Latest news with #NothingHeadphone
Tom's Guide
6 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I came so close to loving the Nothing Headphone (1), but the sound held them back — here's what I'd recommend instead
When I pulled the Nothing Headphone (1) from their box, I immediately noticed just how well-built and designed the headphones are. The quality metal earcups and intuitive physical controls could have made them a shoe-in for my favorite pair of headphones of 2025, and pose a threat to the best headphones you can buy. But sadly they fell down at what is, ultimately, the most important hurdle of all — sound quality. I'd hoped they were going to sound good thanks to Nothing's partnership with KEF, but there were significant sonic issues that I noted in my Headphone (1) review. Any pair of headphones that effectively requires the use of an EQ isn't a good pair of headphones in my mind, given that general audiences don't understand their 100Hz from their 14KHz. Thankfully, there's a pair of headphones in the $200-$299 price range that you should buy instead that outperforms the Nothing Headphone (1) in most metrics — the Cambridge Audio melomania P100. Here's why you should buy them instead. The Melomania P100 are an excellent pair of headphones featuring a whole range of features to make them a great alternative to the more well-known competition. They're also a better buy than the Headphone (1), with more battery life, much better sound, and a simpler look for those who don't want Nothing's more out there design. The Nothing Headphone (1) bring a fancy design to the table and great build quality, but they let the side down when it comes to sound; arguably the most important bit. You do get solid battery life though, and a very good and compact hard case. The physical controls are amongst the best around as well. There's no denying that the Nothing Headphone (1) have a unique look. They're smothered in metal and transparent plastic, with their cassette motif shining through to get glances from everyone that's walking past. If you're looking for a pair of headphones that shouts "look at me!" then the Headphone (1) are the headphones you're looking for. If you're not looking to make as much of a statement and want something that looks solid without being louder than a piledriver on a building site, then the Melomania P100 might be more up your street. They've got a clean, sleek look, but I really like their subtle design touches. The Cambridge Audio circle on the outside of the cans is a nice feature, and the shape of the earcups is good. Build is similar to the Nothing Headphone (1) too. There's metal in these earcups, and they feel like they'd survive a brush with a Sherman tank. They're more comfortable in some ways as well especially if you've got ear piercings. They don't press on your lobes like the Headphone (1). I like the look of both headphones, but while I'm happy that Nothing is shaking things up with the Headphone (1), I'd still go for the more understated style of the Cambridge Audio cans. The Nothing Headphone (1), on paper, have more features than the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. There's spatial audio and adaptive ANC, amongst others. In actuality, however, they're much closer than they seem on first inspection. The spatial audio, as with many implementations, is worth leaving off. It thins out the sound of your music, and makes it sound like it's being played down a metal pipe. Worth avoiding. Adaptive ANC sounds good, but I didn't find any battery gains on paper, and it actually made some things worse when it misread the environment. I just left it on max level whenever I needed ANC as a result — the same level available with the Melomania P100. After that, the feature sets remain similar. There are strong EQ adjusters on both, and low-latency modes for gamers. USB-C audio can play Hi-res tracks with great bandwidth, although, as we'll find out later, you'll only want to use it with one pair of headphones. The Cambridge Audio cans last 100 hours with the ANC off, and then 60 hours with the ANC on. The Nothing Headphone (1) have good battery life. They'll last you for 35 hours with ANC on after a full charge, which rises to 80 hours when you turn the ANC off. That's more than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — but much less than the Melomania P100. The Cambridge Audio cans last 100 hours with the ANC off, and then 60 hours with the ANC on. That's a lot of battery, and I can attest to their battery life personally. I took them on a three-day camping trip, and didn't need to charge them once, despite using them to help me climb mountains and circumnavigate lakes. And then they got me home for the 6-hour drive. Quick charge is similar on both models as well — a 5-minute quick charge gets you 4 hours with Cambridge Audio, while the Nothing cans manage 5 hours. If that's what $70 gets you, I'm not sure I'd bother with the more expensive option. There's no avoiding it. Despite working with renowned audio brand KEF, the Nothing Headphone (1) just don't sound all that good out of the box. They're far too dark, and need significant work in the EQ to make them sound decent. I certainly wasn't a fan of the way they sounded, and it lost them a whole star and a half in their review. The Melomania P100 are one of the best-sounding pairs of headphones around — you'll have to spend hundreds more dollars to find something that sounds better. Harsh? Perhaps, but when you consider how the cheaper competition sound, you'll understand why. The Melomania P100 are one of the best-sounding pairs of headphones around — you'll have to spend hundreds more dollars to find something that sounds better. They are supremely well detailed, and the soundstage is extremely wide and involving. It places instruments very well, and makes for one of the best listening experiences you'll have this side of $450. At the end of the day, headphones are all about how they sound. ANC is important, and both are good at it, but it's really all about the sound. And the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 just sound better. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you value in a pair of headphones. But as far as I can tell, the Cambridge Audio smash the Nothing Headphone (1) in most metrics. Battery life, sound quality, price — Nothing leaves bloodied and bruised while Cambridge Audio shrugs off a volley of style points. For my money I'd save $60 and buy the Melomania P100. They're just a better pair of headphones. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why I prefer physical controls over touch panels on my headphones
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I am currently putting the Nothing Headphone (1) through their paces, and one thing has stood out to me. The physical controls. The audio cues that play when changing volume or activating features could be a bit less... piercing, but using them with my fingers is so much more satisfying than the swiping touch panels of the competition. I've never made it a secret that I don't like touch controls on the best headphones, nor how much I far prefer actual, clicking buttons. But I've never gone into any kind of real detail about my preferences, and why they might matter to you, too. Touch shenanigans But first, why don't I like touch controls? It's all about ease of use, or the lack thereof, when it comes to touch panels on headphones. I don't like remembering three different sets of taps and swipes for different commands, or having to tap different parts of a panel to activate different features. It doesn't feel intuitive, nice under the finger, and often leads to miss-taps that leave me listening to something completely different than when I went to change the volume. Even the best touch panels on headphones can be terribly inaccurate as well, and sometimes aren't sensitive enough to read anything but a hefty jab of your finger. That's to say nothing about when it's raining — then they become all but completely useless. Yeah, buttons please. Pleasingly tactile Tactility is important. It's the whole reason we all use physical keyboards when we do any real typing, as opposed to tapping out a quick text on your phone screen. Why the buttons on your TV remote exist, and why you can't stop playing with those fidget toys that are covered with buttons and switches. Headphones, in my mind, are no different. When I reach up to my ear (which I can't see, given that my eyes are on the front of my head), physical controls are immediately easier to find than a nebulous touch panel. The 'satisfaction' factor is hard to overcome as well. There will always remain something far better about a clicking button than swiping your finger over a touch pad — it's human nature. When it gets cold When there's a chill in the air, I like to don some gloves to help keep my fingers lovely and toasty warm. I also like to listen to my tunes, my headphones snug under my woolly hat. But — oh no! A track I don't like plays in my artist radio, and now I need to skip it. My engloved fingers desire to remain warm, and because my woolly gloves don't have those ever-unreliable touch-sensitive tips that seem to rub off after three weeks of use, I have to take them off to operate my phone. Not happening — I can see my breath, I don't want frostbite. But the same problem arises with touch controls on headphones. The moment I raise my wool-wrapped fingers to my ears, I realize they're not going to cooperate with the headphones. Gloves off, music changed, and frostbite is setting in. So long, left index finger, you've been so good to me. Que an alternate day, when the same thing happens while I'm wearing enbuttoned headphones. Oh! I don't have to take my gloves off — the buttons work with my wool-covered fingers. Warm hands, no frostbite, my digits live to click headphones buttons for another day. A touch of premium One thing I've noticed (that I really like) is that the higher up the price scale you go with headphones, the more likely they are to forgo annoying touches and swipes in exchange for physical buttons. The AirPods Max, for example, pack in that wonderful volume dial and ANC key. The Dali IO-8 have their metal button roundel on the earcup. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 have the switches and buttons that lie on the outside of the right ear. They all feel more satisfying and they're much easier to use than the touchy-feely alternatives that you'll find on the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM5. More from Tom's Guide I tested out Sonos' new features, but one surprised me more than the others 6 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (July 15-21) I just tried the new Samsung DeX on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to replace my laptop — here's the good and the bad
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Nothing Headphone (1) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The Nothing Headphone (1) is an interesting pair of headphones that are built well and feature some top-notch specs. Unfortunately, they fall down in a couple of key aspects which keep them from scoring top marks — but how do they fare against Bose's flagship? Bose's ANC cans have long been at the top of the list when it comes to noise-canceling headphones. They have a slick style, a comfortable fit, and decent sound, but how do they match up against the newest headphones on the block? The Nothing Headphone (1) are the upstart in the headphone world. They want to upset the balance between the established competition, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Sony WH-1000XM5, and undercut them both on price. That means loads of features, a cool-looking design, and some impressive battery life. But, for the money, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are still the best noise-canceling headphones that you can buy today. They feature mind-blowing ANC, impressive sound, and a very comfortable fit to go with their decent feature set. They might be more expensive, but Nothing's going to have to do a lot to make a better set of cans. Nothing Headphone (1) Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Price $299/£299/AU$549 $429 / £449 / AU$645 Colors Black; Silver Lunar Blue; Deep Plum; White Smoke; Black Size Not specified Not specified Weight 11 ounces 8.8 ounces Battery life (rated) Up to 80 hours Up to 24 hours Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC support Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC, aptX HD support support Special features Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, passive mode, Spatial Audio ANC, Immersive Audio, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable EQ, quick charge The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are one of the more expensive flagship offerings that you can currently pick up. They cost $449, a whole $150 more than the new Nothing Headphone (1). That's also more than the Sony WH-1000XM5, and the same as the also new WH-1000XM6. The Bose worth the higher price, sure, but we have to give credit where credit's due: Nothing Headphone (1) just cost less. They're $299, making them one of the cheaper options when compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have been out long enough now that we see discounts, so you might not have to pay full price. Even then, their lowest price still doesn't match the MSRP of the Nothing Headphone (1). That's first blood for the Nothing Headphone (1). The Nothing Headphone (1) bring something new to the table. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a nice, if standard, look, the Headphone (1) look unlike just about anything else out there. They've got Nothing's signature design style, and I think that's pretty cool — just like the Nothing ear and the Nothing phones, they have transparent panels that hide some retro future design touches. These Nothing's design isn't for everyone and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones look more traditional. That's no bad thing, however. They're quite stylish thanks to the use of multiple finishes, along with their subtle branding. The Nothing Headphone (1) is built slightly better though thanks to some improved materials. There's metal in the earcups, and there's more substantial heft to them But the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are more comfortable. Their cushioning is more plush, and you won't suffer from the slight squeezing effect that you'll find in the Headphone (1). Despite a better build and more interesting design, I'm going to give this to the less divisive and far more comfortable Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Physical controls are my preferred way of controlling headphones, and the Nothing Headphone (1) deliver just what I'm looking for. They've got very intuitive controls, including a volume roller, a paddle for skipping tracks, a power switch, and a customizable button. Each one is easy to find without looking, and feel wonderful under the finger. I think they might be some of my favorite controls on a pair of headphones ever, bringing innovation to the table with their tactile clickers. The Nothing app is also good, letting you control ANC level, change the EQ, and adjust other settings on the fly. It's good that the EQ is so good given that the sound needs adjustment out of the box, but we'll get to that later. The controls on the Bose QuietComfort are more annoying. There's a multi-control button that controls the ANC, playback, and other features, alongside a touch stripe for volume. The touch stripe is annoying to use and fairly inaccurate, while the button pulling triple duty has to do too much. The Bose app pulls everything back, however. It's easy to use and very well laid out, letting you easily access the 3-band EQ, noise-canceling settings, and more. Overall, though, the control section has to go to the Nothing Headphone (1). Despite the influence of KEF on the sound of the Nothing Headphone (1), they don't sound as good as I'd hoped. They're much too dark, with an overreliance on upper-bass and lower-mids that take over the soundscape. This tuning leaves music feeling like it's being played in the next room, blocked by a wall. You can dial in the sound quality with the Nothing X app, but I'd have preferred the core sound be good enough out of the box. Not many users are going to dive into a complicated looking EQ adjuster when they realize their brand-new headphones don't sound very good. The Bose, on the other hand, sound good out of the box. It's a fairly bassy sound signature, with bass that can take some of the edge off the detail, but it's otherwise spacious and pleasant to listen to. It can be adjusted with a slightly weaker EQ, but the core sound is good enough that it's not entirely necessary. Headphones should sound good out of the box, so this round is going to go to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The Nothing Headphone (1) bring a great feature set to the table, including the EQ, USB-C mode, and spatial audio. The former two features work very well, and the USB-C mode is something I wish I saw on more headphones coming out in 2025. Unfortunately, however, the spatial audio feature doesn't work very well. It serves only to thin out the music and make it sound less dynamic, as it stretches out what's there to make it sound much bigger. I'm generally not a fan of spatial audio modes, and this one is the perfect example as to why. The Bose have similar features, although they lack the USB-C mode. Immersive Sound (Bose's version of spatial audio) is much better, however, and it's the reason that they're going to win this round. The two headphones are fairly well matched for features, although the Bose just manage to eke out the victory. You can expect solid feature sets from both, however. This is going to be a blowout for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. They're the best noise-canceling headphones for a reason, with some of the best ANC that I've ever experienced out of a pair of headphones. They block out even the loudest and most disturbing noises, whether you're on the go or stuck inside the office. Fans are silenced, busy cafes subdued and bus journeys made a whole lot more tolerable. They're my choice if I want to block out everything happening in the world, and they've never let me down. That's not to say that the Nothing Headphone (1)'s noise canceling is bad, but it's not as good as Bose's. It does a fine job of keeping out the noise, but it does struggle a bit with the wind. Transparency mode is good for both pairs, and you'll have no problem hearing the bus driver when you go to buy your ticket. Thanks to their impressive ANC overall, though, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones take the win at the end. I don't need to say much here. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones last for 24 hours after a full charge. Meanwhile, the Nothing Headphone (1) will last you for 35 hours with ANC turned on, and then 80 hours when the ANC is turned off. The win here goes to the Nothing Headphone (1). The Nothing Headphone (1) get very close to being a very good pair of headphones. They've laid down the ground work, with a lovely design, solid build quality, and some impressive features for the price. But they're let down by some very disappointing sound quality. They don't sound as good as the Bose, that's for sure, which also beat them in noise canceling and comfort. The price differential is massive, but there's no denying that the more well-rounded product package from Bose is a better way to spend your money. I'd hoped to see Nothing arrive on the scene and bring some disruption to the table. While they got pretty close to the competition, there still needs to be some work done on Nothing's part to make sure they sound their best. As it stands, they're let down by the sound profile — and what are headphones all about if not their sound? Nothing Headphone 1 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Price and value (5) 4 3 Design (15) 14 14 Controls (10) 8 5 Sound quality (25) 15 22 Active noise cancelation (20) 17 20 Call quality (10) 6 9 Connectivity (5) 5 5 Battery life (10) 9 5 Total Score (100) 78 82
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Nothing Headphones (1) vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Which noise canceling headphones win?
Nothing has finally entered the headphone game with the Nothing Headphones (1), a pair of cans that feature the brand's signature transparent design. There's a tape-cassette motif running through the earcups, and a whole host of features to fire a warning shot over the bow of the established competition. Nothing's first foray into the over-ear headphone space is one that not many were expecting, but they pack in some flagship features for a lower price. Excellent noise canceling and standout design are the name of the game here, but is it enough to worry the XM5? The WH-1000XM5 have only just been replaced at the top step of Sony's headphone lineup, but they're still some of the best headphones we've ever tested. They changed the ANC game with excellent noise canceling and very good sound. But how do they fare against the new kid on the block? Sony's WH-1000XM5 are a staple in the headphone game. They've been around a number of years at this point, and gained a host of different awards and accolades for their good sound and excellent noise canceling. So that begs the question — is it age and wisdom that will come out on top, or youth and enthusiasm that will win the day? I've put the two head to head to discover which is worth buying in 2025. Nothing Headphone (1) Sony WH-1000XM5 Price $299/£299/AU$549 $399 / £379 / AU$649 Colors Black; Silver Black; platinum silver; midnight blue; dusty pink Size Not specified Not specified Weight 11 ounces 8.8 ounces Battery life (rated) Up to 80 hours Up to 40 hours Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC support Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC and LDAC support Special features Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, passive mode, Spatial Audio Adaptive ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, DSEE Extreme Audio, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, passive mode, 360 Reality Audio The Nothing Headphone (1) have launched at a flagship-challenging price of $299. That makes them a whole $150 less than the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, $250 less than the AirPods Max, and, crucially, less than the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony option is going to set you back $399 even to this day. That's a whole $100 more than Nothing's new effort, and while there are still reasons to pay the extra, there can be only one winner. Both are easy to get hold of at the likes of Amazon and Best Buy, and stock levels remain consistent across the board as of publishing. This is an early victory for the significantly cheaper Nothing Headphone (1), but let's see if it keeps this up throughout the battle. There's no way you could call the Sony WH-1000XM5 an ugly pair of headphones. There's a simplistic elegance to their design thanks to a single block color finish and uniform, smooth handfeel. They're minimalism in headphone form, and that lends them the ability to blend in. Those in the know are aware you've got an expensive pair of over-ear headphones, but those who don't won't think you're trying to show off. The carrying case is good, if a little large. They're fairly comfortable too, although I would watch out for their thin headband. I've found it can dig into the top of your head during extended listening sessions. As for the Nothing Headphone (1), you're looking at something that puts design before everything else. They've got that mad-cap transparent design and cassette motif, making them shout from the rooftops about your headphone choice. Build quality is better on the Nothing headphones, interestingly. There's plenty of metal here to go with the plastic components, and they feel much sturdier than the Sony cans. Unfortunately, the Nothing Headphone (1) is slightly less comfortable than the XM5. They're heavier and the cushioning isn't as thick, making them harder to wear for longer periods. I've also found they can press on ear piercings, too, something I'm not a massive fan of. They're still fairly comfy, but Sony is better. This is down to physical controls vs touch controls — and if you're anything like me, that means that the Nothing's controls are going to come out on top. They feature some very intuitive buttons, switches and even a roller that make controlling the headphones a joy. Volume is dictated by a volume roller, which clicks down to pause and play. Skipping is managed with a clicky paddle just under the volume roller. They turn on with a switch on the bottom of the earcup, and there's a customizable button on the top. They're all excellent, and you can change their function in the app. The app is well set out and easy to use, letting you manipulate the EQ with fewer bands but greater bandwidth than Sony. There's no fancy "change the ANC level depending on your GPS location," however. Sony's controls are, apart from ANC control and power, touch sensitive. That means a series of taps and swipes to control your music. They're some of the best touch controls around, but that doesn't stop them from suffering from the classic touch control problems. I'm talking about skipped tracks when you go to manipulate your headphones to be more comfortable, missed taps when it's wet outside, unwanted volume changes when you put your hood up in a snowstorm. They work, but they can still be annoying. Thankfully, the app for the XM5 is robust It's more complicated than the Nothing X app, but it's packed with features like a very strong EQ adjuster and loads of ANC settings. This is where things are going to start looking rocky for the Nothing Headphone (1). Despite sound tuning from premium audio brand KEF, the Headphone (1) doesn't sound particularly good out of the box. The tuning is too dark. It relies on the lower mids too much, and it means that the rest of the soundscape isn't as well represented. The result is music that sounds like it's happening on the street over. To make them sound better, you'll want to use the extensive EQ settings in the app. They are capable of sounding much better than the core tuning, but that shouldn't be locked away given that most users are never going to touch the EQ. To make the Nothing Headphone (1) sound better, you have to use the extensive EQ settings in the app. Sony's headphones sound very good out of the box. They've got more bass than some might like, but the sound is otherwise spacious, airy, and detailed when compared to the Nothing Headphone (1). They're not the best sounding headphones at this price point, but there's still plenty to enjoy when you get your tunes going. This round has to go to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and their superior sonic chops. Nothing has done its utmost here to try and upset the competition. The Headphone (1) is packed with features to bring them up to par with the XM5, including a version of spatial audio and its own leveled ANC system. The Spatial audio should be left turned off, however, and the leveled ANC system should either be used at 'max' level or in the off position — I've never found myself in a situation when I've needed 'medium' ANC. The EQ is a great feature, though, and the rest of the feature set, like LDAC and USB-C mode, are welcome additions to something that costs $100 less than the XM5. But the XM5 just bring more to the table. DSEE improves the sound of compressed audio files, and the GPS-enabled ANC modes are extremely impressive. The spatial '3D reality audio' feature might not be supported by many of the best streaming services, but it does a better job of spatializing music than Nothing's custom model. Overall, the Sony headphones pack in a greater number of more useful features to take the win in this round. Considering it's Nothing's first foray into over-ear noise canceling, the Nothing Ear (1) do a very good job of blocking out the outside world. Thanks to 6 microphones and some clever AI, they're capable of canceling the noise of buses, trains and annoying humming air conditioners in offices. They struggle slightly with loud, abrupt sounds, but that's true of all ANC cans. Where they fall down is when the world starts getting windy — wind noise has an annoying habit of making itself known through the microphones, and invading your personal music bubble. It's still good ANC, mind you, and it's better than that of the similarly priced competition. Alas, the Sony WH-1000XM5 feature even better noise canceling. Thanks to 8 microphones and equally as clever algorithms, the Sony headphones do a better job at blocking out unwanted sounds and noise. They similarly keep the noise of bus engines, trains and offices out, but they fare better with wind noise and with consistent noises like chatty coffee shops and loud airplane engines. Transparency modes are natural sounding across both headphones, although again, the Sony have a slight edge over the Headphone (1). This is another tricky section for the Sony's, although it might not be as cut and dry as first expected. The Nothing Headphone (1) have more battery life all in, but there's more to the story. ANC staying power is 35 hours for both sets of headphones, but turn the ANC off, and things are more interesting. The Sony WH-1000XM5 last for 40 hours with ANC off, while the Nothing Headphone (1) have a rated 80 hours of battery life. I'd love to know where 45 hours of battery life goes when you turn the ANC on, but that increase in endurance is welcome. Just look at how close the Nothing Headphone (1) got to the Sony WH-1000MX5. They've got a more interesting design, ANC that comes very close to the noise blocking of Sony's cans, and battery life that shows them the door. But the XM5 have still got it where it counts, and ultimately take the victory. They're more comfortable, sound much better out of the box, and have more features overall that are more useful to a wider range of potential users. The Nothing Headphone (1) are an impressive pair of headphones, no doubt about it, especially when you consider that they're Nothing's first pair. But they don't quite have the chops to take down Sony just yet. Nothing Headphone (1) Sony WH-1000XM5 Price and value (5) 4 4 Design (15) 14 13 Controls (10) 8 7 Sound quality (25) 15 22 Active noise cancelation (20) 17 19 Call quality (10) 6 8 Connectivity (5) 5 5 Battery life (10) 9 8 Total Score (100) 78 86
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Nothing Headphone (1) review: Bringing the weird
It's always difficult to know what to expect when a new manufacturer joins the headphones game. Which part of the package is going to stand out, which is going to need work for the next model? With Nothing and its new Headphone (1), things were slightly easier to foretell. Like the Oracle of Delphi, I could have told you that the headphones were going to look excellent. And they do — point one for the Oracle. I also could have told you they'd undercut the competition in price — and they do that too. Another point for the Oracle. What I couldn't have told you is how they were going to sound. Now that I've got them in my hands, I can tell you how they sound, and while the story is no Greek tragedy, it's not a shining tale of godly heroism, either: The Nothing Headphone (1) are treacherously close to being some of the best headphones, but they're going to require some work from you to adjust the EQ to your liking. And that's far easier said than done. The Nothing Headphone (1) have launched at a surprisingly compelling price for something that comes with so many flagship features. Here in the U.S. they undercut the Sony and Bose alternatives by a healthy $100 at $299, making them cheaper than both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. And that's important in the grand scheme of things. They're aimed directly at the flagship models with comparable build, styling and features. That's an impressive package for such a saving — but things do get trickier for Nothing's new headphones when you start to consider some of the similarly priced competition. They've got to fight off Cambridge Audio's less expensive and sonically superior Melomania P100, for one. That's a tall order with the gaping void between the two in core sound. Then there's the Marshall Monitor III, which take the battery life claims of the Headphone (1) to school. So yes, they are a similarly specced but cheaper alternative to the flagship models, but there's still plenty of competition for the Nothing Headphone (1) in an arguably more well-stocked price bracket. Nothing has become well-known for its standout, transparent design. The Nothing Headphone (1) were never going to be an exception to the rule, and from the moment you pull them from their cardboard prison, you're treated to one of the most unique-looking and feeling pairs of headphones you can buy today. They're square, a bit like the AirPods Max, but flatter thanks to Nothing's cassette motif. The initial plane of the earcups is metal and feels great under the finger, and then the transparent panel that brings the Nothing house style sits on top. Under that clear panel is what looks like a cassette on each ear. Remember those? It looks like the designer at Nothing does, because there are constant references to audio gear of the past all over the place. They've got a retro futuristic style, and it's one that I really appreciate. Headphones should be fun, and that's something that Nothing has got very, very right. I imagine the design will be quite divisive, however. Not everyone will be interested in a pair of headphones that look quite so 'out-there', instead preferring the classic look of the competition. And that's ok — it's nice to have variety. The spice of life, as it were, is different-looking headphones. The design and its thick cushioning make for a fairly comfortable fit, although there are a couple of foibles to dampen the experience. The headband foam isn't the thickest in the world, and I found that after a couple of hours of wear, I could feel the plastic headband beneath. The earcups are overall comfortable too, but a word of warning for earring and stud wearers (like me): If you've got a cartilage piercing, I found that the headphones press down in just the wrong place. It's not initially uncomfortable or painful, but it is annoying. They also have a habit of pressing down on my lobes in such a way that my piercings there were disturbed. Again, more annoying than uncomfortable. So that they can battle better against the established options from Bose and Sony, Nothing has packed the Headphone (1) full of features. That means you can expect a form of head-tracked spatial audio on board, a solid app to change a range of settings, and even different wired listening modes that rely on both the headphone jack and USB-C ports. We'll start with the spatial audio implementation — and, as with so many other uses of the term, it's another custom thing that Nothing has used. In this case, it's not going to use Dolby Atmos Mixes brought from Amazon Music Unlimited or Apple Music, instead doing its own job to try and widen the soundstage. If you absolutely need your music to sound like it's coming from all around you it's fine. But in the long run, it serves more to thin out the already anemic mid-range, and completely obliterate any form of body that the sound once had. Head tracking is fine, but overall, a mode worth leaving in the 'off' position. You'll find that 'off' switch in the Nothing X app, the same one you'll have used for Nothing and CMF's earbuds. It's a simple application to use, with large buttons and well-labelled functions and features. Here, you'll be able to control the ANC level, change the way that the on-device physical controls work, and play with the settings. There's also a very strong EQ menu which you're going to have to become extremely intimate with should you choose to pick up a pair of the Headphone (1)s. I'll talk more about it later on, but for now I'll just say this — I'm glad that there's so much adjustment here, because the core sound is so imminently disappointing that it needs a lot of work from you, the person who bought them, to sound better. There's also a bass slider. It makes the headphones sound boomy, even at the lowest level. Don't touch it. No, don't you touch that dial. There's also a very strong EQ menu which you're going to have to become extremely intimate with. There are three different listening modes. The Bluetooth connection is 5.3, with support for LDAC and other hi-res codecs. It's good, and about what you'd expect from Bluetooth headphones. Then there are the two wired listening modes. The first is the 3.5mm headphone jack. That means you can listen from older devices, like an iPod. It's fine, although it still requires the headphones to be turned on and filled with battery juice for it to work. That's a shame. Once the headphones are dead, they're dead. Boo. Secondly, there's the USB-C listening mode, which lets you listen to hi-res tracks from Apple Music, Qobuz and Tidal. It's great! I'm not entirely sure that many people are going to notice a groundbreaking sonic difference given the internals aren't capable of such nuance, but it's a welcome addition to the cans. There are few things I hate in this world. Wasps. Mashed potato. Square pizza. Touch controls. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered that Nothing would be bringing physical controls to the Nothing Headphone (1). I was even more excited when I discovered how intuitive they are. Starting with the simple ones, there's a power switch on the bottom of the right earcup and a customizable button on the outer surface. Both are clicky and responsive, although the switch is perhaps a little small. It's the playback controls that are truly lovely, however. There's a volume roller thing which spins under the finger. It's an alternative to Apple's digital crown from the AirPods Max, and I love it. It clicks down to change ANC mode and play/pause the music as well. Underneath the volume roller there's what Nothing calls a paddle. It clicks forward and backward to skip tracks, and you can hold it to scroll through a track. Both controls are easily accessible and intuitive to use. There was no adjustment period here, just pure, rolly, clicky from one annoying issue. The sound that's piped into the headphones when you use the controls. The volume control clicks at an uncomfortable timbre, and the audio cues that tell you ANC is on and off are grating. It's a bit like nails on a chalkboard or someone rubbing some packing polystyrene. I'm not a fan and you can't turn them off. This is about as close to Sony and Bose as you're going to get if you're looking for solid noise canceling. I've been super impressed with the ANC of the Nothing Headphone (1) during my testing. It's got all the bells and whistles, including different ANC levels and even an adaptive mode that changes depending on the noise level of your environment. Play music and the outside world is all but completely silenced. In my small office space, I couldn't hear my fan at max level (it's really, really hot), the humming of my laptop, the sound of the fan outside or even the clacking of my keyboard — something that other ANC models often struggle with. If I tried really hard, I could defeat it — but what's the point of that? Taking the ANC outside gave me similar results. The bus was instantly calmer and more comfortable thanks to the headphones, with tire and engine noise silenced. There is one problem, however, and that's wind noise. The headphones struggle with blowy breezes more than some, as I found when I could hear the air from my fan and then the wind outside while I was on a walk. It's not massively distracting, but it is noticeable. And disappointing. I've found that the Headphone (1)'s call quality is almost the same amongst options at this price, but not quite up there in mic quality. The mic is uncommonly bad when compared to other options out there. My call partner complained that I sound like I was talking down a metal tube; not good. Things on my end were fine, thankfully — although you'll want to use the mic in your laptop for conference and work calls. The Nothing Headphone (1) are, apparently, tuned by one of my favorite audio brands: KEF. I love KEF. My speakers are KEF, my TV speakers want to be KEF, and my endgame HiFi contains a set of the brand's completely out-of-reach blade speakers. So you can imagine how I felt when I discovered that KEF would be behind the sound of the Nothing Headphone (1). Imagine my disappointment when I put the Headphone (1) on my head and discovered a sound signature that seemed counter to everything that I love about the brand. KEF is known for sonic analysis: High frequencies that are able to extract precise detail from a track and show you all the little bits you've been missing. The Nothing Headphone (1)s are…not that. My first listen showed me a pair of headphones that were mid-focused. With more listening, however, I noticed that there's a significant darkness thanks to an over-reliance on mid-bass, which swallows the highs and the mids completely. It's a restrictive soundstage, and it leaves music feeling distant and one-note. It's not horrible by any stretch of the imagination, but there are similarly priced headphones that sound much better out of the box. Thankfully, the EQ in the app is very strong, and lets you dial in the sound to your preferred listening curve. For better sound quality, I boosted the upper mids so that I can get more guitar and musical body, then lowered some of the mid-bass to get rid of some of the tonal darkness. The highs have been increased so that I can get more detail as well. It's worked well enough, although I suspect I will spend more time tinkering to get the sound I really want. As it stands, they now sound good, although there are still options out there that sound better, like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100. The chainsaw guitars of Witchery in Legion require some of the upper-mid edge to sound as scary as they should, and after my adjustments, we're pretty much there. The dual guitars are fairly easy to separate throughout the brutal assault on your eardrums, but even after some adjustment to the lowest bass frequencies, the kick drum lacks a certain amount of 'oomph' that I look for. The vocals are well defined though, and after my high-range changes, the cymbals sound good and airy. It's cold and unforgiving, just as intended. TWICE's Strategy brings some decent low-end to the table, but some of the impact is lost at the very bottom. The vocals really shine, though, as the girls talk you through their titular strategy. The synths wobble smoothly, and every bell 'ting' is clear and concise. There's perhaps some control lacking in the very low stuff, but it's otherwise a good performance. Finally, Limp Bizkit bring the '90s with My Way. The mid-bass comes into its own, filling the soundscape with distorted bass guitar; Durst's slurred pseudo-singing is clear and well-defined, and the drums sound very good indeed. We're lacking some impact, again, but it's about as sludgy and filled with attitude as you'd hope. Nothing, where does that extra 45 hours worth of battery go when I turn the ANC on? The ANC is very good, but that's a gaping inconsistency that feels strange when the Sony and Bose options have far less difference between ANC on and off. The 80 hours of ANC off battery is very good, to be clear, but 35 hours with ANC on is about what you'd expect from the competition. Given how long they last with noise canceling off, it does feel like a shame that the battery isn't quite up there when it's on. Still, they've got decent battery life. My testing showed the battery life claims to be pretty much on the mark. After 8 hours of use I was down to about 70% battery, which is about what you'd expect. That's with volume at medium and with the ANC turned on. Just keep in mind that the overall battery life will vary depending on the set volume level, ANC level, and even the genre of music you're listening to. I'm torn. On the one hand, I really like the Nothing Headphone (1). They look excellent, and I'm genuinely excited to see something different in terms of design. I like how the price undercuts the likes of Sony and Bose while bringing comparable specs to the table, and I think it's important for upstarts to upset the established headphone norm. But there's a big sound-shaped issue that keeps me from whooping and hollering about the Headphone (1). EQ should be a nice extra to help you dial in your headphones to your preferred sound, not a fix for middling sound out of the box. It goes to show just how good a job Cambridge Audio did with the Melomania P100, mind you. In fact, I'd say you should probably look at those instead, if you don't mind leaving spatial audio behind. The Nothing Headphone (1) are a good pair of headphones, but their sonic downfall makes it tricky to recommend them over the competition. Instead, I can suggest you wait for the Nothing Headphone (2) to come out further down the line. If the sound is fixed, we're onto a surefire winner.
