Style Over Earbuds? Nothing’s Headphones Bring Back the Big Sound

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Nothing's first over-ear headphones, Headphone (1), have finally arrived in the world of high-end sound—and they're not riding on looks alone. With a classic, retro-fashioned look and touch-sensitive controls, these 'phones are making waves while delivering a sophisticated listening experience. Co-designed with British audio legends KEF, the Headphone (1) pairs nostalgia with cutting-edge tech.

Launch Highlights

Priced at ₹21,999, with a special introductory offer of ₹19,999 on July 15

Black and white colors are available on Flipkart, Myntra, Croma, and other big retail outlets

Boasts a custom 40mm dynamic driver tuned by KEF for high-fidelity, detailed sound

Features Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Spatial Audio with head tracking

Supports Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless audio playback, and 3.5mm jack for wired audio listening

Design & Comfort Notes

Translucent earcups and cassette-era aesthetics give it a bold, retro-futuristic look

Made from aluminium, CNC parts, and PU memory foam for durability and comfort

Telescoping arms and adjustable oil-resistant cushions ensure a snug fit for prolonged periods

Weighs 329g—powerful yet well-balanced for daily wear

Fold-flat design with felt-lined case but not fully collapsible

Performance Takeaways

Sound signature is articulate, clean, and warm—there is bass but it is not overwhelming

Vocals and mids are emphasized, which makes it suitable for acoustic, jazz, and vocal-oriented genres

Physical controllers have a volume roller, track paddle, and user-definable button—no touch input

ANC adapts in real-time using two mics and AI trained on 28 million noise situations

Battery life is up to 35 hours (AAC) or 30 hours (LDAC) with ANC on; 5-minute charge delivers 2.4 hours of playback

User Experience Insights

Nothing X app has an 8-band EQ and button personalization

Channel Hop feature offers immediate switching between audio applications

On-head detection, two-device pairing, and Google Fast Pair enhance usability Minor comfort fatigue was experienced by some users after prolonged sessions and non-replaceable earpads as a drawback

Last Impression Nothing Headphone (1) is not just a looker. It's a well-considered sound companion that finds middle ground between form and function. It won't unseat Sony or Bose on all fronts, but it does have its place for those who value design, attention to detail, and a touch of analog charm in a digital world.

Sources: Indian Express, Gizbot, TechRadar, What Hi-Fi, MSN India