I tried Nothing Headphone (1): First Impression Comment

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There is nothing better than getting high-quality technology without paying a high price.

That’s the idea of the release of Tech Inter-Nothing Nothing’s first pair of ear earphones (properly named headphones) (1). These headphones cost $299, like most premium flagship releases today are $100 to $150 cheaper and are available for ordering as of July 15.

As someone who has tested budget share to premium headphones, I know budget headphones can usually outweigh their weight these days, but the lower price comes with some tradeoffs, whether it’s a slightly lower ANC, less customizable sound and in-ear setup, or comfortable wear.

With that in mind, I hope there is no headphones (1) for $299 in some areas, and it is OK in others – so far my preliminary tests prove that expectation is correct.

(Note: Here are my first impressions based on a few days of use. Although it is unlikely that a huge change will happen, my opinion may develop as I spend more time using these headphones.)

No headphones (1): Specifications

Before we start thinking, here are the basics of these headphones you will encounter:

• size: 174mm x 189mm x 78mm

• Case size: 220mm x 220mm x 52mm

• weight: 329g

• Play with ANC: Up to 35 hours

• Play without ANC: Up to 80 hours

• Fast Charging: 5 minutes playback for 5 minutes (or 2.4 hours with ANC)

• Codec: AAC, SBC, LDAC

• Waterproof: IP52 rated water and dust resistance

• enter: USB-C and 3.5mm headphone jack

• microphone: 4

No headphones (1): OK

design

First of all, these headphones don’t look like anything else on the market. It’s typical of nothing, their earbuds and phones rely on futuristic, usually transparent designs. While the look isn’t my favorite, I do appreciate a brand that doesn’t like blatant copies of already popular headphones. I can appreciate that they offer two different color schemes: white and black.

Compared to the silver Sony WH-1000XM5, there are no headphones in white.
Image source: Bethany Allard / Mixed

Aside from aesthetics, I like the touch controller’s tactile in-ear controls. I find it generally more reliable and easier to use than the touch controls on headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6. In addition to the dedicated on/off switches, these headphones also feature Bluetooth buttons, an external round button, a paddle button and roller buttons. Each has its own presets that can be customized to earn more of these headphones. The design and customization level of thought certainly makes them feel like a pair of premium headphones.

From this advantageous point of view, you can see three of the five in-ear controls: volume rollers, paddle controls, and round buttons.
Image source: Bethany Allard / Mixed

What is less practical is the lack of folded earmuffs, but nothing can make the case profile that is ultra-thin. I also have to shout out the clean design of the Companion App, which provides many customization paths without having to learn a lot of learning curves.

Active noise reduction

Speaking of customization, Nothing’s headphones are on three different levels along with customizable ANC, as well as adaptive ANC mode. The adjustable ANC seems to have sat for a few years after discontinuing the Bose 700 headset, but I’ve seen it pop up in more budget models for Earfun and Skullcandy, although it doesn’t offer more quality options like the latest versions of the Bose QC Ultras or Sony.

Overall, AI-powered ANC is solid. It’s not as powerful as the flagship store of Bose or Sony, which makes sense, considering that these headphones have 10 and 12 microphones respectively, this helps ANC. Still, these headphones remove my typing and my partner’s voice, who also work from home.

Sound quality

These headphones were created in partnership with KEF to produce high-fidelity sound, and the result is a sound curve, which so far represents the term decent.

I also have a sound quality section below – that’s because I really feel like these headphones are the most in the middle of this particular category. By its advantages, it has a certain depth and a considerable clarity, but not compared to the more expensive option. However, using the Companion app, it does have the most complex equalizer I’ve ever seen on consumer headphones. I need to try it more before giving my final thoughts, but it’s very impressed.

Application equalizer provides simple…
Credits: Screenshot/No

and advanced equalizer.
Credits: Screenshot/No

In addition to the equalizer, the app offers bass enhancement modes with multiple different levels, as well as two different types of spatial audio (fixed and head tracking), which will surely change the listening experience when listening to the Beatles’ “My Life”.

Battery life

On ANC, these headphones have better battery life than the AirPods Max, Bose QC Ultras and Sony WH-1000XM6 on 35 hours per charge. Dyson Ontrac lets them beat in 55 hours, but they also cost $500. The price is $300 and I was very impressed.

No headphones (1): Bad

Comfortable

I’ll start with the easy point in other people’s professional columns: how to wear these headphones. Other reviewers found these headphones to have stronger grip and weight, but this is not my tea. For me, I love how the headphones feel so comfortable and lightweight that I forgot to wear them. Although the headphones (1) aren’t totally uncomfortable, they do squeeze my head – I prefer options like the Bose Quietcomfort series or the Sony WH-1000XM5 or XM6 or XM6s. All of this can be said that the headphones fit can be so Personal.

Such sound quality

To be clear, these headphones don’t sound good at all. They just don’t exactly match other premium markets that are available out of the box. The horrible pocket and the bass cover of Polplamoose lack richness and clarity, while the “cookie” of the new jeans sounds good enough, but not great on the sound on the Sony WH-1000XM6S. In other words, the sound profiles of these headphones so far reflect their lower prices.

It is also worth pointing out again that these are my initial, out-of-the-box impressions. I would love to play more on a wide range of equalizer settings and further test the spatial audio to see how this affects my experience with the sound.

No passive playback

I don’t want to see where my opinions change lack passive play. Although this is not a very important feature, I can’t revolve around the trend of requiring auxiliary wires to provide audio playback – it ruins the purpose. This is a smaller gripe (also seen on QC Ultra headsets), but worth mentioning.

In-ear control

Although I love the tactile experience, the volume roller is my least favorite touch. I appreciate the idea of sliding left and right to change volume, but the reality is that it’s hard to control either way, and the way it registers touch is inconsistent.

Where to buy headphones without them (1)

If you are ready to view Nothing headphones (1) based on the above, you can buy them from Amazon or Nothing’s website right away.

Nothing to buy headphones (1)

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