What when you may get a very good pair of over-ear headphones that did not value greater than $400?
That is the query Nothing, a UK-based tech startup, is attempting to reply with the brand new Nothing Headphone (1) headphones, simply unveiled this week. A bunch of tech publications bought to check out the brand new headphones previous to their reveal and launch, that means there at the moment are a superb variety of evaluations accessible on the market for folk occupied with probably getting this $299 pair of over-ear cans.
Nothing Headphone (1) value
What did the critics should say about these new headphones? For starters, many agree that they seem to be a nice worth at $299. The closest factors of comparability when it comes to options and audio high quality are issues just like the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Apple AirPods Max, each of which retail for effectively over $400. From that perspective, Nothing is already .
However what about all the things else?
The design
For starters, these headphones have form of a cool design which may flip off some prospects, however would possibly enchantment to others. They’ve huge, rectangular instances for the ear cups, and so they solely are available two colours: white and black. Ben Schoon summed it up properly in 9to5Google’s assessment:
“Nothing’s design right here is exclusive, to say the least. The partially sq., partially rounded design offers off cassette tape vibes, which I slightly like,” Schoon wrote.
Just about each different assessment I learn aligned with that viewpoint. Whether or not you personally are into the design or not, Nothing deserves some credit score for attempting one thing.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
Matt Bolton, in the meantime, made certain to emphasise in TechRadar’s assessment that the headphones are snug for lengthy classes, no matter how they give the impression of being.
“This match may even be a little bit divisive – some folks actually want only a lighter-weight headphone that does not have to grip a lot – however I discovered them extra snug than the AirPods Max, and effective to put on for a superb stretch of time,” Bolton wrote.
The sound
That is the tough half. Little else, not design, consolation, or energetic noise cancelation options, issues greater than the sound high quality with regards to headphones. Sadly, it is fairly broadly agreed in most evaluations I learn that that is one space the place the value distinction between Headphone (1) and its closest competitors manifests.
That is to not say the sound is unhealthy, although. In James Pero’s assessment for Gizmodo, he praised the standard of the noise cancelation and the audio output basically. It will not be fairly on the stage of AirPods Max, however there is a $250 value distinction between the 2, in order that’s in all probability to be anticipated.
“I nonetheless suppose Apple’s AirPods Max have a slight edge within the sound division — mid-to-highs simply have barely extra texture and room, which makes vocals really feel extra natural and clear,” Pero wrote. “That being stated, Nothing holds its personal in opposition to a competitor that costs a really hefty premium.”
Bolton, however, was extra crucial in his assessment for TechRadar.
“The audio is tuned by the good hi-fi model KEF, and in all fairness refined, well-balanced, and broadly pleasing,” Bolton wrote. “However it additionally feels compressed, and lacks the openness and expansive sound I am used to from testing the competitors at this value.”
The battery life
For $300, you’d anticipate good battery life out of a pair of headphones. It feels like Nothing delivered in that division. Schoon stated in his 9to5Google assessment that the batteries lasted 35 hours with ANC turned on and 80 with out it. My goodness, that is fairly darn good.
Based mostly on these evaluations, it feels like Nothing’s first over-ear headphones are stable, at worst. You will have to take care of barely worse audio high quality than among the dearer fashions, and you might not just like the design, however they appear like a superb worth the place it counts.
