality is much better.

I’ve also used them on about 100 miles of total running and haen’t had an issue with them falling out. They’ve never fallen out of my ear since using them. I was shocked! That’s been my biggest fear of using earbuds at all. The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max also claim to be rain and sweat resistant. I’ve used them in light rain and haven’t had any issues. I haven’t taken them out in torrential rain just yet, and I really don’t plan to. I’m sure they would be fine, but I am not that risky.

In all, they are great for running. I wish I could find some issue with them while running, but I haven’t. The major “con” is solely the cost.

Battery life:

The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max can be used for 5 hours if you’re using them to listen to something and 8 hours for hearing enhancement. The charging case holds three complete charges and charges in 90 minutes.

Call quality:

I’m not someone who uses my phone with headphones, but I have a few times for reviewing these. The Nuheara IQbuds2 Max sounds much natural and not like talking through a straw. They also cancel most of the competing noise. In my case, they cancel a lot of wind when I’m walking and talking outdoors.

Warrenty:

They come with a one-year warranty. They are one of the most well-built earbuds I’ve seen. I think the first thing to go would be the battery.

Nuheara IQbuds2 Max Conclusion:

Whew, the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max is expensive, and there is no way to get around that. The price, however, is rewarded with one of the best sound quality, and I haven’t found another headphone that has the same features. If you are looking for high-quality headphones or the highest quality headphone, you won’t get better than the Nuheara IQbuds2 Max. They are great for nearly every type of activity you would use headphones in.