Nothing Headphone (1): Sound by KEF & Tactical Tactile Controls
The Nothing Headphone (1) is Nothing's flagship entry into the over-ear audio market. Tuned in partnership with British audio pioneer KEF, it merges transparent housing elements with solid tactile controls, spatial audio with head tracking, and a massive 80-hour battery life.
Key Specifications
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Audio Engineering: Sound by KEF | Custom-designed 40mm dynamic drivers with high-linearity suspension and nickel-plated PU surround
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Codec & Audio Support:
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Wireless: Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certified, LDAC (up to 24-bit/96kHz), AAC, SBC
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Digital Wired: USB-C Audio (supports 24-bit/96kHz lossless transmission)
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Analog Wired: 3.5mm Aux Jack (supports 24-bit/48kHz transmission)
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Active Noise Cancellation: Real-Time Adaptive Hybrid ANC (up to 42 dB noise reduction, scanning every 600ms)
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Spatial Audio: Spatializer with dynamic Head Tracking for 360-degree soundscapes
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Battery & Playback:
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ANC Off: Up to 80 Hours
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ANC On: Up to 35 Hours
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Fast Charging: 5 minutes gives up to 5 hours of listening time
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Tactile Physical Controls (Right Ear Cup):
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Knurled Volume Roller: Smooth, continuous volume adjustment
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Navigation Paddle: Dedicated physical toggle for fast-forwarding, rewinding, and skipping tracks
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Essential Button: Programmable button for voice assistants, mode switching, or triggering Nothing OS Essential Space
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Build & Materials: Aluminum frame structure, transparent outer ear cup shells, soft matte ear cushions, IP52 dust & water resistance rating
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Dimensions & Weight: 173.85 x 78 x 189.25 mm | 329g
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Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, Dual-Device Multipoint, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair
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MSRP: $299 / £299 / RM1,099
Product Highlights
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KEF Acoustic Engineering: Tuned by legendary audio manufacturer KEF, providing natural midrange balance, precise transient response, and wide spatial instrument separation.
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No-Touch Mechanical Interface: Completely replaces accidental touch swipes with a physical volume roller, track navigation paddle, and dedicated action buttons located on the ear cup.
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Lossless Triple-Connection Flexibility: Seamlessly transitions from wireless LDAC listening to lossless USB-C or traditional 3.5mm analog wired audio without power loss.
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Smart Wear & Seal Sensing: Scans ear cushion alignment every 1,875 ms to automatically adjust ANC compensation based on hair or glass frame gaps.
What's in the Box
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Nothing Headphone (1)
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Protective Zipper Soft Case
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USB-C to USB-C Audio & Charging Cable
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3.5mm to 3.5mm Analog Audio Cable
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User Manual & Safety Information
Nothing launched its first pair of over-ear headphones under its main brand as the Nothing Head (1) (often referred to casually as the Nothing Headphone 1). Prior to this, their audio lineup consisted entirely of in-ear buds (Ear (1), Ear (2), Ear (a), etc.).
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Design | Signature Nothing transparent aesthetic with a visible internal frame and subtle red accents. |
| Audio Quality | Custom dynamic drivers tuned for balanced sound with detailed highs and punchy bass. Supports high-res codecs (LDAC / LHDC). |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) with multiple levels and transparency mode. |
| Controls | Tactile physical controls (dials/toggle switches) instead of unpredictable swipe gestures. |
| Battery Life | Up to ~30–40 hours with ANC turned off (fast charging via USB-C). |
| Integration | Full Nothing OS integration (custom EQ, low-lag game mode, spatial audio support). |
Design Tip: The tactile control dial on the earcup allows you to adjust volume and cycle through ANC modes without reaching for your phone.