With the launch of the Headphone 1, Nothing begins a brand new chapter. In any case, that is the primary over-ear headphones and, to me, the boldest design but from the home of Nothing. Whereas it retains the signature clear design that has saved Nothing separate from the gang, the over-ear headphones class is not as simple as TWS.
The over-ear headphones cater to a various viewers, starting from audiophiles and music fans to avid gamers, content material creators, and a variety of execs. These people go for over-ear headphones for his or her alternative of superior sound high quality, consolation throughout prolonged put on, respectable noise cancellation, and sturdiness. Manufacturers like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, Apple, and some others are among the many hottest selections in India.
For Nothing Headphone 1 to crack this class, it must be an all-rounder as a result of design will not win you the race alone. Since this was Nothing’s first over-ear headphones, they have not left any stone unturned. Nothing partnered with KEF, an organization with a 60-year legacy in high-fidelity audio, to tune the headphones. I’ve been utilizing the all-new over-ear headphones from Nothing for a while to see whether or not they are often my day by day alternative for all issues, and on this assessment, I’ll break down what works and what would not work for the Headphone 1.
The Headphone 1 sports activities a classic look and nonetheless follows Nothing’s signature clear design language
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
Nothing Headphone 1 Design: Seems to be funky
- Headphone – 173.8x78x189.2 mm
- Weight – 329 grams
- Colors – Black and White
- IP52-rating
The over-ear headphones phase has loads of choices, however none appear like the all-new Nothing Headphone 1. Fortunately, Nothing manages to stay as much as its expectations within the design. The Headphone 1 contains a retro aesthetic look because of the resemblance of the cassette deck inside its clear oval housing on prime. The aluminium housing seems stable at first look, and the squared-off design ensures that Headphone 1 will stand out from the present sea of similar-looking over-ear headphones accessible available on the market.
The Headphone 1 weighs 329 grams, and the Softshell Case weighs 264 grams
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
The eye to element is top-notch, and Headphone 1 is by far Nothing’s boldest design but. Whereas I’ve to confess that design is subjective, and a few might not prefer it in any respect. The headphone contains a semi-transparent design type that has been a trademark of Nothing’s audio merchandise. Using aluminium provides it a sturdy really feel, whereas PU reminiscence foam provides softness for prolonged utilization. Nothing claims that it has put Headphone 1 via over 50 rigorous reliability checks, together with drops, twists, sweat, and publicity to excessive temperatures.
The PU reminiscence foam provides softness and brings consolation to the person
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
If there’s one factor that provides character to the general design of the Headphone 1, then it needs to be the bodily buttons on the gadget. The addition of the curler is implausible, and it really works nicely. Additionally it is satisfying to make use of. You may roll it to regulate the amount and click on to play or pause. With an extended press, you’ll be able to swap between Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode. There’s additionally a paddle beneath the curler to push proper to skip ahead or left to return. You can too maintain it to clean the pace. The adjustable arms with telescopic motion help you fine-tune the match and lock it into place earlier than use.
The headphones include a curler, paddle, and button
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
Nothing has additionally added an all-new button for immediate shortcuts. Nonetheless, this function is at present solely accessible with the Nothing Telephone 3 (and can quickly be rolled out to different Nothing smartphones), which the corporate refers to as Channel Hop. It switches between latest audio apps, be it Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music. It really works as supposed, and it’s gratifying to change between these apps with only one button press. On the remainder of the Android units and iPhones, the default motion launches the sensible assistant.
The Curler on the headphones can be utilized to regulate quantity, click on to play or pause, and long-press to toggle between ANC and Transparency Mode
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
The Headphone 1 comes with a Softshell Case, which is sturdy sufficient for day by day journey. Nonetheless, I’d have liked a small lanyard connected to this case, which might have made it extra handy to hold. The zipper strap is barely awkward, and I maintain struggling to zip it in a single clean movement. It has a devoted pouch to maintain a 3.5mm cable and a charging cable. The housing contained in the Softshell Case holds the headphones nicely if you end up placing it inside (when saved on a desk), however I discovered it inconvenient and virtually dropped the Headphone 1 as soon as throughout the assessment because the housing would not lock the headphones instead so while you unzip and open the case, chances are high the gadget is already out of its housing and will by chance fall out. That is an expertise that customers might encounter when utilizing it recurrently.
Throughout my assessment time, I might put on the Headphone 1 for lengthy hours with none fatigue. Nonetheless, what I seen was that once I’m not utilizing these, they’re round my neck. The corners (squarish housing) of the headphones are inclined to brush in opposition to one another. Effectively, this was one thing that I seen within the restricted time of the assessment, so how nicely the paint holds up is but to be seen.
Nothing says the interior driver is strengthened with a nickel-plated diaphragm
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
One other factor that will have made Headphone 1 the final word transportable gadget would have been the power to fold totally. It might probably solely rotate to put flat, which suggests should you’re not utilizing the case, then the headphones will take up more room in your bag.
The Headphone 1 is offered in White and Black colors. I bought the previous, and it appears to be like cool in white for positive. It comes with an IP52 score for mud and water resistance.
Nothing Headphone 1 App and Options: Packs a punch
- Google Quick Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair help
- Codecs – AAC, SBC, and LDAC
- Nothing X app help
Nothing has a repute with regards to app compatibility for its audio merchandise. The Headphone 1 receives help for the Nothing X, the corporate’s in-house app for all audio merchandise, and can probably be expanded to incorporate different ecosystem merchandise when the corporate decides to broaden past telephones and audio merchandise. I’ve already used this app for a number of Nothing merchandise, and it gives customers with full management over their listening expertise.
The Nothing X app has loads of customisation choices for customers
As soon as paired together with your gadget utilizing the Nothing X app, you’ll be able to fine-tune audio with an 8-band equaliser the place you’ll be able to create and save customized presets and even share your sound profile by way of a QR code with mates. The Nothing Headphone 1 contains a twin connection, permitting it to pair with two Bluetooth units concurrently. It is a superb addition to a private product like this, permitting you to change between your laptop computer and cellphone primarily based on the use case. You may customise all buttons for single press and press-and-hold capabilities. The app affords customisation choices for 3 controls: the button on prime of the aluminium casing, the Curler, and the Paddle on the again.
You may swap between ANC modes—Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off — by way of the Nothing X app. You can too select a spatial audio desire between head-tracking, fastened, and off. There is a devoted Bass Enhancement possibility for customers who love bass. The equaliser possibility affords loads of customisation choices however affords Balanced, Extra Bass, Extra Treble, and Voice as saved presets. I discovered the Balanced preset to be best for my liking. The Nothing X app, when related, reveals the battery standing of the Headphone 1 – a essential function for iOS customers. The Nothing Headphone 1 helps AAC, SBC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. It packs a complete of six mics, whereas Nothing says it used a 4-mic ENC name structure.
The Nothing X app is offered to obtain by way of Google Play and the App Retailer
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
For fast pairing, the Headphone 1 helps Google Quick Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. For gaming fans, the Headphone 1 comes with low-latency and low-lag modes. The headphone will get an LED charging (standing) indicator together with a swap to show the gadget on and off the gadget. As anticipated, the Headphone 1 helps on-head detection with auto-play and pause choices.
Nothing Headphone 1 Efficiency and Battery Life: Balanced output with stable backup
- Drivers – 40mm dynamic
- Tuning – Sound by KEF
- Battery – 1040mAh and fast-charging help
Nothing’s first over-ear headphones are spectacular if I can break it to you immediately with out a lot drama. Collaborating with the British audio firm KEF has paid dividends to the corporate. The sound is stable, balanced, and out-and-out enjoyable at instances. I started my audio checks with “Lodge California” by the Eagles to check the instrument separation and vocal readability. Fortunately, Don Henley’s vocals had been clear and pure, and the devices might be clearly distinguished. Subsequent up, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen affords enough dynamic vary, vocal layering, and general stability to check. The Nothing Headphone 1 managed to deal with the shifts between quieter piano, solo vocals, and bombastic layerings. The “Why So Critical?” from The Darkish Knight soundtrack was take a look at for Headphone 1, significantly to check the bass and dynamic vary. The headphones impressed, reproducing a clear rumble and dealing with the extreme sub-bass frequency successfully.
The Headphone 1 can pair with two Bluetooth units without delay
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
Energetic noise cancellation on the Headphone 1 is superb, although I felt that it would not fairly beat the Sony WH-1000XM5, which we reviewed in 2022 and called a benchmark for ANC. Nonetheless, that mannequin continues to be accessible at round Rs. 25,000, which is barely above the worth of the Headphone 1. The ANC kicks in shortly on the Headphone 1, as per Nothing, and scans the environment each 600 ms to adapt in real-time.
Dynamic head monitoring can be accessible on the Headphone 1 and affords a 360-degree audio subject that follows your place. Nonetheless, I really feel that the Apple AirPods Max does a better job in head-tracking, but it is almost three times the price of Nothing’s new over-ear headphones.
Because of the ear-cup depth and adjustable headband, you’ll be able to simply obtain a cosy seal, which, by itself, with none music taking part in, creates degree of noise discount. The Headphone 1 excels in calls, with name high quality remaining wonderful all through the assessment interval. It delivers wonderful microphone efficiency, dealing with real-world ambient noise throughout calls. Nothing makes use of AI to reinforce calls on its Headphone 1 because it comes with Clear Voice Know-how to isolate speech and suppress background noise.
The adjustable headband on the Headphone 1 has a pleasant high quality and feels sturdy
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
Nothing has claimed some spectacular battery life numbers for its first over-ear headphones. It claims as much as 35 hours of playback with ANC on and as much as 80 hours with ANC off. Moreover, it options fast-charging help, which may cost the headphones to 40% in below half-hour. The corporate claims that the headphones take about 2 hours to cost totally. Throughout my time testing the Nothing Headphone 1, it impressed me with its battery backup, and I did not even cost it throughout my three-day journey for the launch of latest Nothing merchandise, from 100% to 40% cost after over 25 hours of music playback and streaming utilization, with the amount at across the 60% mark.
The headphones include a devoted on and off toggle
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
Nothing Headphone 1 Assessment: Verdict
Nothing Headphone 1 does fairly nicely as a first-gen product from a model that is not even 10 years previous. It delivers a stable ANC efficiency and guarantees an extended battery life. The retro design is the product’s greatest USP, and I can assure that you simply will not discover something prefer it available in the market. The Nothing X app is implausible and affords loads of customisation choices. Most issues work in favour of Headphone 1.
However, being a Nothing product, there are some things that solely time can inform. As an illustration, with the clear design on the surface, it’s unclear how nicely it could possibly face up to day by day put on and tear. The top-tracking and ANC are usually not top-notch, however there’s not a giant hole between one of the best and Headphone 1. Although, keep in mind that the Sonys and Apples value rather more than this.
The Headphone 1 helps quick charging
Photograph Credit score: Mohit Dawar/ Devices 360
So, who should purchase the Nothing Headphone 1? When you’re in search of day by day headphones that look cool and switch heads, then that is the product for you. After all, the add-ons are the balanced sound output and wonderful battery efficiency. The pricing is a cracker and elevates the general product.
Instead, contemplate the Sony WH-1000XM5, which remains a solid contender on this worth phase.