Nothing’s first over-ear headphones wish to be a unusual $300 AirPods Max different

After quite a few waves of comparable (and not-so-similar) wireless buds, Nothing is debuting its first pair of over-ear headphones. The Headphone 1 combines the corporate’s recognizable see-through aesthetic with an intriguing array of controls and as much as 35 hours of listening with lively noise cancellation (ANC). Handily, for its most premium audio launch but, the $299 headphones accompany the launch of Nothing’s new flagship smartphone: the Cellphone 3.

First impressions are every part, and these appear to be Nothing headphones. As soon as once more, the corporate has integrated a clear design aspect. There’s additionally an oval form that showcases a portion of the {hardware} inside, layered atop an aluminum rectangle with curved corners. The 2 metallic dots on every oval are a part of the acoustic chambers, not button inputs as you may assume. Whereas the white possibility seems extra “Nothing,” I believe I choose the black, which makes the corporate’s design decisions barely extra refined.

Nothing eschews contact sensors for buttons, paddles and a curler. The curler is a pleasant contact, providing a extra delicate technique to regulate the quantity, slightly than abrupt stage jumps. It may also be pressed to play and pause tracks. Lengthy presses right here change the headphone between lively noise cancellation and transparency mode. One uncommon facet is that the curler strikes facet to facet, even when the quantity fluctuates up and down. It feels somewhat bizarre.

Just under that, the paddle management acts as a monitor skipper, but additionally consists of the flexibility to clean each ahead and backward, just like an old-school rewind. The latter function will depend on help from third-party apps to work.

On the identical headphone cup, there’s additionally a standard button that acts as a shortcut to voice assistants and my favourite little bit of Nothing software program, Essential Space. Nothing has added an extra boon when paired with Nothing telephones, permitting it to seamlessly change between current audio apps with out requiring you to the touch your telephone. (Naturally, you’re hostage to no matter was taking part in final or is cued up.) This function will first be appropriate with the Cellphone 3 earlier than being rolled out to older Nothing units. There’s already help from the likes of Audible, Soundcloud and Patreon along with the same old music streaming suspects.

There’s additionally an nearly secret Bluetooth pairing button on the interior facet of the identical ear cup. It’s good that this can be a devoted button as you’re unlikely to unpair from utilizing the first buttons and controls.

Nothing has put work into consolation and match, and as a principally wi-fi earbud listener, I used to be pleasantly shocked at how the sub-12-ounce (329 grams) headphones felt. They’re nearly two ounces lighter than the AirPods Max, which appears to be the product that Nothing is aiming to compete with. Nonetheless, there are lighter over-ear headphones, together with a number of Bose fashions and the Sony WH-1000XM6, which weigh underneath 9 ounces.

There’s ample PU leather-based padding across the ear cushions and the scarf, and the corporate says it ought to resist oils and make-up. In my testing thus far, any sweaty residue was simple to wipe off. (I do want the ear cushions had been replaceable, nevertheless.) The adjustable arms additionally held onto the size I most well-liked whereas I used to be carrying them. I haven’t examined them but whereas understanding on the health club — they had been underneath embargo in any case — however over-ear headphones are an acquired style for many who sweat it out whereas listening to music.

Sound-wise, Nothing has constructed customized 40mm dynamic drivers, with help for Hello-Res Audio, spatial audio with head monitoring and ANC with 4 suggestions mics. The cans additionally help twin gadget connection, permitting you to hop between your new Nothing Cellphone (3) and your laptop computer.

KEF assisted with the acoustic engineering and proprietary tuning instruments, apparently aiming to create a sound profile that reproduces music because the artist supposed. In keeping with Nothing, the staff labored to realize this throughout regular playback, ANC and Spatial Audio modes.

The Headphone (1) sounds somewhat bass-forward, however the soundscape is far richer than Nothing’s assortment of wi-fi buds. In comparison with essentially the most premium headphones, although, vocals generally sound somewhat muddy. (In Nothing’s protection, these are pre-release models and software program. If issues enhance, I’ll replace this story.)

The up to date model of the Nothing X app provides an 8-band EQ and the flexibility to remap the “Button” (an extra management, separate to the paddle and curler) to channel hopping, AI voice assistants, Noise management, Spatial audio and even switching to your favourite EQ preset.

Nothing says the Headphone (1) will provide as much as 80 hours of audio playback, and as much as 35 hours with ANC enabled. With ANC on — the mode I exploit essentially the most for quiet middle-of-the-office listening — I acquired round that period of time. You’ll be capable of recover from two and a half hours of listening from a five-minute fast cost.

The Headphone 1 has a divisive look. Forward of the launch, I confirmed them to different editors at Engadget and a few had been baffled by the blended use of sq. aluminum and round parts. However, it’s completely different, and that’s Nothing’s MO. Its new headphones can be accessible for pre-order beginning July 4, with gross sales kicking off July 15. They arrive in black and white shade choices, priced at $299 (£299/€299).