Nothing debuts Headphone 1 with clear design and premium audio

After a collection of wi-fi earbuds, Nothing is getting into the over-ear headphone market with its Headphone 1. These new headphones mix the model’s signature clear aesthetic with an attention-grabbing array of controls and boast as much as 35 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Priced at $299, the Headphone 1 launches alongside Nothing’s new flagship smartphone, the Phone 3, marking their most premium audio launch up to now. Pre-orders start July 4th, with gross sales beginning July fifteenth in black and white color choices.

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True to Nothing’s id, the Headphone 1 instantly appears like a product from the corporate. The design incorporates a clear factor that includes an oval form that exposes components of the inner {hardware}, set towards an aluminium rectangle with curved corners. The two metallic dots on every oval are acoustic chambers, not buttons, as one may initially assume. While the white possibility leans into the traditional “Nothing” look, the black model gives a barely extra delicate tackle the distinctive design.

Nothing has opted for a mixture of bodily buttons, paddles, and a curler as a substitute of contact sensors. The curler management gives exact quantity changes and could be pressed to play/pause tracks or long-pressed to change between ANC and transparency modes. While practical, the side-to-side motion of the curler for vertical quantity modifications feels a bit unconventional.

Below the curler, a paddle management permits for observe skipping and even features a rewind operate, although this characteristic’s compatibility is determined by third-party app help. On the identical ear cup, a standard button supplies a shortcut to voice assistants and Nothing’s Essential Space software program. When paired with Nothing telephones, this button allows seamless switching between latest audio apps, a characteristic that can first roll out to the Phone 3 earlier than reaching older Nothing units. Supported apps already embrace Audible, Soundcloud, and Patreon, along with commonplace music streaming providers. A discreet Bluetooth pairing button can also be situated on the internal facet of the ear cup, stopping unintentional unpairing.

Comfort seems to be a precedence for Nothing. As somebody accustomed to wi-fi earbuds, the sub-12-ounce (329 grams) Headphone 1 felt surprisingly gentle and cozy. They are practically two ounces lighter than Apple’s AirPods Max, a product Nothing appears to be immediately concentrating on, although some Bose fashions and the Sony WH-1000XM6 are even lighter. The ample PU leather-based padding on the ear cushions and headband is designed to withstand oils and make-up, and any sweat residue was simply wiped off throughout testing. The adjustable arms additionally securely held their most popular size.

The Headphone 1 options customized 40mm dynamic drivers, supporting Hi-Res Audio and spatial audio with head monitoring. The ANC system makes use of 4 suggestions microphones. The headphones additionally provide twin system connection, permitting seamless switching between a Nothing Phone 3 and a laptop computer, for instance.

Nothing collaborated with KEF on acoustic engineering and proprietary tuning instruments, aiming for a sound profile that faithfully reproduces music as supposed by artists throughout regular playback, ANC, and Spatial Audio modes. In preliminary testing, the Headphone 1 delivered a bass-forward soundscape that was noticeably richer than Nothing’s earbuds. However, vocals sometimes sounded a little bit muddy in comparison with different premium headphones. Nothing states these have been pre-release items and software program, so potential enhancements might come.

The up to date Nothing X app supplies an 8-band EQ and permits remapping the “Button” (a separate management from the paddle and curler) to features like channel hopping, AI voice assistants, noise management, spatial audio, and even switching to a favorite EQ preset.

Battery life is spectacular, with Nothing claiming as much as 80 hours of audio playback and 35 hours with ANC enabled. Initial exams confirmed round 35 hours with ANC on, a standard use case for quiet workplace listening. A fast five-minute cost can present over two and a half hours of listening.

The Headphone 1’s design is undeniably divisive, but it’s distinctly totally different, which is core to Nothing’s philosophy.