Nothing Headphone 1 Review: Retro Cool, Balanced Sound

With the launch of the Headphone 1, Nothing begins a brand new chapter. After all, that is the primary over-ear headphones and, to me, the boldest design but from the home of Nothing. While it retains the signature clear design that has stored Nothing separate from the group, the over-ear headphones class is not as easy 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 pros. 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. Brands like Sony, Sennheiser, Bose, Apple, and some others are among the many hottest decisions 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 evaluation, 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
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

Nothing Headphone 1 Design: Looks funky

• Headphone – 173.8x78x189.2 mm
• Weight – 329 grams
• Colours – Black and White
• IP52-rating

The over-ear headphones phase has loads of choices, however none appear to be the all-new Nothing Headphone 1. Thankfully, Nothing manages to stay as much as its expectations within the design. The Headphone 1 includes a retro aesthetic look due to 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 obtainable available on the market.

The Headphone 1 weighs 329 grams, and the Softshell Case weighs 264 grams
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

The consideration to element is top-notch, and Headphone 1 is by far Nothing’s boldest design but. While I’ve to confess that design is subjective, and a few could not prefer it in any respect. The headphone includes a semi-transparent design kind that has been an indicator of Nothing’s audio merchandise. The use of aluminium provides it a sturdy really feel, whereas PU reminiscence foam provides softness for prolonged utilization. Nothing claims that it has put Headphone 1 by 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
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 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 effectively. It can be satisfying to make use of. You can roll it to regulate the quantity and click on to play or pause. With an extended press, you’ll be able to swap between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode. There’s additionally a paddle under the curler to push proper to skip ahead or left to return. You can even maintain it to clean the pace. The adjustable arms with telescopic motion mean you can fine-tune the match and lock it into place earlier than use.

(*1*)

The headphones include a curler, paddle, and button
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

Nothing has additionally added an all-new button for fast shortcuts. However, this function is at present solely obtainable with the Nothing Phone 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 works as meant, and it’s pleasant to modify between these apps with only one button press. On the remainder of the Android units and that iPhones, the default motion launches the sensible assistant.

The Roller 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
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

The Headphone 1 comes with a Softshell Case, which is sturdy sufficient for day by day journey. However, I’d have cherished a small lanyard hooked up 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 easy 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 effectively if you find yourself placing it inside (when stored on a desk), however I discovered it inconvenient and nearly dropped the Headphone 1 as soon as throughout the evaluation because the housing would not lock the headphones as an alternative so whenever you unzip and open the case, chances are high the gadget is already out of its housing and will unintentionally fall out. This is an expertise that customers could encounter when utilizing it repeatedly.

During my evaluation time, I may put on the Headphone 1 for lengthy hours with none fatigue. However, what I observed was that when I’m not utilizing these, they’re round my neck. The corners (squarish housing) of the headphones are likely to brush towards one another. Well, this was one thing that I observed within the restricted time of the evaluation, so how effectively the paint holds up is but to be seen.

Nothing says the interior driver is strengthened with a nickel-plated diaphragm
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

Another factor that will have made Headphone 1 the final word moveable gadget would have been the power to fold absolutely. It can solely rotate to put flat, which implies should you’re not utilizing the case, then the headphones will take up extra space in your bag.

The Headphone 1 is offered in White and Black colors. I received the previous, and it seems to be cool in white for positive. It comes with an IP52 score for mud and water resistance.

Nothing Headphone 1 App and Features: Packs a punch

• Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair assist
• Codecs – AAC, SBC, and LDAC
• Nothing X app assist

Nothing has a status in terms of app compatibility for its audio merchandise. The Headphone 1 receives assist for the Nothing X, the corporate’s in-house app for all audio merchandise, and can seemingly be expanded to incorporate different ecosystem merchandise when the corporate decides to increase past telephones and audio merchandise. I’ve already used this app for a number of Nothing merchandise, and it supplies customers with full management over their listening expertise.

The Nothing X app has loads of customisation choices for customers

Once paired along 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 buddies. The Nothing Headphone 1 includes 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 modify between your laptop computer and telephone based mostly on the use case. You can customise all buttons for single press and press-and-hold capabilities. The app gives customisation choices for 3 controls: the button on prime of the aluminium casing, the Roller, and the Paddle on the again.

You can swap between ANC modes—Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and Off — by way of the Nothing X app. You can even select a spatial audio choice between head-tracking, mounted, and off. There’s a devoted Bass Enhancement choice for customers who love bass. The equaliser choice gives loads of customisation choices however gives Balanced, More Bass, More Treble, and Voice as saved presets. I discovered the Balanced preset to be superb for my liking. The Nothing X app, when related, reveals the battery standing of the Headphone 1 – a mandatory 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 Store
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

For fast pairing, the Headphone 1 helps Google Fast 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 Performance and Battery Life: Balanced output with stable backup

• Drivers – 40mm dynamic
• Tuning – Sound by KEF
• Battery – 1040mAh and fast-charging assist

Nothing’s first over-ear headphones are spectacular if I can break it to you right away 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 occasions. I started my audio checks with “Hotel California” by the Eagles to check the instrument separation and vocal readability. Thankfully, Don Henley’s vocals had been clear and pure, and the devices could possibly be clearly distinguished. Next up, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen gives ample dynamic vary, vocal layering, and general steadiness to check. The Nothing Headphone 1 managed to deal with the shifts between quieter piano, solo vocals, and bombastic layerings. The “Why So Serious?” from The Dark Knight soundtrack was a great take a look at for Headphone 1, notably 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 directly
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

Active 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 known as a benchmark for ANC. However, that mannequin remains to be obtainable 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 obtainable on the Headphone 1 and gives a 360-degree audio subject that follows your place. However, I really feel that the Apple AirPods Max does a greater job in head-tracking, however it’s nearly thrice the worth of Nothing’s new over-ear headphones.

Thanks to the ear-cup depth and adjustable headband, you’ll be able to simply obtain a comfortable seal, which, by itself, with none music taking part in, creates a great degree of noise discount. The Headphone 1 excels in calls, with name high quality remaining wonderful all through the evaluation 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 Technology to isolate speech and suppress background noise.

The adjustable headband on the Headphone 1 has a pleasant high quality and feels sturdy
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 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. Additionally, it options fast-charging assist, which may cost the headphones to 40% in below half-hour. The firm claims that the headphones take about 2 hours to cost absolutely. During 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 recent Nothing merchandise, from 100% to 40% cost after over 25 hours of music playback and streaming utilization, with the quantity at across the 60% mark.

The headphones include a devoted on and off toggle
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

Nothing Headphone 1 Review: Verdict

Nothing Headphone 1 does fairly effectively 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 out there. The Nothing X app is implausible and gives loads of customisation choices. Most issues work in favour of Headphone 1.

But, being a Nothing product, there are some things that solely time can inform. For occasion, with the clear design on the skin, it’s unclear how effectively it will possibly face up to day by day put on and tear. The head-tracking and ANC should not top-notch, however there’s not a giant hole between the perfect and Headphone 1. Though, do not forget that the Sonys and Apples value far more than this.

The Headphone 1 helps quick charging
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360

So, who can buy the Nothing Headphone 1? If you are in search of day by day headphones that look cool and switch heads, then that is the product for you. Of course, the add-ons are the balanced sound output and wonderful battery efficiency. The pricing is a cracker and elevates the general product.

As an alternate, contemplate the Sony WH-1000XM5, which stays a stable contender on this value phase.