Desk of Contents
Nothing is healthier than getting high-quality tech with out paying excessive costs.
That is the thought 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 a superb $100 to $150 cheaper than most premium flagship releases lately, and as of July 15, obtainable to order.
As somebody who’s examined their share of funds to premium headphones, I do know that funds headphones lately 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 snug put on.
The Nothing Headphone (1) has a singular, futuristic design.
Credit score: Bethany Allard / Mashable
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.
(Be aware: the next are my first impressions primarily based on a few days of use. Although not prone to change dramatically, my opinions might 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:
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Measurement: 174mm x 189mm x 78mm
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Case dimension: 220mm x 220mm x 52mm
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Weight: 329 grams
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Playback with ANC: As much as 35 hours
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Playback with out ANC: As much as 80 hours
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Quick charging: 5 minutes for five hours of playback (or 2.4 hours with ANC)
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Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC
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Water resistance: IP52 rated for water and mud resistance
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Inputs: USB-C and three.5mm headphone jack
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Microphones: 4
Nothing Headphone (1): The nice
Design
At the beginning, these headphones do not seem like the rest in the marketplace. 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 admire a model not going for the blatant copy of already standard headphones. And I can admire them providing two distinct colorways: white and black.
The white nothing headphones in comparison with the silver Sony WH-1000XM5s.
Credit score: Bethany Allard / Mashable
Aesthetics apart, I really like that Nothing went for tactile on-ear controls over contact controls. I discover buttons to usually 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 change, 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 degree of customizability undoubtedly makes them really feel like a premium pair of headphones.
From this vantage level, you’ll be able to see three of the 5 on-ear controls: the amount curler, the paddle management, and the spherical button.
Credit score: Bethany Allard / Mashable
Much less sensible is the dearth of folding ear cups, however Nothing does preserve the carrying case profile extremely slim. I additionally should shout out the clear design of the companion app, which gives loads of avenues for personalisation with out a lot of a studying curve.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
Energetic noise cancellation
Talking of customization, Nothing’s headphones include customizable ANC, at three completely 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 number of years, however I have been seeing it pop up in additional funds 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 strong. It isn’t fairly as highly effective as Bose or Sony’s flagships — which is smart, 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 associate, who additionally works from dwelling.
Sound high quality
These headphones have been created in partnership with KEF to provide high-fidelity sound, and the result’s a sound profile that, to date, epitomizes the phrase first rate.
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 decent quantity of readability, however it simply would not evaluate to costlier choices. Nevertheless, with the companion app, it does have probably the most intricate equalizers I’ve ever seen on shopper headphones. I must mess around with it extra earlier than I give my last ideas, however I’m impressed by its existence.
The app equalizer gives easy…
Credit score: Screenshot / Nothing
And superior equalizers.
Credit score: Screenshot / Nothing
Alongside the equalizer, the app additionally gives a bass enhancement mode with a number of completely different ranges, and two completely different sorts of spatial audio (mounted and head-tracking) that, upon a hearken to “In My Life” by the Beatles, undoubtedly 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 price $500. At a $300 worth level, I am impressed.
Nothing Headphone (1): The dangerous
Consolation
I am going to 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, however it wasn’t my cup of tea. For me, I like the sensation of headphones so snug and light-weight that I overlook I am carrying them. Although the Headphone (1) weren’t outright uncomfortable, they do squeeze and crush 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 simply 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 wonderful 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 value stating once more that these are my very preliminary, out-of-the-box impressions. I am curious to mess around extra with the intensive equalizer settings and check 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 dearth of passive playback. Although not a massively essential function, I can not wrap my head across the development of requiring headphones to be on for the aux wire to supply audio playback — it defeats the aim. It is a smaller gripe (and one additionally seen on the QC Extremely headphones), however one value mentioning.
On-ear quantity management
As a lot as I really like the tactile expertise, the amount curler is my least favourite of the on-ear buttons. I admire the thought behind swiping left or proper to alter the amount, however the actuality is that it is arduous to regulate the quantity both manner, and the best way it registers contact is inconsistent.
The place to purchase the Nothing Headphone (1)
When you’re prepared to take a look at the Nothing Headphone (1) primarily based on the above, you should purchase it now from Amazon or Nothing’s web site.
The place to purchase Nothing Headphone (1)
