What in case you may get a very 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 bought to attempt out the brand new headphones previous to their reveal and launch, which means there are now a very good variety of critiques out there out there for folk all in favour of probably 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 should say about these new headphones? For starters, many agree that they seem to be a great value 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 nicely over $400. From that perspective, Nothing is already better off.
However what about every part else?
The design
For starters, these headphones have type of a cool design that may flip off some prospects, however would possibly attraction to others. They’ve huge, rectangular instances for the ear cups, and so they solely are available in two colours: white and black. Ben Schoon summed it up properly in 9to5Google’s review:
“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 overview 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 Pace
Matt Bolton, in the meantime, made positive to emphasise in TechRadar’s review that the headphones are comfy for lengthy periods, no matter how they give the impression of being.
“This match may even be somewhat divisive – some folks actually favor only a lighter-weight headphone that does not have to grip a lot – however I discovered them extra comfy than the AirPods Max, and wonderful to put on for a very good stretch of time,” Bolton wrote.
The sound
That is the difficult half. Little else, not design, consolation, or energetic noise cancelation options, issues greater than the sound high quality relating to headphones. Sadly, it is fairly broadly agreed in most critiques 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 dangerous, although. In James Pero’s review for Gizmodo, he praised the standard of the noise cancelation and the audio output usually. 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 stated, Nothing holds its personal in opposition to a competitor that fees a really hefty premium.”
Bolton, then again, was extra essential in his overview for TechRadar.
“The audio is tuned by the nice hi-fi model KEF, and in all fairness refined, well-balanced, and broadly pleasurable,” Bolton wrote. “Nevertheless 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 stated in his 9to5Google overview 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 critiques, it feels like Nothing’s first over-ear headphones are stable, at worst. You might have to take care of barely worse audio high quality than a number of the dearer fashions, and chances are you’ll not just like the design, however they appear like a very good worth the place it counts.
