I attempted the Nothing Headphone (1): First impressions assessment

Desk of Contents

Nothing is healthier than getting high-quality tech with out paying excessive costs.

That is the concept behind the discharge of tech start-up Nothing’s first pair of over-ear headphones, the aptly named Headphone (1). Clocking in at $299, these headphones are an excellent $100 to $150 cheaper than most premium flagship releases today, and as of July 15, accessible to order.

As somebody who’s examined their share of price range to premium headphones, I do know that price range headphones today can typically punch above their weight, however {that a} cheaper price additionally comes with some trade-offs, whether or not that be barely much less highly effective ANC, much less customizability for sound and on-ear settings, or a much less comfy put on.

With that in thoughts, I anticipate the $299 Nothing Headphone (1) to be nice in some areas, and simply OK in others — to date, my preliminary testing has confirmed that expectation true.

(Observe: the next are my first impressions primarily based on a few days of use. Although not prone to change dramatically, my opinions could develop as I spend extra time with these headphones.)

Nothing Headphone (1): The specs

Earlier than we get into my ideas, this is the fundamentals of what you may encounter with these headphones:

• Dimension: 174mm x 189mm x 78mm

• Case dimension: 220mm x 220mm x 52mm

• Weight: 329 grams

• Playback with ANC: As much as 35 hours

• Playback with out ANC: As much as 80 hours

• Quick charging: 5 minutes for five hours of playback (or 2.4 hours with ANC)

• Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC

• Water resistance: IP52 rated for water and dirt resistance

• Inputs: USB-C and three.5mm headphone jack

• Microphones: 4

Nothing Headphone (1): The nice

Design

Before everything, these headphones do not appear to be the rest available on the market. That is typical for Nothing, whose earbuds and telephones lean on a futuristic, typically clear design. Whereas the look is not precisely my favourite, I do recognize a model not going for the blatant copy of already in style headphones. And I can recognize them providing two distinct colorways: white and black.

Aesthetics apart, I like that Nothing went for tactile on-ear controls over contact controls. I discover buttons to typically be extra dependable and simpler to make use of than the contact controls on headphones just like the Sony WH-1000XM6s. Together with the devoted on/off swap, these headphones have a Bluetooth button, an exterior spherical button, a paddle button, and a curler button. Every comes with its personal presets that may be custom-made, incomes these headphones much more factors. This thoughtfulness of design and stage of customizability positively makes them really feel like a premium pair of headphones.

Much less sensible is the shortage of folding ear cups, however Nothing does preserve the carrying case profile extremely slim. I additionally need to shout out the clear design of the companion app, which provides loads of avenues for personalization with out a lot of a studying curve.

Mashable Gentle Velocity

Lively noise cancellation

Talking of customization, Nothing’s headphones include customizable ANC, at three totally different ranges, plus an adaptive ANC mode. After the discontinuation of the Bose 700 headphones, adjustable ANC appeared to take a again seat for a couple of years, however I have been seeing it pop up in additional price range fashions from EarFun and Skullcandy, although it isn’t in additional premium choices just like the Bose QC Ultras or Sony’s newest launch.

General, the AI-powered ANC is stable. It is not fairly as highly effective as Bose or Sony’s flagships — which is sensible, contemplating these headphones have 10 and 12 mics respectively, which assist out with ANC. Nonetheless, these headphones do muffle the sound of my typing and my companion, who additionally works from residence.

Sound high quality

These headphones had been created in partnership with KEF to supply high-fidelity sound, and the result’s a sound profile that, to date, epitomizes the phrase respectable.

I even have a sound high quality part under — that is as a result of I actually really feel like these headphones fall most within the center on this particular class. For its good factors, it has some depth out of the field with a good quantity of readability, nevertheless it simply does not examine to costlier choices. Nevertheless, with the companion app, it does have probably the most intricate equalizers I’ve ever seen on client headphones. I must mess around with it extra earlier than I give my closing ideas, however I’m impressed by its existence.

Alongside the equalizer, the app additionally provides a bass enhancement mode with a number of totally different ranges, and two totally different sorts of spatial audio (mounted and head-tracking) that, upon a take heed to “In My Life” by the Beatles, positively makes a distinction within the listening expertise.

Battery life

At 35 hours per full cost with ANC on, these headphones have higher battery life than the AirPods Max, Bose QC Ultras, and Sony WH-1000XM6s. The Dyson OnTrac have them beat at 55 hours, however additionally they value $500. At a $300 value level, I am impressed.

Nothing Headphone (1): The dangerous

Consolation

I will begin with the purpose that might simply be in another person’s professional column: how these headphones put on. Different reviewers have discovered the stronger grip and heft of those headphones preferable, nevertheless it wasn’t my cup of tea. For me, I like the sensation of headphones so comfy and light-weight that I overlook I am sporting them. Although the Headphone (1) weren’t outright uncomfortable, they do squeeze and overwhelm my head — I a lot favor choices just like the Bose QuietComfort line or the Sony WH-1000XM5 or XM6s for long-term put on. All this to say, headphone match might be so private.

So-so sound high quality

To be clear, these headphones do not sound in any respect dangerous. They only do not fairly match up with the remainder of the premium market proper out of the field. The extra bass-heavy cowl of “God Solely Is aware of” by Scary Pockets and Pomplamoose lacked a richness and a few readability, whereas “Cookie” by New Denims sounded adequate, however not glorious in the best way it sounds on the Sony WH-1000XM6s. In different phrases, to date, the sound profile of those headphones displays their cheaper price level.

It is also price declaring once more that these are my very preliminary, out-of-the-box impressions. I am curious to mess around extra with the in depth equalizer settings and take a look at out the spatial audio extra to see how that impacts my expertise with the sound.

No passive playback

The place I do not think about my opinion altering is the shortage of passive playback. Although not a massively necessary function, I can not wrap my head across the development of requiring headphones to be on for the aux twine to offer audio playback — it defeats the aim. It is a smaller gripe (and one additionally seen on the QC Extremely headphones), however one price mentioning.

On-ear quantity management

As a lot as I like the tactile expertise, the amount curler is my least favourite of the on-ear buttons. I recognize the thought behind swiping left or proper to vary the amount, however the actuality is that it is onerous to regulate the quantity both method, and the best way it registers contact is inconsistent.

The place to purchase the Nothing Headphone (1)

In case you’re prepared to take a look at the Nothing Headphone (1) primarily based on the above, you should buy it now from Amazon or Nothing’s web site.