Nothing Headphone (1) Review: Transparency Redefined in Premium Audio
London-based tech innovator Nothing has disrupted the consumer electronics market with its commitment to transparent design, and the newly launched Headphone (1) marks a bold step into the premium over-ear headphone segment.
Nothing, a brand quickly gaining recognition for its unique aesthetic in smartphones and true wireless earbuds, is now challenging established players in the headphone market. As KT Review Bangkok IT Business has followed the brand’s development, it became immediately apparent that the Headphone (1) embodies Nothing’s signature design language. This review delves into every aspect of the Headphone (1), assessing whether its innovative approach translates into a truly compelling listening experience.
A Design Statement: “NOHING” Shouting
The most striking feature of the Nothing Headphone (1) is undoubtedly its transparent design. This aesthetic choice reveals the internal structures and components, showcasing the engineering within a minimalist framework. The Acoustic Chambers are particularly visible, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship hidden beneath the surface. Combined with clean geometric shapes and carefully selected materials, the Headphone (1) presents a distinctive silhouette that sets it apart from all other headphones currently available.
The primary structural element utilizes aluminum for strength, while other parts are crafted from precisely molded plastic to achieve a balanced weight distribution. According to company materials, the design underwent countless iterations, prioritizing not only aesthetics but also durability. Nothing subjected the headphones to over 50 rigorous tests, evaluating resistance to drops, twisting, sweat, and extreme temperatures, ensuring longevity.
Hi-Fi Sound Quality: A Collaboration with Kef
Sound quality is paramount, and Nothing didn’t approach this aspect lightly. The company partnered with Kef, a renowned British stereo brand with over 60 years of expertise in high-fidelity audio. This collaboration resulted in meticulous sound tuning, aiming to deliver an audio profile that faithfully reproduces the artist’s original intent.
The headphones feature custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers with a nickel-plated diaphragm for increased rigidity, enhancing clarity and powerful bass response. The speaker edge material is constructed from PU, offering greater flexibility than traditional PET materials, resulting in a faster and more accurate response with minimal distortion. Kef rigorously tested both the drivers, audio, and software in its own labs, fine-tuning all operations – including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and spatial audio – to achieve optimal frequency balance and detail. The result, as one analyst noted, is a natural, detailed, and emotionally engaging sound across all genres.
Technology and Features for the Modern Listener
The Nothing Headphone (1) incorporates technology designed for the contemporary user. A key feature is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system, utilizing a hybrid approach with multiple microphones to effectively detect and eliminate external sounds. The environment is scanned every 600 milliseconds, and a wearing detection system analyzes noise penetration every 1,875 milliseconds to dynamically adjust the sound for a consistent experience.
Transparency Mode allows users to instantly hear their surroundings with a single touch, ideal for travel or quick conversations.
A significant departure from industry trends is the control system. Rather than relying solely on touch controls, Nothing opted for a combination of a Roller, Paddle, and Button. From hands-on testing, this decision proves to be a success, offering greater accuracy and tactile feedback than touch-based systems.
- Roller: Used to rotate for volume adjustment, press to play/pause music, and switch between ANC and transparency mode.
- Paddle: Push right to skip to the next song, or push left to go back.
- Button: A customizable shortcut button, accessible via the Nothing X app. By default, it activates a voice assistant, but when paired with a Nothing phone, it enables Channel Hop for quick switching between favorite music apps.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Headphone (1) supports high-resolution audio via LDAC and is Hi-Res Wireless certified. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C Audio for wired listening. Battery life is a standout feature, providing up to 80 hours of playback with ANC disabled and 35 hours with ANC enabled. A fast-charging system delivers 2.4 hours of listening time with just a 5-minute charge (with ANC activated).
Comfort and Ergonomics
Beautiful design, impressive sound, and comprehensive features are meaningless without comfort. Nothing prioritized this aspect, designing the Headphone (1) to conform to a variety of head shapes. The headphones feature telescopic arms that smoothly extend and lock into a stable position. The earcups offer adequate depth and are lined with gentle memory foam, gradually adapting to the user’s ears for extended listening comfort. The PU leather covering is skin-friendly, smooth to the touch, and resistant to oil and cosmetic stains.
From our experience, the Nothing Headphone (1) is more than just aesthetically pleasing; it’s a thoughtfully designed product that announces Nothing’s arrival in the premium headphone market with confidence. Its unique design, Kef-tuned sound quality, precise physical controls, and exceptional battery life make it a compelling option for anyone seeking both performance and aesthetics.
As one reviewer put it, the Nothing Headphone (1) isn’t designed for us to simply “hear” music, but to “feel” it with every note.
Price and Availability
The Nothing Headphone (1) is available in white and black, priced at 8,999 baht (https://s.shopee.co.th/5fe371).
Pre-orders begin on July 26, 2025, with official sales commencing on August 2, 2025. Pre-order customers will receive a free Nothing Headphone Protective Cover.
