The Nothing Headphones (1) were launched early Wednesday morning, marking the first headphone release from Nothing since its founding five years ago. As with all Nothing products, the design they chose has caused controversy. Some people like it because Nothing’s products look unique compared to other manufacturers. Many people don’t like it because it’s too out of the box. In my opinion, it’s different from the rest in a positive way, but there are some design choices that are a bit odd.
Specifications
Nothing Headphone (1)
Type Closed-back earphones
40mm dynamic drivers
Microphone 6 microphones
Battery 80 Hours ANC
35 hours without ANC
USB-C charging port
Wireless charging None
CODEC AAC, SBC,LDAC
Supported operating systems All
Virtual assistant support All
Control pad Power switch,
Bluetooth button,
Control pedal
Touch button
Waterproofing IP52
Sale price $299 (~RM 1255)
Black and White
Retro Futuristic DNA
The design of Nothing Headphone (1) reminds me of some planar headphones my dad used to own in the early 80s. The boxy design is infused with Nothing DNA, which is a transparent finish and a unique electronic board-like design. Two design elements on the sides of the ear cups (maybe it would be better to call them boxes?) look like the analog cassette tapes that were my companions when I lived in MRSM dorms over 30 years ago.
As a Generation X person, I really like the revival of retro designs because it reminds me of my youth, healthy and strong, my knees are still stable, my BMI is still reasonable and I don't have the burden of living as an old man who doesn't know how to control himself.
The ear cups are made of aluminum metal with a plastic finish. The ear cups are also made of the same material as the relatively small sponge placed at the top. The adjustable ball arm is made of metal that feels tight and stable when pulled.
The ear sponge is made of PU and memory foam. The metal cups are connected to the cups using two sturdy metal arms. This allows the cups to be rotated 90 degrees for storage. Like the Sonos Ace and Sony XM5, the Headphones (1) cannot be folded.
On the side of the right cup are the power switch, control pedal, touch button, 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C charging port, Bluetooth tethering button and the "shuffle" button which I will touch on the function of later. The Headphones (1) are the headphones with the most physical buttons I have ever used in my entire life. This is to support some features that I know of that are not found on other headphones.
Let's start with the praise first. A dedicated power button is a smart decision because it makes it easier to turn the headphones on and off. Another smart thing is the music skip control pedal which when pressed for a long time can also play audio at a higher speed like the FF button on a Walkman.
The oval touch button like a bean is used to control the audio volume level. If pressed for a long time it activates a secondary feature that turns on ANC and changes to transparent mode.
That's good but there is also a drawback where the Bluetooth tethering button is located on the inside. It is hidden next to the ear sponge. It is hidden and it is small in size. You have to use your fingernail to initiate tethering. Why is it hidden like this? Only Carl Pei can answer this question because it is not ergonomic at all.
Bluetooth button
The metal and plastic finish makes the headphones look premium especially in white. The metal parts do not collect dirt and oil easily. What we are a little worried about is the plastic finish on the sides of the ear cups. The plastic scratches easily and after a few years will become brittle. Only time will tell whether the side finish of these headphones will last or not.
After using them for two days, I can say that the Headphones (1) are very comfortable to wear on my head. The large size of the sponge allows them to completely cover my earlobes and prevent them from getting pinched. As someone with large ears, large ear cup sponges are a necessity, not an option. My ears don't feel sweaty after use. Although the ear cup sponges are small, they are thick enough not to make my head feel like it's being squeezed.
Storage Case
The storage case is large because the headphones can't be folded. Sorry Nothing, but the decision not to include a folding mechanism is another poor choice. For people who keep a lot of things in their bags, it's difficult to put them in the bag. This is also not helped by the small zipper and a little difficult to pull.
I admit that after using the XM6 with its magnetic storage case, the zippered storage case feels outdated. The Headphones (1) design may be retro but the storage case needs to be more up to date.
There is a large pocket to store the USB-C power cable and 3.5mm audio cable. There is even space to store the two-prong charger plug if needed. The felt finish of this storage case is also very comfortable to hold. The dark color ensures that it does not easily look dirty after several years of use.
You want a dark storage case because from my personal experience, no matter how clean you are, a light-colored storage case will get dirty after a year. This is a certainty like every human being will die and be taxed.
Audio
Two days of use allowed me to test several genres of music and streaming content. The audio quality is satisfactory for a pair of premium earphones. The audio stage is more open with an emphasis on bass. But is it better than the Sony XM6 and JBL Tour One M3 that I reviewed this year? I will include a full audio review later. But at this point I can say that it does not disappoint.
Another thing that doesn't disappoint is that there is spatial audio support and head tracking. Personally, these two features are not important to me but they are also included by Nothing. Usually headphones in the price range of around $299 don't support them.
In the Box
Here's what you get in the box with your purchase.
1x Nothing Headphone (1)
1x Storage bag.
1x USB-C to USB-C charging cable.
1x 3.5mm audio jack cable
1x Manual.
1x Warranty card.
Conclusion
Nothing Headphone (1) is a headphone that I think is interesting, unique and comes with various additional features. In terms of design, there are no other headphones on the market like it. Just like their phones, these headphones are aimed at those looking for something different. They are comfortable and through the app there are many additional features that are not supported on more expensive headphones or those in the same price range. In the United States, Nothing Headphone (1) is sold for $299 (~RM 1255) a pair. The selling price in Malaysia will only be announced on July 10. I will publish the full review on that date.
Pros
Very unique and attractive design.
Support for ANC, LDAC and USB-C lossless streaming
Spatial audio and head tracking.
Long battery life.
Support for 3.5mm cable connection.
Various control buttons for additional features.
Cons
Cannot be folded.
Large storage compartment.
Bluetooth tethering button in an odd position.