These headphones from Nothing look from another planet

When you think of over-ear headphones, you usually have a pretty clear mental image of the aesthetic. Then UK mobile brand Nothing comes along and sets fire to pre-conceptions. Overnight, the company launched the active noise-cancelling Nothing Headphone (1), its first over-ear audio device, and the headphones look like they come from another planet.

Like Nothing’s translucent phones, the headphones have a transparent design that reveals the acoustic chambers within. Not only that, but they have a rather striking boxy silhouette that sticks out like a sore thumb next to most other headphones’ circular designs.

Nothing deliberately made an effort to deviate from touch controls, instead designing the Headphone (1) with three tactile inputs to control media playback and ANC modes. Its ear-cups are also said to be oil-resistant, which should make cleaning off sweat and makeup easier. It’s a deliberate decision from the brand, according to Adam Bates, Nothing’s Head of Design.

“From the tactile controls to the transparent construction, every detail is intentional,” Bates said. “It’s a product that looks different, works differently, and invites people to connect with sound in a more expressive way.”

Hooray for tactile controls! Image: Nothing.

But how does the Nothing Headphone (1) sound? It’s tricky to tell from a spec sheet alone, but the $549 Australian price tag hints at the intended quality level. British audio company KEF worked on the engineering side of things, including custom 40mm drivers, Spatial Audio support, and EQ tuning.

From a connectivity standpoint, Nothing’s headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 pairing with two devices simultaneously, meaning you can quickly switch between inputs. USB-C and 3.5mm connectivity also comes included, along with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and lossless audio playback.

Nothing quotes the Headphones (1) as lasting for up to 35 hours of listening time with ANC enabled. If running low, a quick five-minute charge gets a few hours of ANC playback in a pinch.

Here in Australia, you can get your hands on the Nothing Headphone (1) on 15 July. Pre-orders start on 2 July via Optus and JB Hi-Fi.

I’ve long campaigned against boring-looking tech, so I hope these headphones sound as good as they look.

The post These headphones from Nothing look from another planet appeared first on GadgetGuy.

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