Nothing Headphone Review (1): Does a Good Price Come With Good Sound?
At $299, the Nothing Headphone (1) impresses with its design, comfort, and battery life, but its default sound quality is a surprising minus.
Nothing has built its reputation in the audio space and continues to expand with its first over-ear model, the Nothing Headphone (1). The product offers impressive value in the $299 price segment, but the sound quality doesn’t quite live up to expectations, creating mixed reviews compared to the company’s previous wireless headphone products.
Retro design and comfort for all day long
Nothing Headphone (1) has a unique design that is reminiscent of classic cassette tapes with its combination of square and rounded lines. While it may seem strange at first, the design gradually gains favor and helps the product stand out from the crowd. The white version is particularly eye-catching, while the black version offers a more subtle and understated look.
Despite not using the highest quality materials, the build quality of the headphones is very good. The glossy plastic housing and metal frame are quite lightweight, which contributes significantly to the comfort when worn for long periods of time. The memory foam ear cushions and headband are designed to distribute weight properly, helping to minimize ear fatigue even after long hours of continuous use, such as during a work day or on a long flight.
Unique control system
The control system on the Headphone (1) is arranged entirely on the right ear cup, bringing a new approach. Instead of conventional buttons, users will interact with a power switch, a joystick to change songs and a roller to adjust the volume or pause/play music. These buttons can be customized through the Nothing X app. However, the button to activate pairing mode is hidden inside the ear cup, making it difficult to find at first.
Sound Quality: Is the KEF collaboration the right move?
Sound quality is the most controversial point on Nothing Headphones (1). At default settings, the overall sound is quite good but lacks balance, with a tendency to emphasize the lows too much. This takes away from the clarity and comfort that has been characteristic of previous Nothing Ear models.
This change in sound direction may stem from the new collaboration with KEF, a brand known for its high-end audio products. However, the adoption of a new sound signature seems to have made the product lose the familiar "charm" of Nothing.
Fortunately, users can significantly improve their listening experience by customizing the equalizer (EQ) in the Nothing X app. The app also allows sharing of custom EQ settings via QR codes, making it easy for the user community to find their own optimal sound profile.
Smart features and impressive battery life
The Nothing X app continues to be a highlight, with an intuitive interface and smooth operation. Users can easily switch between active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, as well as adjust sound settings.
In terms of noise cancellation, the Headphone (1) can handle noise up to 42db. The "Adaptive" mode works well in most environments, automatically adjusting the noise cancellation level. However, in noisy environments like on an airplane, users need to switch to "High" mode for the best effect, although the performance still cannot compare to the top competitors.
Battery life is one of the product's biggest selling points. Nothing claims the headphones can last 35 hours with ANC on and up to 80 hours with ANC off, which are significantly higher than the industry standard. The fast charging technology is also very efficient, with just about 15 minutes of charging providing hours of use.
Price and market position
At a retail price of $299, the Nothing Headphones (1) position themselves as a competitive option, significantly lower than rivals like Apple’s AirPods Max or the Sony WH-1000XM6. While the default sound quality is debatable, the product still meets many important criteria in this price range, from design, comfort to battery life.
Overall, the Nothing Headphone (1) is a solid entry into the over-ear headphone market. It’s a great value, and with Nothing’s history of constant product improvement, users can expect an even better successor in the future.
