Nothing Headphone (1) Over-Ear Headphones

The Nothing Headphone (1) is aimed at a very modern sort of audio fussbudget: somebody who wants wireless convenience, but refuses to pretend that every device, cable and file format has agreed to co-operate. Fair enough. A laptop, phone, games console and mystery drawer of adapters can turn “put some music on” into a small administrative task. This White version is a wireless over-ear headphone, and Nothing has supplied rather more routes into it than most people will need on a Tuesday. There is LDAC for wireless listening, USB-C audio, and a 3.5 mm wired connection. That is an unusually sensible spread, especially when a device with a dying battery or a stubborn older socket decides it wants to be the main character. The underlying hardware is equally specific: custom-made 40 mm speakers use a high-linearity suspension system and PU surround, while the supplied specification cites Hi-Res Wireless certification and 24-bit/96 kHz precision. We cannot tell you how it sounds in your particular playlist of pub-rock classics and aggressively mastered podcasts, but the ingredients are substantially more serious than a pair of headphones built solely for taking calls beside a kettle. Nothing also lists hybrid active noise cancellation, spatial sound, six microphones, fast charging and up to 80 hours of playtime. That collection makes Headphone (1) the broadest recommendation in this set: it covers the straightforward daily job, but leaves room for the person who still owns a 3.5 mm cable on purpose. A rare little victory for flexibility over ecosystem nonsense.