Review: Nothing’s retro-inspired Headphone (1) are more substance than style

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Rarely, a helmet release generates a massive buzz of its design alone. Nothing helmet (1) did that exactly.

By combining the aesthetics of the old school with modern features, these wireless cans currently have the undivided attention of audiophiles and hyèbes with an affinity for elegantly manufactured audio products. Well, I strongly recommend soaking expectations.

The helmet (1) rewards you with a strong cancellation of active noise, battery life and sound. The transparent conception of nothing is not for everyone, and those who find it intriguing will be happy or disappointed when they are not congested. These headphones are also rough on the edges in certain ways.

Come see what I’m talking about.

The author carrying the Nothing helmet (1).
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Nothing helmet (1) Specifications and configuration of wireless headphones

Helmet (1) has an impressive specification sheet. See for yourself.

• Loudspeaker unit: 40 mm

• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

• Adaptive cancellation of active noise

• Environmental noise cancellation on the back of AI 4 mic

• Kef acoustic engineering

• Bluetooth 5.3 with high resolution audio, LDAC and USB-C Lacadack without loss

• IP52 Resist dust and water

• 35 hours of battery with anc over / 80 hours with ancho OFF

• The 5 -minute fast charge is 5 hours of listening time (ANCOS)

• Colors: black and white

The association is both simple and unique. These headphones have something that I have never seen before – a Bluetooth button discreetly hidden inside at the bottom right of the right ear. The power supply will allow the matching mode to connect to iOS / macOS or Android devices; The latter takes advantage of the Fast Google pair in a turn.

The NETHING application (iOS / Android) grants access to a variety of personalized features, and it supports firmware updates.

Nothing has developed a singular control scheme for transparent operation. All orders are placed on the straight section. There is an action button at the front to assign advanced functions (for example, digital assistance, EQ, Mic Mute). The real attraction is the roller that adjusts the volume by scrolling the left or the right. It even serves as a multifunctional button to activate listening modes and reading. Under the roller is a paddle for calling for calls and rapid rewind / rewinding. Everything works exceptionally well.

A meticulous but polarizing design

This design is not for everyone. In addition to that, the headphones do not seem cool as in press images. This does not mean that you cannot appreciate the clever ingenuity of nothing.

The retro look may not be everyone’s tea cup.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The details are everything, and the helmet (1) does not run them. The white box specific to the interior has a relief imprint of headphones which releases minimalist art vibrations. The oval cassette boxes evoke memories of Sony Walkman, while rectangular headphones are a nice reminder for vintage home headphones. Small touches like the angular arms and the points of points present the brand’s chic craftsmanship. IP54 certification protects the headphones from dust, sweat and water splashes.

Unfortunately, the helmet (1) is clumsy and heavy (11.6 ounces). They click together when the headphones are swivel, which strikes the work of metal paint over time.

Super sound and even larger noise

Helmet (1) will not win any audiophile price. Nevertheless, Kef set the sound scene to produce a satisfactory mixture of stockings, mediums and highs.

The sound was especially pleasant as soon as the box is released. Playing with the equation improved it. There was the option to create a sound profile by manually adjusting the frequencies or selecting from four presets: balanced (by default), more bass, more acute and voice. More triples offered the most stable sound.

You will want to adjust the equation.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The electric guitar riff and the strike battery on “Walking Contradiction” by Green Day had an impact and put me in head of head. Run the Jewels “Ooh la la” had a huge reverberation, highlighted by monstrous bass that stretched and gently decompose with each sporadic cash strike. Mediums and summits were decent. Ballades like “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey delivered brilliant and clear voices that have been accentuated when the singer exercised her range of pitch in Outro.

Android devices have provided the best listening experience via LDAC. The audio codec diffuses music to a high binary flow and maintains the nuance of the original recordings. Spotify songs seemed compressed on my MacBook Pro, but they received a high resolution boost on my OnePlus 11 and nothing (3) smartphones. The same goes for all the other content. Activating the low lag mode reduces latency when searching for videos.

It is also fantastic that the headphones support reading without loss via the USB-C connection. I noticed a huge difference in clarity on Apple music pieces when connected to my MacBook Pro. Just the space audio mode will not finish that you like the 3D or Bose 3D audio format, but it is acceptable if you want a theater acoustics.

Nothing an ancient adaptive in real time worked better than I had planned. Technology has removed various sounds through the frequency spectrum. Current distractions such as talkative pedestrians and household appliances have gone unnoticed. Acute sounds (for example, crying, sirens, sirens) have been minimized. I used the mode of transparency religiously at home, especially during cooking. The microphones have clearly picked up the voices and facilitate communication with the Musse on the other side of the room. This feature was most useful outside; I could hear people walking behind me and cars from a house pâté.

Recreation of the ANC is reasonable (35 hours), although you can get more than double the battery life when you turn it off (up to 80 hours). Fast load Maximizes use: a five -minute load generates five hours of listening time (ANCOS).

Non -polished areas and other concerns

Helmet (1) has demonstrated many faults. Connectivity was wobbly in multipoint mode (the audio stammered several feet from my main device). Short cables of 3.5 mm and USB-C were not practical for the use of desktop / laptop. Wear detection was barely worked, and when it did, there was always a three -second delay.

Another problem that must be solved is that the headphones are not foldable. This makes them less practical to transport and exposes certain parts to damage.

Is the helmet nothing (1) is it worth it?

If you are a brand enthusiast or a fan of retro headphones who want an anc and an adequate sound at an feasible price, then the nothing (1) helmet will be enough. Everyone will want to consider other premium options.

Kef’s sound scene brings depth and wealth to most tracks. Playing with EQ gets better results and loss without loss increases audio performance. I am shocked by the effectiveness of the ANC on these headphones. Technology neutralizes unwanted noise at a high level and gives an ambient consciousness in transparency mode. Extra-long playing times are also useful during his trips.

My controversial point of view is that the helmet (1) seems better as a concept than a real version. Their appearance is attractive to nostalgically, and certain elements are attractive, but they do not have the same charm in person as in advertisements. Tive to take into account their gaps and we are talking about a doubtful investment.