Nothing Headphone (1): how the most original Bluetooth headphones of the moment are made and how they work
Nothing's new headphones don't go unnoticed. The transparent design shows off screws and internal components, making the Headphone (1) immediately different from all other over-ear headphones on the market, and at the same time perfectly integrated into the aesthetic language of the Anglo-Chinese company.
How are they made?They're made of matte aluminum for the headband and sturdy, glossy plastic for the earcups, and they feel more solid than other models in the same price range. However, they weigh a hefty 329 grams, which inevitably affects comfort: initially, they feel well-balanced on the head (thanks to the pressure distribution and high-density memory foam cushions), but with prolonged use, the weight becomes noticeable. The headband is easily adjusted, and the earcups envelop the ears without excessive pressure, but they're not removable or replaceable, an aspect not to be underestimated if you're used to changing the earcups for hygiene reasons or because they're worn out.
The Headphones (1) fold flat by rotating the earcups, but they don't fold inward like some competitors, and are still bulky. The hard case doesn't help, even if it effectively protects the headphones from scratches and bumps.
The Nothing Headphones (1) have three mechanical controls, all on the right earcup. The side roller manages volume and playback with a click, the paddle allows you to quickly skip tracks, while the programmable button can be configured to summon the voice assistant, activate a specific function or manage playback. The independent ANC selector offers four manual levels of noise cancellation plus an adaptive mode. Also on the right earcup are the power switch, with a small white LED next to it that acts as an indicator light, the USB-C port for charging and digital audio connection and the mini-jack for analog audio (but it only works with a charged battery, so it cannot be used in an emergency). They can be used with any source, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and consoles.
The Headphones (1) adopt the Bluetooth 5.3 standard with advanced wireless codecs such as LDAC and AAC, a low latency mode for gaming and multipoint support, perfect for those who work between multiple devices: you can switch from a call on your computer to music on your phone without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Nothing X app, for iOS and Android, is essential for making the most of the Headphones (1) and significantly enriches the user experience. Through the app, you can manage the physical controls on the headphones: for example, the Button can be programmed to activate the voice assistant, quickly switch between the latest audio apps (Channel Hop function, particularly integrated with Nothing smartphones), start voice recording or other actions, even with advanced integration options such as ChatGPT. This makes the interaction with the headphones more fluid and tailored to the user.
On the audio side, Nothing X includes an 8-band equalizer with customizable presets, allowing you to tweak the sound quality to suit your preferences. You can manage the gain, select specific frequency bands, and adjust the bandwidth (Q factor), a more advanced feature than conventional equalizers.
The app also lets you set up active noise cancellation (ANC), allowing you to manually adjust levels or choose adaptive mode, which calibrates the cancellation based on your surroundings. There's also a transparency mode, allowing you to hear outside sounds without removing the headphones. Other features include real-time battery level display, multipoint pairing (simultaneous connection to multiple devices), and firmware updates.
How do they sound?Unless otherwise noted, all listening tests were conducted with Balanced EQ mode active, noise cancellation at its highest level, and the volume turned up to maximum. Two devices were used, a Nothing Phone (3) and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, with Apple Music streaming in lossless mode and Dolby Atmos where available.
The Nothing headphones feature two 40mm drivers developed in collaboration with KEF, a historic English manufacturer of hi-fi speakers. This pedigree alone should guarantee excellent audio quality, but this isn't always the case. With Angel by Massive Attack, a track that features extremely demanding low frequencies, the behavior of the Headphones (1) is bizarre: with Bass Enhance applied to maximum, the difference in listening is practically nil, but with Head Tracking in the Spatial Audio control (which disables the bass emphasis), the distortion is evident. So: if you want to reproduce spatial audio at its best, you should use the headphones without exceeding 70-75% of the volume. If you want maximum volume with minimum distortion, however, you should disable spatial audio. Something similar also happens with the equalizer: increasing the level of a specific frequency decreases the overall volume. A very sensible strategy for containing distortion, but ultimately a bit frustrating; It's possible that Nothing could recalibrate the EQ system with a simple firmware or app update. That said, listening with spatial audio alone and without any special EQ is already very good. This is evident, for example, with the remix version of a disco classic, "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer: the original recording isn't exciting, but the Nothing headphones make it more modern and enjoyable, reinforcing the low frequencies and adding a touch of extra clarity to the highs. Here, even at maximum volume, with the Bass Enhance control at level 5, there are no signs of distortion, and the sound reproduction is perhaps more accurate than with spatial audio applied (either in head tracking mode or fixed). " Back in the Game ," by Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard, is another track that tests any headphones: the Nothings do well on the initial crescendo, managing to render the details of such a rich production with reasonable clarity, accurately conveying the spatial perspective, but here too they sometimes slip in the low frequencies. No problem, however, with Yorke's solo "Hearing Damage ," which is evocative, powerful, and extremely impactful, but also free of obvious distortion. With Ludovico Einaudi ( Punta Bianca ), the piano is a bit too metallic, but the Nothings once again manage to convey the recording's nuances with great precision and naturalness.
The active noise cancellation is among the best in its price range. It's effective at reducing constant sounds (engines, airplanes, city noise), although it's still inferior to that of the Sony WH-1000XM6. The adaptive mode adjusts in real time based on the ambient noise level detected by the four microphones, while the transparency mode is very natural, without that unnatural or tinny effect you might hear with other headphones. According to Nothing, the ANC system also uses artificial intelligence trained on over 28 million acoustic scenarios, which should ensure clear voice quality even during calls in crowded environments. In our testing, the results were good but not too dissimilar from the systems found in competing headphones.
Autonomy and energy managementBattery life is one of the Nothing headphones' strong points: 35 hours with active noise canceling, according to the manufacturer. These figures are perhaps a bit optimistic, especially if you listen at high volume (which we recommend avoiding for extended periods, unless you're reviewing headphones). Quick charging, on the other hand, is incredibly fast: 5 minutes of plugging in provides over 2 hours of use with ANC enabled, making it nearly impossible to run out of juice if you forget to do so or if you're in an emergency. It's also appreciated that the headphones pause when you take them out: in this age of AI and ultra-sophisticated digital processing, a small touch like this not only saves power but also lets you resume listening where you left off.
We like it- Design
- Very complete and well designed app
- Practical and intuitive controls
- Good sound but not top of the range
- Weight
- Non-replaceable bearings
The Headphones (1) are available in white or black for 299 euros, both on the Nothing and Kef websites. They are perfect for technology enthusiasts looking for an original product, for those who want precise and solid controls and are looking for advanced connectivity. Those who prefer maximum comfort, the ability to easily replace the earcups, or want the best audio quality could instead orient themselves towards lighter and "warmer" competitors such as the Apple AirPods Max, or the Sony WH-1000XM6 which however cost more (there is always the previous model, the WH-1000XM5, now with inviting discounts). The Nothing headphones remain among the most versatile, modern and interesting of the moment, as long as you accept some compromises and appreciate the strong character of a product outside the box.
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