New Delhi: Nothing has finally made its entry in the over-ear headphone space with its first-ever model the Nothing Headphone 1. As with every Nothing product, expectations are much higher, because in terms of earbuds they have provided to their users that are pretty much amazing and the sound quality is quite better from other brands, which is basically thanks to the company’s signature transparent design and promise of blending style with substance. But do they really live up to the hype, or is Sony’s industry-favorite XM5 still the safer bet? After testing these headphones, here is a full review of these headphones, so that users can actually know whether this is worth the money or just a normal hype that users make on their smartphones. Here’s the full breakdown.
Design and Build
This Nothing Headphone 1 instantly grabs attention with its rectangular transparent design, which is the signature design of Nothing, so that users can easily name the brand just by looking at the transparent design. While many users initially found it odd, it tends to grow on users much like Nothing’s earlier products. The exposed acoustic chambers and aluminium frame give it a futuristic look, but at 329 grams, which is pretty and slightly heavier than most of the competitors.
The earcups use PU memory foam, comfortable for short to medium use, though not as plush as Sony’s XM5. They’re also IP52 rated, so the users can take them outside for travel without worry. One downside of this is that the aluminium parts often feel cold on the skin, and since the headphones don’t fold, portability takes a hit.
Controls
If design divides opinion, the controls win everyone over. Nothing has introduced some of the best headphone controls seen yet, with a customizable click button, a roller key for smooth volume control with a tactile click, and a pedal button for skipping or scrubbing through tracks.
Sound Quality
The sound is truly impressive, because it contains, with 40mm dynamic drivers, Hi-Res LDAC support, and KEF tuning, the Headphone 1 delivers to its users:
- Deep, punchy bass with no distortion.
- Sharp vocals that shine in tracks.
- Excellent instrument separation in classics.
- Balanced treble, never harsh.
The only drawback: they aren’t as loud as Sony’s XM5. Still, for music and movies, the overall tuning is top-notch.
Noise Control & Calling
The transparency mode is one of the best outside of Apple’s AirPods Max, offering natural-sounding voices without robotic distortion. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is solid, but Sony still leads here also, their ANC creates near-total silence, which is a pretty good feature for those users who carry headphones outside in crowded atmospheres where they can get a silent atmosphere for talking to other people on the call. Call quality is decent with six microphones, though Sony’s eight-mic system performs much better.
Software, Battery & Connectivity
The Nothing X app is quite clean, with useful extras like spatial audio with head tracking, customizable EQ, and dual-device connection. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable connectivity, and Type-C audio support is a welcome bonus. Battery life is a standout feature in this headphone, which stands out much from other competitors because it has up to 80 hours with ANC and LDAC off, 30 hours with both on, and a quick 5-minute charge gives 5 hours of playtime.
Price & Final Thought
Nothing Headphone 1 is priced at Rs 21,999, and these are Nothing’s first headphones. They bring a lot to the users with the bold design, innovative controls, excellent sound tuning, and with good battery life. However, comfort over long sessions and slightly weaker ANC compared to Sony keep it from being a clear winner. If users value design and smart usability, these are a fantastic choice for them. If comfort and ultimate silence are users’ priority, the Sony XM5s is still much ahead of any other brands.
