lThe latest headphones from London-based Nothing feature an eye-catching design that breaks away from the typical aesthetics of noise-canceling models, offering a striking appearance reminiscent of both the Walkman and the Doctor Who Cybermen of the ’80s.
The large, translucent design certainly makes a statement, marked by intricate details, dot matrix printing, and physical buttons. However, it lacks any flashy LED elements that could be found on the company phone.
Priced at £299, these unconventional headphones enter a competitive market, challenging top names like Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser.
The visible components through the clear plastic exterior are purely decorative. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Striking, translucent ear cups extend from a sleek aluminum body, attached via adjustable black steel arms to ensure a perfect fit.
Weighing in at 329g, they are reasonably heavy but offer effective clamping that holds them securely without excessive pressure. The ear cushions are slim yet exceptionally comfortable, ideal for warm days, though the headband padding is somewhat lacking, potentially leading to discomfort after prolonged listening.
The right ear cup features five buttons and two ports: a power switch, USB-C port, and headphone jack at the base, along with a concealed Bluetooth pairing button on the inner edge. A rolling button controls volume and pauses playback, also toggling the noise-canceling feature.
The buttons and control levers are beautiful and tactile, providing a clear sense of touch. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Below the roller, there’s a paddle that moves from side to side. The last button outside the ear cup activates your smartphone’s voice assistant, but it can be adjusted for other functions like noise cancellation. Having multiple tactile buttons is a refreshing change from the touch or single-button setups common in many headphones.
Battery life offers 30-35 hours with noise cancellation on, or up to 80 hours without, which aligns with competitors and is sufficient for a week of commuting or travel. A full charge takes just 2 hours.
These headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 and can connect to two devices simultaneously. Additionally, they feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio playback via USB-C.
Specifications
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Weight: 329g
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Dimensions: 189.3 x 173.9 x 78mm
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Driver: 40mm
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Connectivity: Multipoint, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3 with USB-C charging and audio
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Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
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Rated battery life: 35 hours ANC
Sound by KEF, Noise Cancellation by Nothing
Thin yet comfortable memory foam ear cushions provide a sound-friendly seal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Partnering with KEF, a renowned British speaker manufacturer, has resulted in well-tuned audio for the Headphone 1 model. The sound profile is fairly balanced, delivering a punchy low-end while maintaining clarity in the mids. The sound stage is relatively wide, showcasing decent detail and great separation.
These headphones perform best with noise cancellation off; enabling it can narrow the sound stage and obscure more complex tracks. While they may not compete with the top-tier models for fine nuances, they offer a pleasant listening experience across various genres.
The noise cancellation is reasonably effective but lags behind the best in the industry. It handles lower frequencies well but struggles with higher pitches, particularly voices, even at maximum noise cancellation settings, lacking an option for focusing on a specific environment.
The transparency mode sounds natural but can be overly intrusive, amplifying ambient noise too much, which, while good for awareness, detracts from the music. Call quality is satisfactory, providing clarity even in noisy environments.
The Nothing x App, available on Android and iPhone, allows users to adjust settings, complete updates, and access comprehensive equalizers. Users can enable spatial audio for a more immersive movie-watching experience.
Sustainability
The physical power switch is well-positioned next to the USB-C and 3.5mm audio ports. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
These headphones are repairable, with replacement ear cushions available through customer service, but they are not constructed from recycled materials.
Price
The Nothing Headphone 1 retails for £299 (or equivalent in Euros/US Dollars at $299/$549) and is available in both white and black options.
In comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is priced at £399, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is available for £350, Sonos Ace for £399, Beats Studio Pro costs £350, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless retails for £199, and Fairbuds XL is priced at £219.
Verdict
The Nothing Headphone 1 distinguishes itself in a sea of similarly styled noise-canceling headphones. However, its bold design, particularly in white, tends to attract more attention than some may prefer.
While they deliver decent sound quality, their noise-cancellation capabilities don’t quite measure up to competitors at this price point. Additionally, the headband lacks adequate padding for long listening sessions.
With impressive battery life, excellent connectivity, and a robust app, they are certainly usable. However, additional physical buttons for playback and other controls would enhance the overall experience.
At the £300 price mark and its equivalents, there are better options available that combine superior sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort. Thus, these headphones may suit those looking for a distinct visual statement rather than purely performance.
Pros: Striking design, superb button controls, excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, well-designed apps for Android and iPhone, impressive spatial audio, 3.5mm and USB-C compatibility, Bluetooth multipoint, and a decent case.
Cons: The headband padding is somewhat thin, they are relatively heavy, not foldable for transport, average noise-cancellation performance, attract significant attention, and are priced on the higher side.
The headphones can rotate flat but do not fold for easy storage or travel. A larger case is provided. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Source: www.theguardian.com
