These Fashionable Headphones Offer Unmatched Sound Quality for Their Price

Introducing Nothing's Headphone 1

Key Insights from ZDNET

Nothing's first venture into over-ear headphones manifests as a daring and contrasting set of audio gear that mirrors the company's bold ethos. From the outset, the London-based enterprise has carved a niche for itself, initially capturing attention with transparency-themed earbuds.

Even so, I found myself pausing to consider when unpackaging the headphones.

It's fair to say that Headphone 1 epitomizes the essence of Nothing: a whimsical, meticulously crafted audio device, blending inventive engineering from Teenage Engineering, and providing a fluid user experience across both iOS and Android platforms. Their design sensibilities can divide opinion.

While the visual appeal stirs curiosity, it’s the acoustics that truly captivate listeners, as they did me. Yet, is the $299 price point justified? After extensive use, I'll share my thoughts.

Detailed Look at Nothing Headphone 1

This new addition boasts a resilient 40mm dynamic driver along with impressive active noise cancellation and clarity settings.

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Examining the design, Headphone 1 is made up of four essential components: cushioned headbands, memory foam ear pads, unique squircle-shaped frames, and transparent elements enclosing drivers, batteries, and other essential parts. Weighing in at around 329 grams, these headphones are lightweight without compromising production quality.

Comparatively, my AirPods Max registers at 385 grams, with notably more heft and clamping strength around the ears. The lighter feel of Nothing's offering largely comes from the plastic material, which, while aesthetically pleasing, might feel insubstantial. The hollow nature of the squircle frames is apparent when collapsed.

Nothing asserts that these headphones underwent 50 rigorous reliability assessments. Rated IP52, they offer some resistance against dust and light sprays of water, a feature rare in most over-ear headphones, adding an extra layer of durability assurance.

Some elements within Headphone 1 I particularly like include the ear padding designed to repel skin oils, clearly marked left and right indicators on the band, and a 3.5mm jack for pristine sound experiences. The carry case is slim, fitting nicely into a backpack.

Be mindful that every time you stow them in the case, you'll need to adjust the headband as there are no marked indicators to help align them back to your preferred size.

Operating these headphones involves three simple, tactile controls.

The buttons are intuitive; I prefer their tactile response over touch surfaces, which often misregister inputs. However, they’re positioned in a way that didn’t quite suit my natural grip, with my thumb needing to reach back to identify the controls.

It's the audio quality of Headphone 1 that truly stands out. Equipped with a 40mm dynamic driver featuring nickel-plated membranes and uniform dome shapes, they're capable of delivering an extensive range of deep basses and crisp trebles.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant soundscapes from electronic music genres, highlighting clean separations and layering of sound.

It’s remarkable how distinct the elements within a track are, from instruments to vocals, a talent surprising in midrange headphones and even some high-end ones. The precision in clarity is a testament to collaboration with British audio specialists KEF.

Despite my modest inclinations for bass, where I kept the enhancement levels low on the dedicated app, there were occasions of instrumental overlap in deeper frequencies. Yet, this didn't detract from enjoyment in varying settings like commutes or runs, where overall performance was impressive.

Effective noise-canceling and transparency modes further enhance playback, blocking external disturbances or letting through ambient sounds naturally.

A highlight was conversing with my partner with minimal perceived change in her voice whether I was wearing the headphones or not. Improvement could be made in how my own voice comes across, which tends to sound distant and hollow.

In terms of power, Headphone 1 lasted nearly four days under heavy use, which is commendable though slightly lower than Nothing's quoted maximum of 37 hours with ANC on or 80 hours with it off.

Guide to Purchasing

When weighing options, Nothing's foray into over-ear headphones presents compelling allure. Their acoustic quality, extended playtime, and modifiable features outperform premium counterparts by a noticeable margin at their $299 pricing. For comparison, my pricy $549 AirPods Max don’t align with the value these provide.

I aim to conclude my comprehensive review following intensive use, but if you're as intrigued by the unique design diverging from monotonous styles as much as I am, they are worth a trial.

Why Nothing Headphone 1 Earns an Editors' Choice Distinction

The inaugural over-ear headphones from Nothing manifest exceptional innovation and design acumen. They excel with extended battery life, superior fit and finish, and remarkable sound quality.

While the blend of materials might divide opinion, the robustness backed by IP52 certification should alleviate concerns about durability. Given the competitive pricing, ZDNET stands behind these headphones for most users.