Review of Nothing Headphone 1: Delivering Strong Value, Yet audio performance falls short of expectations
The Nothing Headphone (1), the latest offering from the tech startup Nothing, has been making waves in the audio industry with its unique design, solid sound quality, and impressive value.
### Design
The design of the Nothing Headphone (1) is distinctive and polarizing, featuring a transparent, techy look that is instantly recognizable and unlike most competitors. The headphones have a premium build and comfortable earpads, making them suitable for hours of use. Physical hardware controls are also praised for their convenience, adding to the usability of the headphones.
### Sound Quality
The Nothing Headphone (1) features custom 40mm drivers developed in collaboration with KEF, with support for high-definition codecs including LDAC. The default sound profile is reported as flat and somewhat uninspiring but can be enhanced using the app’s bass boost mode. Sound tuning prioritizes bass and lower frequencies, which gives a full sound but sometimes muddies vocals and highs, making certain tracks sound off or less clear compared to more neutral headphones. Overall, the headphones deliver a good listening experience about 90% of the time, but may not match the audio refinement of higher-end headphones.
### Noise Cancellation
The ANC on Nothing Headphone (1) is described as decent but not best-in-class, with three levels of noise cancellation and a transparency mode. It helps reduce traffic and train noise but is less effective than some rivals like the Soundcore Space One Pro and Sony models.
### Value Compared to Sony WH-1000XM6
The Nothing Headphone (1) are budget-friendly alternatives loaded with premium features such as LDAC support, hybrid ANC, and long battery life (up to 80 hours without ANC). While the Sony WH-1000XM6 generally offers superior noise cancellation, sound tuning, and app customization, the Nothing Headphone (1) present a compelling option for those who want unique design and solid all-around performance at a lower price. Customization through the Nothing X app is extensive, though it lacks some advanced features like hearing tests found in Sony’s app.
In summary, the Nothing Headphone (1) stand out with their bold design and good value but slightly lag behind the Sony WH-1000XM6 in sound refinement and noise cancelling performance. They are well suited for users looking for a distinctive look and solid bass-heavy sound at a more accessible price point. The Nothing Headphone (1) retails for $299, making it more affordable than AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6. Pre-orders for the Nothing Headphone (1) are open starting today, with shipping on July 15.
The Nothing Headphone (1) showcases its unique design, featuring a transparent, techy look that distinguishes it from competitors, and is accompanied by a range of premium gadgets available on the market due to its collaboration with technology powerhouse KEF. The Nothing Headphone (1) provides a solid listening experience, making it an appealing alternative to more expensive headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6, especially for those seeking a distinctive design and solid bass-heavy sound.
