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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Nothing Headphone (1) first impressions
Nothing has officially entered the over-ear headphone segment with the launch of the Nothing Headphone (1). Priced at Rs 21,999, these headphones promise high-quality audio, unique tactile controls, and the brand's distinctive design language. Developed in collaboration with audio experts KEF, the Headphone (1) is aimed at users seeking immersive audio in a versatile package. Here's what we found in our initial experience with the headphones. Design and Comfort The Headphone (1) stands out with a clean, transparent aesthetic, featuring aluminium, precision CNC components, and PU memory foam cushions that naturally adjust to your head. The earcups, the company says, are oil-resistant and built for extended use. During our initial testing, we found the device to offer a snug fit without feeling heavy. Available in black and white, the headphones look sleek and feel premium in hand. Despite the metal components in the design, they remain comfortable over long listening sessions. One of the standout features here is the intuitive three-part tactile control system—a Roller for volume, a Paddle for media control, and a Button to toggle ANC or access custom features. The controls are responsive and easy to navigate, even while on the move. Buttons respond to commands instantly and work without any major hiccups. Audio Performance Nothing has partnered with KEF to ensure that Headphone (1) delivers a refined listening experience. The headphones feature custom-built 40mm dynamic drivers that, Nothing claims, produce balanced sound. In our early usage, the audio felt full and immersive, whether streaming music or watching videos. The device supports Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and even includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it accessible across various devices and setups. With features like on-device spatialisation and head-tracking, it provides a surround sound-like experience that's responsive to movement, especially noticeable when using the Spatial Audio mode. Overall, the headphones offer a decent audio experience. Active Noise Cancellation and Battery Life The Headphone (1) uses a dual-microphone ANC system with beamforming and feedback mics for real-time AI-based adaptive noise cancellation. During our testing, the headphones effectively reduced background noise in a busy workspace. Transparency Mode was equally handy for staying aware of the surroundings. It is claimed to deliver up to 35 hours of listening time with ANC on. There is also a quick 5-minute top-up that is said to give around 2.4 hours of playback. More about battery life in our detailed review. With the Nothing X app, the button control on the headphone can be tailored for quick app-switching using Channel Hop, launching voice assistants, or activating Nothing's Essential Space for recording quick notes. There is also an 8-band Advanced EQ to fine-tune sound beyond the basic presets. What We Think At Rs 21,999, Nothing Headphone (1) comes with a host of features packed in a unique design. It seems ideal for everyday use—be it work, travel, or casual listening. With smart controls, solid audio tuning, and versatile connectivity options, Nothing's first over-ear headphones are off to a promising start. We'll be diving deeper into long-term comfort, sound tuning, and ANC performance in our full review. Stay tuned. Nothing Headphone (1) Unboxing and First Look AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Nothing Headphone 1 review: Fun sound, great battery life and funky design
Let's deal with the looks first. Because that is what you will notice immediately about the Headphone 1. It's classic Nothing, which means it is different. And this "different" is going to attract attention, something I found out as soon as I took the Headphone 1 out of the box in my office a few days ago. The first person who saw it didn't vibe well with its design. The second person who saw it, absolutely loved it. The third person who saw it said, 'hmmm, this is cool. Could have been better but I don't mind it.' advertisementYou get the drift? There are two things to note here. One, the Nothing Headphone 1 is going to be noticed immediately whenever you are in the middle of people. And two, people are going to have varied opinions on its design. Some will love the edginess it offers, while some would wish for more classic contours and shape. Personally, I love it for its distinctiveness, and its shape which is somewhat closer to what we have previously seen on Bower & Wilkins. Now that the first impression is out and the design is somewhat done — there are details, but about them in a while — let's talk about the Headphone 1. This is a very important product for Nothing because it is the company's first foray into full-size audio products. The competition is more mature here with the likes of Sony, Sennheiser and Bose playing in this category. The stakes are also higher because consumers expect and demand more from full-size cans. Nothing knows this and hence has upped its game significantly. advertisement This reflects in the specifications of the Headphone 1. Ignore the price for now because this is a premium product that matches what others offer at a 2X price. Inside the cans there are 40mm drivers. Active noise cancellation is supported. There are six microphones, with 4-mic environment noise cancellation, there are sensors that track head for spatial audio as well as for on-head sensing. In other words, you take it off and the Headphone 1 senses it and pauses audio. Put it on again and the music starts playing. Low-latency mode during gaming is supported. Similarly, there is support for LDAC and Hi-Res audio. There is IP52 rating for protection against dust and moisture. Simultaneous connectivity to two devices is supported. Yes, the Headphone 1 is a loaded product. Different design, premium materials, some smart choicesDesign deserves a bit more discussion because there is a lot going on here. First of all: the Headphone 1 feels as well-built as any other premium headphone out there. I mean I find it better built than my old Bose QC-35 II, which I still use as my daily driver. In its price segment, it is definitely the best built pair of headphones. advertisementThe earcups of the Headphone 1 have aluminium casing. The part that houses drivers though is made of plastic and has the transparent cover, similar to what we see in Nothing phones. Inside, we have the techno-industrial pattern, which too we have seen on Nothing phones. The design of these patterns seems inspired by the old cassette player. The headband is wrapped in plastic but the hinges where it meets the earcups is made of metal alloy, which feels durable and premium. The earcups have soft but supple foam wrapped in a PU sheet. The same is under the headband, which helps greatly with comfort when you are wearing the Headphone 1. The overall fit and finish of the Headphone 1 is fantastic. There doesn't seem to be any obvious sign of cost-cutting, which is a welcome sight given how plasticky most of the headphones feel in this price range. The mix of metal and plastic means the Headphone 1 weight is neither on the light side — for example QC 35 II is around 226 grams — nor too heavy such as the Dyson Ontrac that tips scales at little over 450 grams. Instead, it has a weight of around 329 grams. You do feel it while wearing it but it is also quite comfortable, even for hours. The clamp force with the Headphone 1 is just right, and the earcups will — likely — engulf ears fully for most people. Although, some with large ears may feel the Headphone 1 resting on the edges. advertisementWhen it comes to design, Nothing has made a few smart choices in buttons. Touch controls are too finicky in headphones so it is lovely to see that Nothing is using buttons. In total there are five buttons, all on the right cup. First there is a hard-to-see — just the way it should be — pairing button on the inside edge of the right cup. Press it and the Headphone 1 gets into the Bluetooth pairing mode. Talking of which, the Bluetooth connectivity is superb. Nothing rates it at 10 meters, and in my use I found it to be apt. I could walk around my (smallish) apartment with the Headphone 1 and not lose connectivity, unlike other headphones that I have tried in the last few years. advertisementSo, buttons! On the bottom edge, we have the power on-off slider. Then, we have the Roller on the outer edge. This can be used for volume up and down. The same button can also be used to pause or play music if you press it. Below it you have a joystick like toggle — Nothing calls it Paddle — that you can move left or right to skip or go back to a track while listening to music. Or you can move left or right and hold it to fast forward or go back in a track. Finally, there is a small round button on the right edge. This is a multi-functional button which can be customised through the Nothing X app. By default, pressing it will turn on the virtual assistant on your phone. Using the buttons is easy. They are reachable without any effort. Their distinct shapes and placement means your fingers are not going to find them confusing. Of all these buttons, I love Roller. It's an imaginative and inspired design choice and I wish other companies will borrow, copy and steal it. advertisementHaving said that, I do see room for improvement. Currently, on the Headphone 1 there is no button to switch between the paired devices. I often used the Headphone 1 with a Sony Bravia and the iPhone connected to it at the same time. And I wished that the round button that triggered the virtual assistant could be used to toggle between paired devices. Given that this is a programmable button maybe in future Nothing will update Headphone 1 firmware to add this functionality. But currently, the Headphone 1 switches to a paired device automatically depending on whether the device is sending audio signals or not. Or you can manage the connections through the Nothing X app. Fun sound, magical battery life With headphones, design is just one part of the story. A bigger and more important aspect is their performance. For performance, I believe there are four core areas: audio quality, battery life, active noise cancellation (ANC) performance, and performance during calls. The Headphone 1 is largely, and relative to its price, excellent to good on these aspects. Let's get into details. First the ANC. On this aspect I would say the Headphone 1 is middling. They are quite good at cutting down low-frequency sounds like humming or engine noises. But with sounds that have a pitch — for example a ringtone or people talking — they offer a dampening effect but the noise still filters in. I have experienced better noise cancellation from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 headphones. Just to give you an idea: I believe that the AirPods Pro 2, which are excellent at ANC, and latest over-the-ear Bose and Sony flagships have better ANC. Over the years I have stopped expecting much from the sound of wireless headphones. It seems they have hit a plateau. So, I did not go in with a lot of expectations as I tried the Headphone 1. But it pleasantly surprised me. In a good goodie way. In a really good, measurably good way. The sound, which has been created with the help of iconic audio brand KEF, is tuned for modern pop music and Bollywood. So, it offers authoritative bass which is forcefull without being muddy. The amount of bass is just right, at least to my ears it sounded that way. It is enough to make you feel, and not just listen to, a bass-heavy song like Bad Guy by Billie fact, I absolutely love the way the Headphone 1 handles lows, something that also makes it a great device to pair with a television. To see what it can do for my movie watching, I did what I do with all other headphones I try: I watched Dunkirk, the film that won 2 Oscars for sound mixing and soundtrack. As the movie opened with leaflets falling from sky and the low rumble of war in the background, I could hear just how well the Headphone 1 handled low and bass-y sounds. When the beach was bombed, the sound reverberated in my ears as the bombs hit the sand. The Headphone 1 was excellent throughout the film, deftly dealing with the layered soundtrack that ebbs and flows and ebbs and same qualities also make the Headphone 1 a good pair of cans to listen to modern pop — think Ed Sheeran and Coldplay — and Bollywood songs. To give you an idea of how Headphone 1 deals with different genres, here is a table. Some of these songs are random picks while some have been picked because they have complex and distinct sound signatures. On these songs I rate headphones as: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Okay, Poor. And as you see this table, keep in mind that I am yet to find a wireless headphone where I can put an excellent rating. Overall, I feel that the Headphone 1 is extremely good for the kind of music most people listen to nowadays. Bhul Bhulaiya sounds fantastic on it. For Rock, which is mostly 60s and 70s music, I found it somewhat laidback. And in some songs that rely on distinct vocals, such as Jailhouse Rock by Elvis or Umbrella by Rihanna, I found them flatter than what I would have preferred. And of course, these are not the cans for classical music — none of the wireless headphones are. But overall, as a pair of cans that you can use daily in office, while travelling, or while unwinding with some Bollywood music, the Nothing Headphone 1 definitely hits the good sound performance is also helped by fairly effective spatial audio, which makes the Headphone 1 soundstage wider than it actually is. For closed headphones, the Headphone 1 sounds pleasantly roomy. Although, the spatial audio works best in the Fixed mode. If you enable head-tracking, it is too wayward and too aggressive. I mostly kept the tracking switched off. I like the default amount of bass and clear mids that the Headphone 1 offers. If you want more bass, you can bump it up through the Nothing X app. Though Bass Enhancement works only if you switch off spatial audio. So you win some and lose some. Personally, I find the spatial audio and wider soundstage more preferable to extra bass. During calls, the Headphone 1 excels. It renders crisp audio on both ends of the call and its 4-microphone array to suppress background noise during calls works wonderfully well. Then there is the battery life, which I find superb. Without ANC the Headphone 1 is rated to last around 80 hours of playback while with ANC the number is supposed to be around 35 hours. In my use, I easily got more than that. Most of the time, at least with my kind of usage that had the Headphone 1 paired with my TV and the iPhone, I ended up getting battery life of around 45 hours. Charging is through a USB C port and it is fast. Just 5 minutes of charging gives enough battery to last a little over 2 hours while the full-charge takes around 2 hours. Best headphones around Rs 20,000?Yes — and absolutely yes — for all practical purposes. I do wish these had a slightly more dampening noise cancellation, the kind that makes your ears go blank, but yet as an overall package the Nothing Headphone 1 succeeds. I like what Nothing and KEF have done with the sound signature and soundstage of the Headphone 1. It is very difficult to get a sound from wireless headphones that can be considered somewhat good, and Nothing has succeeded here. And more so if most of the time you are going to listen to contemporary music or need a pair of headphones that will let you enjoy binge-watching. While the Headphone 1 sound is going to be pleasing for masses, I am sure users will also love features like on-head sensing, extra bass option, superb battery life, fantastic build quality as well as the way the Headphone 1 handles calls. Then there is the price, which too I believe is more than right. The Headphone 1 has been priced at Rs 21,999 in India but at launch it is available at a special price of Rs 19,999. This is an excellent price for a fully-loaded and feature-rich headphone that can go toe-to-toe against more expensive headphones in sound quality. Even if you don't own a Nothing phone, at this price I believe you would do well to take a very close look at the Nothing Headphone 1 if you are out in the market hoping to buy a pair of headphones. - Ends
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nothing Headphone (1) launched: Price in India, specs and all things to know about company's first headphones
Nothing Headphone (1) is now official. Nothing has launched its first pair of headphones marking its entry into the over-ear audio category. Engineered in collaboration with audio innovator KEF, Headphone (1) are aimed at delivering an immersive listening experience with precision sound and intuitive tactile controls paired with Nothing's distinctive design language. Nothing Headphone (1) price in India, availability Nothing Headphone (1) price in India is set at Rs 21,999 but consumers can also avail a special introductory launch day price of Rs 19,999 on July 15, 2025. The headphones will be available in black and white variants for via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Myntra, Vijay Sales, Croma, and all leading retail stores starting from July 15. Nothing will also offer 12 months No-Cost EMI options across leading banks on purchase from offline stores. Nothing Headphone (1) specifications and features Nothing Headphone (1) feature Nothing's transparent design elements and has premium materials like aluminium, precision CNC components and PU memory foam for comfort. The ear cushions are oil-resistant and mould naturally to the listener's head, reducing ear pressure, says Nothing. Headphone (1) comes with tactile controls: Roller, Paddle and Button to provide a precise and reliable way to adjust volume, navigate media and switch ANC modes. Headphone (1) leverage KEF's advanced acoustic engineering and tuning tools as well as custom-built 40 mm dynamic driver to deliver rich, natural audio with deep bass, detailed mids and crisp treble across all modes, including ANC, Transparency and Spatial Audio. Headphone (1) comes with on-device spatialisation and built-in head tracking for a 360-degree soundstage. The headphones come with support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback and a 3.5mm jack. Nothing Headphone (1) feature dual feedforward and feedback microphones for real-time ANC that dynamically adapts to changing environments. The Transparency Mode keeps users aware of their surroundings. Nothing says that its 4-mic ENC system is powered by AI and is trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios. Coming to the battery, the Headphone (1) are claimed to deliver up to 35 hours of listening time, and a quick 5-minute charge provides 2.4 hours of playback – all with ANC on. Customisatble Button in Nothing X app The Button is a customisable control in the Nothing X app . With a single press, users can activate Channel Hop: a quick-switch feature that cycles between recent audio apps and favourite functions without going through menus or switching screens. It's built for speed and convenience – perfect for jumping between music, podcasts, and voice notes while commuting, working, or exercising. The Button can also be configured to trigger voice commands, launch News Reporter, or open Essential Space – a second memory designed to capture voice notes, reminders, and fleeting thoughts. For deeper control, an 8-band Advanced EQ in the app lets users fine-tune their sound profile – beyond just bass and treble – to match their preferences. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
These are (allegedly) the world's smallest earbuds — here's what happened when I tried them
As one of Tom's Guide's resident audiophiles, I get to test out some of the wackiest audio gear. This week that includes "the world's smallest earbuds." The JLab JBuds Mini are just $39 from Amazon, and they promise to deliver solid sound from their tiny design. These buds weigh just 3.3 grams each and measure 21 x 19 x 14 mm. Although I can't go out and measure every single pair of earbuds ever made, my research suggests that the JLab JBuds Mini actually are the world's smallest earbuds. So can these uber-tiny earbuds actually compete with other options? I went hands-on to find out. At just $39, the JLab JBuds Mini earbuds are some of the cheapest earbuds I've seen. Not only are they über affordable, they also claim to be the smallest earbuds in the world. They are just 0.1 ounce heavy and 0.8 inches — so the world's smallest earbuds seems to be an apt title. I feel like Gulliver in Lilliput. The JLab JBuds Mini are so tiny. That's literally their selling point — JLab isn't harping on about these being the smallest earbuds in the world for fun. I'm going to list the size in millimeters, as inches just isn't precise enough for something this small. The JBuds Mini are an astoundingly-tiny 21mm x 19 mm × 14 mm. In JLab's own words, this makes the Mini buds around the same size as a dime. When I was trying to find something in my apartment to compare them to, I settled on grape. These buds are definitely grape-sized. Surely the drivers can't be that good, I thought to myself, because they'll be so infinitesimally small? As far as I can tell, JLab's claims that these are the smallest earbuds in the world seem to be true. If you know of a smaller pair, please let me know in the comments — I'll try them out for comparison. This tiny size does rustle up some issues, though. Surely the drivers can't be that good, I thought to myself, because they'll be so infinitesimally small? Well, I was both right and wrong. The JBuds Mini use tiny 6mm dynamic drivers, much smaller than the common 11mm drivers. But these drivers have the industry-standard frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz, 16 Ω impedance (standard for mobile-forward earbuds), and an output sensitivity of 103dB (in simple terms, how loud it can get). These are all standard specs: not particularly worse or better than even premier options like Apple AirPods Pro 2, Bose QuietComfort earbuds, and Sony WF-1000MX5 (without LDAC). Honestly? It depends on your definition of good. Do the JLab JBuds Mini sound good, considering their $39 price tag and the über-mini size? Then yes. Yes, they sound good. However... are they good enough to pry my cold, dead hands from my AirPods Pro 2? No. Of course not. All that being said, the JBuds Mini sound weirdly good. I had my doubts ($39, 6mm drivers), but I was pleasantly surprised. The bass in 'The Less I Know The Better' by Tame Impala was groovy and made me want to get up and dance. There was a touch of tinniness in the percussion, but I was able to overlook that, seeing as these earbuds are literally $39. Again, 'Nothing Matters' by The Last Dinner Party was a little tinny at the top of the frequency range, but the vocal was clear and powerful. I haven't had a chance to play around fully with the sound yet — please await my full review of the JLab JBuds Mini — but it's also possible to adjust the EQ in JLab's app. I'll see if it's possible to negate this tinniness with custom EQ for my review. How cute would these earbuds be as an accessory on your baggy pants or keychain? Thanks to the metal clip, you can easily slide the charging case onto anything. Theoretically, you could even hang them from a bag strap or a hoop earring. Not sure why you'd want to, but hey, it's nice to have options. The charging case is just 2 inches long, which means it'll happily fit into any pocket or even in my wallet. If you don't want to lose the tiny case in the mess of a backpack, though, you can easily connect to an inner pouch or zip using the clip. I'm knownl for losing stuff, so I'll definitely need to make sure the JBuds Mini are secured to my backpack's inner zip during my testing period. Hopefully they'll survive my mistreatment until my review is ready. I'll have my full, comprehensive review ready in the next few weeks. In terms of first impressions, I'm really impressed. Considering the miniature size and even more miniature price, I didn't necessarily have high hopes. But I'm happy to be proven wrong, and in this case, I fear JLab might just do that. In the mean time, the JLab JBuds Mini are available for $39 from Amazon.
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Cision Canada
OneOdio Unveils Focus A6: Latest ANC Headphones with CNC-Milled Aviation-grade Aluminum Alloy CD Patterns Français
NEW YORK, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ -- OneOdio, a global leader in audio innovation, proudly announces the launch of the Focus A6, its most premium and design-forward headphones to date. With powerful hybrid active noise cancellation, AI-enhanced call clarity, and a striking metal faceplate crafted from aviation-grade aluminum, the Focus A6 delivers both high-end performance and unmistakable presence. Available in Midnight Black and Ivory Blush, the Focus A6 enters early bird pre-sale on June 30, offering up to 25% off before its official global release on July 7 at 8:00 AM EDT. Engineered Silence, Designed to Be Seen The Focus A6 sets a new design standard for the everyday ANC headphone. Its CNC-machined CD pattern, nano-sandblasted and anodized aluminum finish, and sculpted lines combine form and function — projecting professional elegance while remaining lightweight and travel-ready at just 240g. Acoustically, it features 48dB hybrid ANC powered by feedforward + feedback microphones to block ambient sound intelligently, along with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) and an AI-based call algorithm that ensures your voice stays crystal-clear, even in crowded urban environments. Smart Features that Adapt to You Paired with the OneOdio App, the A6 offers: 4 immersive audio modes: Noise Cancellation / Transparency / Wind Noise Reduction / Normal 3 EQ presets + 3 customizable EQ slots OTA firmware updates "Find My Headphones" location tracking Spatial sound toggle for cinema-style depth Certified for Hi-Res Audio and supporting the LDAC codec, the Focus A6's custom 40mm drivers deliver refined audio with deep, controlled bass and clarity across the spectrum — ideal for both daily listening and content creation. Global Pricing & Availability Pre-sale Period: June 30 – July 6 Official Launch: July 7, 8:00 AM EDT Region MSRP Early Bird Price (June 30–July 6) US $79.99 $69.99 (Ivory), $59.99 (Black) UK £74.99 £65.99 (Ivory), £56.24 (Black) EU €86.99 €75.99 (Ivory), €65.24 (Black) JP ¥11,310 ¥9,980 (Ivory), ¥8,483 (Black) Note: Prices may vary slightly by platform and region during pre-sale. Key Features Summary CNC-machined aluminum faceplate with premium surface finishing 48dB hybrid active noise cancellation + AI-enhanced ENC for calls App-enabled EQ, OTA updates, and spatial effects LDAC & Hi-Res certified audio performance Dual-device Bluetooth 6.0 connection Elegant, foldable, and travel-friendly at only 240g The OneOdio Focus A6 will be available at and select global retailers. For media inquiries, review samples, or high-resolution images, please contact [email protected]. OneOdio, founded in 2013, is a global audio brand dedicated to delivering professional-grade sound. Known for its Studio Pro, Monitor, Fusion, and Focus series, OneOdio creates innovative headphones for music lovers and creators. With a strong global presence, its over-ear models consistently rank among Amazon's top three in the headphone category.
