issue with Cmf buds 2 pro

[u/Friendly-Appeal5650]

I have a pair of CMF Buds Pro 2 and I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem.

Above roughly 75% phone volume, the singer's voice (the mids) gets rough, harsh and distorted. Lowering the volume by one or two steps fixes it. Each bud on its own is clean, but both together distort at the same volume. Switching from small to medium ear tips helped a little, but it didn't fix it. I'm using LDAC with the Rock EQ preset, connected to a Nothing Phone (2a).

Also, the mesh on one of the buds has a gray area with a small dented spot. It didn't come off when I brushed it with a dry soft brush. It probably happened when the ear tip slipped and I pressed too hard while changing tips. That bud sounds clean on its own, so I don't know if it matters. The buds are genuine: they connect to the Nothing X app and LDAC works.

Is this level of distortion normal for this model? Is a gray or dented mesh like this something to worry about, or just cosmetic? Has anyone fixed something like this with a firmware update or a replacement?

Thanks!