Just got my new Nothing Headphone (1) and I’ve been putting them through their paces. Here are my initial thoughts after 15 days+ of music, movies, and gaming.
Design & Build: Retro-Futurism
I got the black version, and while it looks sleek, I have to admit my heart belongs to the white one. There’s something about it that reminds me of an old-school cassette tape – a classic vibe. The transparent casing is signature Nothing, but a small part of me wishes for a matte finish option.
These headphones feel incredibly well-built and premium. They are a bit on the heavier side, coming in at over 329 grams, but honestly, you barely notice it. The weight distribution is just fantastic, making them super comfortable for long movie and gaming sessions. They also fold down neatly, which is a big plus for carrying them around.
The Sound Experience: This is where things get really good.
Music: I threw some high-res audio at them, everything from 24-bit 48kHz to 192kHz tracks FLAC & ALAC through Poweramp. The clarity is impressive. Sound Seperation is Good (Detailed Aspect will be posted in Review)
Movies: This was the real test. I watched the RRR Blu-ray with its 5.1 Dolby Atmos mastered audio, and wow using VLC and Samsung VideoPlayer. The overall experience was something else. The bass is the star here – you don’t just hear it, you feel it. It’s this incredible sensation that resonates on the outside of your head and deep inside at the same time. It genuinely feels like you can feel the vibrations, just like you would in a high-end movie theatre.
Gaming: They work great for gaming I played (BGMI). I usually switch ANC off to stay fully immersed without any processing, and the soundstage is excellent for picking up directional cues. I don’t notice any lag particularly with Low Lag Mode turned on.
Controls & Other Thoughts
The physical controls are a huge win for me. Having a dedicated on/off switch is so much better than holding a button. The scroll wheel for volume is intuitive, and you can press it to play/pause or hold it to cycle between ANC and Transparency mode. Add to that dedicated buttons for track skipping, Bluetooth pairing, and a customizable button, and you’ve got a setup that just works.
The battery life seems massive so far. I haven’t even come close to draining it.
My only minor gripe is with the case. The case itself is protective and looks great, but the zipper can be a bit stiff and difficult to use. The earcups, though, are wonderfully soft and thick, only thing to note, especially for anyone living in hot city like mine, definitely make your ears sweat. I noticed moisture on the cups when I take off them. Its common thing with over-ear design, but worth mentioning.
Initial Verdict?
Extremely impressed. The Nothing Headphone (1) is a fantastic piece of kit that delivers on both style and sound. The comfort is top-notch, and the audio, especially for movies, is phenomenal.
