Nothing’s been teasing us with transparent gadgets for years now, but let’s be real — their earbuds were more “pretty good” than “holy shit.” So when they announced full-size cans with KEF tuning and an 80-hour battery claim, I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain. Turns out I owe them an apology. These things actually slap.
Unboxing & Build
The box screams Nothing — minimal white packaging with that signature transparent aesthetic they’re known for. Inside, you get the headphones, a surprisingly nice braided cable with inline controls, a USB-C charging cable, and a hard case that’s way better than the sad pouches most manufacturers throw in.
The build quality is legitimately impressive for $169 (as tested). The transparent shells aren’t just a gimmick here — you can see the actual driver magnets and circuit boards, and it doesn’t feel cheap like some transparent tech does. The aluminum skeleton running through the headband feels rock-solid, and the adjustment mechanism has that satisfying click that makes you think someone actually gave a shit during engineering.
Where they stumble a bit is weight. At 296g, these aren’t featherweight, and you’ll feel it after a couple hours. The pleather ear cups are soft enough, but they run warm. If you’re in a hot climate or have a shaved head like me, expect some sweat action during long sessions.
Features & Controls
That 80-hour battery claim? It’s real, but only with ANC off. With ANC on, you’re looking at closer to 55 hours, which is still absolutely bonkers. For context, the Sony XM5s tap out at 30 hours with ANC. I’ve been using these for two weeks and charged them once. Once.
The ANC itself is strong, not quite Bose QC Ultra territory, but it obliterates droning airplane noise and knocks down about 80% of coffee shop chatter. Transparency mode is usable but sounds a bit digital, like you’re listening to the world through YouTube compression.
Controls are gesture-based on the right cup. Swipe up/down for volume, forward/back for tracks, tap for play/pause, and a long press to toggle ANC modes. They work reliably once you learn them, but there’s a learning curve. Physical buttons would’ve been my preference, call me old school.
The app (iOS and Android) is clean and doesn’t require an account, which is a miracle in 2024. You get a 5-band EQ, multiple ANC profiles, and firmware updates. That’s it. No AI bullshit, no “soundscape” nonsense. Refreshing.
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Sound Quality
Here’s where KEF’s involvement actually matters. These sound nothing like typical consumer cans, and I mean that as a massive compliment.
Bass: Tight and articulate without being anemic. Playing Radiohead’s “15 Step” from In Rainbows, Phil Selway’s kick drum has proper texture and decay rather than that boomy one-note thump you get from Sony’s XM series. The sub-bass on Flying Lotus’s “Zodiac Shit” extends deep and controlled, you feel it, but it doesn’t bleed into the mids. If you’re a basshead expecting Beats-level thunder, look elsewhere. This is quality over quantity.
Mids: This is where these headphones really flex. Vocals sit right where they should — forward but not shouty. Listening to Phoebe Bridgers’ “Kyoto,” her voice has proper presence and intimacy. The layered harmonies don’t smear together like they do on warmer-tuned headphones. Guitars on The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio” have bite and body simultaneously, which is a tough balance to nail.
Treble: Extended but safe. Hi-hats and cymbals have shimmer without ever getting sibilant or fatiguing. The opening of St. Vincent’s “Digital Witness”, which can sound harsh on bright headphones, stays energetic but controlled. Detail retrieval is excellent; you’ll hear production elements you missed on lesser cans. That said, if you’re a treble-sensitive person, you might find these just slightly hot in the 8-10kHz region during long sessions.
Soundstage & Imaging: For closed-backs, the soundstage is surprisingly wide. Not planar-magnetic wide, but definitely more spacious than the Sony XM5s or Bose QuietComfort series. Listening to Bon Iver’s “715 – CR∑∑KS,” the cascading vocal layers have distinct placement rather than floating in a vague cloud around your head. Imaging is precise enough for gaming and spatial audio tracks, though they’re not competing with proper open-back studio cans.
The tuning leans slightly bright-neutral, which means they’re fantastic for podcasts, acoustic music, and anything production-heavy. Where they struggle slightly is with really dense, aggressive metal, the slightly leaner low-end means something like Gojira can feel a touch thin compared to warmer headphones.
Who It’s For
These are for people who actually care about sound quality but still need ANC and Bluetooth convenience. If you’ve been disappointed by how bloated and muddy most consumer ANC headphones sound, the Nothing Headphone (1) will feel like a revelation.
They’re also ideal for frequent travelers who forget to charge their gear, that battery life is legitimately game-changing. And if you’re coming from gaming headsets wondering what “good” sounds like, these are an excellent entry into proper audio.
Who should skip them? Bassheads, people who need the absolute best ANC (stick with Bose), and anyone who prioritizes featherweight comfort over everything else.
Verdict
At $169, these are less than the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399) and the AirPods Max ($549), and honestly? They sound better than for actual music listening. The Sony still wins on ANC performance and that buttery comfort, and the AirPods have better ecosystem integration if you’re in Apple land. But purely from a sound quality perspective, Nothing nailed it.
Are they perfect? No. They’re a bit heavy, the transparency mode needs work, and the slightly bright tuning won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But as a first serious attempt at premium headphones, these are shockingly good. Nothing’s finally made something that lives up to the hype.
If KEF-tuned sound and stupid-long battery life matter more to you than having the absolute best ANC on the market, these are an easy recommendation. The hype train can keep rolling.
Tested with: iPhone 15 Pro, MacBook Pro M3, FiiO BTR5 (wired), Spotify Premium/Tidal HiFi, various FLAC files
Nothing Headphone (1)
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