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Nothing Headphone (a) Review: A Standout in the Mid-Range Headphone Market
This review introduces the Nothing Headphone (a), the second generation of over-ear headphones from Nothing (excluding the CMF brand). The “(a)” in the name signifies a more budget-friendly variant compared to the flagship Headphone (1).
Despite their more accessible price point, these headphones uphold Nothing’s core values: distinctive design and excellent value for the quality offered. Join us as we delve into a detailed test of the Nothing Headphone (a).
Key Features at a Glance
Pros:
- Exceptional quality and features for the price
- Unique design coupled with solid build quality
- Excellent ergonomics thanks to diverse physical controls
- User-friendly and feature-rich companion app
- Above-average Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) experience
- Pleasing sound quality, tuned for popular genres
- Outstanding battery life on a single charge
Cons:
- Earcups cannot be easily replaced
- The clamping force might feel too strong for some users
- Lack of automatic wear detection sensor
- Using the equalizer significantly reduces sound volume
Our Verdict on the Nothing Headphone (a)
If you’re searching for over-ear headphones that not only deliver great sound and look good, but are also exceptionally comfortable and offer incredibly long battery life, the Nothing Headphone (a) should be at the top of your list. Especially considering its competitive price, which solidifies its impressive value proposition. While it has minor drawbacks, such as the absence of an auto-pause/resume feature for media playback, these are easily overshadowed by its many strengths.
Unboxing, Technical Specifications, and Pricing
What’s in the Box?
The Nothing Headphone (a) arrives in a large, well-organized box featuring Nothing’s signature black exterior and white interior. Everything has its designated place, avoiding unnecessary clutter. The headphones are presented in one section, while accessories are neatly stored separately. These include a 1.2-meter USB-C to USB-C cable and a 3.5mm audio jack cable with an angled connector.
While a carrying case is included, its material quality leaves something to be desired. It feels rather flimsy, almost like paper, raising concerns about its long-term durability. However, inside, Nothing has thoughtfully provided two compartments to keep the headphones and accessories separate. The closing mechanism of the case is robust and functions without issue.
Price Point
A key advantage of the Nothing Headphone (a) is its introductory price. Positioned as an entry point into Nothing’s over-ear headphone lineup, it launches at approximately $179. Given Nothing’s tendency for promotions, this price point represents excellent value for prospective buyers.
Technical Specifications: Nothing Headphone (a)
- Design: Over-ear, Closed-back
- Drivers: 40mm Dynamic (PEN+PU with Titanium coating), Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
- Microphones: 4 (2 for ANC)
- Connectivity: 3.5mm Jack, Bluetooth 5.4 (AAC, SBC, LDAC)
- Fast Pairing: Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair
- Battery: 1060 mAh, up to 135 hours playback
- Additional Features: ChatGPT integration, LDAC & Hi-Res Audio certification, IP52 splash resistance, Multi-point connection (connects to 2 devices simultaneously)
- Materials: Plastic
- Color Options: White, Black, Pink, Yellow
- Dimensions: 177×78×190.4 mm
- Weight: 310 g
Design and Build Quality
Nothing has consistently aimed to differentiate its devices through unique design, and the Headphone (a) is no exception. Its aesthetic perfectly aligns with the established look of previous Headphone (1) models and Nothing’s smartphones.
Despite being a more affordable model primarily constructed from plastic, the build quality feels premium. The fit and finish are exceptional, and the glossy, “glass-like” elements impressively resist fingerprints, which is a significant plus.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The distinctive square-oval design is certainly unique, but it has implications for comfort. While the headband is extendable and the earcups pivot, the Nothing Headphone (a) generally exerts a noticeable clamping force on the user’s head. Coupled with its relatively high weight, you definitely feel these headphones when wearing them.
This design has both advantages and disadvantages. The downside relates to long-term comfort; it requires an adjustment period until the materials soften. However, this tight fit ensures excellent sealing around the ears, significantly contributing to passive noise isolation.
Earcups and Controls
Moving to the earcups, there’s much to appreciate, but first, a notable omission: the ear cushions are not easily replaceable. This could become a problem in the long run as the factory material wears out.
It’s also worth noting that the earcups completely envelop the ears. For most, this will be a perfect fit, though individuals with larger ears might find them a bit snug.
On the positive side, the headphones boast a comprehensive array of physical controls. Alongside the microphones, ports (USB-C, 3.5mm Jack), and charging LED, you’ll find various input methods, including traditional buttons, scroll wheels, and switches. Their placement cleverly utilizes the rectangular design.
Less frequently used functions (like initiating pairing) are subtly placed on the inside, while essential controls for volume adjustment or track skipping are always within easy reach. Naturally, most of these actions can be customized through the Nothing X smartphone app.
User Experience with Nothing Headphone (a)
To fully unlock the potential of the Nothing Headphone (a), pairing them with the official Nothing X app is essential. Available for free on the Play Store and App Store, it’s a very convenient and well-designed application.
While the app’s localization might have minor character display issues, the overall translation and functionality are excellent. Everything is logically laid out and easy to navigate.
Connectivity and Smart Features
Available features include comprehensive control customization, firmware updates, and connection management. A major advantage of the Nothing Headphone (a) is its ability to connect to two devices simultaneously, along with support for Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair technologies.
The app is further enhanced by a detailed equalizer with various presets and integration with several services, including Nothing’s proprietary “Essential Space” for advanced notes. “Channel Hop” allows for quick switching between media playback applications, though its integration is currently somewhat limited. True to Nothing’s brand, AI integration with ChatGPT is present, offering an alternative to standard voice assistants.
The overall connection quality is impressive, supporting the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio and maintaining stable performance. The only missing feature is an auto-detection sensor to pause/resume playback when the headphones are removed or put on.
As a consolation for battery management, you can set a timer for when the headphones automatically power off after no audio is received.
Microphone Quality and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Microphone Performance
The Nothing Headphone (a) utilizes three of its four microphones for phone calls. One of these, combined with AI processing, is dedicated to background noise cancellation, and it performs quite well. Wind noise and constant ambient sounds are filtered effectively.
Performance degrades slightly in busy office environments where various background frequencies are abundant. While you’ll still be understood, the clarity may suffer. This is an area Nothing could potentially improve with future software updates.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
For Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), two microphones are employed, and the results are surprisingly good. A significant portion of this effectiveness comes from the passive isolation provided by the snug fit of the earcups to the ears.
It’s advisable to use either the adaptive ANC mode or the low setting, as the high reduction setting might introduce a slight hiss. Also, be aware that engaging ANC subtly boosts the low-end frequencies during music playback.
Sound Quality of Nothing Headphone (a)
Nothing offers substantial audio customization for the Headphone (a) within its application. The comprehensive equalizer stands out immediately, but it’s important to note that while it effectively adjusts individual frequency bands, it can negatively impact the overall volume level. If you don’t listen to music at very high volumes, you might not even notice this. A similar observation applies to wired connections, where the soundstage seems minimally narrower.
The default sound profile of the Nothing Headphone (a) tends to emphasize bass, but this can be quickly adjusted. Nevertheless, you’ll find the low frequencies pleasantly impactful. The sense of spatial awareness might also surprise you, even though these headphones aren’t specifically designed to excel in that aspect.
Ultimately, every frequency band delivers an above-average performance. It’s evident that the Headphone (a) was designed with a slight bias towards enhancing aspects crucial for popular music genres, but this effect isn’t overdone. Therefore, the sound quality developed by Nothing is undoubtedly a success within this price segment.
Battery Life and Charging
This is a category where Nothing truly overwhelms the competition. The stated battery life on a single charge for the Headphone (a) is nothing short of remarkable:
- AAC Codec:
- With ANC: 75 hours
- Without ANC: 135 hours
- LDAC Codec:
- With ANC: 62 hours
- Without ANC: 90 hours
- Phone Calls:
- With ANC: 50 hours
- Without ANC: 72 hours
During testing, I primarily focused on the most demanding scenario: maximum quality (LDAC) with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) enabled. My result, listening to music at approximately 60% volume, exceeded 55 hours. This translates to an entire week of use without needing to worry about recharging. Simply brilliant!
A full charge takes just over 2 hours, but the first 5 minutes of charging provide several hours of playback, which is another significant advantage. Furthermore, there’s no impediment to using the headphones while they are charging.
Conclusion
The Nothing Headphone (a) is an exceptionally successful pair of headphones. Nothing has strived for originality at every turn, and it has paid off handsomely. They offer a fantastic price, unique design, extensive control and software capabilities, and decent sound. As if that weren’t enough, they deliver such an extended battery life that I genuinely struggled to measure its full extent during testing.
It was equally challenging to find significant flaws in the Nothing Headphone (a)’s construction. While there are minor nuances the manufacturer could address in future iterations, such as the clamping force or the absence of a wear detection sensor, these are minor. A simple earcup replacement system would also be a welcome addition, extending the accessory’s lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Nothing Headphone (a)?
The Nothing Headphone (a) is an affordable over-ear headphone model from Nothing, known for its distinctive design, strong feature set, and excellent battery life. It is positioned as a more budget-friendly option compared to the flagship Headphone (1).
How much do the Nothing Headphone (a) cost?
The Nothing Headphone (a) launches at approximately $179, offering significant value for its features and performance.
What is the battery life of Nothing Headphone (a)?
The battery life is exceptionally long, offering up to 135 hours without ANC using the AAC codec, and up to 62 hours with ANC using the high-quality LDAC codec. Real-world usage during testing showed over 55 hours with ANC and LDAC.
Do Nothing Headphone (a) have good ANC?
Yes, the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Nothing Headphone (a) is above average, significantly aided by excellent passive noise isolation from its snug fit.
Is the design of Nothing Headphone (a) comfortable?
The design is unique and well-built, but the headphones exert a noticeable clamping force that might feel tight for some users, particularly during extended listening sessions, though it also contributes to good passive noise isolation.
Can I replace the earcups on Nothing Headphone (a)?
Unfortunately, the earcups on the Nothing Headphone (a) are not designed for easy replacement, which could be a consideration for long-term durability.
Source: Original content. Opening photo: Gemini
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