The retro-looking Nothing Headphone (1) launch globally, and for a lot less than other flagship headphones
After unveiling its first-ever on-ear headphones earlier this month, UK brand Nothing launched the Nothing Headphone (1) globally on July 15 for $299.
The new flagship headphones borrow features from our favorite Bose, Sony, and Dyson headphones, and Nothing promises a high-fidelity listening experience — and at a more affordable price point than other flagship noise cancellers.
Mashable is still in the process of testing the new headphones, and we'll have a full review published soon. In the meantime, here's everything we know so far about the newly launched Nothing cans and how they stack up to the competition.
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The Nothing Headphone (1): First impressions
These headphones seem to borrow some of our favorite features from the competition. They have the precision aluminum CNC components you'll find in high-end audio products like the Panasonic Technics AZ100 and the Dyson OnTrac. They have the advanced spatial audio of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. And they have tactile controls like the Sony XM6 noise-cancelling headphones.
However, they do all this for considerably less than all those aforementioned headphones. In my review of the Sony XM6 headphones, I said that the $450 price tag was the new price of admission for flagship noise-cancelling headphones. But Nothing is bucking that trend. While the $299 price isn't exactly cheap, it's $100 to $150 cheaper than the competition.
Still, that price difference may come with a tradeoff. Despite the partnership with high-end audio brand KEF, early reviews are mixed on the overall sound quality.
Nothing Headphone (1): Design
We've got to talk about the design. These headphones don't look like any other audio product. They have Nothing's signature retro-futuristic design. Like the famous Beats Studio Buds +, they have transparent elements that let you peek inside the device. Overall, I'm a fan of the design, though the aesthetic won't be for everyone.
Nothing Headphone (1): High-res headphones with active noise cancellation
As you'd expect from $299 headphones, these over-ears feature active noise cancellation. We'll withhold a verdict on how they compare to Sony and other brands for now, but the audio quality gets a boost from Nothing's new collaboration with hi-fi audio brand KEF (another British company). In a press release, Nothing wrote, "With support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm jack, Headphone (1) delivers exceptional sound — wired or wireless."
The headphones also have quite a few adaptive features to deliver more immersive sound. In addition to spatial audio and headtracking, they also have an adaptive bass enhancement and smart transparency modes. Users can also use the Nothing app to customize EQ settings, and critically, the ability to adjust ANC settings to your liking.
The Nothing Headphone (1): Specs
Let's take a closer look at the specs. Perhaps most importantly, these headphones offer up to 80 hours of playtime, though ANC cuts that down to a measly 35 hours. The sound is powered by a "custom-built 40mm dynamic driver." Also of note, the headphones only contain four internal microphones, whereas the new Sony XM6 has 12 built-in mics.
Size: 174mm x 189mm x 78mm
Case size: 220mm x 220mm x 52mm
Weight: 329 grams
Playback with ANC: Up to 35 hours
Playback without ANC: Up to 80 hours
Fast charging: 5 minutes for 5 hours of playback (or 2.4 hours with ANC)
Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC
Water resistance: IP52 rated for water and dust resistance
Inputs: USB-C and 3.5mm headphone jack
Microphones: 4
The Nothing Headphone (1) are priced at $299 and available now in white or black from Nothing, Amazon, and other retailers.
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Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
