What if you happen to might get a extremely good pair of over-ear headphones that did not price 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 obtained to check out the brand new headphones previous to their reveal and launch, that means there are actually a superb variety of opinions out there on the market for people concerned with doubtlessly getting this $299 pair of over-ear cans.
Nothing Cellphone (3) introduced. See specs, worth, preorder particulars
Nothing Headphone (1) worth
What did the critics must say about these new headphones? For starters, many agree that they seem to be a nice worth at $299. The closest factors of comparability by way of options and audio high quality are issues just like the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and the Apple AirPods Max, each of which retail for properly over $400. From that perspective, Nothing is already better off.
However what about every thing else?
The design
For starters, these headphones have sort of a cool design which may flip off some clients, however would possibly attraction to others. They’ve massive, rectangular circumstances for the ear cups, they usually solely are available in two colours: white and black. Ben Schoon summed it up properly in 9to5Google’s evaluation:
“Nothing’s design right here is exclusive, to say the least. The partially sq., partially rounded design offers off cassette tape vibes, which I somewhat like,” Schoon wrote.
Just about each different evaluation 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 positive to emphasise in TechRadar’s evaluation that the headphones are snug for lengthy classes, no matter how they give the impression of being.
“This match may also be just a little divisive – some folks actually want only a lighter-weight headphone that does not must grip a lot – however I discovered them extra snug than the AirPods Max, and fantastic to put on for a superb stretch of time,” Bolton wrote.
The sound
That is the difficult half. Little else, not design, consolation, or lively noise cancelation options, issues greater than the sound high quality in the case of headphones. Sadly, it is fairly broadly agreed in most opinions I learn that that is one space the place the worth distinction between Headphone (1) and its closest competitors manifests.
That is to not say the sound is unhealthy, although. In James Pero’s evaluation for Gizmodo, he praised the standard of the noise cancelation and the audio output basically. It might not be fairly on the degree of AirPods Max, however there is a $250 worth distinction between the 2, in order that’s in all probability to be anticipated.
“I nonetheless assume 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 mentioned, Nothing holds its personal in opposition to a competitor that fees a really hefty premium.”
Bolton, alternatively, was extra vital in his evaluation for TechRadar.
“The audio is tuned by the good hi-fi model KEF, and in all fairness refined, well-balanced, and broadly pleasurable,” Bolton wrote. “However it additionally feels compressed, and lacks the openness and expansive sound I am used to from testing the competitors at this worth.”
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 mentioned in his 9to5Google evaluation that the batteries lasted 35 hours with ANC turned on and 80 with out it. My goodness, that is fairly darn good.
Primarily based on these opinions, it feels like Nothing’s first over-ear headphones are stable, at worst. You’ll have to cope with barely worse audio high quality than a few of the dearer fashions, and you could not just like the design, however they appear like a superb worth the place it counts.
